Patrick Barkham
@patrickbarkham.bsky.social
Guardian Natural History Writer, author of The Swimmer – the Wild Life of Roger Deakin, Wild Child, Islander, Badgerlands, The Butterfly Isles and a few others. President of Norfolk Wildlife Trust. Special interests: butterflies, trees, restoring nature.
Pinned
I'm running the 2026 TCS London Marathon dressed as a badger to raise money for Norfolk Wildlife Trust, the oldest of @the-wildlifetrusts.bsky.social – celebrating its 100th birthday this year. Please have a laugh at me and help save wildlife! 2026tcslondonmarathon.enthuse.com/pf/backtheba...
Great news amidst all the gloom. There have been a lot of beaver releases but these wild releases are really significant in England – finally we are giving this life-giving animal the right to roam. www.theguardian.com/environment/...
‘A beaver blind date’: animals given freedom to repopulate Cornish rivers
Release into Helman Tor reserve marks historical first for keystone species hunted to extinction in UK 400 years ago
www.theguardian.com
February 10, 2026 at 9:09 AM
Great news amidst all the gloom. There have been a lot of beaver releases but these wild releases are really significant in England – finally we are giving this life-giving animal the right to roam. www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Roger Deakin and my biography, the Swimmer, is on the fabulous Radio Sohemia podcast (can't quite remember what I said but hope I make sense, it was, erm, recorded in the pub) podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/r...
February 6, 2026 at 5:01 PM
Roger Deakin and my biography, the Swimmer, is on the fabulous Radio Sohemia podcast (can't quite remember what I said but hope I make sense, it was, erm, recorded in the pub) podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/r...
Short, neat version of my dad, John Barkham's life, here: www.theguardian.com/environment/... Glad to have snuck in the knitwear and the birds and butterflies on the day of his death!
John Barkham obituary
Other lives: Ecologist and influential lecturer at the School of Environmental Sciences, University of East Anglia
www.theguardian.com
February 4, 2026 at 4:57 PM
Short, neat version of my dad, John Barkham's life, here: www.theguardian.com/environment/... Glad to have snuck in the knitwear and the birds and butterflies on the day of his death!
@amyjanebeer.bsky.social's very moving Guardian Country Diary www.theguardian.com/environment/... is getting lots of lovely letters here www.theguardian.com/society/2026... and here www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle... A kingfisher "visited" me after my dad died in the autumn.
Country diary: In my moment of loss, birds came like gifts | Amy-Jane Beer
Ripon City Wetlands and Welburn, North Yorkshire: First a starling and then a robin arrived like visitations. I am truly grateful for them both
www.theguardian.com
February 3, 2026 at 2:59 PM
@amyjanebeer.bsky.social's very moving Guardian Country Diary www.theguardian.com/environment/... is getting lots of lovely letters here www.theguardian.com/society/2026... and here www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle... A kingfisher "visited" me after my dad died in the autumn.
Thanks to everyone so far who has #backedthebadger, the fool who is running the London Marathon in a badger suit. I'm hoping to raise awareness of fab Norfolk Wildlife Trust's 100th birthday and raise money to buy land for nature and people! 2026tcslondonmarathon.enthuse.com/pf/backtheba...
Back the Badger!
I'm running the 2026 TCS London Marathon for Norfolk Wildlife Trust , who celebrate their 100th birthday this year. The Wildlife Trusts are a federation of 46 independent charities working across Brit
2026tcslondonmarathon.enthuse.com
February 2, 2026 at 4:54 PM
Thanks to everyone so far who has #backedthebadger, the fool who is running the London Marathon in a badger suit. I'm hoping to raise awareness of fab Norfolk Wildlife Trust's 100th birthday and raise money to buy land for nature and people! 2026tcslondonmarathon.enthuse.com/pf/backtheba...
Podcast/audio version of my latest Guardian long read walking the line of HS2 is out today, here: www.theguardian.com/news/audio/2...
