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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The Wool Carder Bee
June 7, 2020
The Wool-carder bee, Anthidium manicatum, is one of my favourite bees. To start with, just to clear up any confusion, they're not a bumblebee. The...
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COVID-19 and Selling Plants
May 9, 2020
For many in the horticulture business the last few weeks have been a waking nightmare. Don't get me wrong - it has been fantastic to see so many pe...
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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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Coping With Lockdown II: Picture This
April 8, 2020
I'm not exactly David Bailey. I've got no skill or training with a camera - more just pointand shoot. I'm very much in awe of some of my friends on...
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Coping With Lockdown I: Recording Wildlife in the Garden
March 29, 2020
The first in a series of wildlife gardening ideas to help stop you going bananas over the next few weeks...
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Sowing Wildflower Seed Onto Grass
February 23, 2020
Preparation and seeding grass areas like lawns or pasture with wildflower seed. How to improve the chances of success!
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Coming To Terms With Flooding
February 22, 2020
The vox pops from flood zones this week have been heart breaking. Being in Somerset we've had friends who have experienced being flooded out in the...
- flooding
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The Problem With Chlorinated Chicken
February 5, 2020
Why we should all fight for high food standards. They're good for our farmers, good for consumers, and good for the environment.
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Hedgelaying for Wildlife
January 13, 2020
I love a bit of hedgelaying. I'm too old/knackered/incompetent to do very much, but it's a good workout and - more importantly - it's good for wil...
- hedges
- Hookgate Cottage
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Wildflower Meadows in Spring
December 17, 2019
As the rain carries on lashing down I thought it might be fun to post some photos of our wildflower meadows in spring. Something to look forward t...
- meadows
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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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The Flooding In Yorkshire
November 12, 2019
In the years I've been writing this blog I've written about flooding several times. I think it's a really important issue - and not just because I...
- Digressions
- flooding
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