James Common
@commonbynature.bsky.social
Botanist & biological recorder. Joint BSBI recorder for North Northumberland. Urban plant fanatic, galanthophile & fledgling fernaholic. Lapsing blogger.
🐞 Senior Naturalist @nenature.bsky.social
🍃 commonbynature.com
🐞 Senior Naturalist @nenature.bsky.social
🍃 commonbynature.com
Reposted by James Common
Discover one of the North East’s most extraordinary living natural history stories.
Join Prof. Stephen Hall to explore Chillingham’s wild cattle, the world’s only near-untouched herd. 🐂
📅 Tue 3 Feb | 6–7:30pm
📍 Great North Museum: Hancock
Book your tickets here: ow.ly/qKeI50XSQ3Z
Join Prof. Stephen Hall to explore Chillingham’s wild cattle, the world’s only near-untouched herd. 🐂
📅 Tue 3 Feb | 6–7:30pm
📍 Great North Museum: Hancock
Book your tickets here: ow.ly/qKeI50XSQ3Z
January 7, 2026 at 10:41 AM
Discover one of the North East’s most extraordinary living natural history stories.
Join Prof. Stephen Hall to explore Chillingham’s wild cattle, the world’s only near-untouched herd. 🐂
📅 Tue 3 Feb | 6–7:30pm
📍 Great North Museum: Hancock
Book your tickets here: ow.ly/qKeI50XSQ3Z
Join Prof. Stephen Hall to explore Chillingham’s wild cattle, the world’s only near-untouched herd. 🐂
📅 Tue 3 Feb | 6–7:30pm
📍 Great North Museum: Hancock
Book your tickets here: ow.ly/qKeI50XSQ3Z
Our final #NewYearPlantHunt of the year today on our usual route around North Shields. Only 24 species, down from 60+ last year but a few surprises to be had in the snow. Viper's-bugloss was unusual! @bsbibotany.bsky.social
January 4, 2026 at 12:50 PM
Our final #NewYearPlantHunt of the year today on our usual route around North Shields. Only 24 species, down from 60+ last year but a few surprises to be had in the snow. Viper's-bugloss was unusual! @bsbibotany.bsky.social
Reposted by James Common
Day 3 of #NewYearPlantHunt: >1300 surveys, >17,000 records, 597 species recorded!
In tonight's round-up:
@commonbynature.bsky.social reports from NE England, @bramblebotanist.bsky.social braves the snow & a shout-out for #NYPH co-founders Tim Rich & @sarahwhild.bsky.social!
bsbi.org/blog/2026/01...
In tonight's round-up:
@commonbynature.bsky.social reports from NE England, @bramblebotanist.bsky.social braves the snow & a shout-out for #NYPH co-founders Tim Rich & @sarahwhild.bsky.social!
bsbi.org/blog/2026/01...
January 3, 2026 at 11:22 PM
Day 3 of #NewYearPlantHunt: >1300 surveys, >17,000 records, 597 species recorded!
In tonight's round-up:
@commonbynature.bsky.social reports from NE England, @bramblebotanist.bsky.social braves the snow & a shout-out for #NYPH co-founders Tim Rich & @sarahwhild.bsky.social!
bsbi.org/blog/2026/01...
In tonight's round-up:
@commonbynature.bsky.social reports from NE England, @bramblebotanist.bsky.social braves the snow & a shout-out for #NYPH co-founders Tim Rich & @sarahwhild.bsky.social!
bsbi.org/blog/2026/01...
