Patrick Barkham
@patrickbarkham.bsky.social
Guardian Natural History Writer, author of The Swimmer – the Wild Life of Roger Deakin, Wild Child, Islander, Badgerlands, The Butterfly Isles and a few others. President of Norfolk Wildlife Trust. Special interests: butterflies, trees, restoring nature.
Pinned
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...
Good question! According to Ian Collins, Ronnie never mentioned the two Roberts but it would surprising if their paths didn't cross – creative, daring artists hanging out in rural Suffolk all seemed to find each other in the 40s and 50s (your book sounds great btw)
January 14, 2026 at 4:31 PM
Good question! According to Ian Collins, Ronnie never mentioned the two Roberts but it would surprising if their paths didn't cross – creative, daring artists hanging out in rural Suffolk all seemed to find each other in the 40s and 50s (your book sounds great btw)
Reposted by Patrick Barkham
“It’s so neat because he knows that paper is precious, ink is precious and words are precious. Every word has to work so he’s constantly revisiting and honing it down to get the essence of it all. There’s no waste.”
Writers' archives are fascinating, and it was amazing to have a rootle through Ronnie Blythe's archive. Great news that the @britishlibrary.bsky.social are looking after it. Ronnie Blythe event there in Feb: events.bl.uk/events/the-r... My story here: www.theguardian.com/books/2026/j...
British Library acquires archive of rural life writer and essayist Ronald Blythe
Exclusive: Collection includes workbooks and index cards, and papers that show his research for bestseller Akenfield
www.theguardian.com
January 13, 2026 at 9:33 AM
“It’s so neat because he knows that paper is precious, ink is precious and words are precious. Every word has to work so he’s constantly revisiting and honing it down to get the essence of it all. There’s no waste.”
Writers' archives are fascinating, and it was amazing to have a rootle through Ronnie Blythe's archive. Great news that the @britishlibrary.bsky.social are looking after it. Ronnie Blythe event there in Feb: events.bl.uk/events/the-r... My story here: www.theguardian.com/books/2026/j...
British Library acquires archive of rural life writer and essayist Ronald Blythe
Exclusive: Collection includes workbooks and index cards, and papers that show his research for bestseller Akenfield
www.theguardian.com
January 13, 2026 at 9:17 AM
Writers' archives are fascinating, and it was amazing to have a rootle through Ronnie Blythe's archive. Great news that the @britishlibrary.bsky.social are looking after it. Ronnie Blythe event there in Feb: events.bl.uk/events/the-r... My story here: www.theguardian.com/books/2026/j...
It was ideal for the snow, just not so sure how great it will be in the heat of late April!
January 9, 2026 at 9:46 AM
It was ideal for the snow, just not so sure how great it will be in the heat of late April!
Fascinating, troubling story. (I missed this earlier in the week - sharing it in case you did too!) www.theguardian.com/environment/...
How demand for elite falcons in the Middle East is driving illegal trade of British birds
Exclusive: data reveals hundreds of UK nests have been raided in the past decade amid growing appetite to own prized birds for racing and breeding
www.theguardian.com
January 8, 2026 at 12:27 PM
Fascinating, troubling story. (I missed this earlier in the week - sharing it in case you did too!) www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Training for the @londonmarathon.bsky.social in the snow is hazardous. Especially when dressed as a badger. I'm fundraising for Norfolk Wildlife Trust (to restore land for nature &people) #backthebadger here 2026tcslondonmarathon.enthuse.com/pf/backtheba... Thank you! www.youtube.com/watch?v=QLww...
Training for the London marathon in snow is hazardous. Especially when you're dressed as a badger.
YouTube video by Patrick Barkham
www.youtube.com
January 6, 2026 at 2:53 PM
Training for the @londonmarathon.bsky.social in the snow is hazardous. Especially when dressed as a badger. I'm fundraising for Norfolk Wildlife Trust (to restore land for nature &people) #backthebadger here 2026tcslondonmarathon.enthuse.com/pf/backtheba... Thank you! www.youtube.com/watch?v=QLww...
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...
January 3, 2026 at 5:26 PM
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...
If anyone needs a writers' retreat (or just a lovely holiday), my 1-bed cottage in Wells-next-the-Sea has good availability in Jan/Feb/March. It's my favourite place in the world. www.glavenvalley.co.uk/holiday-cott...
