You might think that the obvious choice for December’s bird of the month would be the robin, that staple of snowy Christmas card scenes. However, the wren has a much older association with this time of year. This diminutive bird is known as the ‘winter king’ in the Netherlands for its habit of singing throughout …
Eight months or so of living in Shetland is coming to end today. Only ever a temporary home, myself and my partner have made sure to make the most of our brief time living in this amazing archipelago. With some incredible scenery, fantastic wildlife, a vibrant cultural scene and friendly people, Shetland has much to …
July’s bird of the month is the black guillemot. Non-birders are probably not as familiar with this dapper little auk as its showbiz cousin the puffin. It is probably also less well known than the common guillemot and razorbill due to its much smaller range. However, it is a fascinating seabird and approaches life in …
When I first visited Shetland 11 years ago, one of the many highlights was a dusk trip over to the small island of Mousa, an RSPB reserve. Mousa is famous for two things. The first is the most complete Iron Age broch still standing, of which more in a moment. The second claim to fame …
My bird of the month for June is a bit of a cheat as I want to talk about a pair of species: Arctic and common terns. These very similar looking summer migrants can be difficult to tell apart without good views. The amalgamation of the two names, ‘commic tern’, can be useful in these …
Bird of the Month June 2022: Arctic and Common Terns Read More »
Anyone visiting Shetland will very quickly notice that the islands have their own dialect. One of the ways you will come across this is through the names of Shetland’s wildlife. Some of these dialect names are so good at characterising the birds and animals concerned that they have even been adopted further afield. For example, …
This content contains affiliate links to Bookshop.org. When you buy through these links, I may earn an affiliate commission. I’m actually one of those strange people who really like winter. I have to admit, though, by the time we get to March and April, I’m ready for the arrival of spring. From the first snowdrops, …