Judy Webb
@judywebb.bsky.social
Ecologist, Palynologist (pollen expert) quite good at Botany, Entomology & Mycology. Conservationist. Ex School Teacher, Ex Forensic Scientist.
The Environment Agency needs proper funding to investigate, prosecute criminals, clear waste and prevent further such abuse of illegal waste dumping on land, especially near rivers such as the Cherwell.
🚨 SHOCKING 🚨
A HUGE illegal waste dump has appeared between the A34 and River Cherwell, linked to organised crime.
Every rainfall risks toxins washing into the river.
We’re calling on the Environment Agency & Cherwell Council to act NOW.
Our rivers cannot wait. 👇👇
A HUGE illegal waste dump has appeared between the A34 and River Cherwell, linked to organised crime.
Every rainfall risks toxins washing into the river.
We’re calling on the Environment Agency & Cherwell Council to act NOW.
Our rivers cannot wait. 👇👇
November 17, 2025 at 9:42 PM
The Environment Agency needs proper funding to investigate, prosecute criminals, clear waste and prevent further such abuse of illegal waste dumping on land, especially near rivers such as the Cherwell.
Luscious Guelder Rose berries for birds & attractive coloured leaves on Wild Service trees & Turkey tail fungi in Lye Valley. I love autumn! @friendlyevalley.bsky.social
November 17, 2025 at 2:03 PM
Luscious Guelder Rose berries for birds & attractive coloured leaves on Wild Service trees & Turkey tail fungi in Lye Valley. I love autumn! @friendlyevalley.bsky.social
Turkey tail bracket #fungi looking just like...Turkey tails & very pleased to find one delightfully icky Slimy Waxcap Gliophorus irrigatus waxcap in low nutrient grassland on limestone at Dunstan Park, Oxford. Slimy cap and slimy stipe - hard to get hold of it was so slime covered! #fungifriends
November 14, 2025 at 2:08 PM
Turkey tail bracket #fungi looking just like...Turkey tails & very pleased to find one delightfully icky Slimy Waxcap Gliophorus irrigatus waxcap in low nutrient grassland on limestone at Dunstan Park, Oxford. Slimy cap and slimy stipe - hard to get hold of it was so slime covered! #fungifriends
If only all Labour MPs would listen to this young man and support the Lords amendments to the Planning and Infrastructure bill.
'We’re here asking you to listen to the children, to fight for our planet, and our future.’ 🌎 The Planning and Infrastructure Bill is in parliament tomorrow, and it could be devastating for wildlife and wild places 💔
Please help 🙏 ask your MP to support Amendment 130 for nature 🙏💚
Please help 🙏 ask your MP to support Amendment 130 for nature 🙏💚
November 13, 2025 at 2:32 PM
If only all Labour MPs would listen to this young man and support the Lords amendments to the Planning and Infrastructure bill.
Good news; the section of Lye Valley fen boardwalk destroyed by arson in the summer has been repaired by Oxford City Council Parks staff- thanks! @friendlyevalley.bsky.social
November 12, 2025 at 3:48 PM
Good news; the section of Lye Valley fen boardwalk destroyed by arson in the summer has been repaired by Oxford City Council Parks staff- thanks! @friendlyevalley.bsky.social
Reposted by Judy Webb
It's an interesting question! Some colourful pigments have functions like being antibiotics, so in some cases it might be an unintended effect of a useful chemical www.frontiersin.org/journals/eco...
Frontiers | The unresolved ecological and evolutionary role of fungal fruit body coloration
Fruit body-forming fungi are hyperdiverse and of central importance for the functioning of ecosystems worldwide. They provide habitat and resources for other...
www.frontiersin.org
November 12, 2025 at 8:16 AM
It's an interesting question! Some colourful pigments have functions like being antibiotics, so in some cases it might be an unintended effect of a useful chemical www.frontiersin.org/journals/eco...