A colleague has found a somewhat convincing candidate for Urtica membranacea on her #NewYearPlantHunt. Potentially a NCR if so! Flattened male flower stems, two stipules at each node and looking just a little 'different'. Does anyone have experience with this one? 😶 @bsbibotany.bsky.social
January 3, 2026 at 11:20 AM
A colleague has found a somewhat convincing candidate for Urtica membranacea on her #NewYearPlantHunt. Potentially a NCR if so! Flattened male flower stems, two stipules at each node and looking just a little 'different'. Does anyone have experience with this one? 😶 @bsbibotany.bsky.social
Reposted by James Common
Winter blooming of hundreds of plants in UK ‘visible signal’ of climate breakdown www.theguardian.com/environment/... Great article by Ajit Niranjan in @theguardian.com about the @bsbibotany.bsky.social #NewYearPlantHunt #NYPH
Winter blooming of hundreds of plants in UK ‘visible signal’ of climate breakdown
New year plant hunt shows rising temperatures are shifting natural cycles of wildflowers such as daisies
www.theguardian.com
January 2, 2026 at 7:53 AM
Winter blooming of hundreds of plants in UK ‘visible signal’ of climate breakdown www.theguardian.com/environment/... Great article by Ajit Niranjan in @theguardian.com about the @bsbibotany.bsky.social #NewYearPlantHunt #NYPH
Judging by those rosy cheeks, I may have gone a bit too far with the fizz this Christmas! Still, exciting to be joined by BBC Look North and lots of lovely @nenature.bsky.social volunteers on today's @bsbibotany.bsky.social #NewYearPlantHunt 🥶
January 2, 2026 at 8:44 PM
Judging by those rosy cheeks, I may have gone a bit too far with the fizz this Christmas! Still, exciting to be joined by BBC Look North and lots of lovely @nenature.bsky.social volunteers on today's @bsbibotany.bsky.social #NewYearPlantHunt 🥶
40 species on today's #NewYearPlantHunt around the Ouseburn area of Newcastle. BBC Look North even stopped by for a while... 🎥 @bsbibotany.bsky.social
January 2, 2026 at 1:22 PM
40 species on today's #NewYearPlantHunt around the Ouseburn area of Newcastle. BBC Look North even stopped by for a while... 🎥 @bsbibotany.bsky.social
Reposted by James Common
Day One of #NewYearPlantHunt draws to a close with >450 surveys submitted so far, >6000 records, >400 different species in bloom.
Plant-lovers of all ages out hunting for flowers.
In today's blogpost, @jo-the-botanist.bsky.social reports on the #Norfolk Flora Group's hunt:
bsbi.org/blog/2026/01...
Plant-lovers of all ages out hunting for flowers.
In today's blogpost, @jo-the-botanist.bsky.social reports on the #Norfolk Flora Group's hunt:
bsbi.org/blog/2026/01...
January 1, 2026 at 10:33 PM
Day One of #NewYearPlantHunt draws to a close with >450 surveys submitted so far, >6000 records, >400 different species in bloom.
Plant-lovers of all ages out hunting for flowers.
In today's blogpost, @jo-the-botanist.bsky.social reports on the #Norfolk Flora Group's hunt:
bsbi.org/blog/2026/01...
Plant-lovers of all ages out hunting for flowers.
In today's blogpost, @jo-the-botanist.bsky.social reports on the #Norfolk Flora Group's hunt:
bsbi.org/blog/2026/01...
And here's a few of our #NewYearPlantHunt finds...
📸 Atlas Poppy, Mexican Fleabane, Ivy-leaved Toadflax, Tansy, Meadow Buttercup, Welsh Poppy, White Melilot, Trailing Bellflower and Snowdrop.
@bsbibotany.bsky.social
📸 Atlas Poppy, Mexican Fleabane, Ivy-leaved Toadflax, Tansy, Meadow Buttercup, Welsh Poppy, White Melilot, Trailing Bellflower and Snowdrop.
@bsbibotany.bsky.social
January 1, 2026 at 2:16 PM
And here's a few of our #NewYearPlantHunt finds...
📸 Atlas Poppy, Mexican Fleabane, Ivy-leaved Toadflax, Tansy, Meadow Buttercup, Welsh Poppy, White Melilot, Trailing Bellflower and Snowdrop.
@bsbibotany.bsky.social
📸 Atlas Poppy, Mexican Fleabane, Ivy-leaved Toadflax, Tansy, Meadow Buttercup, Welsh Poppy, White Melilot, Trailing Bellflower and Snowdrop.
@bsbibotany.bsky.social
A fab turnout for our annual #NewYearPlantHunt in Heaton!
Despite recent frosts, we recorded 65 species in flower, including a few surprises in White Melilot, Early Crocus and Atlas Poppy.
Now to defrost...
@bsbibotany.bsky.social
Despite recent frosts, we recorded 65 species in flower, including a few surprises in White Melilot, Early Crocus and Atlas Poppy.
Now to defrost...
@bsbibotany.bsky.social
January 1, 2026 at 2:12 PM
A fab turnout for our annual #NewYearPlantHunt in Heaton!
Despite recent frosts, we recorded 65 species in flower, including a few surprises in White Melilot, Early Crocus and Atlas Poppy.
Now to defrost...
@bsbibotany.bsky.social
Despite recent frosts, we recorded 65 species in flower, including a few surprises in White Melilot, Early Crocus and Atlas Poppy.
