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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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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How Not To Plant "Woodland"
October 14, 2018
There's a great and commendable enthusiasm about tree planting in the UK. We know the reasons why. Every year, especially when the floods come, peo...
- biodiversity
- trees and woodland
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Will We Get a Green Brexit?
March 16, 2018
Many years ago I failed Latin A Level. My friend Tim and I sat slumbering at the back of a set full of classicists who all - except for us - went o...
- biodiversity
- trees and woodland
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The Cricket Field Oak
January 28, 2018
In winter when I do the washing up I can see the Cricket Field Oak. It's usually through Somerset rain which, as you can see, has left its mark ove...
- Hookgate Cottage
- trees and woodland
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Habitat Restoration
January 9, 2018
"Make it so", booms Jean-Luc Picard. And snick snack snorum, it is made so. If only life were as simple as it is aboard the USS Enterprise. And if ...
- trees and woodland
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Farmland - Does It Really Matter and What Should We Do With It?
January 4, 2018
Much interest in Michael Gove's prognostications on farmland subsidies today. This is a really important issue for environmentalists - perhaps more...
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Back From The Brink ("BftB")
November 16, 2017
I popped up to Windsor Great Park yesterday for the launch of a project called "Back From The Brink", or BftB. What a fascinating time I had. Da...
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