Do you ever feel like you're fighting a losing battle?

 

Rubbish left on a green space beside the river (Great Ouse) in the town where I live.

The most colourful things that I can see in the grass are the plastic containers and drinks cans as I walk along the path beside the river, the gaudy packaging designed to catch the eye, but I would prefer to see flowers there instead, and I and the other walkers, or people sitting on the grass with friends, just carry on, leaving the offensive rubbish where it lay.

I care, don't get me wrong. But if I stopped to pick up every scrap of rubbish selfishly and carelessly discarded I would lose a whole day, and still I would not make much of a dent in the problem. In the past I have even taken some bin liners and a litter picker with me, full of good intentions, to try and "do my bit". But still, I can fill a few bin liners and come away having barely made a difference. And what's the point when there'll just be more rubbish there tomorrow?

It's definitely a problem.

Once, again when I was walking by the river, I stopped and pulled this takeaway container from the water, concerned because the birds on the water looked to be eating it . . .

Takeaway container I saw floating on the river; birds on the water appeared to be eating tearing at the box and eating it

You know, the river in my town, and the embankment where people walk, has locally been referred to as the "jewel in Bedford's crown". But I think jewels get treated better than this.

I love walking by the river. I love spotting herons, Egyptian geese, and cormorants. I love the green spaces and the trees. I love the willows. And I love the swans. I love the little thrill of seeing something amphibious. Or even a grass snake. And, oh, I even saw an otter there once, I think (it was dark)! And the kingfishers - turquoise and fire-orange bullets with wings! These things are our national treasures as much as anything else you could care to name.

There are some borough council workers that patrol the town centre where I live. They hand out fines and issue warnings to people that drop cigarette butts and ride bicycles in the town centre (they possibly have other duties, but I couldn't tell you what they are), and I sometimes wonder if some of them might not be put to better use as a deterrent to those who litter along the the river, or those who fish illegally. I think a deterrent is what's needed; the evidence seems to suggest too many people do not value the green spaces we have.

Apparently, there are some for whom nature has no obvious value or worth, and so they treat it poorly. It doesn't matter how much you spend on trying to educate or breed compassion, they can't be reached that way, so you have to deal with the problem with punishment, I'm afraid.

My little local problem is indicative of a greater problem. I see it when I read about water companies fined for the ways in which they dump raw sewage in our waters (and still make a profit despite the fines); I see it when I read about ancient woodland being destroyed for HS2; I see it in the figures reported indicating declines in our wildlife populations (with human activity being the overwhelming cause for). 

There are so many studies which suggest all the ways in which nature is good for us. It saves us money. It provides us with food. It provides the water that is essential for our survival. It cleans the air that we breath! The information is there, and still there is an attitude of, "Yeah, but don't we have other problems that we need to deal with?"

I sometimes feel as though we are sitting in a burning house, fighting over things we've been arguing for centuries (literally centuries!), going around in circles, and it's all just going to fall down about us. Maybe we'll value things differently when the house is gone and we're wondering where we are going to live.

There's a chance I have lost a few readers by now - nobody likes a rant - so maybe I should humbly posit a few solutions to these little problems of mine . . .

• We need to invest more time, money, and effort into environmental, conservation, and wildlife work. The sad truth is that some people just don't care about nature because it doesn't put money in their pocket. So, let's create jobs that work for nature and pays people. There are enough companies out there that have polluted our land and waters, and fudged their numbers (Southern Water, I am looking at you), making money to the detriment of nature. Let's balance the scales.

• Can we stop being soft on wildlife crime? Can we, please? We are losing the animals that are an iconic part of our landscape, and with criminals getting away with nothing more than a slap on the wrist (and some activists suggesting the police often seem to be on the side of the law breakers), we need the deterrents! 

• Specifically for my fellow Bedfordians, I think it would be nice to see some of those Bedford Borough Council employees that stalk around the town centre out in our greener places, being a deterrent to those that are making a mess of our green spaces and our waters. Our "jewel in the crown".

• As individuals, those of us that care about nature, we need to do something for our own little corners of the world. No doubt you already do, but we need to keep going. Because without you turning up for the fight, we can't hold back the onslaught.

 I was going to end this post with an apology, a little sorry for some of the ranting I have done above. But then I read it back and decided against it. I don't want to apologise for caring about something worth caring about, and I am not going to. If you're still with me, thank you for reading this far!

