Paul Fletcher

Bearded Vulture nests found to have hoards of cultural artifacts—some up to 650 years old Many people have probably seen birds picking up small pieces of man-made materials, like strips of a plastic bag or paper litter, and taking them into their nest. This behavior appears to be fairly wi...

2025. Bearded Vulture nests found to have hoards of cultural artifacts—some up to 650 years old [Spain] phys.org/news/2025-10...

Slender Hare's-ear (Bupleurum tenuissimum) for #WildflowerHour, near Great Wakering, #Essex. Slightly out of focus due to coastal breeze. @bsbibotany.bsky.social

@bramblebotanist.bsky.social, @jo-the-botanist.bsky.social Would it be okay to DM you both regarding your thoughts on a possible plant conservation project in Norfolk?

The hunted, not the hunters: AI reveals early humans were prey for leopards A new study may be about to rewrite a part of our early human history. It has long been thought that Homo habilis, often considered the first true human species, was the one to turn the tables on the ...

2025. The hunted, not the hunters: AI reveals early humans were prey for leopards phys.org/news/2025-09...

Hi Jack, worth mentioning contrary to some recommendations to improve drainage in peat free compost, Melcourt Ind Ltd say added sharp sand can impede drainage by blocking the pore spaces. What worked for peat may not work for peat free!

Heather (Calluna vulgaris) and Cross-leaved Heath (Erica tetralix) on Sunshine Plain, #EppingForest, #Essex, #lowlandheath for #WildflowerHour, @bsbibotany.bsky.social

I still confuse similar species names such as Teucrium scordium and T. scorodonia - it's where common names help so much!

Brown Wild Service-tree 'chequers' (Sorbus torminalis) and red Hawthorn berries (Crataegus monogyna) for #WildflowerHour, #fruits, in Doddinghurst, #Essex @bsbibotany.bsky.social

Still love my Malus Evereste planted many years ago . However, despite the claims that the fruit lasts well after Christmas, Wood Pigeons tend to munch most of them well before then!

Reintroduced Marsh Sow-thistle (Sonchus palustris) for #WildflowerHour, @bsbibotany.bsky.social, Thames-side marshes, East London.

One of the Eastbrookend CP Black-poplars (Populus nigra subsp. betulifolia), East London. @bsbibotany.bsky.social #WildflowerHour, #ents, #wetwoodland

Meadow Crane's-bill (Geranium pratense) at Harlow Common, #Essex for #WildflowerHour, @bsbibotany.bsky.social

How's Greenwich Peninsula Ecology Park faring? Haven't been since before lockdown and they were worried then of being overshadowed by tower blocks.

Usually sow in autumn and overwinter but they all failed... so sowed again in spring with the limited seed I had left over.

My pot grown Bromus interruptus is in flower - hurrah! #WildflowerHour, @bsbibotany.bsky.social

Dwarf Gorse (Ulex minor) at Chigwell Row Wood LNR #heathland, #Essex for #WildflowerHour, @bsbibotany.bsky.social

Oh the start of the rutted patchy lawn.... been there!

Looks like a painting!

Heather (Calluna vulgaris) at Backwarden NR, Danbury for #WildflowerHour - declining in #Essex due to scrubbing over of #heathland, @bsbibotany.bsky.social

Years ago I keyed out the moth flying around the garden mint only to find out it was a mint moth! What else?

The Ironworks Nature Reserve at #Maldon, #Essex is showing recovery after the recent rains with new grow of reed and other plants. The group and volunteers looking after the site have made a brilliant job by clearing much of the debris.

Lesser Calamint (Clinopodium nepeta) for #Deadnettlefamily, #WildFlowerHour, @bsbibotany.bsky.social. Probably a better candidate for County Flower of #Essex!

Never thought about the name - obvious when you look at it! Glad to hear it is still doing well at Thursley.

Perhaps I should have done a literature search before asking the question. In Packham, 1983, Lamiastrum galeobdolon. J. Ecol 71 - In Continental Europe it is described as a montane species.

Thank you Roger. So it could be Linnaeus used other sources without checking them!

A section of melted boardwalk, part of which is completely burnt through fills the bottom three quarters of the photo. There is green vegetation to both sides, a small information board top left, and a piece of red and white tape across an unburnt section of boardwalk top right.

❗ ANNOUNCEMENT ❗

It's not currently possibly to safely or easily walk the full length of the Lye Valley after some mindless vandal(s) set fire to part of the boardwalk last night. The City Council are aware of the situation, and are visiting today.
@headingtonnews.bsky.social

Hopefully not after seeing the media coverage of the deliberate fire at Ironworks Meadow Nature Reserve in Maldon, Essex!

Out of curiosity does anyone know why plants such as Yellow Archangel and Broad-leaved Willowherb have the species/ subsp name 'montanum' when the bulk of their range is not near mountains. @bsbibotany.bsky.social #WildFlowerHour

Alas unable to complete the #HarebellChallenge for #WildflowerHour but here's a relative instead, Nettle-leaved Bellflower (Campanula trachelium), #Essex, @bsbibotany.bsky.social

Donate to CHELMER BLACKWATER IRONWORKS MEADOW RESERVE FIRE RECOVERY, organized by Ian Harden Help Us Rebuild Chelmer Blackwater Nature Reserve On 14th Jul… Ian Harden needs your support for CHELMER BLACKWATER IRONWORKS MEADOW RESERVE FIRE RECOVERY

After the devastating fire yesterday at Ironworks Meadow Nature Reserve in #Maldon, #Essex donations are being asked for to rebuild the boardwalk and bridge giving people better access to the site. If you would like to donate go to www.gofundme.com/f/chelmer-bl...