Latest News 2026
9th June
A project work session with Darren Haines.
7th June
A visit to the Parsonage Down National Nature Reserve with the Wiltshire Ornithological Society. Sightings included Red Kite, Kestrel, Buzzard, Stonechat and Linnet, with abundant Corn Buntings and Yellowhammers. It was a mostly cool and overcast day, but on the rare occasions when the sun peaked through, lots of butterflies took to the wing; mostly Common Blue and Small Heath, plus the odd Painted Lady and Meadow Brown. We also spotted a Small Elephant Hawkmoth resting in the grass.
6th June
A visit to the Langford Lakes Nature Reserve in the Wylye Valley. The most interesting sighting was a Little Ringed Plover.
1st – 2nd June
An overnight stay in central Bristol, catching Kraftwerk on the 1st, and Aldous Harding on the 2nd. Both shows were at the Bristol Beacon.
31st May
A visit to the Langford Lakes Nature Reserve, with some writing later in the day.
28th – 30th May
Attending Silverstone for Zac’s first international kart race at the brand new track, close to the old Bridge Corner.
A day of mixed fortunes, with promise, but things to learn from.
26th May
A project work session with Darren Haines.
23rd May
A day of working on a scuba diving feature.
22nd May
Booking the Emperor Harmoni liveaboard for late 2028 for the “Best of Raja Ampat” itinerary. Afterwards, we’ll go to the Misool Eco Dive Resort, which we booked well over a year previously. It’s good to think ahead!
22nd May
Scuba Diver Magazine (UK Edition) publishes Jeremy’s two Bahamas features in consecutive editions – from Tiger Beach (for the Tiger Sharks) and Bimini (for the Great Hammerheads).
19th May
Ongoing project work with Darren Haines.
16th – 17th May
A dash back from Whilton Mill to home, then a quick gathering of things to load on the motorcycle and off to Selsey for an overnight stay ahead of a Wiltshire Ornithological Society group trip to RSPB Pagham.
It was a decent day, with the weather being better than the forecast. We had a good number of species for the day, with best being a rare vagrant Temminck’s Stint on the margins of the freshwater lagoon. On a reptilian note, it was nice to see an Adder and a few Slow Worms.
On the evening of the 16th, I indulged in an hour or so of writing at my digs, a friendly place called The Seal.
15th – 16th May
An overnighter at Silverstone with Zac, ahead of his Cub 100 Karting round at the Whilton Mill circuit. A frustrating day in some respects, but some decent bursts of driving from Zac.
A bit of writing on the evening of the 15th.
12th May
Evening website and project work with Darren Haines.
11th May
An evening walk in Southleigh Woods to carry out an impromptu Nightjar survey. Though the clearings looked suitable, no Nightjars appeared to be present.
10th May
An evening visit to Bristol to catch Jethro Tull perform at the Beacon Hall. A very long time since I last saw them, and brings back memories of our departed friend Mike Griffiths (Taff) who’s favourite artists were David Bowie, Frank Zappa and Jethro Tull.
8th – 10th May
A weekend in the South Downs, primarily dedicated to hunting down the incredibly rare Turtle Dove.
On the Friday, I rode to the Pulborough area to stay in a nice self-catering annex in a secluded spot close to the Pulborough Brooks RSPB Reserve. On that first evening, I walked to the heathland area of the reserve and had a fabulous Nightjar encounter all to myself.
On the Saturday, in excellent weather, I visited the Woods Mill Nature Reserve in the morning, and after a lunch break at Henfield, spent the afternoon and early evening in the Knepp Wildlands, where after a lot of wandering about and effort, I eventually got the Turtle Dove sightings I wanted at 5.50pm as well as hearing their soft purring call. I think I saw two individuals. It was a big reward for my exertions.
Also, at Pulborough, Woods Mill and Knepp, the Nightingales could be heard calling from within thick cover, Cuckoos were calling aplenty inside Knepp, and lots of Warblers could be heard throughout the day; mainly Chiff Chaff, Garden Warbler, Blackcap, Whitethroat and at Knepp, the occasional Lesser Whitethroat, plus some noisy Reed Warblers at Woods Mill.
A good weekend, with decent motorcycling through the roads of the South Downs.
