James Lowen Wildlife
@jameslowenwild.bsky.social
Naturalist, author, editor, photographer. Written 15 books, won two awards, but happiest when avoiding the computer. Norfolk. jameslowen.com
Reposted by James Lowen Wildlife
There are people who say there's no such thing as the best seabird in the world. These are people who haven't seen Light-mantled Albatross. North of Elephant Island yesterday.
#Birds #Albatross #SuperSeabirdSunday
#Birds #Albatross #SuperSeabirdSunday
January 3, 2026 at 11:43 AM
There are people who say there's no such thing as the best seabird in the world. These are people who haven't seen Light-mantled Albatross. North of Elephant Island yesterday.
#Birds #Albatross #SuperSeabirdSunday
#Birds #Albatross #SuperSeabirdSunday
I don't think I've had such a rich day of Norfolk #twitching for a decade. Between moonset and moonrise today, I crammed in Black-winged Kite, Ferruginous & Ring-necked Ducks, Eastern Black Redstart, Taiga Bean Goose and Hume's Warbler. That'll do me for a month... #UKBirding #NorfolkBirding
January 2, 2026 at 7:27 PM
I don't think I've had such a rich day of Norfolk #twitching for a decade. Between moonset and moonrise today, I crammed in Black-winged Kite, Ferruginous & Ring-necked Ducks, Eastern Black Redstart, Taiga Bean Goose and Hume's Warbler. That'll do me for a month... #UKBirding #NorfolkBirding
Outstanding idea. Good pubs too
Updated route for the @bsbibotany.bsky.social Norwich #NYPH pub crawl (to accommodate opening hrs). 30mins between pubs, 15 mins at each.. should be doable in daylight hours! Murderers> Red Lion> Golden Sun> Fat Cat> Garden House> Coach&Horses> Murderers! All welcome 2nd Jan 10:30 at pub#1
December 31, 2025 at 3:05 PM
Outstanding idea. Good pubs too
Trying to get my head round the 2026 orchid season having started already…
Merry Christmas from Cyprus! Our @wildlifetraveller.bsky.social festive group enjoyed a range of botanical treats as we explored the Latsi hillsides today, including carpets of the beautiful (& delicately scented) Narcissus tazetta & the very first few flowering Fan-lipped Orchids of the season.
December 25, 2025 at 8:14 PM
Trying to get my head round the 2026 orchid season having started already…
Sheringham's take on a Christmas Robin interrupted today's festive preparations. #EasternBlackRedstart #NorfolkBirding #UKBirding
December 24, 2025 at 5:57 PM
Sheringham's take on a Christmas Robin interrupted today's festive preparations. #EasternBlackRedstart #NorfolkBirding #UKBirding
It can be hard to focus on work sometimes…
December 12, 2025 at 1:27 PM
It can be hard to focus on work sometimes…
The sparkling new edition of Bradt's Arctic guidebook may not have my name on the front cover but I updated it thoroughly, and am honoured to be associated with the late Tony Soper and artist Dan Powell. First copies in to @bradtguides.bsky.social today - and in the shops next month.
December 4, 2025 at 6:50 PM
The sparkling new edition of Bradt's Arctic guidebook may not have my name on the front cover but I updated it thoroughly, and am honoured to be associated with the late Tony Soper and artist Dan Powell. First copies in to @bradtguides.bsky.social today - and in the shops next month.
Reposted by James Lowen Wildlife
Sounds like a lot.
Except £500M over two decades is a measly £25M a year, further eroded by inflation- which at the current 4% means the year 20 value is equivalent to around half of year 1’s.
Except £500M over two decades is a measly £25M a year, further eroded by inflation- which at the current 4% means the year 20 value is equivalent to around half of year 1’s.
🔎£500m
The government will today commit £500m to landscape recovery projects across England over the next two decades, funding large scale habitat restoration and creation to help meet climate, nature and water targets.
www.businessgreen.com/news/452256...
The government will today commit £500m to landscape recovery projects across England over the next two decades, funding large scale habitat restoration and creation to help meet climate, nature and water targets.
www.businessgreen.com/news/452256...
Environmental Improvement Plan: Defra pledges £500m for landscape recovery in revised plan
Long-awaited update to wide-ranging Environmental Improvement Plan set to be published later today by the government
www.businessgreen.com
December 1, 2025 at 4:45 PM
Sounds like a lot.
Except £500M over two decades is a measly £25M a year, further eroded by inflation- which at the current 4% means the year 20 value is equivalent to around half of year 1’s.
Except £500M over two decades is a measly £25M a year, further eroded by inflation- which at the current 4% means the year 20 value is equivalent to around half of year 1’s.
It’s Book Friday! Here are 22 travel book ideas from members of the British Guild of Travel Writers. Includes the two books I’ve had out this year… bgtw.org/travel-book-...