‘We hate it. It’s desecration’: the real cost of HS2 – podcast
Ten years after I first followed the proposed route, I retraced my steps to see what life was like along the world’s most expensive, heavily delayed railway lineBy Patrick Barkham. Read by Dermot Daly
www.theguardian.com
February 2, 2026 at 4:41 PM
Podcast/audio version of my latest Guardian long read walking the line of HS2 is out today, here: www.theguardian.com/news/audio/2...
Reposted by Patrick Barkham
January 30, 2026 at 8:58 AM
Cut blackthorn hedges less often = boost brown hairstreak butterflies. Really simple, cost-free (or even money-saving) measures can massively benefit wildlife. www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Rare butterflies bounce back after landowners in Wales cut back on flailing hedges
More than 300 brown hairstreak butterfly eggs were recorded in hedgerows near Llandeilo this winter after decade of decline
www.theguardian.com
January 30, 2026 at 8:45 AM
Cut blackthorn hedges less often = boost brown hairstreak butterflies. Really simple, cost-free (or even money-saving) measures can massively benefit wildlife. www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Great news from Scotland: a LAW to ensure new buildings have swift bricks. (Contrary to Labour spin, there is no law and no guarantees that builders or planners will incorporate bricks in England.)
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Swift bricks to be installed on all new buildings in Scotland as MSPs back law
Rest of UK has resisted calls to make builders install bricks that provide nesting for swifts and other endangered birds
www.theguardian.com
January 28, 2026 at 12:53 PM
Great news from Scotland: a LAW to ensure new buildings have swift bricks. (Contrary to Labour spin, there is no law and no guarantees that builders or planners will incorporate bricks in England.)
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Every summer I love showing people the glorious Swallowtail (weather permitting!) on my home patch. The weekend tour is full but still a few places on June 9, 10. greenwings.co/our-holidays... I'll also be celebrating World Swallowtail Day June 14 with Norfolk Wildlife Trust (pic by NWT's Liz Dack)
January 16, 2026 at 5:13 PM
Every summer I love showing people the glorious Swallowtail (weather permitting!) on my home patch. The weekend tour is full but still a few places on June 9, 10. greenwings.co/our-holidays... I'll also be celebrating World Swallowtail Day June 14 with Norfolk Wildlife Trust (pic by NWT's Liz Dack)
After 41 years at the Guardian, Martin Kettle has written his last column. This is it. (I have read him since I was a politics sixth-former, and his wisdom and ability to see the big picture is immense.) www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
The world of today looks bad, but take hope: we’ve been here before and got through it – and we will again | Martin Kettle
As I write my last regular column for the Guardian, my thoughts turn to the lessons and hope we can take from history, says Guardian columnist Martin Kettle
www.theguardian.com
January 16, 2026 at 2:25 PM
After 41 years at the Guardian, Martin Kettle has written his last column. This is it. (I have read him since I was a politics sixth-former, and his wisdom and ability to see the big picture is immense.) www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Reposted by Patrick Barkham
“It’s so neat because he knows that paper is precious, ink is precious and words are precious. Every word has to work so he’s constantly revisiting and honing it down to get the essence of it all. There’s no waste.”
Writers' archives are fascinating, and it was amazing to have a rootle through Ronnie Blythe's archive. Great news that the @britishlibrary.bsky.social are looking after it. Ronnie Blythe event there in Feb: events.bl.uk/events/the-r... My story here: www.theguardian.com/books/2026/j...
British Library acquires archive of rural life writer and essayist Ronald Blythe
Exclusive: Collection includes workbooks and index cards, and papers that show his research for bestseller Akenfield
www.theguardian.com
January 13, 2026 at 9:33 AM
“It’s so neat because he knows that paper is precious, ink is precious and words are precious. Every word has to work so he’s constantly revisiting and honing it down to get the essence of it all. There’s no waste.”
Writers' archives are fascinating, and it was amazing to have a rootle through Ronnie Blythe's archive. Great news that the @britishlibrary.bsky.social are looking after it. Ronnie Blythe event there in Feb: events.bl.uk/events/the-r... My story here: www.theguardian.com/books/2026/j...
