A small, grey blur fluttered against the waterproof cover of the bikes propped against the back wall. There was a flash of orange tail. I dived out of my seat in the dining room and ran to the utility room window as the bird took off from the ground and shot towards the fence. Perched … Continue reading How to create a city wildlife garden
I was woken at 5am by the most peculiar sound. The sun had just started to rise and the light in the tent was grey and weak. It was still cold, and I could see my breath hovering above me as I lay wrapped, cocoon-like, in a thick sleeping bag. Only my wooly-hatted head poked … Continue reading Why wild camp
I’ve quickly learnt that a lot of wildlife watching can be fairly disappointing. Don’t get me wrong, every time I’ve been out I’ve seen something. Sitting in a hide or squatting by a river, standing on a footpath futilely squinting into the distance, there’s always some creature that turns up to make your patience worthwhile. … Continue reading All about otters
The tour guide threw a fish out the back of the boat and it landed in the water with a thwack, bobbing about limply. Up on the rock, the eagle eyed the fish: judging the distance, the proximity of the boat, the tastiness of the snack. Spreading its great wings it took off, and soared … Continue reading How to see eagles
I have seen a goldcrest. Hurrah! Ever since I saw this tiny bird on last year's Springwatch I have been determined to see one. The UK's smallest bird (I previously, incorrectly, thought this was the wren) goldcrests are a delightful and tricky bird to see. One had turned up in my mum's garden, obediently arriving … Continue reading How to see a goldcrest
As the woodlands slowly come to life and the weather begins to thaw, the floors of the forests become a sea of purple, carpeted in vast swathes of bluebells. It's an iconic sight of spring, but one I had never previously taken the time to seek out. I changed that in early May, heading to … Continue reading Why visit a bluebell wood
It’s that time of year again, the swifts and the swallows are starting to return. Soon the summer sky will be full of the screaming of swifts, overhead wires lined with perched swallows. Swifts, swallows, house martins and sand martins – all summer visitors to the UK and all incredible long-distance migrants, they make an … Continue reading Swifts, swallows and martins
If I had to pick a favourite bird, the dipper would be it. Small and plump, at first glance this demurely-dressed bird looks unremarkable. But spend some time watching and you’ll soon see how surprising this little bird is. How to see a dipper Dippers are found in upland areas of northern and western Britain, … Continue reading How to see a dipper
It’s never too late to start appreciating nature! The world around us is precious. It is good for our mental and physical wellbeing, it’s beautiful and surprising and life-affirming, and it’s rapidly disappearing. As I approach a big milestone in my life, I want to make sure I’m taking the time to appreciate and help … Continue reading 30 nature things to do before 30
Recently, I received a 'highly commended' mention in Writers' Forum for my entry to the February flash comp. The brief was to write a story about love in under 600 words. Here is my entry: I remember the day we met because it was the same day I broke my arm. I suppose that should have … Continue reading Fiction: It aches when it’s cold
Emma Pocklington 