Sarah
@sarahfaulkner.bsky.social
First #wildflowerhour of February! 🌸
My #thewinter10 this week: Snowdrops, Red & White Dead-nettles, Common Field Speedwell, Dandelion, Groundsel, Shepherds Purse, ♂️&♀️ hazel, & purple catkins (Alder? no pic).
One strange♀️hazel flower was erupting from the bud base!
Plus some Scarlet Elf Cups 🍄
My #thewinter10 this week: Snowdrops, Red & White Dead-nettles, Common Field Speedwell, Dandelion, Groundsel, Shepherds Purse, ♂️&♀️ hazel, & purple catkins (Alder? no pic).
One strange♀️hazel flower was erupting from the bud base!
Plus some Scarlet Elf Cups 🍄
February 1, 2026 at 8:56 PM
First #wildflowerhour of February! 🌸
My #thewinter10 this week: Snowdrops, Red & White Dead-nettles, Common Field Speedwell, Dandelion, Groundsel, Shepherds Purse, ♂️&♀️ hazel, & purple catkins (Alder? no pic).
One strange♀️hazel flower was erupting from the bud base!
Plus some Scarlet Elf Cups 🍄
My #thewinter10 this week: Snowdrops, Red & White Dead-nettles, Common Field Speedwell, Dandelion, Groundsel, Shepherds Purse, ♂️&♀️ hazel, & purple catkins (Alder? no pic).
One strange♀️hazel flower was erupting from the bud base!
Plus some Scarlet Elf Cups 🍄
A beautiful old Yew tree in a churchyard. It's trunk slowly hollowing out as it ages and the heartwood rots away. The outer sapwood remains enabling these trees to live for hundreds, even thousands, of years.
This gorgeous, girthy tree seems perfect for #thicktrunkthursday.
This gorgeous, girthy tree seems perfect for #thicktrunkthursday.
January 29, 2026 at 12:08 PM
A beautiful old Yew tree in a churchyard. It's trunk slowly hollowing out as it ages and the heartwood rots away. The outer sapwood remains enabling these trees to live for hundreds, even thousands, of years.
This gorgeous, girthy tree seems perfect for #thicktrunkthursday.
This gorgeous, girthy tree seems perfect for #thicktrunkthursday.
A comedy place name for this week's #wildflowerhour. The River Piddle 🤭 gave wet feet & #thewinter10 Yellow Corydalis, Daisy, Primrose, Snowdrop, ♂️♀️ Hazel, Annual Mercury, Annual Meadow Grass, Red Dead-nettle & Lesser Celendine.
After the fab Steps musical yday was unsure I'd get past 5, 6, 7, 8!! 😂
After the fab Steps musical yday was unsure I'd get past 5, 6, 7, 8!! 😂
January 25, 2026 at 8:55 PM
A comedy place name for this week's #wildflowerhour. The River Piddle 🤭 gave wet feet & #thewinter10 Yellow Corydalis, Daisy, Primrose, Snowdrop, ♂️♀️ Hazel, Annual Mercury, Annual Meadow Grass, Red Dead-nettle & Lesser Celendine.
After the fab Steps musical yday was unsure I'd get past 5, 6, 7, 8!! 😂
After the fab Steps musical yday was unsure I'd get past 5, 6, 7, 8!! 😂
Happy #FungiFriday!
Delighted with my first Scarlet Elf Cups this year. Other highlights from the wonderfully named Spring Bottom, Dorset: a perfect Jelly Ear, Coral Spot, Velvet Shank, Yellow Brain (with tiny Springtails present?) and some spooky Dead Moll's Fingers. What a great #fungi walk. 🍄
Delighted with my first Scarlet Elf Cups this year. Other highlights from the wonderfully named Spring Bottom, Dorset: a perfect Jelly Ear, Coral Spot, Velvet Shank, Yellow Brain (with tiny Springtails present?) and some spooky Dead Moll's Fingers. What a great #fungi walk. 🍄
January 23, 2026 at 2:02 PM
Happy #FungiFriday!
Delighted with my first Scarlet Elf Cups this year. Other highlights from the wonderfully named Spring Bottom, Dorset: a perfect Jelly Ear, Coral Spot, Velvet Shank, Yellow Brain (with tiny Springtails present?) and some spooky Dead Moll's Fingers. What a great #fungi walk. 🍄
Delighted with my first Scarlet Elf Cups this year. Other highlights from the wonderfully named Spring Bottom, Dorset: a perfect Jelly Ear, Coral Spot, Velvet Shank, Yellow Brain (with tiny Springtails present?) and some spooky Dead Moll's Fingers. What a great #fungi walk. 🍄
Sending hugs to #wildflowerhour friends on National Hug Day!
