Category: Nature and Wildlife

Are Oystercatchers One Of Ireland’s Most Underrated Birds?

I've talked before about Betteridge's Law of Headlines, which is "Any headline that ends in a question mark can be answered by the word no." But this isn't quite Betteridge's Law, because the answer to the question, "Are oystercatchers one of Ireland's most underrated birds?", isn't "No", it's, "I don't know, maybe?" I spent the … Continue reading Are Oystercatchers One Of Ireland’s Most Underrated Birds? →

Courtmacsherry Is A Different Birding World In June

A few weeks ago I did my first ever birding trip to Courtmacsherry in June, technically the tail end of May and the start of June. And it's a different world then. All of my previous birding trips to Courtmacsherry were in August and December, and of course, the different seasons mean completely different things … Continue reading Courtmacsherry Is A Different Birding World In June →

Long-Tailed Tits Really Are The Sweetest, Loveliest Little Birds

This is a long-tailed tit. https://imgur.com/u9EjDZ5 AWWWWWWWWWWWWWW!!!!!!! Now, I know what you're thinking, you don't want to learn any more about this bird, because, surely you will find out that this bird isn't quite as nice as they seem! It always turns out that way with the really cute birds doesn't it! Like, robins, who … Continue reading Long-Tailed Tits Really Are The Sweetest, Loveliest Little Birds →

The Starling, One Of The Most Original Singers I’ve Ever Heard

Have a listen to this: https://xeno-canto.org/1066013 This is an example of one of my absolute favourite birdsongs. Indeed, the sound of starlings often gets me to do another bit of recording even when I'm really tired and need to go home. When I'm recording birds, I go into such a state of hyperfocus that my … Continue reading The Starling, One Of The Most Original Singers I’ve Ever Heard →

This SHOULD Be Obvious, But Fox Hunting Is Evil

During the Summer, when the evenings were long, I used to cycle into the countryside, camera and recorder ready, to get some bird photos and record some bird vocalizations. And every so often something would happen that would make my heart stop (metaphorically, don't worry!) I would stop the bike, and approach a field, maybe … Continue reading This SHOULD Be Obvious, But Fox Hunting Is Evil →

The Sedge Warbler, The Frank Zappa Of The Bird World

During the Summer of this year (2025), I spent many happy days in the Glen River Park listening to the birds singing. Whether it was the jovial baritone of the wood pigeon, the achingly beautiful tones of a blackbird, or the relentless, breathless clicking of the stonechat, all of these sounds brought me great joy, … Continue reading The Sedge Warbler, The Frank Zappa Of The Bird World →

Servitude Or Death, The Fate Of Earth’s Animals.

I talked in my previous blogpost: https://autismneurodiversity.com/2025/10/17/harpers-island-a-place-where-birds-are-allowed-to-thrive/ about how the slender billed curlew is extinct. There are no more of them left. Any sighting you get of one, will be a photograph. Any sound you hear from them, will be a recording. Now, let's contrast that with another bird. The domestic chicken. How many of … Continue reading Servitude Or Death, The Fate Of Earth’s Animals. →