British Library acquires archive of rural life writer and essayist Ronald Blythe
Exclusive: Collection includes workbooks and index cards, and papers that show his research for bestseller Akenfield
www.theguardian.com
January 13, 2026 at 9:17 AM
Writers' archives are fascinating, and it was amazing to have a rootle through Ronnie Blythe's archive. Great news that the @britishlibrary.bsky.social are looking after it. Ronnie Blythe event there in Feb: events.bl.uk/events/the-r... My story here: www.theguardian.com/books/2026/j...
Fascinating, troubling story. (I missed this earlier in the week - sharing it in case you did too!) www.theguardian.com/environment/...
How demand for elite falcons in the Middle East is driving illegal trade of British birds
Exclusive: data reveals hundreds of UK nests have been raided in the past decade amid growing appetite to own prized birds for racing and breeding
www.theguardian.com
January 8, 2026 at 12:27 PM
Fascinating, troubling story. (I missed this earlier in the week - sharing it in case you did too!) www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Training for the @londonmarathon.bsky.social in the snow is hazardous. Especially when dressed as a badger. I'm fundraising for Norfolk Wildlife Trust (to restore land for nature &people) #backthebadger here 2026tcslondonmarathon.enthuse.com/pf/backtheba... Thank you! www.youtube.com/watch?v=QLww...
Training for the London marathon in snow is hazardous. Especially when you're dressed as a badger.
YouTube video by Patrick Barkham
www.youtube.com
January 6, 2026 at 2:53 PM
Training for the @londonmarathon.bsky.social in the snow is hazardous. Especially when dressed as a badger. I'm fundraising for Norfolk Wildlife Trust (to restore land for nature &people) #backthebadger here 2026tcslondonmarathon.enthuse.com/pf/backtheba... Thank you! www.youtube.com/watch?v=QLww...
I'm running the 2026 TCS London Marathon dressed as a badger to raise money for Norfolk Wildlife Trust, the oldest of @the-wildlifetrusts.bsky.social – celebrating its 100th birthday this year. Please have a laugh at me and help save wildlife! 2026tcslondonmarathon.enthuse.com/pf/backtheba...
January 3, 2026 at 5:26 PM
I'm running the 2026 TCS London Marathon dressed as a badger to raise money for Norfolk Wildlife Trust, the oldest of @the-wildlifetrusts.bsky.social – celebrating its 100th birthday this year. Please have a laugh at me and help save wildlife! 2026tcslondonmarathon.enthuse.com/pf/backtheba...
If anyone needs a writers' retreat (or just a lovely holiday), my 1-bed cottage in Wells-next-the-Sea has good availability in Jan/Feb/March. It's my favourite place in the world. www.glavenvalley.co.uk/holiday-cott...
1 Boatman's Row in Wells-next-the-Sea - Book Now | Glaven Valley
1 Boatman's Row in Wells-next-the-Sea is a 1 bed property for up to 2 guests. Book direct through Glaven Valley today for the best price!
www.glavenvalley.co.uk
January 1, 2026 at 7:27 PM
If anyone needs a writers' retreat (or just a lovely holiday), my 1-bed cottage in Wells-next-the-Sea has good availability in Jan/Feb/March. It's my favourite place in the world. www.glavenvalley.co.uk/holiday-cott...
Interesting dilemma caused by coastal erosion in Norfolk (one of many unforeseen adaptations required by increasing climate change) www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
‘You could see bones’: Families’ anguish over coastal erosion threat to Norfolk graves
Bereaved relatives say delays over risks at village churchyards are causing distress and call for council action
www.theguardian.com
December 31, 2025 at 9:51 AM
Interesting dilemma caused by coastal erosion in Norfolk (one of many unforeseen adaptations required by increasing climate change) www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
Thanks to Bluesky residents for being so enthusiastic about Merlin! Guardian story here: www.theguardian.com/environment/...
