Green-winged Orchid flowering at East Head

At least 15 Green-winged Orchids flowering across the dune slack at East Head today.

I wonder if cats like these are the sources for most of the sightings of 'big cats' that get reported?

Really interesting, are they filling an ecological niche and do they have a measurable effect on the birds or small mammals in the wood?

I visit this wonderful place a mile south of Knepp once a year after discovering it in 2014 as part of @sussexornitholo.bsky.social Nightingale survey. I approach with trepidation every time in case the scrub has been improved, or cleared for something else. Nightingale gave some subdued song. Phew!

And engagement is so important. How to actually have a camp fire with minimal impact, big up forest schools and bush craft.

Yes there will be some impact but those can be minimised. On the reserves I manage we do get some fires lit with loads of deodorant cans, which having been young once and done the same I know they are trying to make pop. I'd rather that not happen as is a pain to clean up, but that's were education

The fire pit looks contained, it will be an archaeological feature in the future. I know for a fact my son and his mates have a den with a fire pit in woods near to us. I went and visited it, asked them to be mindful of tree roots and don't burn deodorant cans, all is good.

15 years of being a Ranger and having many interactions/dealings with people, I tend to agree with the sentiment. Long term nature thriving is only going to happen with the majority of humanity being more in time with nature. But we need to have nature recovery now for there to be enough to thrive.

Yes please to a wilder Wales! Thanks also for the nod to Moor Barton, I am very proud and excited to be involved and that it is inspiring others too. Here's a picture of a fantastic inhabitant of Moor Barton from when I was last down there.

The Ringed Plovers are back at East Head, 2 pairs seen with 1 pair observed scraping and displaying. This year we are working with the wonderful @chichesterharbour.bsky.social volunteers helping us to monitor the impacts on the birds from dogs, boats from the offshore anchorage and predators.

How call my youngest has your urgh t-shirt! He loves it.

I was there at 4pm and heard them straight away. It was overcast so that might have made a difference. Evenings are the classic time but early mornings are good too for the complete dawn chorus effect.

*Witley

A very quick stop to the old haunt of Mare Hill Common near Whitley in the Surrey heaths and spotted this rather fine Sand Lizard @arc-trust.bsky.social

A fabulous short walk through Ebernoe Common near Petworth, West Sussex yesterday. Signing Nightingales as soon as you walk through the gate of Furnace Meadow, meandering Ghyll streams, woodland flowers and a feeling of timelessness. Do go if you get a chance @sussexwildlife.bsky.social

Help STOP the Extermination Campaign of Indigenous peoples in Peru Politicians in Peru are proposing two new bills that could mean the extinction of the country’s uncontacted Indigenous peoples. I’ve written to them to tell them to stop the threats to Peru’s uncontac...

Politicians in Peru are proposing two new bills that could mean the extinction of the country’s uncontacted Indigenous peoples. I’ve written to them to tell them to stop the threats to Peru’s uncontacted peoples. Will you help too?
svlint.org/ECB

We just took down our coppice coupe fencing as 3 years of the hazel regrowth should be enough. #coppicing #positivekeystonespecies

I took part in one of Peter's Rewilding 101 online courses in 2021 - it was a thrilling insight into humanity and the way we relate with the world. Rewilding isn't just for species and ecosystems it's for humans too.

I think this will have to be something but I worry that this could lead to a greater disconnect and more human/nature separation. Humans are part of their local ecosystems and have a role to play as a positive key stone species.

It's great to see my employer campaigning on this, hopefully the membership and all visitors to NT sites will respond.

Stop scanning us all with facial recognition! I just signed a petition to stop the massive rollout of facial recognition surveillance in the UK. The government and shops are starting to scan us without clear laws in place, effectively turning our...

I just signed a petition to stop the rollout of facial recognition surveillance in the UK.

The Government and shops are scanning us without clear laws in place, using our faces like barcodes.

It feels really invasive. Can you take 30 seconds to sign it too? you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/st...

One of my favourite, if heart breaking in places books. Glad to see Doug still standing tall.

The wet heath at Sullington starting to fill up with rain.

I’m trying to educate the ecologically illiterate users on this app with this ‘nature facts for nature haters’ series. This episode tackles those that think they can live without nature and fly off to a new planet after this one dies. Hopefully this will save you time responding

Love this thank you, we need nature.

Environment groups are anything but ‘mute’ on the planning bill | Letters Letter: Craig Bennett, Hilary McGrady, Dr James Robinson and Richard Benwell say they have never stopped campaigning on the planning and infrastructure bill’s flaws

Alongside @the-wildlifetrusts.bsky.social, @nationaltrust.org.uk & @wclnews.bsky.social, we’ve responded to @georgemonbiot.bsky.social 's piece on the Planning Bill.

He’s right: it’s a grave threat to nature.

But we’ve never been silent.

We’ve challenged it at every turn & we won’t stop now.

Spending time at Washington Chalk Pits, always giddy with the diversity on show. Adding some adhoc records to #irecord and relishing the tension between shrub, tree and grassland. Burnet Rose in profusion and the reat of the small in scale but big in delight chalk herbs.

When I worked 4 days it meant I had a day in the week to do housework, shopping etc and the weeknd with the family and friends. I love my current job but would be very happy with a 4 day week.

Have been guilty of that myself whilst managing chalk grassland and heathland especially to our volunteers. I now tend to think of it as scrub coppicing (as it tends too grow back when no grazing is possible) but will try and get out of the habit and call it shrub coppicing instead.

The Wood Ants (presuming Formica rufa) enjoying the light and warmth in the regrowing Sweet Chestnut coppice. They follow the coppicing rotation through the woods. #coppice