Why is it that we’re so ready to lay the blame at nature’s door when things go awry in the countryside?There are plenty of examples out there. Bovine TB is perhaps the biggest that springs to mind at the moment. It’s a dreadful disease in cattle that has serious implications for dairy farmers, their families and entire rural communities. It’s a problem that needs to be … [Read more...] about Natural born scapegoats…why do we always blame wildlife?
Irish Independent Column
Give weeds a break in your garden
All over Ireland gardeners are on a mission to eradicate weeds... but is there a different approach that can help the gardener AND help Ireland's wildlfie?****Weeds!The very mention of them can send gardeners into spasm. Throughout summer well into autumn we fight a never-ending battle with weeds. It’s a futile exercise, because we know the seeds released this year … [Read more...] about Give weeds a break in your garden
On course for a whale of a time
The female marsh harrier rose over the reed bed. For a fleeting moment she was master of the air... and then the wind hit her. Any illusion of aerial mastery was shattered as the Atlantic squall buffeted the hapless bird. It was all she could do to stay airborne.This was my first time seeing a marsh harrier in Ireland, so despite the fact that she wasn’t at her elegant and … [Read more...] about On course for a whale of a time
Barn owl encounter
I was out for a routine tramp around the patch about a month ago when something dropped out of a big clump of ivy in the top of a hawthorn tree. It hit the ground with a thud and, curiosity piqued, I headed over to investigate.As I approached the tree a rustling in the ivy caused me to look up. I was fully expecting to see a woodpigeon. When ivy rustles there’s generally a … [Read more...] about Barn owl encounter
Live wildlife: the last word in Reality Television
A few weeks ago the annual television wildlife extravaganza that is BBC Springwatch hit our screens. This three-week long wildlife-fest celebrated the best of native British wildlife, bringing fantastic shots, engaging stories and interesting wildlife facts to a public with a seemingly insatiable appetite for all things wild.I look forward to Springwatch and Autumnwatch … [Read more...] about Live wildlife: the last word in Reality Television
