An antidote to news of war perhaps. A short post/read on light and the arrival of spring: notesfromasmallcroftbythesea.wordpress.com/2026/03/01/f...

I went in search of dinosaurs, bit fungi beguiled me instead. Such colour, form and texture.

The postman has just delivered this delicious collection. I was honoured to be invited to submit writing for it, not least because it emphasises the need to protect our bogs. It's fabulous. Thank you to @littletollerbooks.bsky.social for having the wisdom to publish such important writing.

I love fallen autumn apples showing us creatures that are out there but we forget. It is thought that 59% of global biodiversity is in soil.

My latest Guardian Country Diary piece had me going off piste, swapping Merseyside for Scotland. www.theguardian.com/environment/...

My first mayfly this year seen in North Wales on 24th May. I saw my second on Friday at Musselburgh, Scotland. #DailyNature.

My few days in Scotland were full of wonders. Here Bass Rock stands bright with gannet guano, while on the beach I perused rocks, sands, plants and insects. Fabulous #DailyNature.

Happy publication day to @robgmacfarlane.bsky.social! 'Is A River Alive' is astonishing, necessary and beautiful, and a wonderful, fascinating read. I'm sure it will win accolades for years to come and in doing so, prompt more people into action to help protect the natural world.

It's International Dawn Chorus Day, but I'm not sure our birds got the message. Perhaps the cloud cover stole their desire to sing.

@robgmacfarlane.bsky.social I love being a May Day baby, but it's even nicer when your brother gives you this book. Stunning ... and that's the book, not the fact that my brother bought it for me!

Often the places I visit to write my Guardian Country Diary pieces impact on me, but none more so than this urban orchard. There was a special spirit to the place & I cannot find the words to convey that fully. www.theguardian.com/environment/...

A blackbird has been singing in one of our garden trees all day. It is the most glorious song to accompany you through the day. Not yet seen a swift this year, but this blackbird is uplifting @hannahbournetaylor.bsky.social

With an intense day of writing ahead, what better way to start than with dawn birdwatching. Chough seen and heard as soon as I got out of the car.

I know that I thoroughly enjoyed this amazing exhibition about soil, but am delighted to discover that someone else did. @chiffchat.bsky.social @clareshawpoet.bsky.social @jopearlceramics.bsky.social www.thenational.scot/news/nationa...

A wonderful clear, crisp morning. On our early morning cemetery walk we stood transfixed and entranced watching a song thrush sending its glorious tones to the world. It was so close we could see its bill open and close. Then we witnessed one of those special sunrises. Fab way to start the day.

I have been passionate about peat bogs for decades, have written a chapter on peat for my book, but articles like this show why we must care: www.theguardian.com/environment/....

Yesterday was World Wetlands Day, one I love to celebrate. So it was more sobering to read this article today. Based on research, it sounds alarm bells for the long term future of our peatlands: news.exeter.ac.uk/research/fut...

My first bird of the day was a jackdaw; well, actually, there were about 20 of them as they left their roost in the cemetery. A lovely birding start to the year. Happy New Year, everyone.

At 06:30 today we stood beside a main road, enchanted by two Song thrushes, in trees on opposite sides of the road. That even-paced repetition, different from each bird was glorious. Then on our return through the cemetery we enjoyed a chorus of Robins. Happy New Year's Eve.

Fiery embers of the day.

If you are looking for a holiday read comprising stunning, evocative writing about a beautiful part of Scotland I can recommend 'Windswept' by Annie Worsley.

www.theguardian.com/environment/... More lovely writing from @nicwilson.bsky.social. I would love to have witnessed this.

Have had fab few days at this conference. Spoke to bookseller earlier, mentioned my book (of course!), they thought it sounded great & looked forward to stocking it. I told them they'd have a couple of years to wait, but they didn't mind. @chiffchat.bsky.social #soil

It's World Soils Day today. This year's theme is 'Caring for soil'. Let's never forget the part that soil plays in our lives. Soil provides 94% of our food. And 25% of global.biodiversity is in soil. Let's celebrate soil today. @thegsbi.bsky.social @chiffchat.bsky.social

Shades of vermillion in a navy blue Merseyside sky. I hope everyone has a good Friday.

I am writing a book about soil. I have a chapter on Soil as inspiration and I know this event will inspire me. I shall head southwards. Perhaps you too can be inspired by soil. @chiffchat.bsky.social @britishecolsoc.bsky.social www.somersethouse.org.uk/press/soil-t...

My day on the bird feeding rota at Pickering's Pasture featured a beautiful River Mersey. Even better though was a brief encounter with a grey seal. The creature entranced me. I wished it well as it headed out to Liverpool Bay.

Autumn dark and light, Pickering's Pasture, Hale marsh.

Peat bogs are one of the many passions in my life. I could never tire of them. Today some valuable peat bogs are at risk. I am delighted to be contributing to an anthology about peat and bogs. It would be wonderful if anyone feels they can contribute here: www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/give-peat-...

Another reminder: offsetting is a con. We need to BOTH care for nature as a carbon store AND stop burning fossil fuels #COP29 #ClimateEmergency www.theguardian.com/environment/...

@roryfranciscymru.bsky.social Glad to find you here, Rory.

Our ash tree branches are aflame in the setting sun. Nature's glory resplendent.

Morning. I've just set up a starter pack on life writing. Please, please share around so I can develop the life writing community & add to the 25 writers on the list. Thank you! go.bsky.app/27hdHdG

Our Liverpool sky is wonderfully stripey this morning. I hope everyone can have a good day.

On 11th November 1918 my paternal grandfather based in France wrote in his diary:"Armistice signed. Nearly a riot'. A few words say so much. Notice how every inch of paper was used. Diary entries in pencil, squeezed in between inked gun drill entries. Today we throw paper away without thought.

A very misty, moisture morning on the Mersey today, but that doesn't mean nothing is happening. Gulls & waders fly past, anglers fish, and folk walk, run & cycle.

Bridget Emmett added: “Defra is once again facing real term cuts, adding to the last 15 years of budget reductions. And where has this left nature in the UK? One in six species are at risk of being lost and farmland birds have declined an average of 58% between 1970 and 2017." 🌍🧪

I've just moved across here as I've heard it's kinder and more gentle than the other place. Based in north-west England, Love the natural world so much I write about it and I love soil even more. Writing a book about soil for Bloomsbury's British Wildlife Collection. That's keeping me busy.

European Hedgehog has been updated from Least Concern to Near Threatened in the latest release of the IUCN Red List: bit.ly/3Ury9Le