5th May
An evening visit to Bristol to catch LYR (the band fronted by the Poet Laureate Simon Armitage) perform at The Lantern.
4th May
An afternoon stint of working on a writing project.
4th May
A morning “birding” walk to the back of Battlesbury Hill, to an area known as the “Battlesbury Bowl” on the edge of Salisbury Plain.
I followed my hunch that this area might be somewhere to find the Lesser Whitethroat, which I’ve failed to see on three occasions now; at Knepp in 2025 where I heard it but didn’t see it, and this year on Salisbury Plain near The Bustard where I heard it but didn’t see it, and again at the same Bustard site where I neither heard it or saw it.
This time, I heard it several times with the help from the Merlin App, and eventually saw it calling from within a thicket and flitting across the “army road” before singing again. What a difficult bird this is to spot! The other nice surprise was a calling Grasshopper Warbler, which I was also able to see.
Other birds seen and heard included Whitethroat, Garden Warbler, Blackcap, Willow Warbler, Chiff Chaff, Greenfinch, Yellowhammer, Meadow Pipit and Linnet.
In the evening, a walk up to the “Nightjar site” above Shearwater Lake, which provided some spectacular sightings of this enigmatic bird.
3rd May
A morning of working on website content, updating a few notes and scribbles, and continuing onwards with some writing project work.
2nd May
A morning visit to “The Bustard” area of Salisbury Plain, still searching in vain for Lesser Whitethroat. Instead of the target species which again eluded me, there were plenty of “normal” Whitethroats, plus Garden Warbler, Corn Bunting, Yellowhammer and Blackcap to name a few. Interestingly, the Merlin app picked up Woodlark and Dartford Warbler, though I remain unconvinced about the accuracy of this (Merlin can sometimes mishear certain species).
In terms of insects, it was good to see several Small Coppers, Orange Tips, Brimstones, Holly Blues (which seem to be having a great first brood), a Dingy Skipper, a freshly emerged Small Heath, a Wall Brown and in the garden of The Bustard café, a Narrow Bordered Bee Hawkmoth.
1st May
Great to see two features written about our Bahamas trips being published in consecutive editions of Scuba Diver Magazine’s North America editions.
The features describe our trips from 2023 and 2025; the Tiger Sharks of Tiger Beach off Grand Bahamas (“Earning Our Stripes”) and the Great Hammerheads of Bimini (“It’s Hammertime”).
Really pleasing was to get the coveted “cover shot” for the Bimini feature.
30th April
An evening visit to the open woodland area above Shearwater Lake in the Longleat estate in search of the Nightjar. This time it was both heard and seen!
28th April
Completing a short feature for the Wiltshire Ornithological Society magazine.
28th April
A website and project update session with Darren Haines.
25th – 26th April
A ride out to the area around “The Bustard” on Salisbury Plain (near Larkhill) in search of the Lesser Whitethroat, which I heard but didn’t see. There were plenty of “normal” Whitethroats” though, plus Corn Buntings, Yellowhammers, Stonechats and so on. The Merlin App picked up a couple of Woodlark calls, but I’m not convinced it was hearing correctly! In addition, bits of various writing project work.
On the Sunday evening (26th), I headed for the open woodland area above Shearwater Lake in the Longleat estate in hope of an early Nightjar arrival, though it was likely a week or so too early. However, to my surprise, I heard what was probably the first Nightjar to arrive at the site – I’ll be going back to check again over the next fortnight or so.
25th April
A visit to Langford Lakes for a bit of birding and the Wiltshire Ornithological Society AGM. Interesting talk about “Urban Gulls” by guest speaker Peter Rock.
22nd – 23rd April
An overnight stay in Wareham, followed by a 4.30am start for an RSPB Dawn Chorus walk at the Arne Reserve in Dorset. A nice visit, lot’s birds heard, not as many seen. I thought I heard a distant Cuckoo…
17th – 19th April
A weekend in Wales based at Betws-Y-Coed, riding up via the Wye Valley, Monmouth, Hereford, Craven Arms and Welshpool.
On the Saturday, I spent a day in the Francon Pass area of Snowdonia in search of the Ring Ouzel (the Mountain Blackbird). After a long day of getting wet and at times chilly, I got two sightings, albeit brief and from a distance. Other birds included numerous Wheatear, Meadow Pipit and Stonechat.
