The Arts and Humanities Research Council and the LandLines research team, supported by the National Trust, Natural England and the Field Studies Council, invited nature lovers to create a crowd-sourced spring nature diary. Each entry could be no more than 150 words; here's a copy of mine... It’s not to daylight that I look for … Continue reading Spring diary

"Afternoon was beginning to slide into dusk when Ember and Barley made their way back to the barn. The field felt quieter compared to their earlier visit, when it was alive with the buzz of insects. A blackbird sang a sweet solo from a nearby tree – a love song to the setting sun; its … Continue reading Book update

On a brazen autumn day, I stepped off the train at Richmond Station accompanied by three friends. Leaving the warm carriage behind us, we pulled on thick gloves and zipped up winter coats, to halt the chill breeze. We were buoyed up with anticipation. After a short bus journey and a stroll through leafy suburbs, … Continue reading Connecting people with nature – roots

Until relatively recently, the guidance was sparse in relation to ecology report writing. The Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management have worked hard over the last few years to provide guidance documents to cover the technical reports that commonly accompany planning applications. In addition, a British Standard Institution publication (BS 42020:2013 Biodiversity. Code of … Continue reading How to improve your ecology report writing

Leaving the car, parked beside the reservoir, we set off across the road bridge towards the dark expanse of woodland. The valley funnelled the wind into a crescendo of gusts that battered our forms and whipped the water below into a churning grey mass. After the summer heatwave, the reservoir was a shadow of its … Continue reading Wintry woodland walk

I was twelve years old when my sister presented me with a diary for my birthday. I can still remember the excitement and wonder that I felt, looking down at the object in my hand. It had a drawing of a cartoon rabbit (frolicking in a rainbow'd world) splashed across the cover, but the words, … Continue reading Secret diary

Simply stunning start to the day as the fields cocooning the house, blushed with pleasure at the scarlet sunrise. I set out early for a walk with my four-pawed companion. The heavy air wound around our shoulders, wrapping us in the season’s earthy scents. The trees across the valley have reached a crescendo of colour. … Continue reading Autumnal magic