NATURE John Shelley watches on disapprovingly as his friend uses unsavoury methods to catch earthworms for trout fishing
Can of worms
Outdoor Living
A chase with consequences
NATURE With cat romance season in full swing, John Shelley discusses the inevitable repercussions for our garden birds
The craic with applejack
After migraine-inducing run-ins with homemade wines in the past, John Shelley is pleasantly surprised by an apple concoction
Achill’s red deer, revisited
NATURE Following recently reported sightings of red deer on Achill, John Shelley searches for historical mention
Out of the blue
NATURE John Shelley on the surprisingly colourful life of the little brown dunnock
Pongo returns
NATURE After an extended absence, ageing pine marten Pongo returns to John Shelley’s garden
The pony trap
NATURE John Shelley meets a pony with an agenda while out walking
Too great a price?
NATURE John Shelley notes the rise in woodcock numbers and wills the start of spring, when the birds are safe from shotgun
The ravenous and the meek
NATURE Hungry ravens are constantly on the watch for the dead or dying, hoping for the prize of a fallen animal
Room for red squirrel in Wild Nephin?
NATURE John Shelley learns about the habitat requirements of red squirrel, and wonders if Mayo might make room
Could ‘Smoked Wild Irish Pike’ be a win-win?
NATURE Pike are wreaking havoc on our game-fish stocks, but the fish are considered a delicacy on the continent