Butterfly Talk at the Torquay Museum

Looking forward to hosting a lecture at Torquay Museum on the 14th of January!

#butterfly #nature #conservation

As each year draws to a close, it offers a chance to pause and reflect on the moments that have shaped it. From training as an Ecological Consultant to getting engaged to my best friend, this year has been one of growth, excitement, and lasting memories. As we prepare to welcome 2026, it naturally turns our thoughts towards the future and how we might approach the days, weeks, and months ahead. However you choose to pursue your plans, goals, and ambitions, I wish you every success. Nathan ❤️ #Wildlife #Ecology #Reflection

As the new year fast approaches, it’s a good moment to reflect. From training as an Ecological Consultant to getting engaged to my best friend, it’s been a year of growth, excitement, and lasting memories.

Here is to (hopefully) another exciting year to come! 🎉

#Wildlife #Ecology #Reflection

Attached are a few snippets from the 2025 work parties at Lower Hurston, Miltor Mator, Little Breach Reserve and Lydford Reserve. Collectively, these sessions supported habitats for a range of rare butterfly species 🦋

Thankyou to @bcdevon.bsky.social and Peter Beale for their continued guidance!

String of Sausage liche hanging down from a piece of branch.

Usnea articulata, or 'String of Sausages Lichen'. Always amazes me how long these things can drape down from the Tree branches. I notice that they tend to grow on larger canopy species, like Oak. They are also edible, although it is certainly an acquired taste.

#Lichen #Tree

Large Pine in England

Towering Pine tree in England

Some absolutely STUNNING pines at Powderham Castle, Southwest of England!

But is anyone able to help me identify the specific species? I would love to one day plant one of these 🌲

#tree #woodland #pine #wildlife #nature #coniferous

A species of stonefly on a hand

A species of Stonefly (Plecoptera) - a predominately aquatic insect that prefers clean water environments, such as those found in wet woodland or temperate rainforests.

An inquisitive little fellow I was fortunate to catch a picture of a few weeks back

#wildlife #insects #invertebrates #nature

A towering moley puzzle tree

What a magnificent giant! This Monkey Puzzle Tree (Araucaria
araucana)towers over the roadside close to where I work. I can't being to imagine how old it must be!

A great example of a 'living fossil' dating to the Jurassic Period

#Tree #wildlife #nature #ecosystem #forest #habitat #prehistoric

A bright yellow flower, Lesser Celandine

So many of these about at the moment. I have often mistaken these for buttercups (as have others I've spoken to about them) - this sunny chap truly brightens up the forest floor #wildlife #nature #flower #plants #botany #forest #woodland

A patch of bright green Oxalis acetosella (European wood-sorrel)

A beautiful patch of European wood-sorrel (Oxalis acetosella) that I was fortunate enough to spot yesterday!

Such a vibrant green, which the camera simply can't do justice!

#plants #woodland #nature #foraging #horticulture

I was incredibly lucky to find this the other day! The rare and endangered Blue Ground Beetle on Dartmoor National Park!

#wildlife #nature #endangered #conservation #beetle #insects

The Primrose, dark green leaf with a light yellow petal that has a darker yellow centre

The Primrose can be found in Ancient Broadleaf, Deciduous woodlands where the soil leans more towards the Neutral/ Alkaline side of things.

Keep an eye out for them! 🌼

#nature #wildlife #woodland #habitat #ancient #rainforest #flowers #plantsoftiktok

A Speckled Wood Butterfly - Prefering woody and garden habitats. Typical of early spring and amongst the first to emerge

A beautiful Speckled Wood Butterfly I captured the other day - Spring is well and truly underway folks! 🌱🦋

#nature #wildlife #butterflies

I think it is safe to say that the Sun is here to stay!

And with that comes an abundance of flowers and pollen hungry insects.

In healthy ecosystems, there is an abundance of life flying and crawling around.

Bring on those warm spring and summer days ☀️

#wildlife #nature #outdoors

Tufted Bracket (Fuscoporia torulosa) - ID yet to be confirmed. A solid fungal mass of yellowish green and purple.

I came across this rather strange fellow the other day. It possessed a rock solid texture with a close resemblance to Tufted Bracket (Fuscoporia torulosa).

Any alternative suggestions would be greatly appreciated 👍🍄

#fungus #wildlife #foraging

I was lucky enough to catch a glimpse of a Greater Spotted Woodpecker the other day! Apologies for the quality zooming in, but either way it was amazing to catch one in action!

#wildlife #nature #birdwatching

A Hobgoblin Cleric - Domain of War with a deep Londoner accent (think Phil Mitchell vibes)

One would hope for such a marvel!

And other made-up stories to cry yourself to sleep to 😫😫😫

Absolute mood!

England’s wildlife watchdog failing to protect crucial sites, say campaigners In three years Natural England has designated just two new SSSIs, which protect areas from development

'The government’s #wildlife watchdog for England is failing to halt the decline of #nature after a sharp fall in the number of new places given top #protection, according to campaigners'

www.theguardian.com/environment/...