I found this super cute Bee #Orchid on a walk a couple of years ago, giving itself a hug and it always brings a smile to my face. Have a great day. 😍
I found this super cute Bee #Orchid on a walk a couple of years ago, giving itself a hug and it always brings a smile to my face. Have a great day. 😍
January 21, 2026 at 7:05 PM
Sending hugs to #wildflowerhour friends on National Hug Day!
I found this super cute Bee #Orchid on a walk a couple of years ago, giving itself a hug and it always brings a smile to my face. Have a great day. 😍
I found this super cute Bee #Orchid on a walk a couple of years ago, giving itself a hug and it always brings a smile to my face. Have a great day. 😍
Reposted by Sarah
In the natural history section of an 1849 atlas of natural phenomena, 'made with the co-operation of men eminent in the different departments of science', are wonderful pictures of animals of the old and new worlds, including an unusual 'perpendicular' map of wildlife habitat @bodleian.ox.ac.uk
January 20, 2026 at 9:09 AM
In the natural history section of an 1849 atlas of natural phenomena, 'made with the co-operation of men eminent in the different departments of science', are wonderful pictures of animals of the old and new worlds, including an unusual 'perpendicular' map of wildlife habitat @bodleian.ox.ac.uk
These are a day late for #wildflowerhour, but I'm too excited to wait until next Sunday!
My lunchtime walk and routine check of the local hazel hedge finally came good today with lots of tiny, hot-pink, female flowers now erupting from their buds. Gorgeous! A welcome splash of colour on a dull day.
My lunchtime walk and routine check of the local hazel hedge finally came good today with lots of tiny, hot-pink, female flowers now erupting from their buds. Gorgeous! A welcome splash of colour on a dull day.
January 19, 2026 at 2:08 PM
These are a day late for #wildflowerhour, but I'm too excited to wait until next Sunday!
My lunchtime walk and routine check of the local hazel hedge finally came good today with lots of tiny, hot-pink, female flowers now erupting from their buds. Gorgeous! A welcome splash of colour on a dull day.
My lunchtime walk and routine check of the local hazel hedge finally came good today with lots of tiny, hot-pink, female flowers now erupting from their buds. Gorgeous! A welcome splash of colour on a dull day.
I find it so uplifting to see the spring flowers starting to appear & enjoyed my first Snowdrops yesterday. They are simple, elegant flowers. But I'm fascinated by the details and inside there's a lot going on - yellow & green and the inner surface is grooved. Lovely from all angles. #wildflowerhour
January 18, 2026 at 8:44 PM
I find it so uplifting to see the spring flowers starting to appear & enjoyed my first Snowdrops yesterday. They are simple, elegant flowers. But I'm fascinated by the details and inside there's a lot going on - yellow & green and the inner surface is grooved. Lovely from all angles. #wildflowerhour
Spring Bottom yesterday lived up to it's name with my first flowering Snowdrops & Sweet Violets of the year.
Sping is coming!
Also in flower Gorse, Greater Periwinkle, Winter Heliotrope, Daisy, Groundsel, Dandelion, Hogweed and Bramble, giving me 11 sp in flower for #thewinter10.
#wildflowerhour
Sping is coming!
Also in flower Gorse, Greater Periwinkle, Winter Heliotrope, Daisy, Groundsel, Dandelion, Hogweed and Bramble, giving me 11 sp in flower for #thewinter10.
#wildflowerhour
January 18, 2026 at 8:29 PM
Spring Bottom yesterday lived up to it's name with my first flowering Snowdrops & Sweet Violets of the year.
Sping is coming!
Also in flower Gorse, Greater Periwinkle, Winter Heliotrope, Daisy, Groundsel, Dandelion, Hogweed and Bramble, giving me 11 sp in flower for #thewinter10.
#wildflowerhour
Sping is coming!
Also in flower Gorse, Greater Periwinkle, Winter Heliotrope, Daisy, Groundsel, Dandelion, Hogweed and Bramble, giving me 11 sp in flower for #thewinter10.
#wildflowerhour
After heavy rain this morning the sun has come out so this gorgeous Common Sunburst Lichen seems perfect for #FungiFriday. 🍄 I love the orange cup-shaped apothecia.
Being new to #Lichen I was thrilled to find a fab Intro to Lichen on @bsbibotany.bsky.social YouTube channel: youtu.be/qJa1OlJ3vRs?...
