About Me

I've always loved the outdoors and been 
fascinated by the natural world and the 
other wildlife we share it with.  

THIS INTEREST HAS TAKEN MANY FORMS, ranging from bird watching, wildlife and landscape photography (an interest in, not any particular talent or success) to hiking, bushcraft and various other 'outdoor' activities. Eventually this interest in and fascination of the natural world let me to study a degree in Environmental Conservation, followed by a Masters degree in Ecology & Conservation. These courses of study gave me a pretty good grounding in British wildlife and ecology to support what I had gleaned from my own personal interest and activities. Having backed up that book learning with practical work for various conservation organisations; large and small, paid and voluntary, I knew that what I really enjoyed doing was... a bit of everything.

I enjoyed the learning, but also the application; I was, and still am, fascinated by ecological theory but also love getting 'down and dirty' as it were in practical habitat management; I love being alone among nature, quietly observing what happens around me and how different elements of the natural world interact and influence others, but I also have a passion for sharing this fascination with others whether through more formal educational channels or casual chats; I enjoyed the structure and planning of the formal research I undertook while studying (and want to continue in some small way at least), but find that I can be equally diverted by a single plant or invertebrate while on my way to the shops.  

Above all, what I have learned better than anything 
is how much I still don't know. 

Despite this, I hope that what I have to write will be of interest to some. I know its a cliche to say that you learn something new every day, but I think when it comes to nature and wildlife that it really is true. There is always a species you don't recognise, a behaviour you haven't observed before, or a questions which doesn't have an obvious answer. Especially as I seem to forgot from one season to the next a big chunk of what I learnt the year before - I can't be the only one?! While this is a major frustration at times, it also means I get to learn some of this interesting stuff all over again! 

Megan asking me about some ants
on a heathland where I conducted
some of my Masters research into
Carrion Beetles.

I'm very lucky to be able to share these interests and experiences with my family: my wife, Emily, 3 year old daughter Megan, and as of very recently a little baby boy, Jack. Being able to share this with them adds a whole extra layer of enjoyment and value to the experience for me. Seeing Megan stop, bend down and watch closely an ant or a spider going about its daily business never ceases to bring a smile to my face!

I find it particularly engaging at present just how close to home fascinating wildlife spectacles can be observed - and that's coming from a reluctant city dweller. We really don't have to go far to see so much. 

I hope that I am able to do justice to some of the things I see through this blog.

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Having the passion I do for the outdoors, wildlife, and a whole raft of related topics, I am in the process of setting up an environmental education and engagement project with a particular focus, for the time being at least, on woodland restoration and management. The Riddy Wood Project aims to provide as many opportunities as possible, for as many different groups of people as possible, to enjoy and learn about the natural world. Some of what I write about will be related to this work, but that project has its own blog, website and social media links, as does the not-for-profit business it is being set up in association with: Bushcraft Education Ltd - follow the links for more info.