This rather attractive log pile is of ash stumps cut specifically (I think) to provide sticks (hurleys) for the game of hurling. The tree is felled 1-2m above ground level and the stump then cut out to include the buttress roots which provide a natural curve for the stick. Morkery wood, Lincs

Today was a powerful day as thousands of Indigenous Peoples gathered at the 150th anniversary of the Battle of Greasy Grass to reignite our warrior spirit and remember who we are as mighty Indigenous Nations.

Its taken quite a while but some good news from the Amazon and for uncontacted people for a change www.theguardian.com/global-devel...

Love how well camouflaged this female flower/crab spider (Mitusema vatia) is on these white lilac flowers in my garden. Not something you expect to come nose-to-face with when sniffing a flower. Latter are past their best now so a colour change for the spider will be in order soon

A Summary of the UK's 7th National Report to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) has been published today, providing a concise overview of the UK’s 7th National Report (7NR). 🔗 jncc.gov.uk/news/uk-prog... @unbiodiversity.bsky.social

Exciting news from Willow Tree Fen, where two crane chicks emerged from the reeds last week. We've been keeping their arrival quiet over the bank holiday as they are very sensitive to disturbance. If you're visiting, binoculars are recommended and our amazing Crane Watch volunteers are on hand.

I have said before how good a site this is and how much better it could become with proper management. If you haven’t donated before this is a good opportunity to double your donation to help secure the future of this grassland which, at the moment , teems with skylarks and meadow pipits

This is a fantastic site, and well worth supporting if you are able. As good as it is (& I’ve been watching it for c25 years) it has the potential to be even better with appropriate management. A great opportunity for nature recovery in this intensively farmed county #lincsbirding

Great to see so many present and former (like me) @jncc.bsky.social friends and colleagues at CITES CoP20 all contributing to positive outcomes. This is my tenth CITES CoP, covering 25 years, eight as a UK delegate, one as chair of Committee I and, now, supporting the CITES secretariat.

A pic from a few weeks ago now but the leaf colour on this pear has been outstanding. The leaves on this old Belgian variety usually go a dull dark red, not this good tho. No fruit this year and not the best quality in my opinion despite the description below. Text from 1884 ‘The Fruit Manual’

NEW – Analysis: UK foreign aid for nature hits £800m record due to cash for carbon credits | @joshgabbatiss.bsky.social Read here: buff.ly/Ug7Znf9

Delighted to hear this. Having worked with both Alison and Nichola on CITES for over 20 years, I cannot think of any more deserving recipients. My heartfelt congratulations!

A great talk last night about a great book. @drmjwarren.bsky.social mentioned a family link to south Lincs where there is a ‘Cranmore Drove’ (also farm & lodge) nr Deeping St James. Cranes breed c10km away at LWT Willow Tree Fen. Is this the closest cranes now breed to a place once named after them?

A big thanks to Hannah Dale at @wildwrendale.bsky.social for showing us (conservation strategy group of @lincswildlife.bsky.social) the progress of nature recovery on their Lincs farm. A thrill too to see signs of beaver activity in their large enclosure. Can only get better in years ahead

Good story - the use of song to retain indigenous knowledge and to restore Atlantic forest

🗣️ “The countries that buy gold without knowing where it comes from are also helping to kill Indigenous peoples” – Alessandra Munduruku A new research by @greenpeace shows: Illegal gold mines in the Indigenous Sararé territory in Brazil have almost doubled in 2023 to 2024.

An impressive study (and map) into the history of the 438 known massacres (& >10k people) of indigenous Australians (against 13 the other way) during colonisation by Europeans. The most recent in the 1930s - within my parents’ lifetime www.theguardian.com/australia-ne...

I like the way these brackets of Stereum hirsutum have colonised only the sapwood of these oak sawlogs, which have been lying at the trackside since being felled over a year ago. The logs were still capable of producing epicormic shoots in July (final photo). Temple Wood, Lincs

The indirect impact of our pets on wildlife #lincsbirding www.theguardian.com/environment/...