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. →

Shorts, T-Shirt, And A Raincoat, A Battle Between Summer And Winter On The Nagle Mountains

It's September 14th now, so, it's around that time when you start to to accept, Winter will arrive, our time is limited, better enjoy the last days of sunshine. But it's a quite ambiguous time of year, on previous years, the week after this day could be, bitter cold, like Winter came early, or, beautiful … Continue reading Shorts, T-Shirt, And A Raincoat, A Battle Between Summer And Winter On The Nagle Mountains →

The Strange Tale Of How The Courtmacsherry Estuary Became A Haven For Birds

https://imgur.com/wXmJSh8 A curlew flying over the Courtmacsherry Estuary. One of my passions is getting clear photos of curlews in flight. I see that splendid plumage and the elegant, elephant like beak, and the camera is at the ready. Sometimes it's nice and clear like the one you see here, and sometimes it's a blurry mess. … Continue reading The Strange Tale Of How The Courtmacsherry Estuary Became A Haven For Birds →

A Raven, A Kestrel, And Bees!!!!!

Before I go on a long cycle, I always check the weather forecast beforehand. I like the security of knowing that there'll be no rain, it won't be too hot or too cold, and that the wind won't be strong enough to make for a difficult cycle. But, before my last cycle, the weather forecast … Continue reading A Raven, A Kestrel, And Bees!!!!! →

Bottlehill Forest Is A Great Place To Listen To Bird Song. But It Shouldn’t Be.

One of my favourite places to listen to bird song, and record bird song, is Bottlehill Forest (I'm not sure if that's even the exact name of the place, but that's what I've come to know it as.) Some of my clearest recordings of robins and chaffinches were recorded there. And now I look forward … Continue reading Bottlehill Forest Is A Great Place To Listen To Bird Song. But It Shouldn’t Be. →

A Zebra Jumping Spider Comes To Visit Me On My Backyard Patio Table

https://imgur.com/nefMSOD Possibly the world's best spider. One of the reasons I got obsessively into wildlife was my absolute fascination with jumping spiders. I would watch video after video after video about them, and Adrian Tchaikovsky's Children Of Time was also a big part of it. That's a book about how jumping spiders are given a … Continue reading A Zebra Jumping Spider Comes To Visit Me On My Backyard Patio Table →

The Arrival Of The Baby Birds, One Of The Best Times Of The Year!

https://imgur.com/DK8CskG Three cygnets in the Lough. I wrote last year about how much joy I get from seeing baby birds slowly grow into adults over the span of often as little as a few months: https://autismneurodiversity.com/2024/07/12/the-elation-of-seeing-baby-birds-growing-up/ And they grow up so fast! People say that about humans. No, humans do not grow up fast. Thirteen … Continue reading The Arrival Of The Baby Birds, One Of The Best Times Of The Year! →

Amazing Pilots, The Peregrine, The Kestrel And The Mute Swan

Sometimes I'm blown away by the fact that birds are sentient aircraft. When I overhear people complaining about how there are too many pigeons or seagulls around, I think about it the other way, I feel privileged that I get to share a planet with such amazing animals. Birds are amazing pilots. And what I'm … Continue reading Amazing Pilots, The Peregrine, The Kestrel And The Mute Swan →