22 Amazing Travel Book Gift Ideas for Travel Lovers
Help your loved ones plan their next trip or travel from their chair with perfect travel book gifts from the BGTW.
bgtw.org
November 28, 2025 at 2:16 PM
It’s Book Friday! Here are 22 travel book ideas from members of the British Guild of Travel Writers. Includes the two books I’ve had out this year… bgtw.org/travel-book-...
Seven years since I was in the Colombian Andes - or, indeed, the Andes at all.
after a short flight across to the central Andes, we were up high again today, to Los Nevados National Park
not sure who won out in the battle of the birds today.
I give you, Team Mountain Tanager...
#WildlifeTravelling in #Colombia
not sure who won out in the battle of the birds today.
I give you, Team Mountain Tanager...
#WildlifeTravelling in #Colombia
November 22, 2025 at 7:53 AM
Seven years since I was in the Colombian Andes - or, indeed, the Andes at all.
Well, that comment didn’t have staying power. what a day’s cricket. #Ashes2025
They say the first morning sets the tone. This risks being a very loooong #Ashes series. (Albeit with one with very short matchss.)
November 21, 2025 at 10:02 AM
Well, that comment didn’t have staying power. what a day’s cricket. #Ashes2025
First-winter Little Gull an unexpected find today on agricultural fields near Methwold, Norfolk. #ukbirding
November 20, 2025 at 8:32 PM
First-winter Little Gull an unexpected find today on agricultural fields near Methwold, Norfolk. #ukbirding
Reposted by James Lowen Wildlife
Great to see that the National Estate for Nature Group - whose members own c.10% of England - have agreed to "publish estate management plans by April 2026", setting out how each of them are contributing to 30x30 & Environment Act targets.
Thread 1/
defraenvironment.blog.gov.uk/2025/11/18/l...
Thread 1/
defraenvironment.blog.gov.uk/2025/11/18/l...
Leading the way: National Estate for Nature agrees shared objectives to accelerate nature recovery
The National Estate for Nature group has taken an important step forward in its mission to drive nature recovery across England’s major estates. Read this post to find out more.
defraenvironment.blog.gov.uk
November 18, 2025 at 4:38 PM
Great to see that the National Estate for Nature Group - whose members own c.10% of England - have agreed to "publish estate management plans by April 2026", setting out how each of them are contributing to 30x30 & Environment Act targets.
Thread 1/
defraenvironment.blog.gov.uk/2025/11/18/l...
Thread 1/
defraenvironment.blog.gov.uk/2025/11/18/l...
With thanks to @lowestoftlizards.bsky.social @perilsofbirding.bsky.social for inspiration& information, I speedbirded 10 minisites in Gorleston,Caister,Gt Yarmouth today. Migrants at all sites, but Meadow Park the best (Pallas’s!). Totals: 1 Woodcock, 5 Firecrest, Willow Warbler, 18 Chiff #ukbirding
November 18, 2025 at 3:41 PM
With thanks to @lowestoftlizards.bsky.social @perilsofbirding.bsky.social for inspiration& information, I speedbirded 10 minisites in Gorleston,Caister,Gt Yarmouth today. Migrants at all sites, but Meadow Park the best (Pallas’s!). Totals: 1 Woodcock, 5 Firecrest, Willow Warbler, 18 Chiff #ukbirding
Couldn’t match Mike’s Phyllosc megadiversity at Holkham yesterday, but did chance upon a Pallas’s Warbler on a migrant-rich Stiffkey Binks - a place I like but keep forgetting to go to. A couple of Glossy Ibis encounters & two Firecrest were otherwise the best in the Stiffkey-Warham area #UKBirding
Yesterday with Sibe Phylloscs all around the best I could find was a late Willow Warbler. Today at Holkham I made up for it: first up a Hume’s was soon followed by a Pallas’s and concluded when they were joined in a flock by a Yellow-browed, a Sibe Chiff, a Firecrest & 3 Chiffchaff! #NorfolkBirding
November 17, 2025 at 8:35 AM
Couldn’t match Mike’s Phyllosc megadiversity at Holkham yesterday, but did chance upon a Pallas’s Warbler on a migrant-rich Stiffkey Binks - a place I like but keep forgetting to go to. A couple of Glossy Ibis encounters & two Firecrest were otherwise the best in the Stiffkey-Warham area #UKBirding
Went out to find Hume's Warbler today (well, & Black-faced Bunting)... and did (well, not the BFB). Burnham Overy Dunes, Norfolk. Chuffed to bits. Awful record photo but some decent tape. A bird I'd wanted to find since mates reid'd one in 1989! #UKBirding soundcloud.com/james-lowen-...
