August - 2009 - A natural history of Britain -

Archive for August, 2009

Portland Bill accommodation

August 29th, 2009

The Portland Bird Observatory offers comfortable, hostel-style accommodation with shared facilities for up to 24 guests in the lighthouse and adjacent annexe.
The adjoining self-contained lighthouse-keepers cottage sleeps four and is particularly suitable for a family or small group that require a little more privacy.

The accommodation is primarily aimed at visitors wishing to enjoy the natural environment of Portland and is popular with, for example, birdwatchers, naturalists, walkers/ramblers, artists/stone-carvers, climbers and water sports enthusiasts; we can also accommodate school/college or other groups on residential field-trips and study visits.

More here

Country accommodation in England, Country accommodation in the UK | Tags: Holiday cottages for birdwatchers, Lighthouse accommodation in Britain, Lighthouse accommodation in England, Lighthouse cottage in Dorset, lighthouse holiday, Portland Bill cottage, Portland Bill lighthouse|

Great British walks

August 28th, 2009

The Guardian has put together this excellent interactive map of its compendium of some the best walks in Britain. everything from Bronze age Perthshire and the beauty of Ullswater to the Watership Down warren! Here

Nature tourism in the UK, Outdoor activities, Walking in Britain | Tags: best coastal walks, Best walks in Britain, Map of the best walks in Britain, Original walks in Britain, Walking the English coast, Watership Down warren walk|

Piranha found in English river

August 28th, 2009

According to the Environment Agency, a dead piranha has been found in the River Torridge in Devon. Nothing to panic about though. The EA said that the piranha had probably been placed in the river once the fish became too large for its tank and died because it could not tolerate the low temperatures. The Daily Telegraph

Invasive species in Britain | Tags: Devon, Invasive species in England, Non-native species in Britain, Piranha in England, Piranhas in Devon, Piranhas in the UK, River Torridge, River Torridge piranhas|

Highland wildlife diary

August 28th, 2009

I enjoyed this short diary from the Highland News on the ups and downs of wildlife in the Highlands this summer and how to attract pine martens with jam. It also mentions the old persecution dippers which were shot in “unbelievable numbers” on many Highland rivers as they were thought to have a marked effect on the eggs and young of the salmon.

Scotland, The Highlands | Tags: Dippers and Salmon, Dippers in Scotland|

Holiday cottages in Devon

August 27th, 2009

These holiday cottages in Devon offer a comfortable and peaceful retreat for anyone with a love of wildlife. Otter Cottage sleeps 4, Beech Lodge sleeps 6-8, Nuthatch and Honeysuckle Lodges sleep 4-6 each. Guests can enjoy own nature reserve designated a SSSI by English Nature.

The farm, including our private but nationally-recognised nature reserve, is home to scarce animals and plants including barn owls, dormice and orchids, as well as swallows, deer, foxes, badgers, occasional otters, and many hedgerow birds. We make our accommodation as sustainable as possible, and manage the farm for wildlife, with help and advice from Natural England and the Devon Wildlife Trust. We gained a Gold approval from the Devon Wildlife Trust for our commitment to wildlife conservation.

Tree climbing on the Isle of Wight

August 27th, 2009

Here’s a wacky way of spending a day. Go on a tree climbing course in the Isle of Wight. The organisers meet you at their “secret” tree climbing field in rural Isle of Wight. Once you have climbed as high as you want to go, you can hang out in the canopy, maybe resting awhile in the tree hammock before abseiling to the ground through the branches. Then, come down for homemade refreshments & a cup of tea.

More here

Nature holidays in England, Nature tourism in the UK | Tags: Days out on the Isle of Wight, Isle of Wight, Isle of Wight holidays, Things to do on the isle of Wight, Tree climbing hoilday n the Isle of Wight, Tree climbing holidays, Unusual days out in England, Unusual holidays in Britain, Unusual holidays in England|

B&B cottage on Hadrian’s Wall

August 27th, 2009

Bed and breakfast accommodation in Gilsland, Cumbria in old farmhouse and beautifully converted byre on a working farm. The land contains a stretch of Hadrian’s Wall, as well as 2 turrets and a Roman Bridge. Home-cooked evening meals, placing a strong emphasis on using good quality and local ingredient. Right on Hadrian’s Wall National Trail.

We are in the process of converting the farm to organic status and are hoping to enter the Higher Level and Organic Entry Level Stewardship schemes, which will commit us to protecting and encouraging wildlife on the farm, preserving the historic features and extending public access around the land.

