Author Archives: Mary Montague

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About Mary Montague

Writer and biologist. Contributor to The Guardian's Country Diary. https://www.theguardian.com/profile/mary-montague Website: https://mary-montague.com

BBF24

Posted on May 17, 2024 by Mary Montague

It’s that time of year again! The Belfast Book Festival is coming up very soon. I have the honour and delight of chairing this event on the 9th of June. Come and join us!

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The guidance of birds

Posted on May 10, 2024 by Mary Montague

My latest Country Diary is out today. I had the good fortune to be invited to give a workshop on poetry and birds at Jubilee Farm. It was a wonderful day in an inspiring place. It was great to have … Continue reading →

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It’s a bug’s life

Posted on April 24, 2024 by Mary Montague

As an addendum to yesterday’s post, I want to give a shout-out for this event this coming Friday. Unfortunately, other commitments mean I won’t get to attend myself, more’s the pity. However, having been in his company on Saturday at … Continue reading →

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Pre- and post- International Dawn Chorus Day

Posted on April 23, 2024 by Mary Montague

I’d a lovely day on Saturday, delivering a workshop on poetry and birds at Jubilee Community Farm, which is Northern Ireland’s first community-owned farm. We looked at a range of poems about birds, and then spent a couple of happy … Continue reading →

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Bright Wings

Posted on April 12, 2024 by Mary Montague

So now for that magical encounter that I first wrote about a couple of weeks ago, here. Today’s Country Diary is the big reveal. Chaffinches have always been one of my favourite species. Indeed, I previously wrote here, they were … Continue reading →

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Dawn Chorus 2024: Before the clocks change

Posted on March 29, 2024 by Mary Montague

It was like old times today. I’d my alarm set for 04:30 so that I could be out for first light. 10 years after I completed my mid-life PhD – and almost 12 years after my last field work session … Continue reading →

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Variations on a theme

Posted on March 2, 2024 by Mary Montague

Now then. I wasn’t expecting my latest Country Diary to be out till Monday, so when Beloved shouted from the living room “You’re in it today!”, it was a very pleasant surprise. We get the hard copy every Saturday, so … Continue reading →

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Correspondences, 23 Feb 2024

Posted on February 27, 2024 by Mary Montague

I was invited to MC this gorgeous event on Friday evening at the Crescent Arts Centre, by its instigator and mediator, Natasha Cuddington. It was a lovely event, and a pure pleasure to introduce it. Art emerges out of the … Continue reading →

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Are Cats Successful???

Posted on February 15, 2024 by Mary Montague

Does the question even have to be asked? Avoca blanket anyone??

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Drumkeen, Co Fermanagh

Posted on February 5, 2024 by Mary Montague

A trip down memory lane for my latest Country Diary today. I have a number of people to thank. First and foremost is John Maguire of Clonee, who went above and beyond in terms of helping me get access to … Continue reading →

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