Tag: Top 10

10 Tips for Nature Bloggers

I started this website as a place to express my interest in the natural world and to share sightings and photographs from my local ventures. Truth be told, I never planned to start writing; although five-years in, here I am, waffling regularly about myriad environmental topics and thoroughly enjoying myself.

Blogging, ultimately, is about finding your voice and learning things for yourself, although there are a few things I wish I’d known when starting out. Simple snippets of advice that would have made a real difference throughout periods of uncertainty. To that end, I am thrilled to announce a new collaboration with the wonderful Kate Stephenson, author of Kate on Conservation, bringing you a collection of our ‘top 10’ tips for emerging nature bloggers. I hope at least one may be of use…

1…Research

It takes a lot of dedication and commitment to keep a fact-based blog and, sometimes unwittingly, you may find yourself becoming a trusted source of information to others. If people look to you as an expert on your topic (which is surely the goal, right?!); you better know your stuff. You and your blog can lose a lot of credibility if you write things that turn out to be inaccurate or unreliable. My top tip for keeping credibility is to cover the gaps in your knowledge by interviewing others who do know the bits that you don’t. Guests posts from other professionals work well too — especially if there’s a topic you think you SHOULD cover, but don’t quite have the expertise!

2…Never overlook context and background

Sure; we can’t explain every detail of every issue affecting a species in each and every blog post – but if your aim is to help raise awareness, it’s important to explain the basics at least. For example, those of us well versed in conservation issues are likely to be familiar with terms such as ‘NGOs’, ‘CITES’ or ‘canned hunting’, but if you’re wanting to reach out to a new audience, or to educate those who may not already be a part of this ‘conservation world’, simply explaining: NGOs – Non-governmental organisations; CITES – the yearly Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora; or canned hunting; the shooting of lions for trophies in an enclosed space, known as ‘the can’, can make a huge difference to how effective your writing is.

Also, never take for granted that your readers will have chronologically followed each of your posts! Just because you explained something in a previous post, it doesn’t mean the readers of this particular piece will have seen it, or even remember what it means.

3… Be daring and, dare I say it, controversial

Blogging is a great way of addressing contentious issues and there is nothing wrong with stirring the pot a little, providing you don’t overdo it. It’s a risky business but addressing the polarising issues in the environmental field – hunting, land-use and invasive species, for example – is a great way to bolster traffic and increase engagement. Of course, many of those commenting may disagree with you, but providing you conduct yourself well, there is no harm in addressing sensitive issues. Blogging, in the purest sense, is about generating conversation.

4… But remember, be accountable

Addressing the controversial aspects of conservation is all well and good but it is worth remembering that whatever you share on your blog will reside in cyberspace for years to come. Avoid misquoting or exaggerating for impact and make a point of being able to justify the words you publish. We all must be accountable for what we write, and truly, you never know when your previous posts might remerge to bite you, or at least instigate an interesting conversation in a job interview. If in doubt, don’t do it, but please do not be deterred – there is nothing wrong with holding an opinion.

5…You’re likely to rock the boat

Wildlife conservation can ignite strong emotions; especially as you inevitably end up having to wade into politics (e.g. by the mere mention of Britain’s badger population); culture (you can’t mention illegal wildlife trade without a reference to Chinese traditional medicine) and lifestyle practices (from reducing plastic waste to ethical food choices). These can be very sensitive topics and evoke strong reactions. It’s important to consider all of your responses to negative comments and feedback (if you decide to give any response at all) and to not take personal attacks to heart. Having a strong support network will help here!

6… Remember the blogging basics

Nature blogging may be a niche field and while it is true that our work will never garner the same attention as those in other fields, there is no reason for us to remain invisible. Remember the blogging basics: master the use of keywords and learn SEO best-practice. Learn to use social media like a pro, adapting your content for each platform, use effective hashtags, find relevant Facebook groups and search constantly for new and emerging sources of traffic. Blogging involves an awful lot of time and effort and there little point writing if no one sees it. Don’t be afraid of self-promotion.

7…Network and collaborate

All things wildlife conservation seem to work better when you collaborate with others — blogging is no exception! There are so many brilliant and active wildlife bloggers out there, that are truly making a difference. Together we can only be a stronger voice for conservation!

Whether you’re entering into awards, going to blogging meet-ups, or finding the right people in your field to interview for posts — collaborating with or linking to other bloggers increases your audience numbers, but is also invaluable for gathering inspiration and taking away the loneliness of sitting behind a keyboard! It’s also a good chance to find out how audiences see your blog and to see what other things are happening in the world of conservation.