Being new to #Lichen I was thrilled to find a fab Intro to Lichen on @bsbibotany.bsky.social YouTube channel: youtu.be/qJa1OlJ3vRs?...
January 16, 2026 at 1:43 PM
After heavy rain this morning the sun has come out so this gorgeous Common Sunburst Lichen seems perfect for #FungiFriday. 🍄 I love the orange cup-shaped apothecia.
Being new to #Lichen I was thrilled to find a fab Intro to Lichen on @bsbibotany.bsky.social YouTube channel: youtu.be/qJa1OlJ3vRs?...
Being new to #Lichen I was thrilled to find a fab Intro to Lichen on @bsbibotany.bsky.social YouTube channel: youtu.be/qJa1OlJ3vRs?...
Just a quick local walk today to see what I could find for #wildflowerhour as been poorly all weekend.
Incredibly, 18 species in flower found (list in Alt) - didn't expect to get #thewinter10 today with the stormy weather. I particularly loved this pristine Lesser Celendine, and a bonus Firecrest!
Incredibly, 18 species in flower found (list in Alt) - didn't expect to get #thewinter10 today with the stormy weather. I particularly loved this pristine Lesser Celendine, and a bonus Firecrest!
January 11, 2026 at 8:59 PM
Just a quick local walk today to see what I could find for #wildflowerhour as been poorly all weekend.
Incredibly, 18 species in flower found (list in Alt) - didn't expect to get #thewinter10 today with the stormy weather. I particularly loved this pristine Lesser Celendine, and a bonus Firecrest!
Incredibly, 18 species in flower found (list in Alt) - didn't expect to get #thewinter10 today with the stormy weather. I particularly loved this pristine Lesser Celendine, and a bonus Firecrest!
Happy #FungiFriday! 🍄
Discovered some dung-dwelling #fungi this week on a wonderful walk - Abbotsbury, Dorset.
Three different species found in the cowpats - superb Petticoat Mottlegills, a couple of shiny dung-loving Deconica coprophila, and a swarm of tiny orange eyelashed Cheilymenia stercorea.
Discovered some dung-dwelling #fungi this week on a wonderful walk - Abbotsbury, Dorset.
Three different species found in the cowpats - superb Petticoat Mottlegills, a couple of shiny dung-loving Deconica coprophila, and a swarm of tiny orange eyelashed Cheilymenia stercorea.
January 9, 2026 at 7:54 PM
Happy #FungiFriday! 🍄
Discovered some dung-dwelling #fungi this week on a wonderful walk - Abbotsbury, Dorset.
Three different species found in the cowpats - superb Petticoat Mottlegills, a couple of shiny dung-loving Deconica coprophila, and a swarm of tiny orange eyelashed Cheilymenia stercorea.
Discovered some dung-dwelling #fungi this week on a wonderful walk - Abbotsbury, Dorset.
Three different species found in the cowpats - superb Petticoat Mottlegills, a couple of shiny dung-loving Deconica coprophila, and a swarm of tiny orange eyelashed Cheilymenia stercorea.
Reposted by Sarah
With warnings in place for some potential heavy snow in parts of the Midlands and Southern UK on Thursday, we may have some chances to photograph #snowflakes up close. I made a video tutorial on simple #Macro #SnowflakePhotography 4yrs ago; you can watch it here: tinyurl.com/6n6nzc4v
January 6, 2026 at 6:17 PM
With warnings in place for some potential heavy snow in parts of the Midlands and Southern UK on Thursday, we may have some chances to photograph #snowflakes up close. I made a video tutorial on simple #Macro #SnowflakePhotography 4yrs ago; you can watch it here: tinyurl.com/6n6nzc4v
Hurrah - it's the first #wildflowerhour of 2026! Happy new year, everyone!
I've enjoyed a busy few days taking part in the #NewYearPlantHunt walking on each of the 4 days I recorded 39 different species in flower.
Collage below of some of the yellow flowers seen for maximum cheer. ☀️
#thewinter10
I've enjoyed a busy few days taking part in the #NewYearPlantHunt walking on each of the 4 days I recorded 39 different species in flower.
Collage below of some of the yellow flowers seen for maximum cheer. ☀️
#thewinter10
January 4, 2026 at 8:45 PM
Hurrah - it's the first #wildflowerhour of 2026! Happy new year, everyone!
I've enjoyed a busy few days taking part in the #NewYearPlantHunt walking on each of the 4 days I recorded 39 different species in flower.