On the Sunday, I rode from Betws-Y-Coed to the RSPB Ynys-Hir near Borth, and then back home across Wales via Aberystwyth, Devils Bridge, the Elan Valley, Rhayader, Builth Wells, Abergavenny, Monmouth and the Wye Valley. Not much photography, but a good weekend, and starting to bond with the new BMW R1300 GS Adventure.
14th April
Website and project work with Darren Haines.
11th – 12th April
An overnight stay in Lyndhurst preceded by a brief visit to Acres Down on the way down. In the evening, I passed the time working on a writing project.
On the Sunday, I joined a Wiltshire Ornithological Society group trip to the Normandy Marshes Nature Reserve near Lymington. A good day, with 63 species seen by the attendees during the day. Highlights were Common Sandpiper, Little Tern, Common Tern, Mediterranean Gull, Black Tailed Godwit, Bar Tailed Godwit, Dunlin, Greenshank, Ringed Plover, Curlew, Dartford Warbler and Eider, plus early Swallows and Whitethroat. A Spotted Redshank was thought to be present, but we were unable to locate it, thus having settling for the “normal”Redshank instead.
7th April
A website and project work session with Darren Haines.
2nd – 6th April
An Easter visit to the South Downs, based at Dragons Green in the aptly named George & Dragon pub. During our trip, we visited the RSPB’s Pulborough Brooks reserve on the 3rd, took the train into London on the 4th to see the Madrid Philharmonic Orchestra perform a 100 years film score music centred around the works of Ennio Morricone at the Barbican, and on the 5th we did a “double header” of the Knepp Wildlands and the Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust’s Arundel reserve, then home via Petersfield on the 6th.
31st March
An evening jam session with friends Al Summers and Simon Farr.
30th March
A evening dash to London and back to catch elite drummer Chad Wackerman perform with his band at Ronnie Scott’s in Soho. Fabulous performance…
29th March
A walk along the lakeside in the Fonthill Estate near Shaftesbury. The Merlin bird identification app picked up a lot of species, though seeing them was difficult due to the poor light and their elusive nature. Of the highlights were Hawfinch, Common Crossbill, Redstart, Willow Warbler, Grey Wagtail and Green Sandpiper – of these, we could only spot the Grey Wagtail, try as we might. Afterwards, a visit to Shaftesbury.
28th March
Attending Zac’s Club 100 Sprint 40 and Sprint 60 races at the Clay Pigeon Circuit near Yeovil. Some competitive driving on Zac’s part.
24th March
A session with Darren Haines working on website content and other project work.
21st – 22nd March
A sleepover in the New Forest at Burley, followed by a Wiltshire Ornithological Society group trip to Blashford Lakes near Ringwood.
20th – 21st March
An overnighter in London to catch Emma Jean Thackray perform at Ronnie Scott’s in Soho.
18th March
A late afternoon walk to Battlesbury Hill and back in fabulous warm weather. Lot’s of birdsong and Spring butterflies (Peacocks, Brimstones, Commas, Red Admiral and a Small Tortoiseshell.
17th March
Website and project work with Darren Haines.
14th – 15th March
An overnight stay in Weymouth with Amanda. Our visit included walk around the RSPB’s Radipole Lake and Lodmoor Reserves, and watching Zac participate in his first half-marathon (the Weymouth Half Marathon) on the Sunday.
13th March
An evening visit to Bristol to catch Echo & The Bunnymen at the Bristol Beacon.
11th March
Catching up with artist friend Kimberley Watts, working on a project.
3rd – 9th March
A visit to Morocco with Amanda and Zac, staying for the first two nights at Lalla Takerkoust (at the excellent Capaldi Hotel) on the edge of the Atlas Mountains, and for the final three days in nearby Marrakech.
A great place to visit, shame about the chilly and rainy weather for the first two days, but the world isn’t a perfect place (nor will it ever be!).
Highlights of Marrakech were the Jemaa el-Fna (the iconic square/marketplace), our pleasant and comfortable Riad (Riad Al Rimal) located close by in the medina, the labyrinth of souks, the Yves Saint Laurent Museum, the Kabana Rooftop, and the Riad Monceau’s La Pergola Rooftop and their Bistro Arabe Jazz Club beneath.
