Jay, like the bird

Things of interest to Ella J Davies: nature lover and word nerd.

[jaylikethebird]

Country diary: the telltale signs of a wood mouse

Upton-by-Chester, Cheshire: In spring, females establish individual nests beneath hedgerows or tucked into tree roots, but they are drawn to anywhere warm

We made a delightful discovery in the garden - a house mouse nest! Unfortunately it was relocated to the compost bin before I could take a photo but we’ll be keeping our eyes peeled for the resident as spring gets underway.

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It might surprise you to learn the migratory routes of Atlantic salmon pass through plenty of European cities.

Since my own urban encounter with salmon in Chester I’ve been really interested in how many cities these fish pass through without many people noticing. So, for International Year of the Salmon I’ve looked into Europe’s salmon cities for BBC Earth.

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While walking under ladders has obvious health and safety implications for us, superstitions concerning animals can impact entire ecosystems

I’m fascinated by superstitions and folk tales surrounding different species, though sadly many of them result in persecution. I’ve written about South America’s “unluckiest” species for BBC Earth, fingers crossed they find better fortune in the future.

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Country diary: voles are on the menu for saltmarsh visitor

Little Neston, Cheshire: Against an industrial backdrop, the long grasses of the Dee estuary welcome wintering birds

I spent a dreamy evening on the marsh at Little Neston for this diary about short-eared owls. I can certainly recommend a pint on the benches at the Harp Inn on an autumn evening!

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Country diary: a thoroughly modern meadow

Upton, Chester: Would the early country diarist Thomas Coward recognise this as a landscape of his youth?

The very best thing about writing country diaries for The Guardian is getting to explore the history and geography of Cheshire. When it’s walking distance from my house it’s even better! I love Chester Zoo’s fledgling reserve and really look forward to seeing it develop. 

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I’m in Tortoise magazine again, this time writing about Cheshire’s nature-writing heritage, and hopefully encouraging a few new voices. Hats off to Sam Ryley for the last minute photography, how interesting does it look behind the scenes at the Grosvenor Museum, Chester?

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Country diary: these hardy honeybees could help our ailing apiaries

Weaverham, Cheshire: While imported bees huddled around their queens, Owley Wood’s wild colony was active throughout the winter

A friend tipped me off about Weaverham’s Owley Wood (it’s glorious in bluebell season) so it was a treat to write about its rare resident honeybees for my latest country diary.

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Encounters with incredible animals in exotic locations top many people’s bucket lists, but there is a danger that your holiday of a lifetime experience could be exploiting vulnerable animals and habitats.

I always strive for low impact, eco-friendly holidays but wanted to know how to take it further. Fortunately, I got the opportunity to research just that for my BBC Earth article on the best ways to combine tourism and animal welfare.

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It might surprise you to learn that there are conservationists on four legs as well as two.

Here’s my article for BBC Earth about the conservationist’s best friend - the faithful hounds doing their bit to save species. Who knew there was another reason to love dogs?!

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Country diary: only the adolescent seals still hang out here

Hilbre Islands, Wirral: Visitors hoping to glimpse grey seals will find only a few stragglers. The rest are off to their breeding grounds

I love Hilbre island, the idea of a place that’s only accessible at certain times is quite an exciting prospect, even if most trips out there end in a scurry to escape the weather. So it was a pleasure to write up my seal-watching trip for the Guardian.

[jaylikethebird]

What do animals do in the autumn?

Autumn is hands-down my favourite time of year, and often my busiest for work. If you’re a fan too, read my BBC Earth article all about what British species get up to once the leaves begin to fall.

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Salmon Seekers

Earlier in the summer I visited the Chester Fish Trap to learn more about the salmon swimming in the River Dee.

I wrote up the experience for local magazine Tortoise which is always a great read, you can find it in select spots around the city. 

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Are your internet habits harming wildlife?

It’s been a long day so why not sit back, relax and browse the internet for cute creatures. It’s a familiar impulse for animal lovers, but is our appreciation of the adorable helping or harming wildlife?