If you recognise any of the above from your own experiences, it would be great if you could comment or share the post, just so I can see that I am not alone. And, if you found this read of any worth, you can buy me a coffee on ko-fi.com - the caffeine keeps me litter picking, and moaning about how people should know better . . . Thank you!

Hey to all my new readers! Here's 3 things you might not know about me . . .

 

Rain water in tyre tracks

Hello there to all my new readers! This post is all about introducing myself and sharing a few things you might not know about me . . .

1. I also blog about books

As well as nature and wildlife, I have a great love for books. And, just like with my love for nature and wildlife, one of the ways in which I explore my bibliophilia is through writing about that passion in my own humble little book blog.

Sometimes I am able to tie my love for books and nature together, just like when I wrote a review of Foxes Unearthed by Lucy Jones. Nature and wildlife writing is the joy of my two loves colliding!

2. I am a bit of a gardener

My interest in gardening very much stems from my love of nature and wildlife. My first attempts at gardening were when I planted a variety of wildflowers for the love of pollinators. But there are many other ways in which one can explore gardening and a love for nature.

As well as planting wildflowers for our familiar pollinators, it is worth considering the night time pollinators that we might easily forget about. This has led to me researching those flowers and plants that come into their own in the evening, making the garden a place for creatures that prefer moonlight, as well as those who need the sunshine.

3. I am vegetarian

And I am exploring vegan options. This diet is very much informed by my love for nature and wildlife.

If you care for nature and wildlife, sooner or later, you are going to come up against having to make decisions about the way you live your life. We all know that the way in which human beings have been using and exploiting natural resources, the ways in which we have treated animals, and the way we have built our infrastructure have been having a detrimental impact on the natural world. A more plant based lifestyle is one of the solutions to a load of problems the world is facing.

I hope that you enjoyed this read. If you did, you can buy me a coffee on ko-fi.com - the caffeine keeps me being me and writing all about nature and wildlife! Thank you!

5 reasons I write about nature and wildlife

 

. . . because a spider's web in the morning is a beautiful thing to behold

In today's post, I am writing about writing. Specifically, since this is a nature and wildlife blog, I am considering some of the reasons I write about nature and wildlife. 

1. Failing and mistaking

I do not know everything there is to know about the natural world and wildlife. There are a great number of people out there with far better and more extensive knowledge, and there are those who specialise in certain fields from whom I could learn so much.

Writing is a form of communication. It isn't just about sharing what I have learned and/or experienced, but a chance for me to sit back and listen to those that know better. It is an opportunity to reach out and learn. So, if I fail or make a mistake, and you know better, please, jump into the comments and teach me. I am honoured by your knowledge!

2. The community

Following on from the above point, writing about nature and wildlife allows me the opportunity to have exchanges with like-minded people. 

When I am done with the writing (the proofreading and the editing too), I have to step away from the blog and start promoting my humble little blog in spaces where those like-minded people might gather. So, I find myself on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, etc., in the company of people who share this passion for nature. There are some really keen wildlife gardeners, hikers, birdwatchers, activists, and other wildlife and nature lovers out there. And it's a privilege to be able to share in their passions!

3. Because I am a good writer

As I have joined groups and followed social media accounts, I have noticed that people honour nature and wildlife in their own ways (I wrote a little post about some of the ways people can honour nature and wildlife here). There are photographers, poets, activists, advocates, fundraisers . . .

People go to nature and they bring their own particular set of skills with them so that they can share their passion with others when they return to their lives indoors. In my humble opinion, and even if I do say so myself, I would say that I am a fairly decent writer. I won't be toppling any of the greats from their pedestals with my efforts, but I have the skillset that I feel I can honour nature and wildlife with my words and not do them an injustice. Of course, sometimes there just are no words grand enough to convey the beauty and grace of the natural world. But, I strive to do my very best!

4. Making sense of it all

As I plod along countryside paths, in awe of some sighting or another, it can be difficult to make sense of what I have seen, or what I am feeling.

Plenty of us have spotted an animal as we have been out in nature and found ourselves asking, "Why on earth is it doing that, I wonder?"

We hurriedly take our phone from our pocket, trying for a photo or video so that we can share it in one of those Facebook groups of which we are a member. Perhaps someone there will know what is going on and be able to enlighten us.

