SEAN'S WILDLIFE BLOG

Sean McMenemy Wildlife

"I write as I see, feel, and experience the world around me—sharp, untamed, and always changing. Nature isn’t just a backdrop to life; it’s the pulse of life itself. The cool soil beneath our feet, the shift in the air before a storm, the quiet industry of insects in the undergrowth.

Growing up, nature was my playground. Birds weren’t just a backing track; they were neighbours, companions, constant presences. Hedgehogs caught my attention as they bustled noisily through the undergrowth, while butterflies and bees dazzled in their numbers, colours, and diversity. The land itself was alive. But over time, I saw something change. Nature was shrinking—the dawn chorus grew quieter, the wild corners disappeared, and the creatures that had once been ever-present began to retreat.

My writing isn’t about rekindling something lost; it’s about recognising what’s still here. I don’t write to teach—I write to share. Moments, memories, and thoughts from a lifetime of watching, listening, and being part of the natural world. I take the science, the folklore, the things remembered from childhood, and those only understood with age, and I set them down as they come to me.

From the soil to the sky, nature is always speaking. This is just my way of joining the conversation."

  • Leafcutter bee carrying leaf

    Six Signs of Spring

    A totally arbitrary number, as the signs of spring are so multitudinous. Just stand outside and open your senses to nature. Everything is vibrating...

    bySean McMenemy
  • Fieldfares eating rowan berries

    The Fridge is Bare…

    The old proverb goes… ‘As the days grow longer, so they become colder’ just when natural food is at an all year low. We’ve moved past the winter so...

    bySean McMenemy
  • Brrr, I'm Off to Feed the Birds

    Brrr, I'm Off to Feed the Birds

    It’s windy, wet and to be honest, grim out there! I’m not feeling inspired as I watch the last few leaves being ripped from the oak’s grasp, as gal...

    bySean McMenemy
  • Dormouse Hibernating

    Baby it’s Cold Outside

    Another year draws to a close and as families gather, celebrating Christmas with feasts of food and roaring fires, I thought I’d spare a thought fo...

    bySean McMenemy
  • Waxwing Bird on autumn red berries

    Feast to Famine?

    Today a thought entered my head, while we prepare for our annual overindulgence called Christmas, including the traditional dinner, full tummies, a...

    bySean McMenemy
  • Fieldfare on an autumn tree with red berries

    What a Windfall

    As summer draws to a close and autumn colours adorn the landscape, our garden wildlife enter a period of plenty and planning.

    bySean McMenemy
  • Bats roosting in a large schwegler bat box

    Making the Most of it…

    I like the changing seasons. I love the UK for the distinct differences between the seasons and in particular the changeover period.

    bySean McMenemy
  • Early autumn colours in the countryside

    Great Summer Early Autumn

    2014 has been a terrific year for gardeners with warm days and regular rain showers. My own garden has bloomed and I’ve not seen such abundant and ...

    bySean McMenemy
  • Snow fell overnight

    What a difference a day makes

    A British spring and a British winter can compete and confuse nature on a day-by-day basis. March can see sunshine and temperatures in the 20's, or...

    bySean McMenemy
  • Jay bird with an acorn

    One crafty blue bird

    During autumn many birds can disappear from our gardens. Summer migrants have long since left and many garden birds will still be shy while they mo...

    bySean McMenemy