Patrick Barkham

I'm running the London Marathon dressed as a badger to celebrate the @WildlifeTrusts' 100th birthday – raising money for @NorfolkWT to help nature (and all of us) thrive. 2026tcslondonmarathon.enthuse.com/pf/backthebadg… youtu.be/-1xRuddywAI?si…

This is going to be amazing! Jackie Morris and Rob Macfarlane speaking about LOST BIRDS. I'm honoured to be hosting them at Epic Studios, Norwich. norwichartscentre.co.uk/event/robert-m…

Good news! Thrilling news! Keep a lookout... theguardian.com/environment/20…

Happy 100th Birthday Norfolk Wildlife Trust! So exciting to visit its new nature reserve. Restoration projects like Wood Norton represent real local hope & action in gloomy times. And they are happening nationally, thanks to charities, farmers, businesses. theguardian.com/environment/20…

Unable to sit on my favourite garden chair this afternoon as it was already occupied...

Happy 100th Birthday @NorfolkWT !!! Norwich doctor Sydney Long began the county wildlife trusts by saving Cley marshes on March 6th 1926. From one reserve, there are now 2,600 nationwide, and 945k members. Free entry to NWT reserves this weekend! bbc.co.uk/news/articles/…

Today, full legal protection has been granted in Wales and beavers are recognised as a native species by the @WelshGovernment. This brings Wales in line with Scotland & England, ensuring cross-border consistency. Find out more 👇 1/4 beavertrust.org/historic-momen…

Beaver pair living wild in Norfolk. They, or the beaver bombers, chose an excellent location. Hope this amazing native species is protected and farmers supported if they need support (but beavers likely to be unproblematic) theguardian.com/uk-news/2026/f…

Had a beautiful, inspiring London Marathon training run in sleet today, 20 miles to Foxley Wood, Norfolk's largest ancient woodland, which @NorfolkWT is expanding. This is my fuel. This is why I'm running. youtube.com/watch?v=lnbEji… 2026tcslondonmarathon.enthuse.com/pf/backthebadg…

Love a local holiday! Here's a midwinter break in the far east (of Norfolk and Suffolk) – theguardian.com/travel/2026/fe…

Great news amidst all the gloom. There have been a lot of beaver releases but these wild releases are really significant in England – finally we are giving this life-giving animal the right to roam. theguardian.com/environment/20…

@12beesbuzzing Thank you so much Wendy!

The wonderful @patrick_barkham author of the superb 'Badgerlands' is again championing Brock, this time wearing a badger suit in the London Marathon! Donate now, link in post 👇#Norfolk #backthebadger

@aaronjohn74 Thank you Aaron - I feel like we should be in touch, I hear Tulsa on Canary Call every week (is that right?!) My email is still the same Guardian one... hope you are well.

@patrick_barkham Hi Pat. So sorry to learn about your Dad.

Short, neat version of my dad, John Barkham's life, here: theguardian.com/environment/20… Glad to have snuck in the knitwear, and the birds and butterflies on the day of his death!

@SimonHayhow Thank you Simon, that's lovely to hear.

@patrick_barkham With sympathy. My most inspirational lecturer at UEA in 1975-8. I am still a Seasonal Ecologist.

Roger Deakin and my biography, the Swimmer, is on the fabulous Radio Sohemia podcast (can't quite remember what I said but hope I make sense, it was, erm, recorded in the pub!) podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/rad…

Further tributes here: john-barkham.muchloved.com

Thanks to everyone so far who has #backedthebadger, the fool who is running the London Marathon in a badger suit. I'm hoping to raise awareness of fab @NorfolkWT's 100th birthday and raise money to buy land for nature and people! 2026tcslondonmarathon.enthuse.com/pf/backthebadg…

Podcast/audio version of my latest long read walking the line of HS2 is out today, here: theguardian.com/news/audio/202…

Tears of joy! SCOTLAND HAS JUST PASSED SWIFT BRICKS INTO LAW unanimously! 4 years of asking England & Scotland sorts it in a month led by ACE ⁦@markruskell⁩ ♥️The RELIEF is unreal! Tell England to follow 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿by emailing PlanningPolicyConsultation@communities.gov.uk now!WOOP!

Cut blackthorn hedges less often = boost brown hairstreak butterflies. Really simple, cost-free (or even money-saving) measures can massively benefit wildlife: theguardian.com/environment/20…