This gallery contains 30 photos.
Ever the optimist, I’m hoping for the weather to turn in March. Now that February is over, it will be remembered for its lack of light (our gloomiest ever February) and only one dry 24-hour period. (As I write this, … Continue reading
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I was going to begin with the crime scene. Or should that be the murder scene, for that is what it seemed to me to be. Except that is, by definition, the unlawful and pre-meditated killing of one human by … Continue reading
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I was surprised to see the Met Office forecasting in mid-December that 2026 was likely to be one of the hottest years yet (since their records began – in the mid-1800’s). After the exceptionally sunny, if cold, Christmas we enjoyed, January … Continue reading
This gallery contains 36 photos.
It’s recognised by mycologists that West Wales (and parts of Scotland) are some of the world’s hotspots for grassland fungi, in particular the colourful range of waxcap fungi which typically fruit in late summer through autumn. In part because there … Continue reading
This gallery contains 19 photos.
Look at the NBN Atlas map for the distribution of kingfishers, Alcedo atthis, in Wales, and if you zoom in, it’s obvious that although it’s a widely distributed species, there are currently no records for the hilly terrain around us. The … Continue reading
This gallery contains 14 photos.
Last week was quite something, in this insignificant part of the world. Culminating in me managing to watch sunrise on the summer solstice from the peace and quiet of our shepherd’s hut. A first for me, and an evolving couple … Continue reading
This gallery contains 70 photos.
Inevitably, over time, this blog has shifted and drifted in topics and style. Just like the garden has morphed and changed. Sometimes diary, sometimes investigative, sometimes creative, sometimes science-based, sometimes poetic. I can’t discern any obvious pattern for these changes, … Continue reading
This gallery contains 59 photos.
Before lambing started, I had several sessions collecting dry Purple Moor Grass, Molinia caerulea, from the uncut wet area of our lower hay meadow. I’ve mentioned this before since we use it as bedding for our sheep lambing pens. But this … Continue reading
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One of my most dramatic local wildlife experiences comes later in this post. But firstly, I should record that the extended ‘dunkelflaute’ period has now well and truly passed (from the German dunkel – ‘dark’ and flaute – ‘lull’). Storms … Continue reading
This gallery contains 41 photos.
January, named after double-headed Roman God, Janus, is a special time for both reflection and anticipation. (Picture of Janus feasting – from the twelfth century Fécamp Psalter). For looking back at 2024, and forwards to what the New Year might … Continue reading
This gallery contains 66 photos.
We were due a change of weather fortune. Two out of three Christmas dates put smiles back on our faces, with their own special tales, and made an end-of-year to remember. Christmas Eve: As soon as I popped outside, I … Continue reading
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Swansongs. Where did this word with familiar connotations of final performance, arise? It’s strange how many innocent words one might use over a lifetime without ever giving them a second thought. Until in the case of this word, for me … Continue reading
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Food. And warmth. Two vital elements for surviving winter. Always have been, and always will. The buzzwords for this post which attempts to draw together at least four special sightings here over the last ten days. Let’s begin with the … Continue reading
This gallery contains 47 photos.
The unexpected weather window at the beginning of September which saw blue skies, high temperatures, and excessive humidity at last persist for long enough to allow everyone locally to make some very late-season hay, now seems a long time ago. … Continue reading
The year’s rushing past. So’s this post. Just do it. Publish and be damned I walked out early morning to sniff the damp grey air in the first week of May, and to check for ewe noise. There was none. … Continue reading
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This year we waited ages to hear our first Cuckoo. I’d nearly given up and then in late May we heard one occasionally, but always very distant. Was this the beginning of the end for them locally? Then on a … Continue reading
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No sooner does the Met Office confirm from its monthly summary, that once again we’ve had an exceptional end to March in the UK, than the weather has flipped, some welcome rain has arrived, and we’re enjoying a bit of … Continue reading
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There are no words. Or are there? Like many, I guess, I’m struggling with writing anything of relevance or insight, with the background of the horrors of the ongoing war in Ukraine. Rebecca Stott wrote and spoke a wonderful piece … Continue reading
This gallery contains 55 photos.
Our thanks to a regular blog reader for alerting us to the fact that 10 days ago the Sunday Telegraph ran an excellent article by Val Bourne, a self-confessed galanthophile, on snowdrops, with some excellent practical tips on how to … Continue reading
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No fanfare greets your late return, No chattered dipped inflections, No yearned for sunny silhouettes. No, November’s solitary influx Seeps, a secret spreading stain. A million marvel migrants fled. The chilling landscape, flushed you Fast, by night. Alone. And tracked … Continue reading
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We’re past the worst. As I began to tap this out on the morning of December 22nd, I can say this with confidence. The days are now extending, the nights reducing, at least for the next 6 months or so. … Continue reading
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What a start to 2021. Just when you thought 2020 did pretty well at shaking up the world’s complacency, along comes 2021, and already we’ve had the storming of the Capitol by a Trump supporting mob, a pending second impeachment … Continue reading
This gallery contains 70 photos.
I guess we’ve all played kick the can at some point, a great multi generational game though possibly needing modification in these days of social distancing – actual physical contact probably not being a good idea. But I’m now programming … Continue reading
This gallery contains 46 photos.
Just in time for a bit of planned guerilla planting, or more accurately sowing, our eldest son and fiancée arrived at the end of the first week in June. Following the wettest day in 3 months, a quick trawl beneath … Continue reading
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Seizing the moment on a currently rare March morning, forecast to be dry and sunny after much rain, cloud and wind during the first fortnight of this highly variable month, Fiona had plotted a circular route centred around the coastal … Continue reading
This gallery contains 38 photos.
The fabulous summer of 2018 ended for us in late July. Our weather has fortunately reverted to type here, with grey days, dampness, drizzle and occasional deluges. Only 3 days with no rain as of August 27th. However, August is … Continue reading
This gallery contains 63 photos.
June 2018 proved me wrong. Dramatically. After the apparent crash of many species’ populations here in 2018, which I’d written about last time, Came the rebound. Or recovery, and an explosion in numbers. It began with the bumblebees on the first … Continue reading
This gallery contains 45 photos.
__________ Lapsed Time Slow down, young lad. Take time to find the gaudy foil wrapped Eggs and rabbits hidden by Those mossy greens. Slow down, young lass. Paint shells and papers, Gaudy bright, but leave the Brows and … Continue reading
This gallery contains 39 photos.
Survival is a common thread here. Trivially, WordPress have just reminded me that I’ve now been writing, and photographing for these posts, for 7 years. I’ve survived for that long. This surprised me – that on one level I’m still … Continue reading
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A complex world. Simplicity seems best. Up or down, Or left or right, Bright eye, sharp ear, Synapsed with necessary fear. An open place, to think and preen. Quickly, though, lest eyes unseen Home in and plan a swift … Continue reading
This gallery contains 62 photos.
The first week of January. What a week for being outside! Pardon? Yes, really. We’ve enjoyed no spectacular sunrises, the weather has oscillated, as usual, from minus 8 degree C frosts with feathered, blue-from-cold, greenhouse windows, and the tiny first … Continue reading