Blog

The Habitat Aid blog is set in Somerset. The blog tries to introduce some of the issues surrounding our natural environment as understood by a non ecologist. You’ll also find some practical “how to” guides. It’s written by Nick Mann, who runs Habitat Aid. Nick is an increasingly curmudgeonly bald middle-aged bloke of familiar type.

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More Plants Please
March 14, 2023
I watch the wonderful Wild Isles with mixed emotions. I was very lucky to meet David Attenborough back in the noughties when we sold some wildflowe...
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The Stone Pine
November 7, 2022
I was 60 this year, so we treated ourselves to a trip around France and Italy. When we got back, partly to to remember it and partly because I'm tr...
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A Nightingale Sang...
May 3, 2022
Nightingales; a lesson for our times.
- birds
- farming
- hedgerow
- hedges
- Rewilding
- trees and woodland
- wildflowers
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It's Up To Us
September 15, 2021
We shouldn't wait for government - we need to sort this mess out ourselves.
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To Guard Or Not To Guard
January 29, 2021
We've planted trees for hundreds of years before the arrival of the plastic tree guard. John Evelyn didn't need them, so why do we now? Some suspec...
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Disconnected
November 2, 2020
We need to re-engage people with the landscape. Here's something which might help...
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Vanishing Hedgerows
September 16, 2020
Hedgerows are a critical natural asset and should be managed more carefully.
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Blossom, Blossom, And More Blossom!
April 18, 2020
You can have blossom in your garden from January to May. Here's why you want it and how you can have it!
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Trees For Votes
November 17, 2019
You can only be encouraged by the tree planting bidding war going on between our politicians at the moment, I suppose. 30 million trees, 60 millio...
- trees and woodland
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Best Trees For Windbreaks
January 25, 2019
What is a windbreak and what are the best trees for windbreaks? A brief guide, including recommendations for gardens and orchards.
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Planting or Not Planting Woodland
November 28, 2018
A little while ago I was involved in a great nonsense about wildflower seeds. Plantlife, the wildflower charity, essentially said all wildflower se...
- trees and woodland
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A Little Knowledge...
October 23, 2018
I had a great weekend, brushing up my little knowledge. On Saturday I was at the mighty Bumblebee Conservation Trust's (BBCT) members' day in Cardi...
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