Collage below of some of the yellow flowers seen for maximum cheer. ☀️
#thewinter10
I've enjoyed a busy few days taking part in the #NewYearPlantHunt walking on each of the 4 days I recorded 39 different species in flower.
Collage below of some of the yellow flowers seen for maximum cheer. ☀️
#thewinter10
The final day of #NewYearPlantHunt.
My 4th walk = 21 sp in flower (list in Alt). Willow in flower was new for me.
Nearly all flowers white or yellow today, even Red Valerian!
Bonuses en-route - some great birds incl Yellow Browed Warbler & I had lovely cat cuddles!
Looking forward to #NYPH 2027!
My 4th walk = 21 sp in flower (list in Alt). Willow in flower was new for me.
Nearly all flowers white or yellow today, even Red Valerian!
Bonuses en-route - some great birds incl Yellow Browed Warbler & I had lovely cat cuddles!
Looking forward to #NYPH 2027!
January 4, 2026 at 6:19 PM
The final day of #NewYearPlantHunt.
My 4th walk = 21 sp in flower (list in Alt). Willow in flower was new for me.
Nearly all flowers white or yellow today, even Red Valerian!
Bonuses en-route - some great birds incl Yellow Browed Warbler & I had lovely cat cuddles!
Looking forward to #NYPH 2027!
My 4th walk = 21 sp in flower (list in Alt). Willow in flower was new for me.
Nearly all flowers white or yellow today, even Red Valerian!
Bonuses en-route - some great birds incl Yellow Browed Warbler & I had lovely cat cuddles!
Looking forward to #NYPH 2027!
Day 3 already of the #NewYearPlantHunt - just one day left!
I revisited Lyme Regis today walking along the River Lim recording 27 sp in flower - see Alt text. I recorded 13 on the same walk last year.
Was sunny, but a chilly, frosty start, so I warmed up at the excellent Lyme Regis microbrewery. 😄
I revisited Lyme Regis today walking along the River Lim recording 27 sp in flower - see Alt text. I recorded 13 on the same walk last year.
Was sunny, but a chilly, frosty start, so I warmed up at the excellent Lyme Regis microbrewery. 😄
January 3, 2026 at 4:18 PM
Day 3 already of the #NewYearPlantHunt - just one day left!
I revisited Lyme Regis today walking along the River Lim recording 27 sp in flower - see Alt text. I recorded 13 on the same walk last year.
Was sunny, but a chilly, frosty start, so I warmed up at the excellent Lyme Regis microbrewery. 😄
I revisited Lyme Regis today walking along the River Lim recording 27 sp in flower - see Alt text. I recorded 13 on the same walk last year.
Was sunny, but a chilly, frosty start, so I warmed up at the excellent Lyme Regis microbrewery. 😄
For Day 2 #NewYearPlantHunt, I walked the ridge behind Abbotsbury. Breathtaking views in all directions - so invigorating.
Just 5 flowering plants found - this pretty Daisy reaching for the sun, plus Gorse, Smooth Sow-thistle, Creeping Buttercup and Dandelion.
Also 8 fungi species, incl waxcaps. 😃
Just 5 flowering plants found - this pretty Daisy reaching for the sun, plus Gorse, Smooth Sow-thistle, Creeping Buttercup and Dandelion.
Also 8 fungi species, incl waxcaps. 😃
January 2, 2026 at 4:59 PM
For Day 2 #NewYearPlantHunt, I walked the ridge behind Abbotsbury. Breathtaking views in all directions - so invigorating.
Just 5 flowering plants found - this pretty Daisy reaching for the sun, plus Gorse, Smooth Sow-thistle, Creeping Buttercup and Dandelion.
Also 8 fungi species, incl waxcaps. 😃
Just 5 flowering plants found - this pretty Daisy reaching for the sun, plus Gorse, Smooth Sow-thistle, Creeping Buttercup and Dandelion.
Also 8 fungi species, incl waxcaps. 😃
A slug's eye view of Glistening Inkcaps, for this first #fungifriday of 2026.
How imposing they look from the ground reaching up into the canopy.
And a regular human eye view - I love how the caps split and the edges roll up as they deliquesce, parts just melting away.
#fungi 🍄
How imposing they look from the ground reaching up into the canopy.
And a regular human eye view - I love how the caps split and the edges roll up as they deliquesce, parts just melting away.
#fungi 🍄
January 2, 2026 at 11:03 AM
A slug's eye view of Glistening Inkcaps, for this first #fungifriday of 2026.
How imposing they look from the ground reaching up into the canopy.