Snowhole holiday in Scotland

August 27th, 2009

Whetever will they think of next! Help construct a roomy communal snowhole lit by the reflected light of candles! Wake up to the absolute silence of a pristine winter wonderland bathed in the soft light of a Cairngorm dawn, in the highest mountain range in Britain. They claim “This will be one of the most memorable experiences of your life.” Whatever the case, sounds more fun than playing golf.

Once you’ve undergone a day of essential skills training we embark on a two-day expedition to head deep into the snowy wilderness. The route takes us across the Cairngorm (4085ft) - Ben Macdui (4295ft) plateau to spend a night in a communal snowhole. You learn the essentials of good snow hole design and efficient construction. The challenges are unique and the rewards unrivalled - this is Britain’s ultimate winter mountain experience & one not to be missed.

Organic B&B in Malvern hills

August 27th, 2009

600-year-old country house near the Malvern Hills in Herefordshire, where you can relax in the big organic garden or walk in the pastures, orchards and woodland, enjoying the peace and the wildlife.

The whole farm is managed sustainibly for the benefit of wildlife and landscape.

One traveller noted: “We were only on holiday for four days so it would be an exaggeration to rate this as a holiday of a life-time however the accommodation is definitely **** and I have already recommended it to family and friends.”

Organic farmstay in Somerset

August 27th, 2009

Set in the foothills of the Quantocks, this is a 15th century farmhouse with breathtaking views across open organic farmland. The different options are: camping, bed & breakfast or one of 3 self catering cottages which sleep 3-4 persons.Wonderful views and self-directed farm walks leading to natural, spring-fed ponds, through the forestry and to our own stone circle. Activities on the farm and nearby can include walking, cycling, fishing, falconry (1:1 private tuition can be arranged), Wwoofing (Willing Workers on Organic Farms), and a Farm School. We also run courses in bread making, falconry and organic farming, and run art weekends

Llama trekking in Devon

August 27th, 2009

Here’s a weird one. Fancy going llama trekking in cream-tea Devon? It seems walking with llamas is the latest thing on East Devon’s spectacular Jurassic Coast. This is an excellent example of farm diversification in the UK and I wish Peak Hill Llamas, the organisers, the best of luck.

Llamas are friendly, gentle and intelligent animals and make ideal walking companions. Our llamas are easy to handle and will happily carry your refreshments and waterproofs - leaving you free to relax and enjoy the magnificent scenery.

Looks great fun. More here

Nature holidays in England, Nature tourism in the UK, Outdoor activities | Tags: Devon adventure tourism, Fun things to do in Devon, Jurassic Coast in Devon, Llama walking in Devon, Llamas in Britain, Llamas in Devon, Peak Hill Llamas, Weird days out in the UK|

Rat poison killing hegehogs

August 27th, 2009

The RSPCA has warned people may be contributing unwittingly to the decline of Britain’s hedgehogs by putting down rat poison. According to new research, the presence of anticoagulants - which are used to kill rats - has been found in ‘’significant levels” in hedgehog corpses. More here

Mammals of Britain | Tags: hedgehog diet, hedgehogs in Britain, hedgehogs in the garden, RSPCA, RSPCA on hedghogs|

Killer cows

August 26th, 2009

British farmers and the Ramblers Association warned yesterday of the potential dangers posed by cows after a spate of attacks which have seen four people trampled to death by in just over eight weeks this summer. The high figures are unusual: in the past eight years there have only been 18 deaths in total caused by cattle of all kinds - including bulls. The Independent

See also Are cows dangerous? (“Figures reveal that attacks by cows are by no means unusual.)

Farming | Tags: British cows, Dangerous animals in Britain, Dangerous cattle, Dangers in the countryside, Fatalities from cows, Killed by a cow|

Mountain bike holiday in the Chilterns

August 25th, 2009

Easily accessible from London by rail or road, the Chilterns offer a great mix of forest singletrack and open farmland, with plenty of superb descents (and a cheeky climb or two). With the odd technical section to keep you on your toes (none are too daunting and are aimed at the less experienced), our routes take in the ancient Icknield Way and Ridgeway. Accommodation for the weekend is at a superb 17th century coaching inn, perfect for post ride ‘relaxation’. Based in Wendover. £245 (2 days) 2009: 08 May, 03 Jul.

