Simon Phelps

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.

An admirable decision and one that shows courage and leadership. We will need much more of this as the climate breakdown intensifies.

Completely agree. Our hedgerows are dying due to the flail. Annually wipes out so much life.

Another year and another wonderful UK Moth Recorders Meeting. An annual highlight for me. These were my two favourite talks; from Kent and Ireland. Thanks to @savebutterflies.bsky.social for continuing to put on this lovely event each year.

I had long ago decided I was not keen on him. Same for many prominent rewilders. Too many are aggressive in the way they communicate. Not an approach I wish to support.

This has been known for some time but the message doesn't get through. Most hedges managed badly. Many think annual flailing is needed for birds. We are still losing so much wildlife each year to the flail.

Took a walk to look at my local floods in Somerset. From Burrow Mump to King Alfred's monument along the River Tone. Lots of water on land and in the river. Tone has over topped its northern bank. Amazing to watch the power of the flow.

It was lovely and still out there. And not another soul in sight. All to myself. Bliss.

I often recall something an ecologist said to me on a training course: everything is an indicator or something. All species are an indicator for what they need!

Muted tones and mist on my early morning @webs-gsmp.bsky.social at @wwtworldwide.bsky.social Steart Marshes. Big flocks of Lapwing and smaller groups of Avocet the highlight. Not ideal conditions as not at high tide. Always a joy to be out there though.

They can if sufficiently charismatic or linked to culture. Eels is an example I can think of. But I do agree it is difficult.

Which? The habitat creation one? I agree if so. I also find it difficult. I'd prefer more definite habitat creation plans first!

I didn't say it shouldn't be done. But to make the choice should require evidence and a range of factors to be taken into account.

I agree. But we have a lot of responsibilities and not enough resources. So we do have to make choices.

Yes I agree. If you make claims then expect scrutiny of them.