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“It’s been an exciting week for us two Norfolk Armchair Naturalists”

Written by John and Margaret Cooper. Easter, but it doesn’t feel like it because of the personal, national and global concern about Covid-19 and growing number of deaths. However, as the Queen said in her Easter message “Easter isn’t cancelled; indeed, we need Easter as much as ever”. This morning, as we are doing everyday…
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1 – It’s a great time to be an ‘Armchair Naturalist’

Episode notes: Simon, John and Margaret launch The ‘Armchair Naturalists’ podcast and discuss the art and science of natural history, and they encourage everyone to get involved and explore the natural world – even if that’s only possible from the comfort of an armchair. Please visit http://www.ffon.co.uk to find out more about our ‘Armchair Naturalists’…
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Being isolated at home in Pennsylvania, USA won’t stop forensic scientist and wildlife enthusiast, Susan Underkoffler from watching nature.

A contribution from Susan Underkoffler, forensic scientist and wildlife enthusiast, who is currently isolated at home in Pennsylvania, USA. One thing this crisis is good for is getting people outside to notice things they may not normally… I took my dog for a walk today and passed a dozen or so people from my tiny neighborhood on…
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Bats, birds, bold foxes and stargazing: is nature reclaiming the city of London?

Written by Helen Jeffries – our London correspondent. Since the clocks went forward I’ve been seeing some beautiful dawns as I walk to work through deserted London. Because a lot of central London architecture uses glass walls, the dawn catches the glass and blazes in reflected pinks and yellows. It feels strange to go out…
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Bats are brilliant to watch at dusk
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Do you have a question for the first ‘Armchair Naturalists’ podcast?

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What’s on the bird table?

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If you are self-isolating, you must: make the most of nature’s playground daily…

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What happens when humans ‘turn off’ for a moment.

Written by Chris Middleton FLS. What a great idea Armchair Naturalism is. A perfect time to make some observations, and to encourage others to do the same. I like to think people might also use the time constructively to perhaps learn a new study discipline or new language, or just further their general knowledge. On…
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A spring bee on a cherry tree (Prunus ‘The Bride’)

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When the traffic stops…

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London in lock-down? Not as far as nature is concerned.

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Charming Snakes by Dr Valerie Jeffries

A Seminar on Reptiles, Institute of Primate Research (IPR), Kenya A seminar on “Reptiles and Snakebite” was held at the Kenya Snakebite Research and Intervention Centre (KSRIC) near Nairobi on March 11th 2020, organised by Mrs Margaret Cooper and of course by Professor John Cooper, together with Dr. Atunga Nyachieo, (Chief of Research IPR) for…
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Notes from the ‘armchair naturalists’ – connecting through nature to beat coronavirus isolation

There is so much that the “armchair naturalist” can observe if s/he takes a few minutes’ break from working on the computer or reading the newspaper and books, through the window, at the world outside. This morning, for example, I noticed a wren (Troglodytes troglodytes) on the wooden fence at the back of our tiny…
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New Podcast Trailer

Launching soon: A new podcast, from the co-founders of popular natural history blog The Frightened Face of Nature (FFON). https://thefrightenedfaceofnature.com/ Join Simon H King FLS plus one of the world’s leading veterinary experts, Prof. John E Cooper, and wildlife lawyer, Margaret E Cooper and occasional special guests. Together, we’ll help you get through the coronavirus…
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Welcome to spring

If you’re in self isolation due to coronavirus, here’s how the great outdoors looks today – welcome to spring. I’ll be taking lots of photos, recording a few videos and considering launching a podcast to help all you ‘armchair naturalists’ dig deep and come healthily through being confined to barracks. Stay fit and well. Simon…
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Feeding the birds can help the nation’s ‘armchair naturalists’ beat the coronavirus isolation

Feeding the birds can help the nation’s ‘armchair naturalists’ beat the coronavirus isolation and stay connected through nature claims Haith’s bird food and leading veterinary expert. Haith’s bird food has launched a Helpline (0800 298 7054) and its team is preparing to help Britain’s birders stay connected with the outside world through observing nature in…
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Introducing Haith’s Helpline
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We’re in The Herpetological Bulletin!

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Take note of nature

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‘Those who contemplate the beauty of the earth…’
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From John and Margaret Cooper in Kenya

When we visited El Karama Ranch in Laikipia we expected to be shown a lot of large farm livestock and to see impressive wildlife, such as elephants. We experienced both but we were also consulted about a young white-browed sparrow-weaver (Plocepasser mahali) that had been found by Mrs Lavinia Grant (a long-term Kenya resident, renowned…
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All aboard the Madaraka Express – Kenya with the Coopers

John and Margaret Cooper are currently in Kenya. Here is an account of their experience of catching Kenya’s “Chinese Train” the modern replacement of the British narrow-guage railway (of man-eating lions fame) built at the turn of the 19th century, in its day a memorable, well-recorded experience in itself. The only certainty in life is…
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Look deep into nature…

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A stop you in your tracks photograph