More here

Mountain biking in Britain, Nature tourism in the UK, Outdoor activities | Tags: Adventure holidays near London, Cycling holidays in the Chilterns, Cycling holidays near London, Cycling weekends near London, Outdoor holidays near London, The Chilterns, Weekend breaks in the Chilterns, Wendover holidays|

Walking holiday along Hadrian’s Wall

August 25th, 2009

Jon Monks runs walking tours along Hadrian’s Wall from beginners to strenuous hiking holidays. Here

Hadrian’s Wall Path National Trail is an unbroken 84 mile signposted trail stretching from coast to coast, from Bowness-on-Solway in the west to Wallsend in the east. It passes through some of the most beautiful parts of England - from rolling fields and rugged moorland to the vibrant cities of Newcastle and Carlisle. These holidays follow the trail and enable you to see the beautiful countryside and experience the culture as well as discover the history of this remote part of the country. Visit

Self guided walking holidays are also available

Nature holidays in England, Nature tourism in the UK, Outdoor activities, Walking in Britain | Tags: Best of Hadrian's Wall, Hadrian's Wall, Northumberland tours, Self guided walking holidays in Northumbria, Walking holidays along Hadrian's Wall, Walking holidays in Northern England, Walking holidays in Northumberland|

Briefly
Fictional countryside
March 17, 2010
Interesting article by Jonathan Meades in The Guardian. No longer a place of work, the English countryside has been tidied up and made picturesque, based on a mythical rural idyll…Read Reminds me of DH Auden comment in the 1940s on the Lake District. “Am I to see in the Lake District, then….Another bourgeois invention like the piano?”

Swift survey
March 17, 2010
The RSPB is gathering extensive information about exactly where swifts are nesting in the UK. It is suspected that their rapid decline in recent years is linked with a drop in suitable nesting sites, as buildings are modernised. The first year’s survey reveals that of the houses where swifts are nesting:
- Over half (51%) were built before 1919
- Exactly a quarter were built between 1919-1944
- Over half (52%)had been known swift nesting sites for more than 10 years
- Almost a fifth (16%) were considered threatened
- Almost 5% of swifts were recorded in churches
The data will be used to make sure that exhilarating displays of screaming swifts continue being part of British summers.

New Forest conservation
March 17, 2010
A new generation of commoners will receive financial support to ensure animals continue to graze in the New Forest and so conserve its rich biodiversity.
Commoning has shaped the New Forest over hundreds of years. It is because of it that we have this beautiful landscape, a mosaic of pasture, heath and lawn. And it needs to be encouraged - Lyndsey Stride, commoner.
Guardian

Urban bee project
March 1, 2010
The Co-op is further expanding its Plan Bee campaign by providing aspiring urban bee-keepers with free training and equipment. Life in the city can be better for bees than in the countryside, points out Chris Shearlock, the Co-op’s Environment Manager:
They can find flowers in city parks and gardens, and they are away from some of the pesticides that are threatening them on farmland. It’s a misconception to think that they won’t thrive in cities and towns. I’ve heard of honey being sold from apiaries around King’s Cross station in London.
In the end, what’s going to save the British honeybee, whose population has dropped sharply in the last 25 years, is its value to the economy: as fruit-tree pollinators and annual producers of 5,000 tonnes of honey, they’re worth 165m a year. Independent

Landscape blogs
February 24, 2010
There are now some excellent landscape blogs covering Britain. Here are a few:
- Some landscapes Landscapes evoked, depicted or transformed in the arts: painting, literature, music, film, etc. Britain and the rest of the world.
- Walking and writing. by Linda Cracknell. Good stuff in the Robert Macfarlane school.
- British Landscapes Photography with Derek Fogg.
- Write off the map
- Garden history girl
Above painting: J.M.W. Turner, Landscape, c1845

British birds in the news in February
February 17, 2010
Here is a quick round-up of latest British bird news:
- Ravens are not responsible for the dramatic declines in the numbers of wading birds seen in many parts of the UK uplands, according to the results of a new study. The Independent
- Remarkable photo of a flock of starlings in the shape of a rabbit. Daily Telegraph
- Bunting bounces back: one of Britain’s most threatened farmland birds is continuing to fight its way back after nearly disappearing completely, thanks to help from farmers in the south-west. Birdwatch
- Poisoned red kite found on Dumfries road RSPB
Archive of nature articles
February 11, 2010
We’ve put together this monthly archive of the articles on Britain nature.

Allotment fever
February 10, 2010
With more and more people wanting to grow their own fruit and vegetables, the National Society of Allotment and Leisure Gardeners have over 100,000 people on their waiting lists. The National Trust have responded to this demand by allocating land for “super allotments” or community farms. In return for a monthly fee, members will decide what should be grown, and have the opportunity to work on the farms, receiving a share of the produce. Daily Telegraph
Nature tourism in the UK
- Britain's oldest road
  
  The 87 mile-long Ridgeway National Trail is remarkable in being the oldest road in Britain and because you can still walk it, following the same route used since prehistoric times by travellers and, herdsmen. The route connects the Dorset and Norfolk coasts, passing over rolling, open downland to the west of the River Thames, and through secluded valleys and woods in The Chilterns to the east. It is littered with historical sites dating back to the iron age. Lots of details from the National Trail website here.
- Children's farms in the lambing season
  
  A trip to a children's farm is a great idea in the lambing season. The Guardian has a list of recommended places in their half-term holiday special, including Cannon Hall Farm in Barnsley, where they are expecting no less than 300 lambs and 50 piglets to be born in February, with more expected for Easter. They have other attractions such a baby Alpaca called Snowy.
- Houseboat holidays in Devon
  
  These houseboat holidays in Devon look like a gorgeous way of spending a week or two.
  
