Category Archives: Natural history

Extra hands at Common Wood

Posted on 18/02/2024 by campaignerkate

We had an unprecedented number of enthusiastic workers on our spring volunteer day at Common Wood, Dartmoor, on 12 February. The Dartmoor Preservation Association conservation volunteers were joined by two lecturers, Rebecca Slee and Kate Turner, and 14 students from … Continue reading →

Posted in butterflies, Common Wood, Dartmoor, Natural history | Tagged , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Scintillating siskins

Posted on 04/02/2024 by campaignerkate

I joined members of Bucks Bird Club this morning for a walk round Little Marlow gravel pit in Bucks, led by Adam Bassett who knows this site better than anyone. At the start he promised us siskins, and we were not … Continue reading →

Posted in Birds, Bucks, Natural history | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

Return to the Rhôs

Posted on 25/10/2023 by campaignerkate

The Dartmoor Preservation Association conservation volunteers returned to Common Wood on Dartmoor on 16 October, to improve the habitat for Marsh Fritillary butterflies. We hadn’t worked there since a wet day in February 2016, when we were interviewed by Jo … Continue reading →

Posted in butterflies, Common Wood, commons, Dartmoor, National parks, Natural history | Tagged , , , , | 6 Comments

The three Ss

Posted on 13/08/2023 by campaignerkate

I attended Geeta Ludhra’s story-telling event to mark South Asian Heritage Month, at the Chiltern open-air museum, to discuss our connection with nature. Continue reading →

Posted in AONB, Chilterns, Dadima's walks, green spaces, Natural England, Natural history, walks | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Catching the worm with Dadima

Posted on 28/06/2023 by campaignerkate

Dadima’s June walk was round the Tring reservoirs. As always, I learnt a lot. Continue reading →

Posted in Access, Birds, campaigns, Dadima's walks, Natural history, walking, walks | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

On sunlit slope

Posted on 27/02/2023 by campaignerkate

On 13 February with the help of students from Plymouth University, we made big improvements for butterflies at Common Wood. Continue reading →

Posted in butterflies, Common Wood, Dartmoor, Natural history | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments

Aston Rowant festival

Posted on 06/11/2022 by campaignerkate

I took part in the celebrations of the seventieth anniversary of National Nature Reserves at Aston Rowant in Oxfordshire. Continue reading →

Posted in AONB, Chilterns, Natural England, Natural history | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

Butterfly betterment

Posted on 26/10/2022 by campaignerkate

The Dartmoor Preservation Association conservation volunteers had a productive workday at Common Wood, improving the habitat for butterflies. Continue reading →

Posted in butterflies, Common Wood, Dartmoor, Natural history, Open Spaces Society | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Young wilders bring hope

Posted on 04/10/2022 by campaignerkate

I was honoured to join the Youngwilders and Heal Rewilding to write a manifesto for the next generation. Continue reading →

Posted in Access, Birds, campaigns, Natural history, walking, wild country, Woods and forests | Tagged , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

South Asia comes to the Chilterns

Posted on 08/08/2022 by campaignerkate

I joined a colourful day in the Chilterns to celebrate and learn about the South Asian heritage. Continue reading →

Posted in AONB, Chilterns, Dadima's walks, India, Natural history, walking, walks | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments