My dad John Barkham died recently. I mention it because some conservation scientists on here may have been taught or inspired by him. He inspired me. Thanks so much to everyone who attended or watched his funeral (it's still online) or donated to Norfolk Wildlife Trust 🙏 john-barkham.muchloved.com

If you pick up the Guardian Weekend Magazine today, please read about my daughter Milly’s battle with Lyme disease. And if you’re feeling bold, drop your copy into your local GP. There are thousands of Millys out there. Most are currently not helped at all by the NHS or, worse, not believed.

Nothing nicer at this time of year than mellow sunshine and a red admiral nectaring on ivy. Love the blue on its hindwings 😍

The 100 oaks I’m growing for Norfolk Wildlife Trust’s centenary next year are doing well. Any oak experts know the little wasp that seems attracted to them (and hopefully not a problem)? And presumably the oaks can shrug off the mildew/mould? I’m hoping they’ll look a little more handsome in 2026!

Our @greenwingstours.bsky.social Swallowtail weekend group just endured a biblical rainstorm. Then we found this beauty, tucked away in the sedge. At a fabulous secret location 😉

Happy nature news of the day: the Foxley Wood acorns I’m hoping will sprout into 100 oaks to celebrate Norfolk Wildlife Trust’s 100th birthday next year are growing beautifully. Incredible energy stored in an acorn. So robust and easy to grow (once acorns protected from hungry mice over winter) 😃

Join me for a fabulous day out hunting for swallowtails on the Norfolk Broads. The weekend break is sold out but day trips on Tues 10th and Weds 11th June still available greenwings.co/our-holidays... (pics by one of our former guests @andrewfusekpeters.bsky.social)

We've had a cancellation on my Picos butterfly tour so there are now 2 places available – join us! It is such a beautiful part of the world, gorgeous landscapes and wildlife and a very nice hotel. (And possible to get there from UK by boat) greenwings.co/our-holidays...

Tired? Stressed? Trouble sleeping? Fear not, help is at hand – listen to my soothing voice in the new BADGERLANDS audiobook, all 10hrs 16 mins of it. Sleep guaranteed!

Available via all the usual audio behemoths eg iTunes etc
www.audible.co.uk/pd/Badgerlan...

We seem to be specialising in grey, sunless winters these days so this morning I am celebrating this. HOORAY! Spring!

Great to have Billy Bragg join the picket line today in protest against the disposal of the Observer. A few tears when 100 journos sang Elvis with Billy. Thanks to everyone especially some lovely readers for their support.

I planted 220 acorns to hopefully make 100 oak saplings for Norfolk Wildlife Trust's 100th birthday. So far, it's been a learning experience: mice have sniffed out and devoured around 70 of my crop. Natural regen really is a miracle (or a numbers game)! I've now covered the undug pots with gauze.

This bloke @jakefiennes.bsky.social is always posting photos that make out that North Norfolk is somehow glorious and gorgeous. It's just not. And it's especially rubbish in winter as @themarshtit.bsky.social knows only too well 😉

Attack of the mice! Growing oak trees is not as easy as it looks. I've planted 220 acorns I collected from fabulous Foxley Wood to hopefully grow 100 centenary oaks for Norfolk Wildlife Trust's 100th birthday in 2026. Mice have nibbled through netting, neatly dug up and devoured 37 already. Arrgh.