1 Boatman's Row in Wells-next-the-Sea - Book Now | Glaven Valley
1 Boatman's Row in Wells-next-the-Sea is a 1 bed property for up to 2 guests. Book direct through Glaven Valley today for the best price!
www.glavenvalley.co.uk
January 1, 2026 at 7:27 PM
If anyone needs a writers' retreat (or just a lovely holiday), my 1-bed cottage in Wells-next-the-Sea has good availability in Jan/Feb/March. It's my favourite place in the world. www.glavenvalley.co.uk/holiday-cott...
That looks just like my local river, the Bure. So beautiful in winter!
December 31, 2025 at 9:54 AM
That looks just like my local river, the Bure. So beautiful in winter!
Interesting dilemma caused by coastal erosion in Norfolk (one of many unforeseen adaptations required by increasing climate change) www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
‘You could see bones’: Families’ anguish over coastal erosion threat to Norfolk graves
Bereaved relatives say delays over risks at village churchyards are causing distress and call for council action
www.theguardian.com
December 31, 2025 at 9:51 AM
Interesting dilemma caused by coastal erosion in Norfolk (one of many unforeseen adaptations required by increasing climate change) www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
You don't at all! It was lovely to have your enthusiasm. But I'm sorry there was some editing (for instance I am slightly cross with the editors for removing the exclamation mark I put after your light-hearted comment about AI – they shouldn't have removed it)
December 28, 2025 at 6:00 PM
You don't at all! It was lovely to have your enthusiasm. But I'm sorry there was some editing (for instance I am slightly cross with the editors for removing the exclamation mark I put after your light-hearted comment about AI – they shouldn't have removed it)
Thanks to Bluesky residents for being so enthusiastic about Merlin! Guardian story here: www.theguardian.com/environment/...
‘It brings you closer to the natural world’: the rise of the Merlin birdsong identifying app
Merlin has been trained to identify the songs of more than 1,300 bird species around the world
www.theguardian.com
December 28, 2025 at 5:58 PM
Thanks to Bluesky residents for being so enthusiastic about Merlin! Guardian story here: www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Brent geese sound like “a cement mixer being cleaned with bricks”? Calumny! They make the most gorgeous purring conversation. And I agree with @levparikian.bsky.social, they are the most beautiful geese. Lovely country diary here: www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Country diary: Postcard from a pier, where brent geese are the main attraction | Lev Parikian
Ryde, Isle of Wight: Lots of commotion here among the hovercraft and herring gulls, but it’s the wonderful, tubby geese that make my winter
www.theguardian.com
December 19, 2025 at 3:57 PM
Brent geese sound like “a cement mixer being cleaned with bricks”? Calumny! They make the most gorgeous purring conversation. And I agree with @levparikian.bsky.social, they are the most beautiful geese. Lovely country diary here: www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Reposted by Patrick Barkham
Good to see Minette Batters, ex-NFU Prez, say in her Farm Review that "the principles behind Landscape Recovery and Countryside Stewardship are sound, but there is a need to scale the concept" - & propose Landscape Recovery projects for all 93 English river catchments!
www.gov.uk/government/p...
www.gov.uk/government/p...
December 19, 2025 at 11:29 AM
Good to see Minette Batters, ex-NFU Prez, say in her Farm Review that "the principles behind Landscape Recovery and Countryside Stewardship are sound, but there is a need to scale the concept" - & propose Landscape Recovery projects for all 93 English river catchments!
www.gov.uk/government/p...
www.gov.uk/government/p...
Thanks everyone for replying, I've been inundated with wonderful Merlin-lovers. And sorry I can't feature you all. Merlin's new users are increasing by 30% per month. I'm sure someone can do the maths but pretty soon *everyone* will be using it!
December 19, 2025 at 3:40 PM
Thanks everyone for replying, I've been inundated with wonderful Merlin-lovers. And sorry I can't feature you all. Merlin's new users are increasing by 30% per month. I'm sure someone can do the maths but pretty soon *everyone* will be using it!
Ah great. So much love for Merlin out there!!!
December 19, 2025 at 3:37 PM
Ah great. So much love for Merlin out there!!!
Really pleased to be contributing to an event at the British Library celebrating the FANTASTIC Ronnie Blythe, with Ian Collins (who has written the brilliant biography of his life) Jenny Hall and Helen Melody. Tickets here: events.bl.uk/events/the-r...