A big mystery of autumn. Why are certain #fungi fruiting bodies spectacular colours? Yes a lot are white buff /brown, but bright yellow, red, green, blue -just why? L -Parrot waxcaps here from @rowantnnr.bsky.social. Green (look hard) & yellow, go pink later. R- Orange cup Melastiza cornubiensis
November 12, 2025 at 7:38 AM
A big mystery of autumn. Why are certain #fungi fruiting bodies spectacular colours? Yes a lot are white buff /brown, but bright yellow, red, green, blue -just why? L -Parrot waxcaps here from @rowantnnr.bsky.social. Green (look hard) & yellow, go pink later. R- Orange cup Melastiza cornubiensis
Reposted by Judy Webb
November 10, 2025 at 9:49 AM
Grassland #fungi time Excellent finds at Aston Rowant NNR included earthtongues, yellow spindles, beige coral, parrot waxcaps & the rare tiny brown toadstools called Fanvaults -the Hodophilus (Camarophyllopsis) species (last 2) some of which smell of mothballs! #fungifriends @rowantnnr.bsky.social
November 10, 2025 at 1:34 PM
Grassland #fungi time Excellent finds at Aston Rowant NNR included earthtongues, yellow spindles, beige coral, parrot waxcaps & the rare tiny brown toadstools called Fanvaults -the Hodophilus (Camarophyllopsis) species (last 2) some of which smell of mothballs! #fungifriends @rowantnnr.bsky.social
Reposted by Judy Webb
Introducing... The League of Unlikely Ocean Heroes! 🦸 Seagrass, mussels, kelp and native oysters filter pollutants, capture carbon and protect habitats. But they’re facing challenges from dredging to climate change.
Help them thrive again by donating today 👉 https://actmcs.org/oyster-hero-bsky
Help them thrive again by donating today 👉 https://actmcs.org/oyster-hero-bsky
November 6, 2025 at 3:06 PM
Introducing... The League of Unlikely Ocean Heroes! 🦸 Seagrass, mussels, kelp and native oysters filter pollutants, capture carbon and protect habitats. But they’re facing challenges from dredging to climate change.
Help them thrive again by donating today 👉 https://actmcs.org/oyster-hero-bsky
Help them thrive again by donating today 👉 https://actmcs.org/oyster-hero-bsky
I grew up in Thanet, visiting the wildlife of Minster Marshes. Partly they made me who I am. They deserve protection.
‘I was proud to be asked to paint the beautiful Minster Marshes, for an incredible film by young filmmaker Connor Carruthers.🍃
This land provides a habitat for so much wildlife, but it’s under threat from development. 💔
Please share, spread the word, and help us to protect this important place’ 🙏🧡
This land provides a habitat for so much wildlife, but it’s under threat from development. 💔
Please share, spread the word, and help us to protect this important place’ 🙏🧡
November 10, 2025 at 12:58 PM
I grew up in Thanet, visiting the wildlife of Minster Marshes. Partly they made me who I am. They deserve protection.
Reposted by Judy Webb
Decades ago, part of the Lye Brook was deepened and widened, with peat piled on the banks. One side effect was to block the flow of spring water here. We've made a start on reprofiling this part of the fen, with a view to rewetting this currently dry area. 🌍
#OxfordshireFens #FenRestoration
#OxfordshireFens #FenRestoration
November 8, 2025 at 9:23 AM
Decades ago, part of the Lye Brook was deepened and widened, with peat piled on the banks. One side effect was to block the flow of spring water here. We've made a start on reprofiling this part of the fen, with a view to rewetting this currently dry area. 🌍
#OxfordshireFens #FenRestoration
#OxfordshireFens #FenRestoration
A most spectacular growth of the common Candle snuff fungus Xylaria polymorpha, on a log uncovered by scything at Rivermead Nature Park in Oxford #fungi #fungifriends
November 8, 2025 at 10:34 AM
A most spectacular growth of the common Candle snuff fungus Xylaria polymorpha, on a log uncovered by scything at Rivermead Nature Park in Oxford #fungi #fungifriends
The Holy Grail for all fascinated by fungi. How I would love to find a Pepperpot Earthstar!
Pepperpot Earthstar Myriostoma coliforme at one of its very few GB locations. Pleasingly the scientific name means ‘like a colander with many holes’. Note also the columns that hold the sac aloft.
November 6, 2025 at 9:37 PM
The Holy Grail for all fascinated by fungi. How I would love to find a Pepperpot Earthstar!
