March 2027: Oxford World's Classics edition of Pierce Egan's "Life in London" (1821) will be published. First modern, annotated edition of a novel that defined the age. In this plate by the Cruikshank brothers, the chums get in a fight & Egan has his notebook nicked. global.oup.com/academic/pro...

Today I went spider hunting with my mate @stevephotos.bsky.social (who took the photo) in some local grassland and we counted 19 wasp spiders! Has anyone else found this many in the same grassy area before please?

Over the next week, we're revealing the 10 amazing animals shortlisted for Invertebrate of the Year 2026. Then, from a week tomorrow, you'll be able to vote. @chrisgpackham.bsky.social will announce the winner on August 18th. www.theguardian.com/environment/... Woodlouse is a popular opener!

Revealed: the top 10 invertebrates of the year

At last! It’s time for our invertebrate of the year competition as voted for by you. Today, the immortal jellyfish – come back on Wednesday to find out who else made the top 10

theguardian.com

Congratulations to editor Kerri Andrews & other contributors of Women, Walking, published by Batsford on Thursday. A rich collection of diverse essays exploring who, where, why & how we walk. I particularly enjoyed the final two essays by @helenmort.bsky.social & @katedavispoet.bsky.social.

I've wanted to write this @theguardian.com country diary on a special place in #JohnClare and my family's lives for a while now. Many thanks to the Gatekeepers and the Puddocks for helping me... #countrydiary #naturewriting @johnclare.bsky.social @kovesi.bsky.social

Country diary: In poet John Clare’s garden, I contemplate my ancestor who lived here too | Nic Wilson

Helpston, Cambridgeshire: I picture Henry as a young lad, hiding in flowerbeds, chasing butterflies, learning to love nature

theguardian.com

I've wanted to write this @theguardian.com country diary on a special place in #JohnClare and my family's lives for a while now. Many thanks to the Gatekeepers and the Puddocks for helping me... #countrydiary #naturewriting @johnclare.bsky.social @kovesi.bsky.social

Country diary: In poet John Clare’s garden, I contemplate my ancestor who lived here too | Nic Wilson

Helpston, Cambridgeshire: I picture Henry as a young lad, hiding in flowerbeds, chasing butterflies, learning to love nature

theguardian.com

I'm taking a break from socials for a while to get my head down and write. I'll be on email or contactable via my website: nicwilson.co.uk. The @theguardian.com country diary can be found at www.theguardian.com/environment/.... Hope your summers are healthy and happy. 💙🩵💚

After three days with lots of talking, meeting people, reading poetry and celebrating the life of #JohnClare, I've got today in the water with my family. 💙💙💙

Hat visitor.

10th July 2026 05.04

Start today with a hiss and a buzz in the @theguardian.com country diary by Claire Stares. #naturewriting #countrydiary

Country diary: I thought I was poking a hedgehog’s nest. I was wrong | Claire Stares

Langstone, Hampshire: Tree bumblebees are generally placid, but they’re not keen on someone prodding their home with the end of a bamboo cane

theguardian.com

A wonderfully evocative @theguardian.com country diary today from @ebenmyrddin.bsky.social. #naturewriting #countrydiary

Country diary: The field names here read like a history book | Eben Muse

Ynys Enlli, Gwynedd: A stroll down this island’s one road provides clues to its past – and it has nothing to do with the 20,000 saints apparently buried here

theguardian.com

A stunningly gorgeous diary from @ebenmyrddin.bsky.social .. & a deeply involved, storied island. And field names always have my heart! “A name can be a fleeting thing, vanishing along with old farmers and agricultural methods. But their worth is clear to me – “ www.theguardian.com/environment/...

Country diary: The field names here read like a history book | Eben Muse

Ynys Enlli, Gwynedd: A stroll down this island’s one road provides clues to its past – and it has nothing to do with the 20,000 saints apparently buried here

theguardian.com

Curlew populations are declining across much of the UK; but why? 🤔 Join Ian Newton from @curlewaction.bsky.social for a free webinar exploring the evidence behind curlew breeding success, predation, and the role of grouse moors. 📅 Mon 14 Sept 2026 🎟️ www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/1987186150...

