In today's Guardian country diary, I make friends with a tiny and most unexpected butterfly... (click on image for link). More of my country diaries can be found here. Image credit: Steve Granger
Author: Nic Wilson
Writer, editor, Guardian country diarist
A family friend, queen of the skyline, has toppled
Saying goodbye to a much-loved local landmark and family friend this week in my Guardian country diary... (click on image for link). More of my country diaries can be found here.
Heron Has Come A-Hunting
Henry VIII falls face-first in the fen and a lone heron stalks the rooftops in my Guardian Country Diary this morning... (click on image for link). More of my country diaries can be found here.
My dad and I, watching a hoopoe, finally
It was my childhood dream to see a hoopoe & today I got to write about it in The Guardian Country Diary. This one’s for you, Dad xx (Click on image for link)
Sussex Wildlife Trust: Nature Writing Workshop
It was such a pleasure to run this nature writing workshop for the Sussex Wildlife Trust, supported by Arts Council England and MEAction UK. Designed for anyone who enjoys watching nature out of the window, in the garden or in the local landscape, the workshop focuses on sharing experiences and developing our individual creative voices. … Continue reading Sussex Wildlife Trust: Nature Writing Workshop
Song of the Iris
It was such a privilege to be asked to contribute to Nicola Chester's fantastic curated series on place, protest and belonging on The Clearing this week... https://www.littletoller.co.uk/the-clearing/song-of-the-iris-by-nic-wilson/
Mallows in the Meadow
The towpath beside the River Lee is a study in mauve with sprays of Common Mallow (Malva sylvestris) sprawling along the verge and out over the water. Often reduced to stunted tufts in managed verges, wilder areas that have been spared the mower allow this jaunty perennial to spread luxuriantly, its stems trailing and reaching … Continue reading Mallows in the Meadow
An Exhalation in the Alder Carr
Went for a lovely walk this afternoon that reminded me how vital our wild places are, especially at the moment. This is a piece on the importance of my local patch, first published Friday 9 October in The Guardian Country Diary. There’s a spring-fed sliver of alder carr shaped like a thought bubble near the … Continue reading An Exhalation in the Alder Carr
Garden Schooling: Ladybird Maths
The sunshine has brought out the ladybirds on our snow-in-summer. Some hurry along the raised bed sleepers in between the silvery leaves, clearly preoccupied with ladybird business, while others doze and mate on the warm wood. The kids have always enjoyed watching these charismatic beetles with their striking patterns and distinct spots, so we decided … Continue reading Garden Schooling: Ladybird Maths
Peat Free Nurseries List
The response to the Peat Free Nurseries List has been incredible. It's fantastic to see such interest in sourcing peat-free plants. Thousands of people have accessed the list which now includes over 120 nurseries across the UK, from Edinburgh to Cornwall, from West Wales to Norfolk. Thank you so much to everyone who has sent … Continue reading Peat Free Nurseries List