November 15, 2025 at 8:26 PM
Went out to find Hume's Warbler today (well, & Black-faced Bunting)... and did (well, not the BFB). Burnham Overy Dunes, Norfolk. Chuffed to bits. Awful record photo but some decent tape. A bird I'd wanted to find since mates reid'd one in 1989! #UKBirding soundcloud.com/james-lowen-...
Delighted to have today received a copy of the British Guild of Travel Writers book, Around the World in 65 Years. I have a story in there about a madcap expedition in the sultry Chaco of Argentina.
November 14, 2025 at 1:33 PM
Delighted to have today received a copy of the British Guild of Travel Writers book, Around the World in 65 Years. I have a story in there about a madcap expedition in the sultry Chaco of Argentina.
Does anyone *recognise* this bird call soundcloud.com/james-lowen-... please? From a Norfolk crop field after dark. Ideal would be the link to an identical XC/ML cut, please. Bird called twice; only taped the 2nd time. Ideas so far inc Stone-curlew, Curlew, Whimbrel, Barn owl, Tawny Owl. #UKBirding
Mystery bird call
Listen to Mystery bird call by James Lowen Wildlife #np on #SoundCloud
soundcloud.com
November 8, 2025 at 2:33 PM
Does anyone *recognise* this bird call soundcloud.com/james-lowen-... please? From a Norfolk crop field after dark. Ideal would be the link to an identical XC/ML cut, please. Bird called twice; only taped the 2nd time. Ideas so far inc Stone-curlew, Curlew, Whimbrel, Barn owl, Tawny Owl. #UKBirding
My Beyond Birdwatching column for November (in Bird Watching magazine) wonders whether Cypress Carpet, a recent colonist, might 'grace your garden moth trap this year?' I was actually hoping that it might arrive new for OUR garden... and so it did, albeit late last month rather than this! #teammoth
November 5, 2025 at 11:05 AM
My Beyond Birdwatching column for November (in Bird Watching magazine) wonders whether Cypress Carpet, a recent colonist, might 'grace your garden moth trap this year?' I was actually hoping that it might arrive new for OUR garden... and so it did, albeit late last month rather than this! #teammoth
Reposted by James Lowen Wildlife
Overshooting 1.5°C wasn't 'inevitable.'
We've been pushed by fossil fuel giants & governments that pander to them.
Every delay, every oil field, every broken promise made this crisis worse.
Keir Starmer, will you promise to leave Rosebank undeveloped?
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
We've been pushed by fossil fuel giants & governments that pander to them.
Every delay, every oil field, every broken promise made this crisis worse.
Keir Starmer, will you promise to leave Rosebank undeveloped?
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
‘Change course now’: humanity has missed 1.5C climate target, says UN head
Exclusive: ‘Devastating consequences’ now inevitable but emissions cuts still vital, says António Guterres in sole interview before Cop30
www.theguardian.com
October 28, 2025 at 11:20 AM
Overshooting 1.5°C wasn't 'inevitable.'
We've been pushed by fossil fuel giants & governments that pander to them.
Every delay, every oil field, every broken promise made this crisis worse.
Keir Starmer, will you promise to leave Rosebank undeveloped?
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
We've been pushed by fossil fuel giants & governments that pander to them.
Every delay, every oil field, every broken promise made this crisis worse.
Keir Starmer, will you promise to leave Rosebank undeveloped?
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Reposted by James Lowen Wildlife
This might also explain the slow and steady decline of common insects. I am sure they cannot avoid these pesticides either and low levels could disrupt behaviour or reduce survival rates www.theguardian.com/environment/...
‘I was contaminated’: study reveals how hard it is to avoid pesticide exposure
Silicone wristbands worn by volunteers in the Netherlands captured 173 substances in one week
www.theguardian.com
October 24, 2025 at 6:15 PM
This might also explain the slow and steady decline of common insects. I am sure they cannot avoid these pesticides either and low levels could disrupt behaviour or reduce survival rates www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Most pleased with this nfg Cypress Carpet in Norwich. Not unexpected, given the surge in #Norfolkmoths records but last night’s front felt like it might confer one. And it did. Also Silver Y (rare this year) and Diamondback, hinting at #migrantmothuk arrivals. #teammoth #muchadoaboutmothing
October 20, 2025 at 7:12 AM
Most pleased with this nfg Cypress Carpet in Norwich. Not unexpected, given the surge in #Norfolkmoths records but last night’s front felt like it might confer one. And it did. Also Silver Y (rare this year) and Diamondback, hinting at #migrantmothuk arrivals. #teammoth #muchadoaboutmothing
The boys are back in town. Oddly, they are all called Merv. #teammoth #norfolkmoths #merveilledujour #muchadoaboutmothing
October 19, 2025 at 7:22 AM
The boys are back in town. Oddly, they are all called Merv. #teammoth #norfolkmoths #merveilledujour #muchadoaboutmothing