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Patrick Barkham @patrickbarkham.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

Surprisingly, Robert Macfarlane and Jackie Morris didn’t pour themselves a Guinness during their epic signing queue at Epic, Norwich, last night. It was a fabulous Book of Birds evening. Many thanks to the great crowd and to @norwichartscentre.bsky.social for hosting us.

Robert Macfarlane turning and smiling at the camera while signing The Book of Birds with Jackie Morris signing books beside him. Behind them is a bar and a sign saying Guinness Self-Pour. Neither writer nor artist has a drink in front of them!

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Patrick Barkham @patrickbarkham.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

Going to bang on about this a few more times because it is tomorrow, 24th, in Norwich, and it's a really special treat! Wainwright Prize winners 2026 Robert Macfarlane and Jackie Morris are talking about their gorgeous BOOK OF BIRDS (I'll be interviewing them) at 7.30pm. Last few tickets left!

Image shows pic of Robert Macfarlane and Jackie Morris beneath the green-leafed branches of a huge tree, with details of the evening in Norwich at Epic Studios on 24 September, talking about their bestselling, prize-winning Book of Birds.

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Patrick Barkham @patrickbarkham.bsky.social · 20/09/2026

My beautiful 1-bed cottage in Wells-next-the-Sea is surprisingly available for most of Oct. The season of geese, sunsets and hot chips! It's a blessed retreat for writing, walking, swimming, bird-watching, sea-watching. Book directly with Lisa for best rates www.glavenvalley.co.uk/holiday-cott...

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Patrick Barkham @patrickbarkham.bsky.social · 18/09/2026

Right Norfolk dwellers, you've got the 2026 WAINWRIGHT PRIZE WINNERS Robert Macfarlane and Jackie Morris talking in Norwich next Thursday. Tickets not quite sold out yet. Come along, they are both amazing. And deserved winners! www.theguardian.com/books/2026/s...

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Patrick Barkham @patrickbarkham.bsky.social · 10/09/2026

Norfolkians! This is a HUGE autumn highlight – the star of this year's Reith Lectures, Robert Macfarlane, and wonder-artist Jackie Morris talking about their beautiful Book of Birds at Epic Studios. Sept 24th. (I'll be asking the questions, and I can't wait.) Tickets miraculously still available.

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Patrick Barkham @patrickbarkham.bsky.social · 19/08/2026

"The house represents what we ourselves would like to be on Earth: permanent, rooted, here for eternity. But a camp represents the true reality of things: we’re just passing through" Remembering Roger Deakin today, 20 years since he died.

Roger Deakin stood in the frame of the backdoor (there was only one door) of Walnut Tree Farm, holding Millie, his favourite cat. Rosemary growing by the door, rambling rose climbing the old house. Roger is in his early 60s in this photo, and doesn't have long to live. He died on August 19th 2006 aged just 63 of a brain tumour. Rest in peace Roger.

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Patrick Barkham @patrickbarkham.bsky.social · 01/07/2026

Always loved hollyhocks. Finally got them rampaging all over my garden.

A beautiful big pink hollyhock flower with some buddleia in the background

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Patrick Barkham @patrickbarkham.bsky.social · 01/07/2026

I love dogs and butterflies and thankfully there’s very little conflict between them. It’s a brilliant butterfly summer. Ok, so we have low baselines but I’ve never before seen so many meadow browns in my long grass garden here (10). And a huge UK emergence of peacock and painted lady incoming!

A brown miniature dachshund (Betty) lying in the sunshine in a grassy garden with a Small White butterfly fluttering at lavender in the foreground. In the background is a long grass garden “meadow” filled with unseen Meadow Brown butterflies.

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Patrick Barkham @patrickbarkham.bsky.social · 10/06/2026

Dear Bluesky folk, What are your favourite nature-quest non-fiction books? I'm writing a piece about this peculiar sub-genre. My own The Butterfly Isles is one but there's also Much Ado About Mothing, The Orchid Hunter, Orchid Summer, Chasing the Ghost. There must be loads of others I'm missing!