8…Be persistent 

Blogging is a long game and it is not uncommon for emerging bloggers to feel disheartened by low traffic. When I started out, barely anyone read my blog and fewer still chose to engage with it. Slowly, however, things started to take off. Keep sharing engaging content and give people time to discover your blog – you never know when someone might pick up an article, or when a certain piece may go viral. Keep chipping away, post by post, word by word, eventually, things will start to happen.

9… Don’t dwell on views

Doubtless, all bloggers keep a close eye on their stats: we all like to know that our work is being read, and all love that warm, fuzzy feeling that comes when something we write grows in popularity. That said, none of us is motivated solely by popularity, and ultimately, we all write because we care. We publish content because we have something to say and because we want to achieve something, whether that be education or public awareness. If you have something meaningful to say, say it. Ignore the stats and get writing. To hell with ego…

10…Have your cause at the heart of everything you do

When you’re positioning yourself as a voice for conservation or wildlife welfare, it’s very important that you always come across as sincere. It can be tempting to work with big brands or be enticed by charities and organisations with lots of clout — but do they really reflect your message? I would suggest always looking into the finer details and backgrounds of any companies that you partner with or promote. For example, on my personal blog, I always stand against trophy hunting and have written about this topic on numerous occasions. For this reason, I’ve had to steer clear of certain well-known charities who quietly advocate trophy hunting away from public view. It can be a minefield out there, but research certainly helps!

If you liked this post, please consider casting a vote for me in the UK Blog Awards 2019 by following this link. I’d really appreciate the support of fellow nature bloggers.

Top 10 Facts: House Sparrow

A history of declines. Once one of Britain’s commonest birds, sparrow numbers have crashed in recent years, with London alone losing three-quarters of its sparrows between 1994 and 2000. Declines in rural sparrow populations are thought to be a result of changing farming practices, particularly the loss of Winter stubble, though the exact reasons for the species collapse in urban areas are poorly understood and still, to this day, the subject of research.

Sparrow clubs. Throughout history, house sparrows were commonly viewed as a pest species in Britain. So much so that dedicated “sparrow clubs” were formed with the sole intent of dispatching as many birds as possible. From the mid-18th century, most parishes had sparrow clubs and bounties were paid for dead sparrows until the late 19th century when it was accepted that the control measures did not work. The reasons for these control measures centre on the perceived status of sparrows as a major pest of cereal crops.
Invasive Species. House sparrows have been successfully introduced to numerous countries around the world, including both North and South America, East and South Africa, Australia and New Zealand. The first of these introductions took place in the USA where, in 1852, sparrows brought across from England were released in New York with the intention of controlling the number of damaging Linden moths. The sparrows had other ideas and quickly spread across the continent…

Infidelity. DNA research has shown that 15% of house sparrow offspring are the result of either the cock or hen birds mating with another partner, confirming the sparrow’s reputation for sexual infidelity. A study in 2016, however, hinted that cuckolded male sparrows stopped tending to their chicks – greatly reducing the chances of their rivals young successfully fledging.

Nest theft. Sparrows frequently take over the nests of house martins and swallows and, in a rather grim turn of events, often eject eggs or young birds already present in the nest. With the less dominant hirundines unable to stop them. In many parts of Europe, sparrows also nest in colonies in the base of white storks’ nests. This is thought to be because such nests are well-insulated and safe from predators.

Ringing recoveries. Though rightfully thought of as sedentary, British-ringed house sparrows have been recovered as far away as France and Belgium – showing that, despite reputation, the species does indeed move considerable distances. Anecdotal evidence also suggests that some of the birds seen in Britain may migrate from Scandinavia; although, by large, most sparrows do not move far from their place of birth.

Latin name. The house sparrows latin or ‘scientific’ name and its usual English name have a similar meaning: the Latin word passer, like the English word sparrow, is a term for small active birds, derived from a root word referring to speed. The Latin word domesticus means “belonging to the house”, and, like the species common name, is a reference to its close association with humans.

