During the middle of the last lockdown, I decided to have a go at pollarding. I had never pollarded a tree before and I have never had any training of any kind that involves cutting wood. However, I did some research online about pollarding to try and find out more. People have been pollarding treesContinue reading “Pollarding willow”
Author Archives: jackblagroves
Kingfisher Encounter
In recent weeks there has been lots of commotion along the rivers and ponds near my home. A pair of Cormorants has arrived at one of the ponds and the cygnets that hatched earlier this year have grown rapidly and are now nearly as large as the adults. All of this is interesting, but thereContinue reading “Kingfisher Encounter”
“Rewilding”: A Conservation Renaissance
The term “rewilding” has become a controversial topic over the past few years. The National Farmers Union is worried it will destroy the very fabric of the countryside. While many conservationists argue it needs to be done in order to restore Britain’s lost wildlife. But what is it and what will it do to theContinue reading ““Rewilding”: A Conservation Renaissance”
Planting trees
Often we hear about how the key to solving climate change is planting millions of trees. It probably isn’t quite that simple, but in a garden it can be a good way to encourage wildlife as well as reducing your carbon footprint. In a small garden one can plant only a small handful of treesContinue reading “Planting trees”
The English Oak
The Oak, is certainly a feature very unique to the english countryside, the green acorns feature on many a logo. In many areas of the UK it towers over cattle on lush green pasture or even meadow. The distinctive lobed green leaves are also and icon for woodland and the countryside. Sadly, the genus QuercusContinue reading “The English Oak”
The Ardnamurchan Peninsula: Day 6
On the final day, the aim was to try and see more otters and eagles, the night before had been great as usual for Pine martens with the same three coming in again. The day began as usual, a “Full Scottish” breakfast, which is essentially a Full English breakfast, but with a black pudding. EveryContinue reading “The Ardnamurchan Peninsula: Day 6”
The Ardnamurchan Peninsula: Day 5
Today was the last early morning otter search of the week, no otters, but still some Greenshank in the bay followed by a group of Goosanders. There was persistent light rain throughout the day and a light breeze. Plenty of highland midges would gather when I stood still for more than a couple of minutes.Continue reading “The Ardnamurchan Peninsula: Day 5”
The Ardnamurchan Peninsula: Day 4
Today in the morning there was no early otter search but instead an early breakfast, so we could arrive on the boat early, before the other boats were out. Sadly the first half of the boat trip was raining, so it was quite difficult to see the ripples of otters and cetaceans. However there wereContinue reading “The Ardnamurchan Peninsula: Day 4”
The Ardnamurchan Peninsula: Day 3
Overall today was far less interesting than the previous two day, which although a little disappointing, is all part of watching wildlife. The special days would never be special without the not so special days, for most of the afternoon it rained constantly until late evening. Despite seeing next to nothing when compared to theContinue reading “The Ardnamurchan Peninsula: Day 3”
The Ardnamurchan peninsula: Day 1
Yesterday I left the intensive agricultural land of England and headed far north for the west coast of Scotland, to a wild area called Ardnamurchan. I travelled all this way for a a seven day tour of the beautiful highlands, where there would be plenty of unique and interesting wildlife to see. On arrival itContinue reading “The Ardnamurchan peninsula: Day 1”