Picture showing Patrick Barkham's The Butterfly Isles book and James Lowen's Much Ado About Mothing – two "nature quest" narrative non-fiction books where a slightly obsessed author goes off to find every one of a certain type of species...

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Patrick Barkham @patrickbarkham.bsky.social · 08/06/2026

Despite the summer showers, these beauties are out and about at the slightest flash of sun. I’m leading more Swallowtail tours tomorrow and Wednesday and there may still be a place left on Weds for any lastminute fairy-folk! @greenwingstours.bsky.social

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Patrick Barkham @patrickbarkham.bsky.social · 07/06/2026

Spot the Swallowtail! (Still a couple of spaces on my @greenwingstours.bsky.social Swallowtail day-tour this Wednesday)

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Patrick Barkham @patrickbarkham.bsky.social · 07/06/2026

Stupendous Swallowtails showing on the Norfolk Broads today. Must be best ever @greenwingstours.bsky.social tour day! Also starring red footed falcon, cuckoos, baby Chinese water deer. Thanks @benlewisuk.bsky.social. Still places on this Wed’s Swallowtail day-trip if any spontaneous folk fancy it!

Swallowtail butterfly side on, silhouetted by sunshine against the blue sky, feeding on purple marsh thistle

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Patrick Barkham @patrickbarkham.bsky.social · 02/06/2026

Here's one of the 253 Painted Ladies, unfortunately didn't get a side-by-side with a Swallowtail but the female Swallowtails are enormous and make the Painted Ladies look tiny and dainty. There's a huge range of PL colours as well, many faded grey pilgrims and some much fresher insects.

A Painted Lady butterfly, slightly faded, wings outstretched and feeding on bramble flowers at NWT Hickling nature reserve in Norfolk

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Patrick Barkham @patrickbarkham.bsky.social · 02/06/2026

Enjoyed this beautiful Swallowtail at NWT Hickling yesterday. Also counted 253 Painted Ladies on a 75m stretch of brambles. It's an epic migration year! There are a couple of places left on my Swallowtail tour @greenwingstours.bsky.social next Tuesday 10th. Join us! greenwings.co/our-holidays...

A British Swallowtail butterfly with wings outstretched, feeding on bramble flower at NWT Hickling nature reserve on the Norfolk Broads. This butterfly looks like an escapee from a tropical butterfly house and dwarfs all other butterflies.

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Patrick Barkham @patrickbarkham.bsky.social · 27/04/2026

The badger staggered his way around the London Marathon (slowly, 5:14) but what a wonderful experience it was – the positivity and kindness of the crowds was just amazing! It was pure joy, and a privilege to take part. Thank you everyone for your support for Norfolk Wildlife Trust and the badger!

Picture of Patrick Barkham in his badger onesie with badger mask standing on the Mall biting his medal at the colourful finish line of the 2026 London Marathon.

Picture of Patrick Barkham in badger suit crossing Tower Bridge at the half-way point of the London Marathon with his friend and runner Beth Rigby.

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Patrick Barkham @patrickbarkham.bsky.social · 24/04/2026

Dear all, I'm running the London Marathon this Sunday dressed as a badger for Norfolk Wildlife Trust – to make our beautiful blue & green planet a tiny bit more beautifully blue & green! Any support for NWT gratefully received, thank you 🙏https://2026tcslondonmarathon.enthuse.com/pf/backthebadger

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Patrick Barkham @patrickbarkham.bsky.social · 23/04/2026

Huge thanks to @chrisgpackham.bsky.social for trekking to Norwich to help Norfolk Wildlife Trust celebrate its 100the birthday. My highlight was his impromptu Q&A with young conservationists in beautiful @uniofeastanglia.bsky.social wood. He was generous, inspiring and kind. What could be better?!

