jaylikethebird

[jaylikethebird]

We made a delightful discovery in the garden - a house mouse nest! Unfortunately it was relocated to the compost bin before I could take a photo but we’ll be keeping our eyes peeled for the resident as spring gets underway.

#wildlife #house mouse #nest #garden wildlife

[jaylikethebird]

Since my own urban encounter with salmon in Chester I’ve been really interested in how many cities these fish pass through without many people noticing. So, for International Year of the Salmon I’ve looked into Europe’s salmon cities for BBC Earth.

#salmon #bbc earth #city wildlife #conservation #international year of the salmon

[jaylikethebird]

I’m fascinated by superstitions and folk tales surrounding different species, though sadly many of them result in persecution. I’ve written about South America’s “unluckiest” species for BBC Earth, fingers crossed they find better fortune in the future.

#bbcearth #unlucky #superstition #folk tradition #wildlife #conservation

[jaylikethebird]

I spent a dreamy evening on the marsh at Little Neston for this diary about short-eared owls. I can certainly recommend a pint on the benches at the Harp Inn on an autumn evening!

#birds #wildlife #animals #environment #owl #short eared owl #wirral

[jaylikethebird]

The very best thing about writing country diaries for The Guardian is getting to explore the history and geography of Cheshire. When it’s walking distance from my house it’s even better! I love Chester Zoo’s fledgling reserve and really look forward to seeing it develop. 

#wild flowers #chester #environment #meadow #chester zoo

[jaylikethebird]

I’m in Tortoise magazine again, this time writing about Cheshire’s nature-writing heritage, and hopefully encouraging a few new voices. Hats off to Sam Ryley for the last minute photography, how interesting does it look behind the scenes at the Grosvenor Museum, Chester?

#Chester #Cheshire #magazine #nature writing #heritage #museum

[jaylikethebird]

A friend tipped me off about Weaverham’s Owley Wood (it’s glorious in bluebell season) so it was a treat to write about its rare resident honeybees for my latest country diary.

#bees #insects #animals #environment #wildlife #honeybees #dark bees

[jaylikethebird]

I always strive for low impact, eco-friendly holidays but wanted to know how to take it further. Fortunately, I got the opportunity to research just that for my BBC Earth article on the best ways to combine tourism and animal welfare.

#BBC Earth #tourism #animal welfare #ecotourism

[jaylikethebird]

Here’s my article for BBC Earth about the conservationist’s best friend - the faithful hounds doing their bit to save species. Who knew there was another reason to love dogs?!

#bbcearth #dog #conservation #endangered

[jaylikethebird]

I love Hilbre island, the idea of a place that’s only accessible at certain times is quite an exciting prospect, even if most trips out there end in a scurry to escape the weather. So it was a pleasure to write up my seal-watching trip for the Guardian.

#marine life #wildlife #coastlines #environment #animals

[jaylikethebird]

Autumn is hands-down my favourite time of year, and often my busiest for work. If you’re a fan too, read my BBC Earth article all about what British species get up to once the leaves begin to fall.

#BBC Earth #autumn #animals #wildlife

[jaylikethebird]

Salmon Seekers

Earlier in the summer I visited the Chester Fish Trap to learn more about the salmon swimming in the River Dee.

I wrote up the experience for local magazine Tortoise which is always a great read, you can find it in select spots around the city. 

[jaylikethebird]

Here’s another article I wrote for BBC Earth, looking at how our online appreciation of ‘cute’ wild animals can be both helpful and detrimental to their survival in the wild.

#cute animals #wildlife #wildlife trafficking #illegal pet trade #BBC Earth #internet culture #International Red Panda Day

[jaylikethebird]

My latest country diary focuses on our eight-legged friends. I’ll be honest, I wanted to give spiders some good press in advance of the spider ‘silly season’ in September when we’re plagued by daft headlines about dangerous home invaders.

I was delighted (and a little jealous!) to hear that Rich discovered a new British species just a week after our safari - it just goes to show we still have a lot to learn about arachnids!

#spiders #environment #rural affairs #uk news

[jaylikethebird]

Here’s one I wrote earlier. It still seems relevant with Ant Man and the Wasp currently in cinemas (lets gloss over the atrocity that is the Bumblebee trailer though!)

#wildlife #superheroes #BBC Earth #toad #shark #vulture

[jaylikethebird]

A summer fair to raise the spirits

I haven’t updated this blog in a good long while, but fortunately it’s never the wrong season to turn over a new leaf so here I am.

I’ve just spent the weekend at Birdfair, which is always inspirational and here are a few highlights:

Ravens were high on the agenda, which is good to see following the appalling news that Scottish Natural Heritage are planning to cull these wonderful birds. Joe Shute’s talk and @wulf-birding‘s wonderful illustrations really encouraged me to learn more about the kings of the corvid family, and how we can protect them.

Nick Baker was on top form as usual, his talk on rewilding yourself was really entertaining but the top takeaway tip for me was his advice to pretend there are large predators in the landscape when you’re out in nature so you engage all your senses more fully.

After 3 years of attending, we know the British Arachnological Society’s stall is always fascinating and it was great to see their efforts being rewarded by lots of visitors and a couple of awards.

Yesterday, we were awarded the Best Stand (Conservation) @TheBirdfair Today, the organisers have awarded us “Best in Show” ... a fantastic achievement but richly deserved by our team of volunteers. If you are at the show, do come along and say hello. pic.twitter.com/jLXZiiNs0Q

— BAS (@BritishSpiders)

August 19, 2018

I really enjoyed Jo Wimpenny’s lecture on the female pioneers of ornithology and I’m excited to hear even more female voices onstage at next year’s Birdfair. 

Ladies, let's get our heads together and blow Birdfair 2019 out of the park. DM me if you are a wonderful woman interested in speaking next year and let's hatch plans, plant seeds and prepare panels

— Dr Jess French (@Zoologist_Jess)

August 20, 2018

Finally, the one session that really affected me was Chris Packham and Joe Harkness’ discussion of mental health, and the benefits of birding for peace of mind. 

I have a rough time with anxiety myself, it often feels like I’ve lost my voice altogether. It meant so much to me to hear people discussing their stories and how a passion for the natural world has kept them going through hard times. Judging by their reception in the events tent, full to over 650 capacity, and the conversations I overheard afterwards, it means a lot to other people too. 

This is why we spoke about mental health at @TheBirdfair . Not to hit any nerves, but for solidarity between all, in that tent and beyond, who have experienced or are experiencing mental health issues. The response has been completely overwhelming. #1in3 #mentalhealth 🙂💚🙏🐦 https://t.co/Uyi8aR3UpI

— Bird Therapy (@BirdTherapy)

August 19, 2018

What I love most about Birdfair is spending time in the company of so many compassionate people. It’s a great reminder that, despite the constant news of doom and gloom, there are still people who care - for our wildlife, and for each other. 

#birdfair #wildlife #ravens #mental health #spiders

[jaylikethebird]

I wrote my last feature for BBC Earth back in June and decided to go out with something suitably hard-hitting! If you ever wanted to know which species has the most powerful punch and kick in the animal kingdom look no further.

I hope when those odd conversations come up in the pub you’ll be able to read through my record-breaking animal articles for the answers. 

It was a genuine pleasure to write for this platform and I’ll be interested to see where the BBC’s online natural history content goes next.

#BBC Earth #Record breakers #wildlife #punch #kick