House Sparrows are capable of swimming underwater! Yes, its true. Even though these birds are not water birds, it has been observed that they can actually swim underwater to move from one place to the other. Apparently, this behaviour was first observed when a sparrow was caught in a trap positioned atop a water dish. The bird, obviously opposed to captivity, proceeding to dive into the water and swim from one part of the trap to another seeking escape. Which sadist would want to trap a sparrow and test this theory, however, is a little beyond me… 

Visual dominance.  Older male sparrows with large black patches on the body are thought to be dominant over males with small patches. The size of the black breast bib – the badge – and the bill colour of male birds change over the course of the year and is thought to relate to the individual’s testosterone levels. Due to the biological cost of producing the pigment necessary to alter their appearance, it is thought that only birds in peak physical condition can afford this – signalling their status as a suitable mate for any passing females.

Great nature blogs to follow in 2018 (Part 1)

Why not also check out my Top Conservation Twitter Accounts to Follow in 2018….

Thinking Country, by Ben Eagle

Ben’s blog is fast becoming my go-to resource for unbiased, pragmatic commentary on rural issues (particularly those associated with agriculture). Hailing from a farming background and focused on promoting dialogue and thus, bridging the gap between all facets of the environmental community, Thinking Country features opinion, personal musings and guest posts on everything from soils to sustainability and land-use. It is well worth a read for those looking to broaden their understanding of often complicated environmental issues. Regular forays into alternate fields such as seasonal recipes and book reviews, as well as Ben’s status as a damn good writer, help ensure that a visit to this blog is seldom boring.

Wildlife and Words, by Elliot Dowding

Elliot is a 23-year-old amateur naturalist and posts regularly on a range of topics including nature conservation and birdwatching. Unlike some of the others on this list, Wildlife and Words focuses greatly on the authors own perception of and experiences in nature – something which often leads to some excellent creative writing on the subject. Much of which, such as this post about the Mistle Thrush, reads just as well as any natural history book or author’s column. This blog gives a top-notch account of the seasons and helps readers enjoy wildlife-spectacles absent personal observation. I really could not recommend it more.

Knee Deep in Nature, by James Miller

The first (but not the last) younger naturalist to appear on this list, James Miller maintains Knee Deep in Nature as a personal journal. One detailing his exploits in the natural world through no end of fantastic photos, film, art and writing. Reading this blog is a sheer pleasure – largely due to James’s infectious enthusiasm for all things wild – but visiting serves a far greater purpose also: it shows that some young people, despite prevailing stereotypes, do care about the environment. By following the author’s progress, adventures and observations, as I do, you will be left feeling altogether optimistic for the future survival of the natural history. See this post regarding The Devil’s Coach Horse.

My Life Outside, by Adam Tilt

Continuing the trend of more traditional, observational blogs, My Life Outside details just that: the author’s adventures in the natural world. And in doing so, inspires readers to get up, go out, and look harder in search of wild allure. Adams blog has been around for some time now and forms a cornerstone of the UK Nature blogging community, allowing readers to live experiences they have yet to enjoy themselves and travel to places they have never visited. Written exceedingly well and often featuring some fantastic photography, this is the perfect blog for those seeking a natural fix when circumstances prevent you seeking out your own. See this post regarding Bramblings.

Kate on Conservation, by Kate Snowdon

Kate on Conservation is pretty unique among the nature blogs I regularly indulge in, focused on conservation in an international, as opposed to a local context. Indeed, as someone enthused primarily by British wildlife, I seldom read such sites, but this is the exception. Kate’s blog representing the perfect place to keep up to date with the latest happenings in global conservation, inform yourself about overseas projects and developments and, ultimately, learn how you, personally, can do something for wildlife. The author’s experience as a journalist really shines through when reading this blog, as does her enthusiasm for the world around her, and whether you are looking to broaden your own horizons or learn something new, I could not extol its virtues more if I tried. See this post regarding Jumbo the Elephant.

Wader Tales, by Graham Appleton

It is a rare blog that teaches you something new each and every time you visit, and a scarcer one still that manages to make complex research both comprehensible and enjoying to the average person. This, however, is exactly what Graham Appleton manages to do with Wader Tales, a blog which, in the authors own words, aims to celebrate wading birds and wader research. I, personally, found Graham’s blog extremely useful as a student looking to write about the topics covered here, but the subject matter featured on Wader Tales, and the way in which articles are presented and written, mean that everyone, not just those boasting prior knowledge of the field, are able to learn about the latest happenings in the field of wader research. Little wonder that this blog is so popular.

Well, that was part one of my 2018 reading list and I hope I have done those featured some level of justice with my comments. Of course, if you’re bored, you could also follow this blog…