Ray’s Blog & Links

Southampton to Sydney

Southern double-collared sunbird It’s probably not the most common way to travel to Australia, but it is, arguably, the most civilised.  In January we escaped some winter blues by sailing from Southampton to Sydney, calling at Tenerife, Namibia, various ports in South Africa, the Indian Ocean islands of Reunion and…

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Thank you once again for your cash!

Thank you to all of you who have bought my calendars, cards or images, or attended my wildlife presentations. Your donations to Zarach for 2023 total over £3200, which has provided 22 beds to children who would otherwise be sleeping on the floor or in a shared bed. You can…

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Ticked off

From time to time, we arrive home to find a visitor on our doorstep. Our visitor may have a headache, in which case, we’re fairly sure they’ve flown into the conservatory window, the severity of the headache being proportionate to the speed with which they hit the glass. Often, but…

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Going North

Leaving the relative warmth of Yorkshire in June for the cool 1c of the Arctic regions is probably not everybody’s idea of a fun-filled trip but for the slightly mad nature adventurers it certainly has its attractions.  This is our fourth adventure above the Arctic circle and although we’ve never…

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Introducing the first chick

Our first tawny owl chick took me by surprise when, on 27th April, he/she appeared in the holly bush of next door’s garden. They’re a couple of weeks earlier than previous years. Sitting only a couple of feet off the ground, I was concerned for its safety but mum wasn’t…

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My tawny owls are back!

In October 2021, I gave my tawny owls a new home. The old box was rotten and only fit for the bonfire so I commissioned my friend, Steve, to help me build a brand spanking new one, same design but a tad larger than the first. I erected it on…

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C’est la vie

March is probably not the best time to visit Dumfries and Galloway but, for various reasons, this time of year was convenient.  I rented a lovely cottage near the beach at Brighouse Bay, imaginatively known as Brighouse Bay cottages.  It snowed and it rained and, for a few hours each…

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The island of Mauritius

Madagascar fody The island of Mauritius is a tourist hotspot for those who worship the sun.  Its beaches are generally quite beautiful, save for the plastic that is never far away, and the water is warm.  It’s a place to unwind and enjoy the ocean.  Travel inland, however, and the…

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Thank you for your donations to Zarach!

Thanks to those who have made donations, bought images, calendars and cards or listened to my wildlife talks, this year I have been able to send £3150 to Zarach. Your money is helping to give ‘every head a bed and make every house a home’.

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‘It’s woven into the nation’s psyche’

In 2015, our European robin was voted Britain’s national bird and, it was said at the time, is a bird which is ‘woven into the nation’s psyche’.  It’s definitely the most recognisable.  With its bright orange breast it is known to just about everyone, young and old and, with around…

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