Toby Jugs*

Having large ears helps when you want early notification of the need for a quick getaway. The size of the ears relative to the rest of the body reflects the young animals' vulnerability to predators.

Scientists tell us that ear size is not as important as what goes on inside the ear. But big ears do help. As someone with mild hearing loss I sometimes remove my hearing aid and cup hands behind my ears. The result is often better, and a more natural sound. So that's a thought for those who dream of redesigning the human body: should we evolve ears that get bigger as we get older?

* Rhyming slang

Biodiversity Perversion

In the case of SRWT and the Eastern Moors people "biodiversity" defined in their terms is the stock response when they're called on to justify irrational management decisions. Usually these perversions take the form of attacking nature supposedly in the interests of this said biodiversity. In other words nature itself cannot be trusted. This leads to a certain scepticism whenever the word gets used by the conservation industry.

So I was drawn to the article in today's Guardian with the hardly surprising headline "Biodiversity greater in Earth's protected areas, study finds"

But other questions immediately rise up. For example, what kind of 'protected areas' and how are they managed? How much human intervention and is the land being protected from intrusive conservation projects? Do they mean SSSI and SACs? And how many were being improved/trashed by the dreaded conservation grazing?

But then I noticed that below the article comments were enabled and questions were being asked by others much more qualified than myself.

Young Calf

Out browsing on the hillside with mum.

Letter to M&S

Chris Packham continues his campaign to get driven grouse shooting banned.

http://www.chrispackham.co.uk/news/my-letter-to-marks-spencer

Crumble or Pastry?

How do you like your bilberries? I'm now on my second bilberry pie of the season, though the latest one was more properly a crumble. Usually, however they're cooked, mine are combined with Bramley Apples. There's lots to debate about how you deal with a glut of the fruit and 2016 is the best of recent years.

One question that comes up regularly is "Where do you get the best specimens, in the woods or in the open?" This photo is taken in a very small clearing amid birch trees.

There's definitely a difference. They are darker and there is less foliage, making the picker's job easier. Those who insist that eating raw straight off the bush is the only way may also decide that the flavour is richer and rounder.

Ear to Stay

Bracken has residential appeal for the local hinds in summer. They like seclusion and not many of us choose to go far into the jungle. It's often possible to spot a pair of ears betraying their presence.

This one was solitary and large. There is still time for young to be born.

Be Seated

The Dryad's Saddle is an edible fungus. This specimen is best avoided. It's beside the first gatepost from the car park and canine friends pass this way.