Now to defrost...
@bsbibotany.bsky.social
Reposted by James Common
Not many places where you can cycle beside one of Britain’s rarest ferns! A colony of Forked Spleenwort grows on a low wall near Llanrwst and is doing well, with quite a few young plants. Nice little treat for the end of the year while burning off the mince pies! @bsbibotany.bsky.social
December 30, 2025 at 8:22 PM
Not many places where you can cycle beside one of Britain’s rarest ferns! A colony of Forked Spleenwort grows on a low wall near Llanrwst and is doing well, with quite a few young plants. Nice little treat for the end of the year while burning off the mince pies! @bsbibotany.bsky.social
Reposted by James Common
The wonderful Guernsey Fern Asplenium x microdon, the hybrid of Lanceolate Spleenwort A. billotii and Hartstongue A. scolopendrium, growing with both parent species on the banks of a shady lane on Guernsey last summer
December 30, 2025 at 1:18 PM
The wonderful Guernsey Fern Asplenium x microdon, the hybrid of Lanceolate Spleenwort A. billotii and Hartstongue A. scolopendrium, growing with both parent species on the banks of a shady lane on Guernsey last summer
Reposted by James Common
I’ve just released deets for a new wetland ID course, with a special emphasis on lowland fens! 😍🌱
Find out more here: britishbotany.co.uk/products/rea...
Find out more here: britishbotany.co.uk/products/rea...
Reading the Landscape: An Introduction to Wetland & Fen Identification
LIVE COURSE: Tuesday 6th January 12:00 - 13:00 Beginner - Intermediate level This one-hour introductory course explores key topics designed to make wetland identification clearer and more accessible....
britishbotany.co.uk
December 29, 2025 at 7:57 PM
I’ve just released deets for a new wetland ID course, with a special emphasis on lowland fens! 😍🌱
Find out more here: britishbotany.co.uk/products/rea...
Find out more here: britishbotany.co.uk/products/rea...
Reposted by James Common
Starved Wood-sedge and the emergency efforts of the Species Recovery Trust to save the last few plants
www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home...
www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home...
One of UK’s rarest plants brought back from brink of extinction
The Species Recovery Trust aims to remove 50 species from the edge of extinction in the UK by 2050
www.independent.co.uk
December 24, 2025 at 11:04 AM
Starved Wood-sedge and the emergency efforts of the Species Recovery Trust to save the last few plants
www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home...
www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home...
Reposted by James Common
Early August 2025 and two very cool montane grasses on the slopes below Glas Maol, in the Aberdeenshire/Angus borderlands. Alpine Foxtail Alopecurus magellanicus and Alpine Cat's-tail Phleum alpinum. I had a very pleasant day in their company. @bsbibotany.bsky.social
December 23, 2025 at 7:47 PM
Early August 2025 and two very cool montane grasses on the slopes below Glas Maol, in the Aberdeenshire/Angus borderlands. Alpine Foxtail Alopecurus magellanicus and Alpine Cat's-tail Phleum alpinum. I had a very pleasant day in their company. @bsbibotany.bsky.social
Reposted by James Common
More highlights from 2025. The old forefinger came in handy a few times this year, usually as a scale. Micro botany on the beach at Sinah Common, Hayling Island, Hampshire with Little-Robin Geranium purpureum ssp. forsteri and Sand Cat's-tail Phleum arenarium. @bsbibotany.bsky.social
December 18, 2025 at 10:14 PM
More highlights from 2025. The old forefinger came in handy a few times this year, usually as a scale. Micro botany on the beach at Sinah Common, Hayling Island, Hampshire with Little-Robin Geranium purpureum ssp. forsteri and Sand Cat's-tail Phleum arenarium. @bsbibotany.bsky.social
Reposted by James Common
Oblong Woodsia is perhaps Britain's rarest fern, and Day 16's species for my botanical #adventcalendar
It suffered big declines due to Victorian collecting, and the national population now consists of <200 individuals with little evidence of recruitment, despite conservation actions
It suffered big declines due to Victorian collecting, and the national population now consists of <200 individuals with little evidence of recruitment, despite conservation actions
December 16, 2025 at 7:59 AM
Oblong Woodsia is perhaps Britain's rarest fern, and Day 16's species for my botanical #adventcalendar
It suffered big declines due to Victorian collecting, and the national population now consists of <200 individuals with little evidence of recruitment, despite conservation actions
It suffered big declines due to Victorian collecting, and the national population now consists of <200 individuals with little evidence of recruitment, despite conservation actions
Reposted by James Common
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.
