After the Environment Agency announced that half of the UK is now under drought conditions, finding swollen rivers and flooded nature reserves around Leeds and York just goes to show how much rain has fallen over the last couple of weeks. I hope that water levels are now improving at nearby
Continue readingWell, what a changeable start we’ve had to April with snow, chilly winds, hail storms and rain interspersed with warm sunshine. I hope that you’ve all managed to get out and enjoy the arrival of our early spring migrants without getting caught out by the weather. Over the last couple
Continue readingOver the last few days Start Birding has been leading spring walks around the Harewood estate and surrounding farmland. On Tuesday evening, a group of birdwatchers joined me, armed with binoculars and torches, to look for woodcock, tawny owl and bats. The sun was already quite low as we made
Continue readingSometimes there just aren’t enough hours left in the day to blog when there are so many demands on your time. January, February and March have been very busy months filled with an intensive period of work; birthday celebrations with family and friends and looking after a very sick, and much loved, pet. I’m
Continue readingNo, not an account of the latest fashions, Start Birding is just back from a 3 day trip to Dumfries and Galloway in Scotland. The weather was cold and clear most of the time – perfect for our stay and for watching flocks of swans, geese and waders. During our
Continue readingI hope that you have had a fantastic Christmas and are all prepared for the new year festivities. Pretty soon many of you will be wondering how to shed those extra pounds that inevitably creep on over the festive season. You may also be feeling that you need to blow away the
Continue readingIf you have been trying to download my latest newsletter on my website, I’m currently having problems with the web software and, for some reason, I can’t replace the January 11 edition. If you would like a copy of my current newsletter then please let me know and I’ll send
Continue readingHi everyone Life has been very hectic over the last few months, catching up with friends and family and having a well earned holiday – consequently, no blogs. So, what has been happening at Start Birding since my last post in July? Well, as mentioned in my earlier post, I visited
Continue readingAfter a very enjoyable 2010/11 season of birdwatching trips with class members, birding pals or (sometimes reluctantly) with family members, I am now having a short break while I take some much needed holiday and plan the next programme of events for Start Birding. The highlights of the last month
Continue readingAt the turn of June, my regular birdwatching group migrated north once again to Northumberland and the Scottish Borders. This year, we have followed a different itinerary than we did at the same time last year, exploring Cresswell Ponds, Druridge Country Park, East Chevington, Bass Rock, St Abb’s Head, the Hirsel Estate in
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