Mammals Everywhere
18th October 2012 The penultimate blog from my recent trip to Australia, courtesy of the South Australian and Tasmanian tourist boards. "Please miss, could we see a Platypus?" We didn't exactly say that, but it wasn't far off. Up to now on this astonishing trip we had...
Boxes of Delights
Saturday 10th November It's November, the summer is long gone and the nights are getting colder. Surely bats are the last mammals you would expect to see right now? Well, actually no. Those who study these animals are still hard at work, checking out winter roosts....
Eagle Eyes
Continuing the blog from my recent trip to Australia, courtesy of the South Australian and Tasmanian tourist boards. 17th October 2012 An off-the-cuff remark from Rob our boatman brought it home. We were lounging on the upper deck of our cruise launch MV Reflections,...
Early November update
Thursday 8th November 1 Cetti's Warbler calling; Snipe x 2 on one of the islands, flushed by a crow; Fieldfare x 1 - settled bird; Redwing x 1 - Settled bird (Paul Morton). 2 Chiffchaffs am (Lorne Bissell). Tuesday 6th November Definitely 16 Black-tailed Godwits were...
The Road to Nowhere Leads to a Shack
16th October 2012 After a day of travel we have arrived in Strahan (pronounced "Strawn" as the locals immediately tell you), on the western coast of Tasmania, close to the spot which officially has the cleanest air in the world. An excellent patch of forest close to...
Late Departures
1st November 2012 Most surprised today to see 3 House Martins flying over Longham Reservoir North in the afternoon. This is the latest record by over three weeks. Also 3 Ravens over (Dominic Couzens).
Wimborne Literary Festival
Do come and see me at the Wimborne Literary Festival tomorrow 2nd November 2012. I will be at the Waterside Cafe, Allendale Community Centre, Hanham Road, Wimborne at 3.30pm. It's £3 per ticket, and for that I will be talking about my career and how to make a living...
Melaleuca’s Vanishing Parrots, and other stories
14th October 2012 It usually takes the warm glow of distant memory to assign any particular experience to one's pantheon of top treasures, but I cannot imagine that today will ever slip out of my list of "best wildlife days ever". It was simply wondrous. However, I...
Tasmania Sealife
13th October 2012 Over the years I've heard a lot about Tasmania. In fact, I chose Tasmania as a school project when I was about 11 and bored my friends stupid talking about its wildlife. Now some 20 years later it's my chance to see what the fuss is about. It turns...
Big Rarity Drops in
OCTOBER 2012 reports If you want to hear about arguably the most exciting bird ever to drop in on the Longham Lakes site, then details are below. I write this with a heavy heart, because the wretched thing turned up while I was away - a Patchwatcher's nightmare....