The Remarkable Life of Ronald Blythe | British Library
Ronald Blythe (1922–2023) was one of Britain’s most distinctive and cherished chroniclers of rural life. His classic, Akenfield: Portrait of an English Vil
events.bl.uk
December 18, 2025 at 4:13 PM
Really pleased to be contributing to an event at the British Library celebrating the FANTASTIC Ronnie Blythe, with Ian Collins (who has written the brilliant biography of his life) Jenny Hall and Helen Melody. Tickets here: events.bl.uk/events/the-r...
Hello Natasha, I'd love to chat if you can spare 10 mins (prob tomorrow). My email is [email protected] - thank you!
December 17, 2025 at 9:44 AM
Hello Natasha, I'd love to chat if you can spare 10 mins (prob tomorrow). My email is [email protected] - thank you!
Great, thank you. If you email me, perhaps we could chat for 10/15 mins tomorrow? [email protected] Many thanks.
December 17, 2025 at 9:34 AM
Great, thank you. If you email me, perhaps we could chat for 10/15 mins tomorrow? [email protected] Many thanks.
I'd like to chat to one or two people, ideally women (I've already talked to a load of men) who've got into the Merlin app for identifying birdsong this year. For a nice positive story. Please drop me a line, thank you!
December 17, 2025 at 9:14 AM
I'd like to chat to one or two people, ideally women (I've already talked to a load of men) who've got into the Merlin app for identifying birdsong this year. For a nice positive story. Please drop me a line, thank you!
I walked the line of HS2 from London to Birmingham. This is what I found: www.theguardian.com/news/ng-inte... More widely, the scale of construction going on outside Birmingham was epic. All this striving for... no economic growth. The model isn't working anymore.
‘We hate it. It’s desecration’: the real cost of HS2
The long read: Ten years after I first followed the proposed route, I retraced my steps to see what life was like along the world’s most expensive, heavily delayed railway line
www.theguardian.com
December 16, 2025 at 8:18 AM
I walked the line of HS2 from London to Birmingham. This is what I found: www.theguardian.com/news/ng-inte... More widely, the scale of construction going on outside Birmingham was epic. All this striving for... no economic growth. The model isn't working anymore.
Exciting project to bring beautiful wildlife and people together in Barking & Dagenham – great work London Wildlife Trust! www.theguardian.com/environment/...
White storks to make historic return to London in 2026
Species extinct as breeding birds in Britain since 1416 to be reintroduced in Barking and Dagenham as part of rewilding effort
www.theguardian.com
December 9, 2025 at 7:44 PM
Exciting project to bring beautiful wildlife and people together in Barking & Dagenham – great work London Wildlife Trust! www.theguardian.com/environment/...
This brilliant documentary is a fabulous, funny and vital exploration of farming and rewilding, starring @derekgow1965.bsky.social & his farmer neighbour Derek Banbury. Its maker is seeking funds to show the film to the most important audience: farmers! www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/derek-vs-d...
Saving British Nature - can you help?
To persuade hundreds of UK farmers to give their marginal unproductive land over to saving nature
www.crowdfunder.co.uk
December 4, 2025 at 10:01 AM
This brilliant documentary is a fabulous, funny and vital exploration of farming and rewilding, starring @derekgow1965.bsky.social & his farmer neighbour Derek Banbury. Its maker is seeking funds to show the film to the most important audience: farmers! www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/derek-vs-d...
Congratulations Norwich City Council for recognising the rights of the River Wensum – the lifeblood of the fine city of Norwich and the reason the city is here in the first place. www.edp24.co.uk/news/2565056...
'I flow, therefore I am?' Councillors get philosophical over bid to give river rights
A bid to better protect the River Wensum through supporting a movement to grant it legal rights has been approved unanimously by Norwich City…
www.edp24.co.uk
December 1, 2025 at 10:06 AM
Congratulations Norwich City Council for recognising the rights of the River Wensum – the lifeblood of the fine city of Norwich and the reason the city is here in the first place. www.edp24.co.uk/news/2565056...
In case you missed this great story earlier in the week... Hooray for the Youngwilders! (www.youngwilders.org)
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
‘It fully changed my life!’ How young rewilders transformed a farm – and began a movement
At Maple Farm, nature is returning in droves: nightingales, grass snakes, slowworms, bats and insects. All due to the vision of a group determined to accelerate its recovery
www.theguardian.com
November 28, 2025 at 4:43 PM
In case you missed this great story earlier in the week... Hooray for the Youngwilders! (www.youngwilders.org)
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
www.theguardian.com/environment/...