Wonderful trip to Old Sulehay and Barnack Hills and Holes. Pasque flowers, Bluebells, Wild Garlic, first ever Toothwort, Nightingales singing, first Willow Warblers singing, Nomad bees. The pure magic of spring! 😁
Yes indeed. So often the way with wildlife.
That surprises me. I wouldn't have called this a 'scarce' migrant. It always feels like one of the regular ones.
I get your sentiments Pete. Social media has declined and changed massively, and I think not for the better. Does it make us more isolated? Or does it push us to reject it and return to in person connections? I've no idea!
You certainly get much more insight about the species from seeing the larvae. You instantly feel like you know it better. A whole new level of understanding opens up.
Wonderful to see. I recall the excitement at seeing my first one years ago on Dartmoor. Always special to find the larvae of butterflies.
The miracles of migration will never cease to amaze me. And in a world of so much turmoil and uncertainty, it feels strangely comforting to see birds like this continuing to live out their lives. All is not lost and the world can still function.
I love this time of the year. The world is waking up. Intricate tiny details everywhere. The spring blossom is stunning. Blackthorn and willow an explosion of intricacy.
I remember a University lecturer saying that there would be wars over water in the future. He said that back in 2005.
I read this last year and enjoyed it. Quite stark to see this pop up on my timeline the day after I finish watching Dirty Business. It feels like rivers in the UK are not alive. They are dead. 😢
It is easy to feel hopeless in the face of such overwhelming destruction. However there are things you can do. I often donate to charities. Just given to Surfers Against Sewage. They do such good work. Take a look. donate.sas.org.uk?_gl=1*19i441...
Not sure I can find the words after watching this. Of course I knew about the scandal. But this drama hits so hard. There aren't words strong enough to describe how I feel or how bad this situation is.
www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio...
The Somerset Levels is drying out. King Alfred's monument emerging from the flood that engulfed it a month or so ago. Curry Moor remains full. Pumps on and powering the water away, down the rivers to Bridgwater Bay.
Spring in the air tonight and on Sunday during my @webs-gsmp.bsky.social count at @wwtworldwide.bsky.social Steart Marshes. Skylarks were singing. Such a glorious sound. A group of smart Grey Plover the highlight.
Ahhh lovely to see.
A glorious sunrise walk around the Quantock Hills today. Dead Women's Ditch > Somerton Combe > Shepherds Combe > Ramscombe. I love it there so much. Golden light, twisted oaks, wild streams, far reaching views, open heath.
Vast volumes of water moving slowly through the Somerset Levels and Moors. These photos show the King's Sedgemoor area, looking towards RSPB Greylake and the A361. Water transforms the landscape. Amazing to witness its power.
Just been doing my Somerset garden moth trap records data entry (yes I know I am always late!). Nice to reflect on the previous year. Euchromius ocellea was my highlight of 2025, new for me. I am now at 623 species on my life list. I wonder what 2026 will bring. #teammoth
You implied above that you might only support introductions which introduced ecological processes. Yes I agree about native.
Which processes did Large Blue restore? So your main issue is nativness? If they are proven native then ok?
I think they can multi task too!
Why are they dubious? Examples?
Who were you referring to then?
Which species introductions do you endorse Alan? Which do you want to be done?
Good points. But I ask again, how to make the judgements. How does NE do this? What factors do you use?
Thanks for sharing Philip. I was due to go the conference but then couldn't. I will try to look at some of the recording. Good to hear your thoughts.
You do realise Alan that in the conservation sector we do more than one thing all the time? We are capable of multi tasking! 😂
What is wrong with that? People go on White-tailed Eagle boat safari trips in Poole Harbour now. I think it is great!
How could it be though? The list of species for introductions would be huge. How do you make a judgement? There are far more than we have resources for. I share a level of desire for some kind of reasoned strategy for all of this. But also find the sniping from the sidelines depressingly negative.
Yes! I feel this often. I often wonder if many signs achieve anything at all. But they do clutter areas, making places unsightly and unfriendly. I feel like it must be misguided to think that signs fix things, or are needed for liability perceptions.