Reposted by Judy Webb
Delighted to spot this Little Egret (Egretta garzetta) in the Valley this morning. An occasional visitor here, they love fishing in our ponds. 😍
#birds #UKWildlife #OX3 #OxfordshireFens 📷
@everyheron.bsky.social @judywebb.bsky.social @tverc1.bsky.social
#birds #UKWildlife #OX3 #OxfordshireFens 📷
@everyheron.bsky.social @judywebb.bsky.social @tverc1.bsky.social
November 5, 2025 at 2:22 PM
Delighted to spot this Little Egret (Egretta garzetta) in the Valley this morning. An occasional visitor here, they love fishing in our ponds. 😍
#birds #UKWildlife #OX3 #OxfordshireFens 📷
@everyheron.bsky.social @judywebb.bsky.social @tverc1.bsky.social
#birds #UKWildlife #OX3 #OxfordshireFens 📷
@everyheron.bsky.social @judywebb.bsky.social @tverc1.bsky.social
Reposted by Judy Webb
Finally caught up with the Kingfisher that has been visiting the Lye Valley top ponds. Also a Blackcap and a couple of Chiffchaffs are still hanging on into November in the Lye Valley woods.
@friendlyevalley.bsky.social
#ukbirding
#OxonBirding
@friendlyevalley.bsky.social
#ukbirding
#OxonBirding
November 3, 2025 at 10:39 AM
Finally caught up with the Kingfisher that has been visiting the Lye Valley top ponds. Also a Blackcap and a couple of Chiffchaffs are still hanging on into November in the Lye Valley woods.
@friendlyevalley.bsky.social
#ukbirding
#OxonBirding
@friendlyevalley.bsky.social
#ukbirding
#OxonBirding
Reposted by Judy Webb
New #GBRedList for vascular plants is out now as a special issue of #BritishandIrishBotany, the @bsbibotany.bsky.social's Open Access scientific journal: britishandirishbotany.org/index.php/bi...
Also available (cost £10) as an eBook: bsbi.org/publications...
Press release: bsbi.org/wp-content/u...
Also available (cost £10) as an eBook: bsbi.org/publications...
Press release: bsbi.org/wp-content/u...
November 5, 2025 at 9:30 AM
New #GBRedList for vascular plants is out now as a special issue of #BritishandIrishBotany, the @bsbibotany.bsky.social's Open Access scientific journal: britishandirishbotany.org/index.php/bi...
Also available (cost £10) as an eBook: bsbi.org/publications...
Press release: bsbi.org/wp-content/u...
Also available (cost £10) as an eBook: bsbi.org/publications...
Press release: bsbi.org/wp-content/u...
Great talks about flies and you can join and watch remotely,-
Saturday 15th Nov in Cambridge Museum for more detail -
go to dipterists.org.uk/events/dipte...
Saturday 15th Nov in Cambridge Museum for more detail -
go to dipterists.org.uk/events/dipte...
November 4, 2025 at 6:47 PM
Great talks about flies and you can join and watch remotely,-
Saturday 15th Nov in Cambridge Museum for more detail -
go to dipterists.org.uk/events/dipte...
Saturday 15th Nov in Cambridge Museum for more detail -
go to dipterists.org.uk/events/dipte...
Chilterns beechwoods, stunning just now, before the beautiful autumn colour leaves all are blown to the ground. Then they are are nice to kick through as you walk through the woods & great for #fungi of course Aston Rowant NNR @chilternsnl.bsky.social @rowantnnr.bsky.social
November 4, 2025 at 11:38 AM
Chilterns beechwoods, stunning just now, before the beautiful autumn colour leaves all are blown to the ground. Then they are are nice to kick through as you walk through the woods & great for #fungi of course Aston Rowant NNR @chilternsnl.bsky.social @rowantnnr.bsky.social
Reposted by Judy Webb
🎃 Meet the Caterpillar Club Fungus! 🍄
This creepy fungus feasts on caterpillars from the inside out, including ghost moths. Yes, really. 🧟♂️
💀 A perfect pick for #Halloween, don’t you think?