  "This area boasts 35 acres of unspoilt countryside, offering the opportunity to stay on board a unique houseboat. Each widebeam barge is permanently moored on her own private jetty and sleeps 4 to 6 in ensuite cabins. Watch the busy wildlife right outside the galley window. Land organic rainbow trout for dinner. Be awed by the silent swoop of the barn owl. And in the evening as you watch the sun setting from the aft deck know that it has given its solar energy to power your lighting for the night ahead."
  
  More here
- Ice skating in the Fens
  
  For the first time in many years, the freezing conditions have been perfect for ice skating, allowing the inhabitants of the Cambridgeshire Fens to revel in a centuries-old tradition. The Guardian
  
  The Fens of East Anglia, with their meres and washes, networks of drainage ditches, slow-flowing rivers and easily flooded meadows, form an ideal skating terrain. Skates were introduced into Britain from Holland or France in the seventeenth century. It is not known when the first skating matches were held, but by the early nineteenth century they had become a feature of cold winters in the Fens. The golden age of fen skating was the second half of the nineteenth century, when thousands of people turned out to watch the top skaters. Wikipedia
- Sleeping in an igloo
  
  David Munt from Potter’s Bar, Hertfordshire braved the Arctic weather and sub-zero temperatures to spend a night in an igloo in his garden. He decided to sleep in his creation after spending the previous day making the igloo from snow and ice, with help from the children on his street. More here
  - How to make an igloo.
- Ideas for walking in the snow
  
  Yowie snowshoes were designed, fittingly, in Australia. They look like beach sandals attached to rubber flippers with a deep hexagonal tread and metal cleats. Extremely versatile and user-friendly, once you're strapped in, with body weight nicely spread out to avoid sinking, you can enjoy snow walks on the flat or more challenging treks up and down mountains. The material reportedly offers better insulation from the cold than more conventional heavy-duty snowshoes. They are also lighter, cheaper and easier to stow in your ruck sack.
  
  Another idea is to use ice grips - unobtrusive devices you can attach to your usual footwear to radically increase traction on slippery surfaces.
- Herding ducks with the Quack Pack
  
  Meirion Owen is an expert sheep dog handler, who’s been working with Border Collies since he was nine. He now travels around Britain, showing the skills of this intelligent breed at fairs, private parties and, increasingly, corporate days out. The other stars of the Quack Pack are a troop of Indian Runner ducks, who love to charge around at a fast pace in a tight group (with the occasional lone rebel). First of all, Owen gives a demonstration of how it’s done, instructing his dogs with only four commands to herd the ducks through an obstacle course. Then the spectators have a go.
  
  "We never try to embarrass anyone," he says. "I'll always try to help. With duck herding, there is a sense of the unexpected and seeing a manager lose control of his ducks is great entertainment for the staff."
  
  A recent tendency among lowland livestock farmers is to replace Border Collies with quads, and Owen would like to turn this around by promoting the many qualities of this breed. More information
- Living in the Stone Age
  
  The Woodcraft School runs various courses for acquiring skills that pre-historical man needed for survival. Bark, Bone and Antler is a particularly interesting 2-day course that explores the materials available to our primitive ancestors. Those attending will be taught about the sustainable harvest of bark, weaving crafts to make knife sheaths, folding crafts to make baskets and containers, and the preparation of bone and antler.
  
  This particular course will be held in May 2010 in West Sussex, with groups limited to 12, but there are many others to choose from.
- Parahawking in Wales
  
  Paragliders will use birds of prey to guide them to the best thermals. They often report that the birds are not afraid of them and will even approach out of curiosity. Parahawking takes this one step further. You're taken on a tandem paraglider and specially trained birds of prey will accompany you on your flight, rewarded by offerings of food. This unforgettable experience is available in Wales, organised by the Axis paragliding school
- Husky trekking in the Yorkshire moors
  
  With Pesky Husky Trekking you can become a musher for a day. Instead of a sledge, you stand on a specially designed non-motorised scooter. And instead of snow-covered arctic lands, the Siberian huskies whisk you through the Yorkshire countryside. The experience is only available between October and March, after which it becomes too warm for an energetic husky. You can start off on a practice lap or do a more advanced trek of up to two hours.