Writing about my experiences in nature means that I am making the time to stop, consider what I have seen, research, and share those experiences. This ties in with what I have said above, regarding failing and mistaking.

But writing also gives me the chance to explore my feelings too. When I am immersed in some fleetingly joyous moment, I don't really look at what I am feeling, I just ride it out. But when I am sitting at my laptop, tapping away, I have to find the words to try and convey that joy, and any other feelings, which gives me space to recognise them and know those feelings better.

5. And, because I love nature and wildlife

I grew up in the countryside. From the bathroom window of my parents' house, I saw rabbits, deer, foxes, hedgehogs, sparrowhawks, red kites . . . And that's without even leaving the house!

I don't really have a satisfactory answer to the question of where exactly my adoration for nature and wildlife comes from. It's true that I did grow up in the countryside and had the opportunity to see some wonderful animals and plant life. However, I don't think it can be that alone. After all, there are plenty that grow up in the countryside and care not a jot for nature and wildlife.

All I can say is that I have had a fascination for the natural world since I was very young and it hasn't gone anywhere. And I hope it never does.

Thank you for reading my reasons for writing about nature. If you enjoyed the piece, you can buy me a coffee on ko-fi.com - the caffeine keeps me going back to nature and returning to my laptop to write about what I find there! Thank you!

Do you know the difference between growing up with nature and growing up without it?

 

A path I walk sometimes

I remember an occasion from when I was younger, either my late childhood or early adolescence, out walking with my younger brother. We were walking one of the countryside footpaths in the village where we grew up and, upon spotting a red fox, one of us exclaimed to the other, "Hey! Look! A fox!" We were excited by the sight and couldn't stop ourselves from bursting forth with the yelp of glee. Of course, the fox, having learned from experience that humans prancing and trampling noisily through countryside are something to be avoided, took off pretty quickly.

For a while, it was a joke between us; our response to seeing the fox, this beautiful animal, was to make the sort of noise that would surely send it running. We had been the ruin of our own joy. The thing that had brought us joy, we had sent off with our big bloomin' gobs!

To this day, I have only ever caught glimpses of foxes. Most of my sightings are of the back end of one - that iconic tail! - as it hops into hedgerow or tall grass. For the close ups, I have had to get my fix of foxy beauty from wildlife photographers on social media and episodes of Springwatch.

As an aside, if foxes are your thing, I thoroughly recommend reading Foxes Unearthed by Lucy Jones - you can read about it here!

So, me and my brother made fun of ourselves for having sent this fox running. The sight of this animal brought us excitement and joy. We would have loved nothing more than to watch this animal, and savour the beauty and grace of its presence for as long as possible, but our response made exactly the opposite come into being. What a pair of idiots!

Still though, I have to forgive us; we were young and excited by the sight of this animal. We were thrilled by the fact that after less than twenty minutes walking from our home we could stumble upon this graceful and cat-like canine.

One of my better sightings of the beautiful red fox (Vulpes vulpes)

To try and answer the question with which this post is titled, I would say that growing up with nature has left me with a love for it, and wildlife. These days, I try to contain my excitement and, understanding a little better than I did when I was a kid that wildlife doesn't like noisy people, rather than yelping with glee, I am much more likely to hold my breath and play statue. But that excitement is still there, bubbling beneath the surface. And it comes from having grown up in a village where I could spot deer, pheasants, foxes, hedgehogs, and many other animals in the surrounding countryside. Sometimes, from the windows of our home!

At least for me, growing up with nature has meant much joy and a love that hasn't diminished in all those years, even as other joys and loves have faded and fallen away. I hope that that's a love many others will have the chance to discover long after I am no longer rambling countryside footpaths.

I want to thank you for reading this piece. If you liked this post, you can buy me a coffee on ko-fi - the caffeine keeps me rambling through the countryside and writing about what I find out there! Thank you to all supporters!

Want to honour nature and wildlife? Here's how . . .

 

One of the ways in which I pay respect to nature is simply to sit quietly with it; to listen.

There are many ways in which one can pay respect to nature, to honour it and show appreciation. And, in this post, we are going to take a little look at some of those ways. Perhaps it might ignite an idea or two for some readers, or maybe you'll find yourself nodding in recognition to some of these points. Whatever else you find below, I hope you find a pleasant read!

