Ambroise Baker

PhD opportunity: I am looking for someone with a passion for the natural environment and an interest in developing applied research collaboratively with the RSPB.
ONly two weeks left to apply!
#phd #ecology #rewilding #naturerecovery #bird #plant #invertebrates #biodiveristy #research #teesside

I only monitor the pond from the train. I'd be interested in setting up more formal monitoring. I agree water levels in ponds have decreased over time especially in South Gare, but unsure whether this is the case for this one. Happy to have a chat

Wow thats fab although not surprising in such a biodiverse area and these wonderful habitats! Don't forget to sent the records to ERIC, the wildlife trust and the BSBI!

I think you can register new Ilex cultivar with the Holly American society
hollysociety.org/page-18068

This will make a lovely new cv!

BSBI News and yearbook

Always a highlight of winter... Finally landed on doormat!
@bsbibotany.bsky.social

I had to do just the same! And I thought Basingstoke Canal? But Georgine told me it was filmed around Manchester or Birmingham way

glad to hear - the promise of spring and wildflowers returning - not the typo I imagine 😉

Indicative Content to 3-day course: plant and habitat identification skills, June 2026, Middlesbrough, Northeast England As the we are nearing spring and the sun is finally showing itself, I thought I'd provide a more information about the 3-day course I am offering in June. Full details and booking following this link. The classroom element is on Teesside University campus, and everyday we’ll visit one or two relevant site(s) of botanical interests. The exact sites and structure of the days will depend a little bit on the weather; but this will be set on the first day and communicated so that the learners know what to expect.

Indicative Content to 3-day course: plant and habitat identification skills, June 2026, Middlesbrough, Northeast England

As the we are nearing spring and the sun is finally showing itself, I thought I'd provide a more information about the 3-day course I am offering in June. Full details and…

Good point, Martin!
... And people are very friendly

PhD opportunity: I am looking for someone with a passion for the natural environment and an interest in developing applied research collaboratively with the RSPB
Please spread the word!
@bes-rewildinggroup.bsky.social
@bes-conservation.bsky.social
@rewildingbritain.org.uk
@rspb.bsky.social

Fully Funded PhD Opportunity – J Denis Summers-Smith Research Studentship: How to promote abundant and diverse bird resources during transition to rewilding | Research | Teesside University J Denis Summers-Smith Research Studentship: How to promote abundant and diverse bird resources during transition to rewilding | Research | Teesside University Application Deadline: 13/03/2026 5:00PM Anticipated Interview Date: 17/03/2026 Staff name: Dr Ambroise Baker Start date: Successful applicants will be expected to start in May or October 2026. This PhD project aims to study early management interventions during the transition from agriculture to rewilding, with a special focus on the provision of bird habitat and resources, such as seeds and invertebrate abundance.

Fully Funded PhD Opportunity – J Denis Summers-Smith Research Studentship: How to promote abundant and diverse bird resources during transition to rewilding | Research | Teesside University

J Denis Summers-Smith Research Studentship: How to promote abundant and diverse bird resources during…

It was great to see you at the workshop on Tuesday @jmbecologist.bsky.social , I wish there had been more time to catch up in full. It was pleasure to help shape this work and looking forward the report

Forestry England and Forest Research workshop about measuring herbivore impacts on nature recovery, held 20th January 2026, Worcester College, Oxford This was an extremely productive and refreshing workshop, a true opportunity to brainstorm with a range of practitioners. Organised by Forestry England, Forest Research and CEH, this one-day meeting demonstrated some of the challenges and opportunities when it comes to understand the impacts that large herbivores may have on nature recovery landscapes such as those led by Forestry England. taking part energised and strengthened my enthuse in relation to monitoring change during rewilding, a piece of work I have been developing at Teesside University in collaboration with PhD candidate Austine Otabor and the RSPB at their site of Wild Saltholme. Thank you to the organisers for putting up such a great workshop.

Forestry England and Forest Research workshop about measuring herbivore impacts on nature recovery, held 20th January 2026, Worcester College, Oxford

This was an extremely productive and refreshing workshop, a true opportunity to brainstorm with a range of practitioners. Organised by Forestry…

I reckon there is space for both, and personally I'll keep going out and conducting field work because I LOVE IT!

Thanks Dave, that was a fund day!

BSBI New Year Plant Hunt

Our dream team of Ambroise, Barry, Martin and myself searched through Saltburn on the 2nd of January. Despite the bitter wind we did find an amazing 63 species in flower our highest total yet. We are currently in the top 20 in the UK.

