The Latest Breaking News from Phil Gates

Thank you, Phil Gates, for nearly 40 years of country diaries

Letters: Jim McManners says Phil’s columns have inspired his teaching, while Ann MacAskill says she intends to follow his marvelling method

The Guardian - UK · Sep 24

Country diary: There’s reason to love the unpopular cranefly

Deerness Valley, County Durham: So many of these insects succumb to the rolled-up newspaper, but they are worth a closer look

The Guardian - UK · Jul 19, 2024

Country diary: The outlook is good for this year’s cherry plum jam

Willington, County Durham: This non-native early bloomer is already flaunting its spring bling – perhaps Britain should have more of it

The Guardian - UK · Feb 29, 2024

Country diary: Footpath furniture can be a work of art

Bishop Auckland, County Durham: The stiles and gateposts we clamp our hands on in the course of a walk are worthy of closer attention

The Guardian - UK · Dec 14, 2023

Country diary: With every bite of our home-grown apples, there’s a memory

Crook, County Durham: They evoke pollinating bumblebees in spring, blue tits hunting looper caterpillars, semi-comatose red admirals drunk on juice fermenting in the autumn

The Guardian - UK · Dec 1, 2023

Country diary: A perilous feast for the voles and birds

Deerness valley, County Durham: Thanks to a local ‘Phantom Feeder’, there are easy pickings for the wildlife on this walking route – but this also means dicing with death

The Guardian - UK · Nov 17, 2023

Country diary: Little miracles in a sopping town centre

Market Place, Durham: A downpour has emptied the streets, but some rainy-day specialists – liverworts and ferns – are just fine

The Guardian - UK · Nov 2, 2023

Country diary: A sense of communal unease on this warm autumn day

Nose’s Point, Durham coast: It’s not just the sunflowers – planted to help seed-eating birds during the ‘hungry gap’ – that makes today feel more like Provence

The Guardian - UK · Oct 18, 2023

Country diary: The bees are exhausted, the butterflies frayed

Seaham coastal path, County Durham: It’s the end of summer, and around the blackberry bush, all that was pristine and purposeful is now a little worse for wear

The Guardian - UK · Sep 16, 2023

Country diary: My favourite hedge bar none

Willington, County Durham: Every visit I make to it is fruitful, such is its plenty. And today it serves up a colourful surprise

The Guardian - UK · Aug 30, 2023