David Bellamy head of conservation at the Manx Wildlife Trust in Isle of Man
June 2024
Country diary
Country diary: Sharks, clams and eelgrass – this is an underwater haven
Laxey Bay, Isle of Man: This protected marine area is doing better than most, but there remains one rather foul problem to address
March 2024
Country diary
Country diary: The empty lake proved to be anything but
Ballachrink, Isle of Man: My monthly bird survey started so slowly that I nearly gave up – I would have missed a ‘first’ for this site if I had
November 2023
Country diary
Country diary: We find four globally rare fungi by lunchtime
Little London, Isle of Man: These fields have been farmed with the lightest touch for more than a century – no wonder grassland fungi are so scarce
September 2023
Country diary
Country diary: An all-white hen harrier, ghosting along the cliffs
Laxey Bay, Isle of Man: These raptors do well here, thanks to a lack of persecution. And this one is so remarkable I can hardly believe my eyes
June 2023
Country diary
Country diary: Far from roar of the TT, I find wildlife bliss
Lezayre, Isle of Man: The island is bursting into life – not least here, on this farm, which is reaping the rewards of traditional haymaking
January 2023
Country diary
Country diary: No weeds, no tree sparrows – only a few are hanging on
Poyll Vaaish, Isle of Man: One field on the island is a throwback to the heyday of mixed farming, full of veg and weeds. The resulting biodiversity is astonishing
August 2022
Country diary
Country diary: The choughs patrol the cliffs, cawing at everything
The Chasms, Isle of Man: This island is a stronghold for the birds, and these ones are typically boisterous