Writing

It is perhaps natural that I would lead with writing!

If you've a love for, and some knowledge of, nature perhaps you could start up a blog. Blogging can also be a great way to reach out and meet like-minded people, since a good blog can open up a dialogue between the writer and readers - that's what the comment section is for!

There are a number of nature and wildlife magazines to which the freelance writer might wish to pitch article ideas. If you have a good idea, find the editor's email address (contact details can be found in the first pages of most magazines), and send off a brief and polite message outlining your idea. Be sure to do a little research before you make contact though - guidelines for submissions can vary between magazines.

Whatever outlet you choose, writing is a great way to pay respect to nature. And if you're really ambitious, you may even end up writing a book!

Gardening

My little pot of wildflowers, a common poppy (Papaver rhoeas) in the foreground

My own interest in gardening stems very much from my interest in nature and wildlife. It is with pollinators in mind that I plant seeds for wildflowers. In this way, I honour the little lives that visit the garden.

If you are fortunate enough to have the space, it can be very rewarding to create something for nature and wildlife. Even a balcony can be enough for growing plants.

Indeed, the very act of nurturing and caring for the plants in your garden honours nature and its processes.

Stopping to listen

I love taking to countryside footpaths and forgetting the world for a while. All the nonsense of broken hearts and bills to pay can be left behind for a while.

And, as you ramble along, your walk can be something of a little adventure; who knows what you might stumble upon as you walk?

To honour nature though, to pay respect to her processes and the life she sustains, one really has to stop and listen for a while. If you come upon a spot by a river or in a meadow, stop for a while and just take it all in - there's more to know than just our own day to day concerns.

A poor life this if, full of care,

We have no time to stand and stare.

- Leisure, by William Henry Davies                            

Over to you . . .

In what ways do you pay respect to and show appreciation for nature? Do you take photographs? Paint? Have you joined or started up a group? I would love to hear about it in the comments below!

If you've enjoyed this read, you can buy me a coffee on ko-fi - all support is gratefully received! Thank you!

Discover more books on nature and wildlife!

 Disclaimer: if you make a purchase through links in this post, I may earn a small commission from the sellers, but this does not affect the cost to the consumer and it definitely does not influence the content of this blog.

In this post, we will be taking a little look at some nature writing. We have taken a look at some books in the past that have explored nature and wildlife (here), and this post is something of a follow up to that. What follows is a few books that you, as nature lovers, may enjoy. So, without further ado . . .

Less is More : How Degrowth Will Save the World by Jason Hickel

In the name of progress, capitalism, and the economy, human activity is being undertaken to the detriment of the natural living world. Our planet is in trouble. In this book, Hickel shines a light on the ecological breakdown of our world today and the systems that are causing it, making a case for degrowth as an answer. Here, he hopes to show how we can build a thriving society for all that also falls back into balance with the living world.

You can purchase a copy of this book here.

Bearded Tit by Rory McGrath

This Sunday Times Best Seller and BBC Radio 4 Book of the Week is a meditation on how watching birds can tell us so much about life and how to live it. This is a love story too; a love between people and the love of a man for birds. Perhaps this book could be considered a memoir of sorts, but McGrath looks back over his life always with birds flying overhead. I suspect many a birdwatcher will appreciate much in this book!

You can purchase a copy of this book here.

Feral by George Monbiot

George Monbiot studied zoology at Oxford, and has spent his career as a journalist and environmentalist, working with others to defend the natural world he loves.* And, in Feral, Monbiot makes his case for rewilding our landscapes and ourselves. It is the work of an author passionate about his subject, writing with the intelligence to back up that passion. If you read this book, and you don't already, you will dream of seeing wolves and boar back in the countryside. And you will yearn to get out there and immerse yourself in nature.

*Taken from the "About the author" description in the book.

You can purchase a copy of this book here.

Well, that's all for now, but if you enjoy this sort of content then please do let me know and I will write up some more! 

The links in this piece will take you to bookshop.org, whose mission is to financially support local, independent bookshops. As more books are bought online, this wonderful site allows for the convenience of the consumer whilst also endeavouring to keep independent bookshops alive!

If you did enjoy this read, you can buy me a coffee on ko-fi - the caffeine keeps me writing and reading. Thank you, and please do come back soon!