Outdoor Living

NATURE With cat romance season in full swing, John Shelley discusses the inevitable repercussions for our garden birds

After migraine-inducing run-ins with homemade wines in the past, John Shelley is pleasantly surprised by an apple concoction

NATURE Following recently reported sightings of red deer on Achill, John Shelley searches for historical mention

NATURE John Shelley on the surprisingly colourful life of the little brown dunnock

NATURE After an extended absence, ageing pine marten Pongo returns to John Shelley’s garden

NATURE John Shelley meets a pony with an agenda while out walking

NATURE John Shelley notes the rise in woodcock numbers and wills the start of spring, when the birds are safe from shotgun

NATURE Hungry ravens are constantly on the watch for the dead or dying, hoping for the prize of a fallen animal

NATURE John Shelley learns about the habitat requirements of red squirrel, and wonders if Mayo might make room

NATURE Pike are wreaking havoc on our game-fish stocks, but the fish are considered a delicacy on the continent