Chris Packham standing in woodland talking to a group of young conservationists, surrounded by oaks and sycamores just coming into brilliant green leaf.

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Patrick Barkham @patrickbarkham.bsky.social · 01/04/2026

I’m writing about UK spring for the Guardian. Does anyone have any observations about this year’s spring they would like to share? Early things? Late things? Good/bad/beautiful? This is my spring - a huge mammal perched in the magnolia.

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Patrick Barkham @patrickbarkham.bsky.social · 19/03/2026

Hooray for spring! Apricot blossom and Forsythia. Bluetits and jackdaws with their beaks full of nesting material. Blackbird singing.

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Patrick Barkham @patrickbarkham.bsky.social · 15/03/2026

Just heard my first chiffchaff of the year here, by the River Bure. Welcome back little friend!

The River Bure at Horstead Mill, a beautiful tranquil stretch of lowland river overhung by budding willows and alders. Photo taken at 8.30am this morning - a perfect spring morning, blue sky, blue water.

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Patrick Barkham @patrickbarkham.bsky.social · 06/02/2026

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...

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Patrick Barkham @patrickbarkham.bsky.social · 16/01/2026

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)

A large British Swallowtail butterfly - with tiger stripes of black and yellow - perched on a yellow flag iris at Norfolk Wildlife Trust Hickling reserve. Pic by Liz Dack.

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Patrick Barkham @patrickbarkham.bsky.social · 03/01/2026

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...

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Patrick Barkham @patrickbarkham.bsky.social · 18/11/2025

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

John Barkham picking blackberries in 1981, shirt open, mass of dark curls, beard and friendly smile

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Patrick Barkham @patrickbarkham.bsky.social · 27/09/2025

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.

Photo of page from Guardian Weekend magazine showing Patrick’s 13-year-old daughter Milly and the starting words of a long feature story about her battle with Lyme Disease which was missed by the NHS for years.

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Patrick Barkham @patrickbarkham.bsky.social · 24/09/2025

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

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Patrick Barkham @patrickbarkham.bsky.social · 29/07/2025

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!

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Patrick Barkham @patrickbarkham.bsky.social · 08/06/2025

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 😉

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Patrick Barkham @patrickbarkham.bsky.social · 03/06/2025

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) 😃

Tubs of little bright green baby oak trees, growing well in individual pots

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Patrick Barkham @patrickbarkham.bsky.social · 29/05/2025

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)

Swallowtail in flight by Andrew Fusek Peters

Swallowtail rising from a sweet william flower in "the doctor's garden", Strumpshaw, by Andrew Fusek Peters

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Patrick Barkham @patrickbarkham.bsky.social · 04/05/2025

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...

A pair of Apollo butterflies nectaring on a purple thistle

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Patrick Barkham @patrickbarkham.bsky.social · 28/03/2025

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...

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Patrick Barkham @patrickbarkham.bsky.social · 28/02/2025

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

Met Office weather forecast for Hoveton (Norfolk) next 5 days - full sun each day

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Patrick Barkham @patrickbarkham.bsky.social · 12/12/2024

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.

Billy Bragg playing guitar and singing on the picket line outside the Guardian office – joining hundreds of journalists protesting against the disposal of the Observer.

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Patrick Barkham @patrickbarkham.bsky.social · 27/11/2024

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.

Small plant pots each housing an acorn are now covered in mouse-proof gauze

I've found tubs for some of my small plant pots with acorns inside. Covered in gauze, they should now be mouse-proof if and when they sprout next spring. Fingers crossed.

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Patrick Barkham @patrickbarkham.bsky.social · 21/11/2024

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 😉

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Patrick Barkham @patrickbarkham.bsky.social · 19/11/2024

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.

Acorns to produce oak trees for Norfolk Wildlife Trust's 100th birthday sniffed out and eaten by mice

The nibbled remains of acorns I planted to produce oak trees for Norfolk Wildlife Trust's 100th birthday – sniffed out and eaten by mice

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