This Natural Life - Patrick Barkham

The nature writer Patrick Barkham takes Martha Kearney on a butterfly-spotting trip in Foxley Wood, Norfolk. This is Norfolk's largest ancient woodland, which has been undergoing restoration since the 1980s. Seven summers ago, it saw the return of the rare purple emperor butterfly, which had become extinct in the region.

Patrick tells Martha why this place is so special to him, connecting him to his late father, an ecologist who played a key role in helping to save the wood. He reflects on how they shared a deep bond through butterfly spotting together and how the final years of his father's life were spent at a slower pace, perfect for observing the natural world close by.

Producer: Eliza Lomas for BBC Audio Bristol

Published on Thursday, 30th July 2026.

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