A photograph looking over towards Cat Nab and the cliffs behind at Saltburn, all in the dark, with the whole scene lit by a full moon which is reflecting off the sea and some low cloud in the sky.

Had a lovely long and random amble around Saltburn-on-Sea today doing the #NewYearPlantHunt with @ambroisebaker.bsky.social @wonkyeggs.bsky.social and Dave Barlow with much discussion of plants seen last year.
Felt v. lucky to walk back to the carpark by the light of a full moon

Thanks Martin - yes it was lots of fun. We should go out botanising more often socially. There is so much to learn from eachother

no worries - but who will get more species? ;-)

Saltburn on Jan 2nd anyone?
@colintheconroy.bsky.social
@botanicalmartin.bsky.social
@wonkyeggs.bsky.social
@botanyman.bsky.social

Thanks - hope to see you there!

Plant and habitat identification skills, 3-day plant identification course, June 24-26 2026, Middlesbrough, Northeast England. I am thrilled to offer a new 3‑day botany course from Teesside University. The Plant and Habitat Identification CPD Masterclass is an in‑person course taking place in the Tees Valley in the Northeast of England in June 2026 – More details following this link. The idea behind this course is to offer participants skills, practice, and access to resources that will help them gain independence in their learning…

Plant and habitat identification skills, 3-day plant identification course, June 24-26 2026, Middlesbrough, Northeast England.

I am thrilled to offer a new 3‑day botany course from Teesside University. The Plant and Habitat Identification CPD Masterclass is an in‑person course taking place in the…

Not long now until our 15th #NewYearPlantHunt!
From 1 - 4 January, let's head out and see how many wild or naturalised plants we can find in bloom.
Resources to help us:
bsbi.org/take-part/ac...
The data we collect will deepen our understanding of how our plants are responding to a changing climate.

Window now open to apply for a BSBI grant for 2025!
We offer grants for short #WildFlowerID courses (our online course Identiplant & courses from external providers), for Plant Study & Research.
Our Grants page also lists other grants that we think might be of interest to botanists:
bsbi.org/grants

Thanks to all my plant friends, old and new, for making time at the #BIBConf25 so much fun!
@bsbibotany.bsky.social @bsbicountries.bsky.social

British & Irish Botanical Conference 2025 organised by the BSBI: Edge Hill University, November 29 2025 Fantastic time at #BIBConf25, catching up in person with BSBI friends, making new botany friends, hearing from early career people, listing to interesting talks and debates, ... 150% BSBI fun with a full range of exhibits, talks and posters, ... well over 100% on the account that there was sooo much to see and learn! I was fortunate to be allocated exhibit no 8 and brought information about mint (genus Mentha) and I got lots of tips from people on how to develop this work. The poster I presented can be downloaded from here.

British & Irish Botanical Conference 2025 organised by the BSBI: Edge Hill University, November 29 2025

Fantastic time at #BIBConf25, catching up in person with BSBI friends, making new botany friends, hearing from early career people, listing to interesting talks and debates, ... 150% BSBI fun…

Botanical training offered in 2026 In 2026 I am offering an even greater range of opportunities to skyrocket your botanical skills: Plant and Habitat Identification Skills short course at Teesside University: Three-day Course / 24th-26th June 2026. Sharpen your botanical expertise with our CPD masterclass in plant and habitat identification. Perfect for ecologists aiming to deliver BNG surveys, boost their FISC scores, or advance their careers, this structured course blends hands‑on field learning and classroom sessions with access to an extensive range of resources.

Botanical training offered in 2026

In 2026 I am offering an even greater range of opportunities to skyrocket your botanical skills: Plant and Habitat Identification Skills short course at Teesside University: Three-day Course / 24th-26th June 2026. Sharpen your botanical expertise with our CPD…

The Biological Recording Handbook Biological recording is the discipline of writing down natural history observations of a correctly identified species, in a specific location, on a specific date, by a named individual. Simple enough,...

Am I allowed a bit more shameless self-publicity? Available for pre-order! 💚
@pelagic.bsky.social

pelagicpublishing.com/products/the...

Looking for a botanical webinar to brighten up a dark winter evening? We've got loads of them!

25th November - 10 years of the National Plant Monitoring Scheme

2nd December - Clubmosses of Ireland and Britain

9th December - Plant ID apps: how useful are they?

Book here: bsbi.org/take-part/pr...