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Wondering How To Learn Maxwell Knight’s (Nature) Detection Skills? Read This!
Not all ‘clues’ will at once tell you what you want to know At times, several clues will have to be put together – be patient Take notes – make it a habit – what did you see or hear? Don’t rely on your memory as it will let you down When in doubt, consult…
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“I may not be able to draw, but I can sew!”
As a boy scout, Maxwell Knight was influenced by Robert Baden-Powell’s teachings, which insisted that the study of living things was one of the single most important features of everyday scout life. He was trained to be highly observant and the foundations of a great amateur-naturalist were firmly established. He learned with varying degrees of…
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WORKING WITH INTELLIGENCE
“Intelligence is MI5’s currency,” according to mi5.gov.uk – “Collecting and analysing covert intelligence is at the centre of what MI5 does, and roles in these areas are critical to our mission of keeping the country safe.” Much has changed since Maxwell Knight’s (M’s) time; however, if he was still with us today, I’m sure he’d agree…
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Keep nature on the Agenda – post Brexit
“We can only hope that any future government will be continually alert and that the warnings of many top scientists about the necessity for full and extensive tests on any form of pesticide, or spray, for dealing with plants will be heeded.” – Maxwell Knight (The Frightened Face of Nature – 1964). Post Brexit, we must…
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What makes a good Field Naturalist?
“A good naturalist must be healthy, alert and tough,” writes Maxwell Knight in The Frightened Face of Nature (unpublished). “Think of some of our own naturalists today (1964): Field Marshal Lord Alanbrooke, Eric Hosking and Peter Scott. Remember that those who are inclined to make fun of naturalists are usually those who by jeering are trying…
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“Be a Nature Detective”
I have in front of me a “withdrawn” library book written by Maxwell Knight entitled “Be a Nature Detective” (Frederick Warne & Co 1968). On 24 June 1968 – some five months after the author of the book died – the book was borrowed from Derbyshire County Library for the very first time. I…
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Feeding our animals in 2066 – a perspective on future challenges for Zoos & Aquariums
John Cooper, Simon King and Andy Beer (nutritionist – RZSS) were guest speakers at the BIAZA Conference and 50th Anniversary celebrations 6th – 8th June Marwell Wildlife Abstract: The presentation gives a wide-ranging review of the issues and challenges that are emerging or could emerge as considerations impacting upon how and where the constituents…
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A new generation of Nature Detectives
John Cooper first heard Maxwell Knight’s iconic broadcasts as a child because his family listened to Nature Parliament in the afternoons, at ten past one on the Home Service. After the News, it would either be Country Questions or The Naturalist, which was introduced by three curlew calls. After attending several of Knight’s talks, in…
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Nature: friend or foe?
“Many people think that animals of all kinds can be neatly put into groups and labelled Friend, or Foe; or Harmless, or Harmful. Unfortunately, nature does not work like this, and there are very few creatures in this country that can be described as wholly beneficial or equally destructive… This business of friends and foes…
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Maxwell Knight – the spy-runner who loved nature
Maxwell Knight was the original “M”, a spy-runner who, with the help of young case officers, was responsible for counter-subversion and managed successfully to penetrate the British fascist movement. He was undeniably MI5’s most gifted agent-runner, and his sixth sense for enlisting would-be talented agents lead to him recruiting Joan Miller from within MI5 to…
