Author: timothyblake

Over the past year, I’ve really been focused on birding and have spent several weekends visiting various locations photograph birds. I’ve been incredibly fortunate to have had some amazing photography experiences from exploring urban parks in Singapore to travelling through Borneo, which was just a breathtaking experience. I’ve been able to capture some incredible animals along the way, ranging from proboscis monkeys to red deer. While I’ve done a lot of globetrotting, I’ve also spent plenty of time visiting local nature reserves right here in England.

Recently, I hit a massive milestone: my 100th bird species. To clarify, I’ve seen far more than 100 birds, but this marks 100 species where I’ve managed to get really nice, clean photographs. Throughout this process, I’ve gained a wealth of knowledge about these specific birds. I’ve captured a broad range of species, from waterbirds and waterfowl to birds of prey and wading birds.

The Tranquillity of Birding

There is just something truly special about birding. The tranquillity it brings standing in one location for hours, just staring into a forest is unmatched. There’s nothing quite like it for emptying your mind, disconnecting from the world, and surrounding yourself with woodlands while listening to the sounds of the birds. As a hobby, it is one of the best life experiences you can have to disconnect and reconnect with nature.

Conservation & A Legacy Project

I feel that birds play such an important part in our world and ecosystem. It is genuinely sad sometimes to see how birds and their environments aren’t respected. We are losing a lot of species; vultures, for instance, are a prime example of an animal currently on a rapid decline.

The aim of my new website is to serve as a central library to capture all the birds I’ve seen and photographed. More importantly, it serves as a legacy project to build awareness of different bird types and encourage people to protect them, ensuring these species can live on well beyond my lifetime.

Alongside cataloguing the birds, the website features a blog section. I will be posting monthly entries detailing my trips and experiences whether that’s a write-up from my local reserve in Sandwell Valley or a deep dive into a birding adventure in Borneo. Please check out the website here.

Check out some of the photos I’ve taken

A “bucket list” dream that feels just out of reach. For me, it’s birdwatching in south america, which inhabits most of any continent in world and inhabits some of the worlds my beautiful birds.

However, there’s a hurdle standing between me and the Amazonian canopythe language barrier. South America is notoriously difficult to navigate if you don’t speak the local tongue. To turn my dream travel experience into a reality, I knew I needed to get serious about my Spanish.

But instead of just downloading another generic app, I decided to build my own solution: Learn Spanish Daily.

The Philosophy Behind the Site

I’ve always found that the most effective way to learn a language is through context and pronunciation. It’s one thing to see a word on a page; it’s another thing entirely to hear how it’s spoken and understand exactly when to use it.

I wanted a central resource where I could revise and practice my knowledge in a way that felt intuitive to my own learning style. So, I sat down and coded a platform that hosts all the words and phrases I’m learning in one organized place.

Features: More Than Just a Word List

The heart of the website is the Flashcard Game, modules and glossary . 

I’ve developed various modules that cover the essentials, including:

• Numbers: Mastering the basics for daily transactions.
• Greetings: Ensuring I can connect with the locals I meet on my travels.
• Topic-Specific Modules: Categorized sets that help me build a well-rounded vocabulary.

The flashcards allow me to test myself daily, turning the “chore” of studying into a quick, interactive game. By hearing the pronunciations as I go, I’m building the confidence to actually speak the language, not just read it.

A Tool That Grows With Me

One of the best things about building this myself is that the site is alive. As my Spanish knowledge grows, the website grows with it. I’m constantly adding new functionalities, enhancing the user experience, and expanding the library of topics.

What started as a personal tool for a future trip to South America has turned into a resource I’m incredibly proud of. I realized that if this helped me, it could help others on their language-learning journey too.

Join the Journey

Whether you’re planning a trip to the Andes or just want to challenge your brain, I’d love for you to check out the site. It’s a project born out of a passion for birds and a desire to connect with the world more deeply.

Check it out here: learnspanishdaily.co.uk