Margi Bryant

I'm definitely a blurry birder too, with deteriorating eyesight and frequently-forgotten binoculars. The LBJs are especially hard to see!

Signed! I've read about the devastation caused by avian flu to the Bass Rock colony and the hopeful signs of recovery, but I didn't realise this hunt was still going on. Gannets are indeed fabulous. I used to be very familiar with the colony on Grassholm (Pembrokeshire), looked after by the RSPB.

Definitely buzzard, arcing gracefully on a thermal, as they do.

Dydd Gwyl Dewi hapus, John!

Hours of harmless fun can be had imagining scenarios for the bizarre word combinations of What3Words! I prefer an old fashioned grid ref, myself.

Thanks Jen. I'm looking forward to the next one!

Fascinating and inspiring discussion with Amy Jane Beer - thank you so much for organising and hosting it so brilliantly!

Well, for me the correlation was more with working myself into the ground! As well as some "colleagues" consistently making it clear I didn't belong. Yes, great relief to be out of it, albeit on less than half previous income, but happily freelance and able to do more writing. 😊

Exactly how I felt, until I quit last year! But workloads have also escalated crazily, with redundancies, recruitment freezes & ever-increasing demands on teaching, research, pastoral responsibilities, admin etc. Also in my case, impostor syndrome contributing massively to internalised expectations!

Creating & Managing Meadows and Scrub Bookings are now open

Looking forward to conference in May on Meadows & Scrub, focusing on both rural and urban landscapes. Organised by same team as the excellent Wilder Uplands conference last Oct. As @ianthewildside.bsky.social said then, we need to love bogs & scrub!
www.ukeconet.org/creating-and...
#naturewriting

Oh but I think Kermit would have to be Heathcliff, because he's also othered ("It's not easy being green...")

I would so love to see "Muppets Wuthering Heights"! It would be a worthy successor to "Muppets Christmas Carol", one of my fave films of all time!

So sorry to hear this! Look after yourself and get well, that's the most important thing. No hurry to air podcast from my point of view.

I hope this turned out OK despite my verbal (as well as literal) rambling! Looking forward to hearing it!

Best of luck David! If it's for the thing that closes tomorrow, then I'm also about to submit mine - just doing my Nth hunt for typos and verbal infelicities. I don't think I have any chance of success but I'm pleased I've written it!

Ah. that's lovely! I was obliged to knit one when I was at school. It was not a success. My mother cut holes in it and used it as a tea-cosy (if anyone remembers tea-cosies, they pre-dated tea-bags and warm houses, and kept the teapot warm).

Happy birthday Annie! Lovely to see and hear you on Wild Women yesterday evening, such an inspiring conversation.

Skomer was my happy place when I worked for Pembrokeshire Coast National Park. You can also stay a few nights as a paying guest. The accommodation is much smarter now than in my time (understandably but regrettably). It's magical when day visitors leave and you almost have the island to yourself.

Volunteer on Skomer | The Wildlife Trust of South and West Wales Skomer is an amazing island - but it couldn't run without our volunteers! We have short-term and long-term opportunities available, please see below for details.

It's also possible to volunteer on Skomer for just one week, as long as you apply early and are lucky enough to be accepted. They're always over-subscribed but it's worth a try - it's the most amazing place. Applications for 2027 open on 1 September 2026. www.welshwildlife.org/volunteer-skomer

Yes, I only got 6 birds in my tiny urban garden, but at least there were 4 species! And it included 2 bluetits, who I don't see that often and are of course a delight.

But sadly, so many projects are what the article's authors identify as exclusionary or managerial. I spent a lot of my time in academia studying projects like that, which nonetheless made bold claims of community involvement. Project funders need to get better at detecting "local-wash"!

I love this too! Nicola interviewed me last week about some Severn walking guides I wrote a while ago, and I think I'm going to be on her next podcast. She's a skilful editor, which is just as well, because I'm sure I rambled! But it was a real pleasure talking to her.

Thanks so much for the kind comments! It was only a phone photo, but I was lucky (and the heron posed very considerately).

I'm sure that's a widely-shared reaction to one's own first drafts! I loved your shortlisted essay in the 2024 Nature Chronicles collection. I'm trying to write something for the 2026 NC prize, but my internal critic is having a field day :(

I completely identify with Fox's sentiments! Just started following you due to Brigit's recommendation. Looking forward to seeing more of your lovely images.

Thanks for the nudge, I've been meaning for ages to buy this book! @windhovering.bsky.social also does delightful nature writing workshops at RSPB reserves. I'm hoping the reserve I do freelance work for might invite him over one day. Still working on it!

Couldn't help marvelling at the contrast between turbulent water rushing over an old weir on the River Rivelin, and an absolutely motionless heron. #naturewriting

Thank you Laura! I hadn't come across this bit of Austen wisdom before. I'm now going to write it out and pin it conspicuously by my PC.

I'll administer said kisses on your behalf! And of course they're forgiven for peeing on my bed (duvet is now back from laundrette, mattress is scrubbed and turned over ...)

Done! Even though one of them has just peed on my bed .... Kisses still needed.