For anyone who has an address in the United Kingdom, please sign the petition to stop the culling of badgers. It's being done to supposedly prevent the spread of bovine TB, which is a serious disease. However, the science doesn't back up the killing of badgers and may make it worse by causing perturbation. This is the movement of badgers caused by change in the population through culling.

My computer played up, then an update from Microsoft coincided with my router doing strange things, only it took a day or two to work out what the problem was. Couple that with severe shoulder pain and consequent lack of sleep, a visit to the dentist on Friday the 13th, an impending deadline for my latest assignment and you can see I've had a great time.

A man I greatly admire for his ability to cope with his motor neuron disease for so many years and to continue to work on his science despite his body barely functioning. Notwithstanding his illness he still managed to become a celebrity featuring in many documentaries and even the Simpsons as the 'wheelchair guy'. I can't think of any current larger than life scientists, who are really needed in this age of false news, to declaim the liars and bigots who seem to be in control. May he rest in peace.

From the Guardian ( where else?) a report of something which many of us dream about.

https://www.theguardian.com/science/2018/feb/14/transgender-...

These photos will cheer you up, I guarantee it. I actually laughed out loud a couple of times, especially with the little owls and the ducks flying.

http://www.independent.co.uk/environment/comedy-wildlife-pho...

I don't seem to have seen his name on the site for a while, has anyone else heard from him or his cats?

I know most readers here see me as a nature nut and always harping on about some crisis or other in the weather or the environment, but this latest report, upon which this very readable article is based is frightening. I suspect the worldwide picture is that insects are declining at an increasing rate due to the over use and abuse of pesticides primarily, and then loss of habitat. One cause human activity, especially industrial farming.

Don't think I'll be moving to Colombia anytime soon.

https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2017/oct/08/t...

Some of the comments were interesting, some the usual trollfest.

I was just installing a few bookmarks on a new computer (refurbished variety) as I'll be putting my regular one in for repair - tipped a cuppa over the keyboard and have been running it on a plug in kepboard - when I discovered that according to wiki, today, September 13th is the anniversary of the death of Lili Elbe, the Danish transsexual woman who died from complications arising from surgery in 1931.

As she was a real pioneer in the world of gender realisation, I think it fitting we remember her as a real person not just the subject of the Danish Girl. May she rest in peace.

Have survived the storm with themselves and their properties intact. It can be a very frightening experience when nature unleashes its power and we're reminded how insignificant we really are.

Article from the Guardian with photo by Annie Liebovitz.

https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2017/aug/11/chelsea-mann...

This is where all the confiscated wildlife items go in the US, the importers of which are rarely prosecuted. It should be an item of shame in any civilised country.

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2017/jul/20/house-of...

I can't believe that it was thirty one years ago today that I turned up in work in a two piece skirt outfit feeling incredibly nervous but also very committed to dealing with anything that happened that or subsequent days. the official grapevine had informed people what was going to happen and I must admit most of the comments I received were encouraging. I wasn't the first in the NHS to have transitioned, but in sleepy West Dorset, I was a bit of a novelty for a while.

Who is Philippa York? Only one of the greatest British cyclists of all time in her previous life as Robert Millar, who has announced her new identity. I attach a link from the Guardian (where else?) with a supportive article for those who want to read it. My only comment, I hope you're as successful in your new life as you were in the old.

https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2017/jul/06/philippa-york-...

It seems we haven't quite cracked it in UK schools for transgender children.

https://www.theguardian.com/education/2017/jun/27/half-of-tr...

Possibly one answer to the above.

https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2017/jun/27/trans-...