Country diary: Far from roar of the TT, I find wildlife bliss | David Bellamy

Lezayre, Isle of Man: The island is bursting into life - not least here, on this farm, which is reaping the rewards of traditional haymakingIt is hard to escape the noise of the TT festival. On a small, quiet island the sudden arrival of tens of thousands of visitors on their motorbikes is a shock to the system. Many residents look forward to June when the island bursts into life. The pubs probably make more in a fortnight than the rest of the year. But many islanders loathe the chaos and inconvenience. This is the only time you'll find yourself in a Manx traffic jam.Having no interest in the bikes myself, the TT means something altogether different, for it coincides with one of the greatest wildlife phenomena to be found in the British Isles: the flowering of our traditional hay meadows. Continue reading...