The Serin's just pitched in a tree-top at the Obs

A wonderfully evocative @theguardian.com country diary today from @ebenmyrddin.bsky.social. #naturewriting #countrydiary

Country diary: The field names here read like a history book | Eben Muse

Ynys Enlli, Gwynedd: A stroll down this island’s one road provides clues to its past – and it has nothing to do with the 20,000 saints apparently buried here

theguardian.com

Despite all the noise today I'd really like you to read this, as I think it's crucial. The government's in the process of p*ssing up to £264 billion into the ground, at the behest of the fossil fuel industry. Yes, £264 *billion*. It's utterly mad, and has to stop. www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...

The great carbon capture con: behold the wasted billions Burnham could claw back | George Monbiot

There are far better ways to tackle climate breakdown, but successive governments have chosen to listen to the fossil fuel companies instead, says Guardian columnist George Monbiot

theguardian.com

I was shortlisted for the Working Class Nature Prize back in 2024, but I haven't share the piece with anyone yet 😅 Yesterday they announced this years winning names, so in celebration, and for anyone curious for next year - here is my piece #Poetry #NatureWriting substack.com/home/post/p-...

"Vanity Corners" - My Shortlisted Nature Poem

Read my entry for the 2024 Common Ground Nature Writing Prize

substack.com

New blog of our latest monthly short break, this time three nights in Stafford, at the Swan Hotel. A revelation to us! Maybe not as much wildlife as usual, but some wonderful architecture. www.chrisgibsonwildlife.co.uk/into-our-unk... #NatureWriting

Are there lots of butterflies around where you are this week? In today's @theguardian.com country diary, @katebradbury.bsky.social is enjoying the Meadow Browns. #naturewriting #countrydiary

Country diary: Following the flight path of a meadow brown | Kate Bradbury

Barston, West Midlands: It’s been a strange year so far for butterflies, and I get my summer meadow brown moment beneath a roaring jumbo jet

theguardian.com

STRIPEY DUDES! We've grown ragwort for years, but this is our first visitation from the stripey brigade. I'm doing a celebratory Cinnabar dance. 💃🐛

Crackweed Morning Glory shot this morning in Marconi East. #Bloomscrolling #Flowers #MorningGlory

So proud of this man (my husband) & his colleagues. Collected his King’s & Long Service Awards for 20yrs (22 now) of good conduct for South Central Ambulance Service. Fitting it was at Newbury Racecourse; he gave up working with racehorses to retrain as a paramedic 1/2 #InternationalParamedicsDay.

Yesterday evening's celebration of The Common Ground Prize for Working Class Nature Writing was an inspiring event in a beautiful setting - Hachette's sumptuous roof garden. It was a privilege to talk to the shortlisted writers, judges and other literary folk.

A fantastic, fancy literary evening celebrating The Common Ground Prize for Working Class Nature Writing at Hachette’s famous rooftop garden. An honour to read & judge entries & fantastic to meet shortlistees, friends, writers & literary peeps, & scramble through an impromptu, impassioned speech 1/3

Are there lots of butterflies around where you are this week? In today's @theguardian.com country diary, @katebradbury.bsky.social is enjoying the Meadow Browns. #naturewriting #countrydiary

Country diary: Following the flight path of a meadow brown | Kate Bradbury

Barston, West Midlands: It’s been a strange year so far for butterflies, and I get my summer meadow brown moment beneath a roaring jumbo jet

theguardian.com

Lovely tribute to the enigmatic beauty of the Wood Warbler, a special bird for many. Very pleased to say that @martamaziarz.bsky.social and I have signed with @chiffchat.bsky.social to co-write a new Poyser monograph on the Wood Warbler. Watch this space. #NatureWriting #UKBirding #ornithology

Nic Wilson@nicwilson.bsky.social · 4w ago

Today's @theguardian.com country diary by Mark Cocker savours the music of the endangered wood warbler. #countrydiary #naturewriting

...known site at Sheat Quarry, Southwell. As usual, plenty of other bonus local specials incl sev Beech-green Carpets (think that Portland's still its only site in Dorset) & lots of Portland Ribbon Waves

Spotted #Knapweed (Centaurea stoebe) growing out of the sidewalk of Columbus Boulevard, shot yesterday. #Bloomscrolling #Wildflowers #Flowers #SpottedKnapweed