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Cautionary Tales by Valerie Jeffries
Pandemic Errors NATURE QUOTE OF THE DAY Monday 4th Oct 2021 (Unattributed) from Nature magazine: “Droplets and surfaces are very convenient for people in power — all of the responsibility is on the individual. On the other hand, if you admit it is airborne, institutions, governments and companies have to do something.” Units, droplets, and…
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LIFE IN THE TIME OF THE VIRUS by Dr Valerie Jeffries.
Here we are, the world-dominating Hominin, miserably in thrall to the tiniest and simplest form of life, a virus. It’s not even alive in some opinions, depending on your definition of Life. We learn the things that Life must be capable of, all of it contributing to that overarching requirement, reproduction. A virus can do…
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Podcast episode 4 – ‘Don’t keep your natural history to yourself’
Simon, John and Margaret’s theme for today’s podcast is “Records and Rapport”. But first, they share messages from a variety of places including India, the Caribbean, Scotland and a safari company based in East Africa. Recorded Wednesday 6th May at 19.00. Podcast edited by Edward King. Episode show notes: Since recording the podcast, The Map’s…
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Growing close to nature during the lockdown
Written by Sean Wensley. Northern Ireland is in an extended period of lockdown as I write, 3 weeks beyond the rest of the UK. For a further three weeks, I toggle between my work desk, garden and 8-month-old baby, buying shopping to last as long as possible and clapping for NHS staff and other key…
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A more optimistic long view of our place in nature
By Dr Valerie Jeffries. Walking along briskly for my lockdown exercise I was watching the starlings congregate for their evening swarm on the TV aerials, and listening to quarrelling sparrows and the raucous yells of the seagulls way inland. Many birds have adapted to live alongside humans in our urban landscapes, some like the house…
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“April … hath put a spirit of youth in everything”
John and Margaret Cooper submitted the piece below, with photos, for the FFON Armchair Naturalist, from their friend Dr Jennifer Whybrow BVSc MSc MRCVS. Jennifer’s notes reflect changes during April, during the first few weeks of the Covid-19 lockdown. She enjoys her garden but, like all of us, has to strike a balance between maintaining…
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From a friend in Kinross-shire, Scotland
A friend in Kinross-shire, Scotland, kindly forwarded to us some photos for the Armchair Naturalist FFON website. We encouraged him to do so when he told us that he has red (not grey) squirrels in his garden. On hearing that, John (Cooper) wryly remarked: “We Sassenachs envy you your red squirrels!” Our correspondent was not able…
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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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Do you have a question for the first ‘Armchair Naturalists’ podcast?
We’re recording our first podcast session tomorrow (Tuesday 7th April) evening – if you have a question to put to the FFON /ARMNAT team, please email it to thefrightenedfaceofnature@gmail.com and we’ll try to answer it. Thanks for caring.
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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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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…
