Writing about nature at Ty Newydd, Llanystumdwy

Nature writers need to know their science, as well as being able to turn a phrase.

A love of nature and writing is combined on a specialist course at a country retreat, as BBC Wales programme Country Focus heard recently.

Tŷ Newydd, former home to Lloyd George, is now the National Writers' Centre for Wales, and the perfect setting to study these skills.

Lloyd George's bedroom, with its bay window looking out to the sea like the bridge of a ship, is the inspiring and comfortable library.

A dozen students made an early start on the lawn to inspect the fruits of the moth trap.

Nigel Brown, from Treborth Botanic Gardens, Bangor, was there to share his insight and enthusiasm, making the mundane marvellous.

He described a white ermine moth which was doing a spot of 'thanatosis' or 'playing dead' to look less attractive to a predator.

The other tutor was Mark Cocker, one of Britain's foremost writers on nature and a frequent contributor to The Guardian. His seven books include Birds Britannica and Crow Country.

With the help of Nigel and Mark the students were able to get an inside track on the local wildlife and nature and then convert firsthand experience and observation into the written word.