👀 Spot any spooky wildlife this season? Let us know what you find!
📷Judy Webb
This creepy fungus feasts on caterpillars from the inside out, including ghost moths. Yes, really. 🧟♂️
💀 A perfect pick for #Halloween, don’t you think?
👀 Spot any spooky wildlife this season? Let us know what you find!
📷Judy Webb
October 31, 2025 at 5:30 AM
🎃 Meet the Caterpillar Club Fungus! 🍄
This creepy fungus feasts on caterpillars from the inside out, including ghost moths. Yes, really. 🧟♂️
💀 A perfect pick for #Halloween, don’t you think?
👀 Spot any spooky wildlife this season? Let us know what you find!
📷Judy Webb
This creepy fungus feasts on caterpillars from the inside out, including ghost moths. Yes, really. 🧟♂️
💀 A perfect pick for #Halloween, don’t you think?
👀 Spot any spooky wildlife this season? Let us know what you find!
📷Judy Webb
We in @friendlyevalley.bsky.social would like to thank all at @oxconservation.bsky.social vols for a great work session last weekend, raking cuttings up & lots of scrub work at the #LyeVally #SSSI south #fen section. This maintains this tiny site in private ownership's stunningly rich biodiversity.👏
October 30, 2025 at 8:40 AM
We in @friendlyevalley.bsky.social would like to thank all at @oxconservation.bsky.social vols for a great work session last weekend, raking cuttings up & lots of scrub work at the #LyeVally #SSSI south #fen section. This maintains this tiny site in private ownership's stunningly rich biodiversity.👏
This should be really interesting for all who love Lye Valley.
If you are in the Oxford area next Thursday, I’m giving a talk on the birds of the Lye Valley area. It’s a multimedia presentation (pictures and calls!) covering the resident and migratory birds recorded in this part of the city. See you there!
@friendlyevalley.bsky.social
#Oxonbirding
#Oxford
@friendlyevalley.bsky.social
#Oxonbirding
#Oxford
October 28, 2025 at 10:54 PM
This should be really interesting for all who love Lye Valley.
Going through last year's photos 2024 (I'm very behind in records). Dipterists, any ideas on this robberfly that landed on me last July at Aston Rowant NNR in quality chalk grassland?
@uk-soldierflies.bsky.social for a start
@uk-soldierflies.bsky.social for a start
October 28, 2025 at 6:13 PM
Going through last year's photos 2024 (I'm very behind in records). Dipterists, any ideas on this robberfly that landed on me last July at Aston Rowant NNR in quality chalk grassland?
@uk-soldierflies.bsky.social for a start
@uk-soldierflies.bsky.social for a start
Reposted by Judy Webb
The living biosphere is our life support system. They are not ‘just bats’ or ‘just spiders’ Rachel Reeves they are crucial parts of a living whole we barely understand but depend on for our survival
Our new review on the “circular seabird economy”
- how seabirds circulate nutrients betwem ocean and land, supporting ecosystems and livelihoods …https://www.nature.com/articles/s44358-025-00099-w
- how seabirds circulate nutrients betwem ocean and land, supporting ecosystems and livelihoods …https://www.nature.com/articles/s44358-025-00099-w
The circular seabird economy is critical for oceans, islands and people - Nature Reviews Biodiversity
Seabirds are top predators and nutrient cyclers in marine island ecosystems, but are threatened by risk of extinction. This Review explores the circular seabird economy around islands and discusses ho...
www.nature.com
October 28, 2025 at 8:46 AM
The living biosphere is our life support system. They are not ‘just bats’ or ‘just spiders’ Rachel Reeves they are crucial parts of a living whole we barely understand but depend on for our survival
Large numbers of caps of the Fiery Milkcap Lactarius pyrogalus up under hazel in #Cothillfen #NNR woodlands on sandy soil. They look so innocent but taste (and spit) the milk with care, it will blow your head off with heat!
October 28, 2025 at 11:09 AM
Large numbers of caps of the Fiery Milkcap Lactarius pyrogalus up under hazel in #Cothillfen #NNR woodlands on sandy soil. They look so innocent but taste (and spit) the milk with care, it will blow your head off with heat!