Ascott

LATEST ARTICLES ( 56 )

• The Lonely Ringlet, and Other Garden Tales

  

  Once upon a time, in a wild garden in the heart of Cornwall, there lived a ringlet.The hero of our tale loved to bask in the sunshine, spreading his velvety... Read more

  Posted on 13 July 2016 ENVIRONMENT, OUTDOORS

• Water-crowfoots

  

  In the world of plant-fancying, it’s often the showier plants that take the glory. However, I have a real fondness for smaller plants that are less distinctive... Read more

  Posted on 14 March 2016 ENVIRONMENT, OUTDOORS

• Loe Bar in February

  

  In winter, it’s as if everything is waiting. And, of course, it is. Waiting for spring. February is still winter, but trees already have buds ready to unfurl,... Read more

  Posted on 11 February 2016 ENVIRONMENT, OUTDOORS

• The Joys of an Out-of-season Beach Café

  

  One of my favourite things to do, whenever and wherever I am, is to sit and watch. Rather than seeking out the world, I like to let the world seek out me, or le... Read more

  Posted on 03 February 2016 ENVIRONMENT, OUTDOORS

• What a Difference a Season Makes…

  

  Crowhill Valley, which lies not far from Grampound, is one of my favourite woodlands in Cornwall. I wrote about this wonderful place back in May, 2014, when... Read more

  Posted on 22 January 2016 ENVIRONMENT, OUTDOORS

• A Winter Treasure: Three-lobed Crowfoot and the Grochall Track

  

  The more traditional way to visit Kynance Cove on The Lizard is to park in the National Trust car park, walk down the footpath to the cove itself and enjoy the... Read more

  Posted on 13 January 2016 ENVIRONMENT, OUTDOORS

• Back to Blogging…

  

  Well, it’s near the beginning of 2016 and I haven’t written a blog post for a while, which gives you a big clue about my New Year’s resolution. Read more

  Posted on 07 January 2016 ENVIRONMENT, OUTDOORS

• Why is Biological Recording Important?

  

  The Marsh Fritillary, a protected butterfly species in the UK (photo: Amanda Scott)I am one of the kinds of people that I get really annoyed by.Well, there’s... Read more

  Posted on 12 June 2015 ENVIRONMENT, OUTDOORS

• A Walk Down the Lane

  

  You don’t always have to wander very far in order to find joy in beautiful things. Place your feet outside your front door and simply walk, and who knows what... Read more

  Posted on 22 April 2015 ENVIRONMENT, OUTDOORS

• Goonhilly, Catkins, Water Drops and an Eclipse…

  

  I went out to Goonhilly Downs on the day of the recent partial eclipse. I thought the wide open plateau of these ancient downs – farmed since prehistory and... Read more

  Posted on 23 March 2015 ENVIRONMENT, OUTDOORS

• A Year of Colour

  

  When I look back on my 2014 in Cornwall, what I see is colour. Poppy reds, heathery purples, bumblebee rusty oranges and sea-green waters…Here are some photos t... Read more

  Posted on 22 December 2014 ENVIRONMENT, OUTDOORS

• What’s Been Flying In?

  

  When I think of autumn migrations, it’s the Whooper Swans, Fieldfares and geese that first come to mind. Or I might think of the birds that leave us in the... Read more

  Posted on 03 November 2014 ENVIRONMENT, OUTDOORS

• National Poetry Day

  

  Today, 2 October 2014, is National Poetry Day.I love poetry, I love Cornwall and I love the natural world, so this is a chance to celebrate with a trio of verse... Read more

  Posted on 02 October 2014 ENVIRONMENT, OUTDOORS

• Sun, Boggy Places and Sundew: a Trip to Newlyn Downs

  

  Recently, I went on a trip to Newlyn Downs on a sunny day in North Cornwall, not far from Newquay and St Newlyn East. It’s a Site of Special Scientific... Read more

  Posted on 05 August 2014 ENVIRONMENT, OUTDOORS

• In Praise of Brown Butterflies

  

  When your mind turns to butterflies on a summer’s day, it is usually the Red Admirals, Painted Ladies, Silver-washed Fritillaries and Peacocks that flutter... Read more

  Posted on 09 July 2014 ENVIRONMENT, OUTDOORS

• National Insect Week 2014

  

  I love few things better than walking or sitting in a wildflower meadow on a sunny day, smelling the fresh green scents, feeling the soft brush of the grass, an... Read more

  Posted on 22 June 2014 ENVIRONMENT, OUTDOORS

• Crowhill Valley Woods

  

  …Sshhhh, don’t tell….Last weekend I went to visit a hidden little corner of Cornwall, and I’ve been trying to decide whether to tell. Read more

  Posted on 14 May 2014 ENVIRONMENT, OUTDOORS

• Hawthorn: ‘tree-following’

  

  Go to the Loose and Leafy blog and you’ll find a great initiative. People from different parts of the UK, the USA, Europe and elsewhere have each chosen a... Read more

  Posted on 08 April 2014 ENVIRONMENT, OUTDOORS

• Hayle Estuary and Porth Kidney Sands

  

  There’s something about an estuary. I can’t quite put my finger on it.Maybe it’s the simplicity. Open expanses of mudflats, silted islets between meandering... Read more

  Posted on 02 March 2014 ENVIRONMENT, OUTDOORS

• Night Skies Over Cornwall

  

  I’m not long back from two weeks travelling in Kenya. This was a field trip with a brilliant group of lecturers and students from the University of Exeter’s... Read more

  Posted on 31 January 2014 ENVIRONMENT, OUTDOORS