‘It brings you closer to the natural world’: the rise of the Merlin birdsong identifying app
Merlin has been trained to identify the songs of more than 1,300 bird species around the world
www.theguardian.com
December 28, 2025 at 5:58 PM
Thanks to Bluesky residents for being so enthusiastic about Merlin! Guardian story here: www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Brent geese sound like “a cement mixer being cleaned with bricks”? Calumny! They make the most gorgeous purring conversation. And I agree with @levparikian.bsky.social, they are the most beautiful geese. Lovely country diary here: www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Country diary: Postcard from a pier, where brent geese are the main attraction | Lev Parikian
Ryde, Isle of Wight: Lots of commotion here among the hovercraft and herring gulls, but it’s the wonderful, tubby geese that make my winter
www.theguardian.com
December 19, 2025 at 3:57 PM
Brent geese sound like “a cement mixer being cleaned with bricks”? Calumny! They make the most gorgeous purring conversation. And I agree with @levparikian.bsky.social, they are the most beautiful geese. Lovely country diary here: www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Reposted by Patrick Barkham
Good to see Minette Batters, ex-NFU Prez, say in her Farm Review that "the principles behind Landscape Recovery and Countryside Stewardship are sound, but there is a need to scale the concept" - & propose Landscape Recovery projects for all 93 English river catchments!
www.gov.uk/government/p...
www.gov.uk/government/p...
December 19, 2025 at 11:29 AM
Good to see Minette Batters, ex-NFU Prez, say in her Farm Review that "the principles behind Landscape Recovery and Countryside Stewardship are sound, but there is a need to scale the concept" - & propose Landscape Recovery projects for all 93 English river catchments!
www.gov.uk/government/p...
www.gov.uk/government/p...
Really pleased to be contributing to an event at the British Library celebrating the FANTASTIC Ronnie Blythe, with Ian Collins (who has written the brilliant biography of his life) Jenny Hall and Helen Melody. Tickets here: events.bl.uk/events/the-r...
The Remarkable Life of Ronald Blythe | British Library
Ronald Blythe (1922–2023) was one of Britain’s most distinctive and cherished chroniclers of rural life. His classic, Akenfield: Portrait of an English Vil
events.bl.uk
December 18, 2025 at 4:13 PM
Really pleased to be contributing to an event at the British Library celebrating the FANTASTIC Ronnie Blythe, with Ian Collins (who has written the brilliant biography of his life) Jenny Hall and Helen Melody. Tickets here: events.bl.uk/events/the-r...
I'd like to chat to one or two people, ideally women (I've already talked to a load of men) who've got into the Merlin app for identifying birdsong this year. For a nice positive story. Please drop me a line, thank you!
December 17, 2025 at 9:14 AM
I'd like to chat to one or two people, ideally women (I've already talked to a load of men) who've got into the Merlin app for identifying birdsong this year. For a nice positive story. Please drop me a line, thank you!
I walked the line of HS2 from London to Birmingham. This is what I found: www.theguardian.com/news/ng-inte... More widely, the scale of construction going on outside Birmingham was epic. All this striving for... no economic growth. The model isn't working anymore.
‘We hate it. It’s desecration’: the real cost of HS2
The long read: Ten years after I first followed the proposed route, I retraced my steps to see what life was like along the world’s most expensive, heavily delayed railway line
www.theguardian.com
December 16, 2025 at 8:18 AM
I walked the line of HS2 from London to Birmingham. This is what I found: www.theguardian.com/news/ng-inte... More widely, the scale of construction going on outside Birmingham was epic. All this striving for... no economic growth. The model isn't working anymore.
Exciting project to bring beautiful wildlife and people together in Barking & Dagenham – great work London Wildlife Trust! www.theguardian.com/environment/...
White storks to make historic return to London in 2026
Species extinct as breeding birds in Britain since 1416 to be reintroduced in Barking and Dagenham as part of rewilding effort
www.theguardian.com
December 9, 2025 at 7:44 PM
Exciting project to bring beautiful wildlife and people together in Barking & Dagenham – great work London Wildlife Trust! www.theguardian.com/environment/...