Here’s another article I wrote for BBC Earth, looking at how our online appreciation of ‘cute’ wild animals can be both helpful and detrimental to their survival in the wild.

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Country diary: a busy time for spiders

Little Budworth, Cheshire: This county is home to a few arachnological rarities, making it a good place for a spider safari

My latest country diary focuses on our eight-legged friends. I’ll be honest, I wanted to give spiders some good press in advance of the spider ‘silly season’ in September when we’re plagued by daft headlines about dangerous home invaders.

I was delighted (and a little jealous!) to hear that Rich discovered a new British species just a week after our safari - it just goes to show we still have a lot to learn about arachnids!

[jaylikethebird]

The animals that deserve to be superheroes

While creatures from the humble tick to the enigmatic black panther are having their moment, we take a look at three spectacular species that are overdue some good publicity.

Here’s one I wrote earlier. It still seems relevant with Ant Man and the Wasp currently in cinemas (lets gloss over the atrocity that is the Bumblebee trailer though!)

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A summer fair to raise the spirits

I haven’t updated this blog in a good long while, but fortunately it’s never the wrong season to turn over a new leaf so here I am.

I’ve just spent the weekend at Birdfair, which is always inspirational and here are a few highlights:

Ravens were high on the agenda, which is good to see following the appalling news that Scottish Natural Heritage are planning to cull these wonderful birds. Joe Shute’s talk and @wulf-birding‘s wonderful illustrations really encouraged me to learn more about the kings of the corvid family, and how we can protect them.

Nick Baker was on top form as usual, his talk on rewilding yourself was really entertaining but the top takeaway tip for me was his advice to pretend there are large predators in the landscape when you’re out in nature so you engage all your senses more fully.

After 3 years of attending, we know the British Arachnological Society’s stall is always fascinating and it was great to see their efforts being rewarded by lots of visitors and a couple of awards.

Yesterday, we were awarded the Best Stand (Conservation) @TheBirdfair Today, the organisers have awarded us “Best in Show” ... a fantastic achievement but richly deserved by our team of volunteers. If you are at the show, do come along and say hello. pic.twitter.com/jLXZiiNs0Q

— BAS (@BritishSpiders)

August 19, 2018

I really enjoyed Jo Wimpenny’s lecture on the female pioneers of ornithology and I’m excited to hear even more female voices onstage at next year’s Birdfair. 

Ladies, let's get our heads together and blow Birdfair 2019 out of the park. DM me if you are a wonderful woman interested in speaking next year and let's hatch plans, plant seeds and prepare panels

— Dr Jess French (@Zoologist_Jess)

August 20, 2018

Finally, the one session that really affected me was Chris Packham and Joe Harkness’ discussion of mental health, and the benefits of birding for peace of mind. 

I have a rough time with anxiety myself, it often feels like I’ve lost my voice altogether. It meant so much to me to hear people discussing their stories and how a passion for the natural world has kept them going through hard times. Judging by their reception in the events tent, full to over 650 capacity, and the conversations I overheard afterwards, it means a lot to other people too. 

This is why we spoke about mental health at @TheBirdfair . Not to hit any nerves, but for solidarity between all, in that tent and beyond, who have experienced or are experiencing mental health issues. The response has been completely overwhelming. #1in3 #mentalhealth 🙂💚🙏🐦 https://t.co/Uyi8aR3UpI

— Bird Therapy (@BirdTherapy)

August 19, 2018

What I love most about Birdfair is spending time in the company of so many compassionate people. It’s a great reminder that, despite the constant news of doom and gloom, there are still people who care - for our wildlife, and for each other. 

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The most powerful punches and kicks of all time

Muhammad Ali may have thrown some pretty powerful punches, but there are animals in the wild that could beat the stuffing out of him

I wrote my last feature for BBC Earth back in June and decided to go out with something suitably hard-hitting! If you ever wanted to know which species has the most powerful punch and kick in the animal kingdom look no further.

I hope when those odd conversations come up in the pub you’ll be able to read through my record-breaking animal articles for the answers. 

It was a genuine pleasure to write for this platform and I’ll be interested to see where the BBC’s online natural history content goes next.