Few do magnificence quite like the mandarin duck | Mark Cocker Fernilee, Derbyshire: You could hardly blame them for flaunting their spectacular plumage, and that’s what the males do in their glittering mating display

"... they unfurled circles of sparkling white across the dark upland water." Beautiful #Guardian #CountryDiary by #MarkCocker #MandarinDucks

www.theguardian.com/environment/...

The Song Thrush is as keen on bathing, as it is of singing.
A lovely piece by #MarkCocker below - my personal favorite writer of the #GuardianCountryDiary - always so well observed.
#ukbirds #nature 🦉🌿

Country diary: An ancient oakwood of hydra-headed beasts | Mark Cocker Padley Gorge, Derbyshire: These trees have been coppiced and pollarded, so that the whole sense of an oak as a sky-seeking organism is gone

Lovely homage to #PadleyGorge #PeakDistrict #Derbyshire from #MarkCocker for #CountryDiary
www.theguardian.com/environment/...

A dream-like view of reeds, teasels, water, hedge and a light cloudy sky. The images is made of layers of photographs taken on a single walk on the site of an ancient flood-meadow. There's a church in the far distance. The clouds are fluffy and light. There's a swirl of pale cream / white marks - evocative of a flock of small birds moving through the landscape. The feeling is of soft sunshine on an autumn morning.

#MarkCocker uses the phrase Nature-action. I like it - it expresses intention, urgency & action.

So, Thank You to everyone involved in nature-action of every kind. Every positive action counts & is desperately needed.

(digital collage of ex-gravel pit, now a recovering #Langdyke nature reserve)

SO encouraging to hear about the Nature Action work in John Clare Countryside at today's conference! Many thanks to @tonyjuniper.bsky.social #markcocker & all.

And thank you for inviting @sarahlambert7.bsky.social & me to exhibit some of work - & for including us in the report!! 💚

Country diary: The redwings have arrived – but why are they so skittish? | Mark Cocker Monsal Dale, Derbyshire: Of the five common thrushes that call Britain home, these are the most unpredictable and least approachable

Lovely #Guardian #CountryDiary here from #MarkCocker and close to our #OutdoorCity #Sheffield #MonsalDale #Derbyshire #redwings
www.theguardian.com/environment/...