27th February – 1st March
A weekend of birding in the woodlands and heathlands of the New Forest, based at Lyndhurst. On the Saturday, in warm early Spring weather, I embarked on a solo visit to the Clay Hill Heath area in search of a Lesser Spotted Woodpecker sighting; though a sighting of this species eluded me, the Merlin app did pick out an individual calling. The highlight of the day was disturbing a Woodcock, which took flight at my inadvertent intrusion.
On the Sunday, I joined a group from the Wiltshire Ornithological Society (WOS) for a visit to the Acres Down area, this time in much poorer weather (rainy, breezy, chilly). Again the, Lesser Spotted Woodpecker avoided being sighted, but highlights of the day were Goshawk, Meadow Pipit and Woodlark.
26th February
Catching Seb Rochford perform at St. Georges in Bristol with his band. Cool gig.
24th February
Some project work with Darren Haines.
23rd February
1st Service on the new machine at Bahnstormer Alton.
21st – 22nd – February
A ride down to Fuzz’s place in Devon to spend a night. Good food at the Holman Clavel Inn in the Blackdown Hills.
20th – 21st February
An overnighter in London to catch the stunning Nigel Kennedy perform with a trio at Ronnie Scott’s.
13th – 14th February
A flying visit to Ronnie Scott’s to catch Polish band Bloto, then a dash down to Chatham ahead of Zac’s opening Club 100 race. Good driving all day on his part.
10th February
Working with Darren Haines on website content and other project work.
6th – 8th February
A nice stay in the village of Sidlesham in West Sussex adjoining the salt marshes of Pagham Harbour on the South Coast.
We enjoyed a couple of good birding walks on the edge of the marshes in the RSPB Pagham Harbour Reserve.
Our accommodation at the Crab & Lobster at Sidlesham was really enjoyable, run by nice friendly people. Good food as well…
3rd February
A session with Darren Haines, working on website content and print materials.
1st February
Catching jazz guitarist Bill Frisell perform with his excellent trio at the Wiltshire Music Centre at Bradford-on-Avon. A very warmly received performance from an appreciative audience.
31st January -1st February
An overnighter in Glastonbury, with visits the following day to RSPB Greylake and RSPB West Sedgemoor (both flooded and inaccessible), and a lunch stop in Langport.
30th January
Collecting my new machine, hopefully it’ll be the source of some more explorations of here, there and everywhere.
27th January
A meet up with Darren Haines and Kimberley Watts to collaborate on a project.
25th January
A morning visit to Langford Lakes, working on a long term writing based project, a bit of website content creating, followed by an late afternoon visit to the RSPB Ham Wall reserve near Glastonbury, to catch the stunning Starling murmuration.
24th January
Test riding a new BMW R1300 GS Adventure at Bahnstormer near Alton on the edge of the South Downs.
21st January
Working on various website content, plus finalising a Dive Log book.
20th January
Website and other project work with Darren Haines.
Later, an enjoyable jam session with Al Summers at Matt’s 5-O rehearsal space. Matt also joined in.
19th January
Some evening website prep work.
16th – 18th January
An excellent weekend trip to North Cornwall, staying at the fabulously located Scarlet Hotel. Amanda was pleased with her Christmas present!
On the way home, we visited the Carnewas Viewpoint and Padstow.
15th January
A website session with Darren Haines.
14th January
Attending an “Evening With Damon Hill” (the 1996 Formula One Champion) at The Forum in Bath.
10th – 11th January
A weekend of mostly organising and writing, with a brief visit to the Langford Lakes Nature Reserve on the Sunday.
6th January
A website session with Darren Haines.
3rd – 5th January
A visit to Poole and Sandbanks, for a Poole Harbour birding trip with some fellow members of the Wiltshire Ornithological Society. We got 69 species on the trip including rarities such as Spoonbill, Greater Scaup, Black Throated Diver, Great Northern Diver and Black Necked Grebe.
Also, we visited Studland and had a good walk through the nature reserve and along the beach, sighting a male Dartford Warbler flitting among the Gorse.
1st January
Happy New Year!. An early start watching the sunrise over the Imber Ranges, then a day of sorting and organising.