Gilbert White
@gilbertwhite.bsky.social
Journal entries from 1768-1793 of the pioneering C18th English naturalist, posted on the day of the year they were written. Currently posting 1776.
Built by @adriantoll.bsky.social
See gilbertwhite.org for more info.
Also see @johnclare.bsky.social
Built by @adriantoll.bsky.social
See gilbertwhite.org for more info.
Also see @johnclare.bsky.social
1776: The nuthatch hunts for nuts in the hedges, & brings them to the forked bough of a certain plum-tree, where it opens them by picking a ragged irregular hole in the small end of the shell. It throws the empty shell on the walk.
November 28, 2025 at 7:00 AM
1776: The nuthatch hunts for nuts in the hedges, & brings them to the forked bough of a certain plum-tree, where it opens them by picking a ragged irregular hole in the small end of the shell. It throws the empty shell on the walk.
1776: White frost, grey, frost all day, grey, frost.
November 27, 2025 at 7:00 AM
1776: White frost, grey, frost all day, grey, frost.
1776: We continue to track the vines, & peaches &c. A man brought me a common sea-gull alive: three crows had got it down in a field, & were endeavouring to demolish it.
November 26, 2025 at 7:00 AM
1776: We continue to track the vines, & peaches &c. A man brought me a common sea-gull alive: three crows had got it down in a field, & were endeavouring to demolish it.
1776: This is the first great frost. Gathered in all the grapes. Grapes are good.
November 25, 2025 at 7:00 AM
1776: This is the first great frost. Gathered in all the grapes. Grapes are good.
1776: Grey, sun, sharp wind, grey & mild.
November 24, 2025 at 7:00 AM
1776: Grey, sun, sharp wind, grey & mild.
1776: Great fog, sun, shower, bright.
November 23, 2025 at 7:00 AM
1776: Great fog, sun, shower, bright.
1776: The ground was covered with snow at Buxton in Derbyshire.
November 22, 2025 at 7:00 AM
1776: The ground was covered with snow at Buxton in Derbyshire.
1776: The thatch is torn by the wind.
November 21, 2025 at 7:00 AM
1776: The thatch is torn by the wind.
1776: Mrs. Snooke's old tortoise at Ringmer went under ground.
November 20, 2025 at 7:00 AM
1776: Mrs. Snooke's old tortoise at Ringmer went under ground.
1776: This afternoon the weather turning suddenly very warm produced an unusual appearance; for the dew on the windows was on the outside of the glass, the air being warmer abroad than within.
November 19, 2025 at 7:00 AM
1776: This afternoon the weather turning suddenly very warm produced an unusual appearance; for the dew on the windows was on the outside of the glass, the air being warmer abroad than within.
1776: The stock-dove, or wild pigeon seems to be come: this the last winter-land-bird of passage that appears with us.
November 18, 2025 at 7:00 AM
1776: The stock-dove, or wild pigeon seems to be come: this the last winter-land-bird of passage that appears with us.
1776: Phalanae still flie under hedges of an evening.
November 17, 2025 at 7:00 AM
1776: Phalanae still flie under hedges of an evening.
1776: Began trimming the vines: the new wood is not very well ripened for want of sun last summer.
November 16, 2025 at 7:00 AM
1776: Began trimming the vines: the new wood is not very well ripened for want of sun last summer.
1776: Spitting rain, grey, spitting, starry. One of the first trees that becomes naked is the wallnut: the mulberry, & the ash especially if it bears many keys, and the Horse-chestnut come next. All lopped trees, while their heads are young, carry their leaves a long while. Apple trees & peaches...
November 14, 2025 at 7:00 AM
1776: Spitting rain, grey, spitting, starry. One of the first trees that becomes naked is the wallnut: the mulberry, & the ash especially if it bears many keys, and the Horse-chestnut come next. All lopped trees, while their heads are young, carry their leaves a long while. Apple trees & peaches...
1776: Nuthatches rap about on the trees. Crocuss begins to sprout. The leaves of the medlar-tree are now turned of a bright yellow.
November 13, 2025 at 7:00 AM
1776: Nuthatches rap about on the trees. Crocuss begins to sprout. The leaves of the medlar-tree are now turned of a bright yellow.
1776: Fieldfares flock. Flesh-flies still about.
November 12, 2025 at 7:00 AM
1776: Fieldfares flock. Flesh-flies still about.
1776: Leaves fall very fast. My grapes are delicate, & in great abundance still.
November 11, 2025 at 7:00 AM
1776: Leaves fall very fast. My grapes are delicate, & in great abundance still.
1776: Redwings. These birds begin to appear at last.
November 10, 2025 at 7:00 AM
1776: Redwings. These birds begin to appear at last.
1776: I saw no fieldfares all thro' my Journey. If they come, as Rays says they do, "ventis vehementer spriantibus" they can have had no advantage of that kind; for the autumn has been remarkably still. Magpies sometimes, I see, perch on the backs of sheep, & pick the lice & ticks out of their...
November 9, 2025 at 7:00 AM
1776: I saw no fieldfares all thro' my Journey. If they come, as Rays says they do, "ventis vehementer spriantibus" they can have had no advantage of that kind; for the autumn has been remarkably still. Magpies sometimes, I see, perch on the backs of sheep, & pick the lice & ticks out of their...
1776: Infinite quantities of haws & sloes. Nothing could be more lovely than the ride from Andover to Alresford over the Hants downs. The shepherds mow the charlock growing among the wheat.
November 8, 2025 at 7:00 AM
1776: Infinite quantities of haws & sloes. Nothing could be more lovely than the ride from Andover to Alresford over the Hants downs. The shepherds mow the charlock growing among the wheat.
1776: The great fieldfare returns. Beetles abound every evening. Farmer Canning's new barley-ricks smoke & ferment like hot-beds already.
November 7, 2025 at 7:00 AM
1776: The great fieldfare returns. Beetles abound every evening. Farmer Canning's new barley-ricks smoke & ferment like hot-beds already.
1776: Flies abound. They stay long after the hirundines are withdrawn. Tipulae sport in the air.
November 6, 2025 at 7:00 AM
1776: Flies abound. They stay long after the hirundines are withdrawn. Tipulae sport in the air.
1776: Farmer Cannings has fine weather for his barley harvest.
November 5, 2025 at 7:00 AM
1776: Farmer Cannings has fine weather for his barley harvest.
1776: Mr. Canning is now ricking one field: the other is standing. The grain is lank, & the cocks cold, & damp. The trufle-hunter was here this morning: he did not take more than half a pound, & those were small.
November 4, 2025 at 7:00 AM
1776: Mr. Canning is now ricking one field: the other is standing. The grain is lank, & the cocks cold, & damp. The trufle-hunter was here this morning: he did not take more than half a pound, & those were small.
1776: Mr. Cannings has now 48 acres of barley abroad either standing ot in cock: it was not sown 'til the rains came in the beginning of June.
November 3, 2025 at 7:00 AM
1776: Mr. Cannings has now 48 acres of barley abroad either standing ot in cock: it was not sown 'til the rains came in the beginning of June.