A close-up photograph of a person holding a clump of earth covered in moss, small ferns, and other vegetation. The person's hand is visible at the bottom left corner, partially covered by an orange long-sleeved garment, likely a work jacket. The clump of earth is rich with dark brown soil and fine roots extending from the bottom. The top of the clump is covered in a dense layer of green moss, interspersed with small ferns that have delicate, segmented fronds, some of which show signs of browning or drying. Additionally, small green leaves from another plant species are present among the moss and ferns. The background of the image consists of a woodland or forest floor, with dappled sunlight filtering through the trees, casting light on the ground. The surrounding vegetation includes green ivy climbing over logs and branches, as well as other undergrowth. The forest floor is covered with fallen leaves and organic debris, suggesting a temperate deciduous woodland setting. The clump of earth appears to have been recently lifted from the ground, as the soil is still attached and the roots are intact. The bright sunlight enhances the textures and colors, making the details of the moss, ferns, and soil stand out vividly against the more blurred, natural woodland background. The image conveys a sense of ecological interest, possibly related to conservation, habitat restoration, or botanical study. The presence of the orange workwear suggests the person might be engaged in fieldwork, ecological surveying, or land management. The composition emphasizes the natural beauty of the microhabitat, showcasing the intricate relationships between mosses, ferns, and soil in a woodland ecosystem.

The forbidden cake slice 🍰 🌿

#wildlife #nature #moss #biodiversity

Exceptional funky indeed!

This February, learn about Maine native plants in this four-part online course - Maine Audubon Back by popular demand, the 2025 “Bringing Nature Home” short course will return this February as a four-part online series. This is a great opportunity if you’re new to the world of native plants and...

The 2025 “Bringing #Nature Home” short course will return this Feb as a four-part online series. A great opportunity if you’re new to the world of native #plants and are looking to learn more about backyard #ecology and the simple actions you can take to create #wildlife friendly habitat. #Maine

They were making a really nice formation further along as well!

A close-up of a group of bracket fungi, likely Turkey Tail (Trametes versicolor), growing on the dark, decaying surface of a tree trunk. The fungi are layered in overlapping, semi-circular formations with wavy edges. Their colouration includes rich shades of brown, tan, and orange, with a distinctive white outer rim. The texture appears slightly rough, with subtle ridges running across the surface. The tree bark is dark and damp, contrasting with the fungi's lighter, vibrant hues. Patches of bright green moss grow around and among the fungi, adding a sense of lushness and moisture. A small, slender twig, partially covered in moss, runs vertically through the composition. The background is slightly blurred but suggests more moss, organic debris, and decaying wood. The fungi are prominent in the frame, showcasing their detailed patterns and natural beauty in a forest ecosystem.

A close-up of a single bracket fungus, possibly Turkey Tail (Trametes versicolor), attached to the rough, dark bark of a decaying tree trunk. The fungus has a semi-circular shape with delicate concentric bands of dark brown, reddish-brown, and tan, framed by a bright white edge. Its slightly glossy surface contrasts with the velvety green moss that grows in thick clusters around it. The moss spreads across the tree bark, covering crevices and creating a vibrant, textured backdrop. The damp environment is emphasized by moisture on the fungus and bark. In the lower part of the image, blurred fallen leaves in shades of brown and orange indicate a forest floor setting. The focus is sharp on the fungus and moss, highlighting intricate details of their growth patterns, textures, and the symbiotic relationship between fungi and decaying wood in the ecosystem.

A nice little collection of Braket fungus 🍄 Have you found any funky fungi recently?

#forage #fungus #mushroom #nature #wildlife

A Dormouse nest box

The nesting material and structure of a Dormouse nest

A Dormouse nest box with my approval (thumbs up)

A morning spent relocating Dormouse nest boxes - looking forward to seeing if we get any nests this year! 🐁❤️

#wildlife #conservation #endangeredspecies #Dormouse #nest

You know it's been a long time without the sun when you find yourself basking in it for an uncomfortable amount of time 🌞

Elk Foundation surpasses 9 million acres of conservation work In 2024 alone, RMEF conserved or enhanced more than 203,000 acres of wildlife habitat, opened or improved public access to nearly 22,000 acres...

The Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation enters the new year having just eclipsed the nine-million-acre mark of conserved or enhanced habitat over its 40-year history, including some memorable and noteworthy 2024 accomplishments. #conservation #outdoors

This image showcases a pile of freshly cut tree branches and logs resting on the forest floor, surrounded by dense undergrowth and moss-covered vegetation. The scene is a mixture of vibrant green moss, earthy browns, and natural textures, highlighting a recent intervention in the natural environment, likely part of woodland management or conservation efforts. The logs are variously sized, some thick and freshly cut with smooth cross-sections that reveal the wood’s inner layers, while others are smaller branches, tangled with vines and leaves. The larger logs in the foreground are cut cleanly, exposing their bright, raw wood interiors, contrasting against the dark, moss-covered bark of the remaining logs. Many of the logs and branches are covered in a thick layer of moss, indicating they were part of an old, shaded forest ecosystem where moss thrives on damp surfaces. The vivid green of the moss contrasts with the dull brown bark of the branches, creating a visually dynamic scene that draws the eye across the composition. In some places, ivy or other climbing plants are entwined with the cut wood, further emphasizing the interconnectedness of the forest floor and the complexity of the ecosystem. The pile itself seems haphazardly arranged, with logs and branches overlapping chaotically, suggesting the natural spontaneity of the scene and the human effort involved in clearing or cutting the area. The background of the image is dominated by the surrounding forest, with a thick network of branches, ivy-covered tree trunks, and a carpet of leaf litter. The lighting is soft and diffused, likely filtered through a canopy of trees or a cloudy sky, which creates a muted and tranquil atmosphere. This lighting enhances the colors and textures, drawing attention to the mossy surfaces and the freshly cut wood without harsh shadows. The forest appears untouched beyond the immediate area of the pile, giving a sense of balance between the intervention and the untouched natural wor…

A healthy ecosystem consists of at least 10% decaying matter, usually in the form of fallen or cut trees 🌳🪚

This provides recycled nutrients and a home for decomposers like mushrooms and invertebrates 🍄🪲

It may not be pretty, but it's essential!

#ecosystem #nature #habitat

That's awesome! Thankyou 😁