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.
December 12, 2025 at 2:32 PM
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.
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.
My first Snowdrops of the year were out in Newcastle yesterday. Even by recent standards, that seems early! #urbanflora
December 11, 2025 at 10:28 AM
My first Snowdrops of the year were out in Newcastle yesterday. Even by recent standards, that seems early! #urbanflora
Reposted by James Common
Window now open to apply for a BSBI grant for 2026!
We offer grants for short #WildFlowerID courses (our online course #Identiplant & courses from external providers), and for Plant Study & Research.
Find out which grant is right for you: bsbi.org/learn/grants
We offer grants for short #WildFlowerID courses (our online course #Identiplant & courses from external providers), and for Plant Study & Research.
Find out which grant is right for you: bsbi.org/learn/grants
December 4, 2025 at 11:23 AM
Window now open to apply for a BSBI grant for 2026!
We offer grants for short #WildFlowerID courses (our online course #Identiplant & courses from external providers), and for Plant Study & Research.
Find out which grant is right for you: bsbi.org/learn/grants
We offer grants for short #WildFlowerID courses (our online course #Identiplant & courses from external providers), and for Plant Study & Research.
Find out which grant is right for you: bsbi.org/learn/grants
Reposted by James Common
We've had nearly 300 bookings for our talk on the Clubmosses of Britain and Ireland by Fred Rumsey next Tuesday evening (2nd December) and there's still places left!
Book now for free (though donations towards our work are appreciated): share.google/lQL6JQ7E9SEQ...
Book now for free (though donations towards our work are appreciated): share.google/lQL6JQ7E9SEQ...
November 28, 2025 at 9:19 AM
We've had nearly 300 bookings for our talk on the Clubmosses of Britain and Ireland by Fred Rumsey next Tuesday evening (2nd December) and there's still places left!
Book now for free (though donations towards our work are appreciated): share.google/lQL6JQ7E9SEQ...
Book now for free (though donations towards our work are appreciated): share.google/lQL6JQ7E9SEQ...
Reposted by James Common
Of the 8000 plant species introduced to cities around the world, about 300 are in cities on every continent and about 90 are basically in every city. Urbanization has selected for a common set of species that are the fingerprint of our activity: The urban florome.
onlinelibrary.wiley....
onlinelibrary.wiley....
November 24, 2025 at 4:23 PM
Of the 8000 plant species introduced to cities around the world, about 300 are in cities on every continent and about 90 are basically in every city. Urbanization has selected for a common set of species that are the fingerprint of our activity: The urban florome.
onlinelibrary.wiley....
onlinelibrary.wiley....
And here I was thinking growing ferns from spores would be tricky! Having sown them in June, I am swimming in Brittle Bladder-ferns. Not entirely sure what I will do with them all, the significant other already thinks we have way too many 😬 #ferns
November 20, 2025 at 5:03 PM
And here I was thinking growing ferns from spores would be tricky! Having sown them in June, I am swimming in Brittle Bladder-ferns. Not entirely sure what I will do with them all, the significant other already thinks we have way too many 😬 #ferns
Reposted by James Common
#Invasive aquatic plants increasingly cause havoc in aquatic ecosystems.
Learn to identify introduced aquatics at @bsbibotany.bsky.social's free #AquaticPlantProject webinar, led by Nick Stewart & funded by @npwsireland.bsky.social. Book at www.tickettailor.com/events/botan...
#waterplants
Learn to identify introduced aquatics at @bsbibotany.bsky.social's free #AquaticPlantProject webinar, led by Nick Stewart & funded by @npwsireland.bsky.social. Book at www.tickettailor.com/events/botan...
#waterplants
November 13, 2025 at 10:16 AM
#Invasive aquatic plants increasingly cause havoc in aquatic ecosystems.
Learn to identify introduced aquatics at @bsbibotany.bsky.social's free #AquaticPlantProject webinar, led by Nick Stewart & funded by @npwsireland.bsky.social. Book at www.tickettailor.com/events/botan...
#waterplants
Learn to identify introduced aquatics at @bsbibotany.bsky.social's free #AquaticPlantProject webinar, led by Nick Stewart & funded by @npwsireland.bsky.social. Book at www.tickettailor.com/events/botan...
#waterplants