And a regular human eye view - I love how the caps split and the edges roll up as they deliquesce, parts just melting away.
#fungi 🍄
How imposing they look from the ground reaching up into the canopy.
And a regular human eye view - I love how the caps split and the edges roll up as they deliquesce, parts just melting away.
#fungi 🍄
What fun to take part in the #NewYearPlantHunt again. Keen to see how my walks this year compare to my finds last year.
For Day 1, I walked my local loop - 14 species found in flower today. Such a lovely walk along the Fleet with plenty to enjoy including a bonus Little Egret in one of the channels.
For Day 1, I walked my local loop - 14 species found in flower today. Such a lovely walk along the Fleet with plenty to enjoy including a bonus Little Egret in one of the channels.
January 1, 2026 at 6:51 PM
What fun to take part in the #NewYearPlantHunt again. Keen to see how my walks this year compare to my finds last year.
For Day 1, I walked my local loop - 14 species found in flower today. Such a lovely walk along the Fleet with plenty to enjoy including a bonus Little Egret in one of the channels.
For Day 1, I walked my local loop - 14 species found in flower today. Such a lovely walk along the Fleet with plenty to enjoy including a bonus Little Egret in one of the channels.
First day of 2026 provided a gorgeous sky as the sun set over the Fleet, Weymouth.
Came across this lush clump of Star Moss on my walk - like a cushion of fireworks celebrating the new year. So beautiful.
New Years Resolution - get into #Bryophytes!
Came across this lush clump of Star Moss on my walk - like a cushion of fireworks celebrating the new year. So beautiful.
New Years Resolution - get into #Bryophytes!
January 1, 2026 at 5:48 PM
First day of 2026 provided a gorgeous sky as the sun set over the Fleet, Weymouth.
Came across this lush clump of Star Moss on my walk - like a cushion of fireworks celebrating the new year. So beautiful.
New Years Resolution - get into #Bryophytes!
Came across this lush clump of Star Moss on my walk - like a cushion of fireworks celebrating the new year. So beautiful.
New Years Resolution - get into #Bryophytes!
Get down with the trumpets!
A veritable forest of Trumpet Cup #Lichen at Studland, Dorset yesterday on a beautiful, tranquil evening - what a lovely fanfare to end 2025, along with a stunning pair of Smew (ducks) present in the bay.
A veritable forest of Trumpet Cup #Lichen at Studland, Dorset yesterday on a beautiful, tranquil evening - what a lovely fanfare to end 2025, along with a stunning pair of Smew (ducks) present in the bay.
January 1, 2026 at 5:28 PM
Get down with the trumpets!
A veritable forest of Trumpet Cup #Lichen at Studland, Dorset yesterday on a beautiful, tranquil evening - what a lovely fanfare to end 2025, along with a stunning pair of Smew (ducks) present in the bay.
A veritable forest of Trumpet Cup #Lichen at Studland, Dorset yesterday on a beautiful, tranquil evening - what a lovely fanfare to end 2025, along with a stunning pair of Smew (ducks) present in the bay.
Keen to notch-up #thewinter10 I checked a small roadside verge today. Very productive - 11 species in flower!
Favourite was Shepherd's Purse with it's heart-shaped pods 💚.
Also Ivy, Smooth Sow-thistle, Yarrow, Red Clover, Oxeye Daisy, Gorse, Ragwort, Groundsel, Daisy & Petty Spurge.
#wildflowerhour
Favourite was Shepherd's Purse with it's heart-shaped pods 💚.
Also Ivy, Smooth Sow-thistle, Yarrow, Red Clover, Oxeye Daisy, Gorse, Ragwort, Groundsel, Daisy & Petty Spurge.
#wildflowerhour
December 28, 2025 at 8:55 PM
Keen to notch-up #thewinter10 I checked a small roadside verge today. Very productive - 11 species in flower!
Favourite was Shepherd's Purse with it's heart-shaped pods 💚.
Also Ivy, Smooth Sow-thistle, Yarrow, Red Clover, Oxeye Daisy, Gorse, Ragwort, Groundsel, Daisy & Petty Spurge.
#wildflowerhour
Favourite was Shepherd's Purse with it's heart-shaped pods 💚.
Also Ivy, Smooth Sow-thistle, Yarrow, Red Clover, Oxeye Daisy, Gorse, Ragwort, Groundsel, Daisy & Petty Spurge.
#wildflowerhour
Enjoyed a #wildflowerhour walk in Charminster today. Saw Winter Heliotrope, Ivy-leaved Toadflax, Annual Meadow Grass, Smooth Sowthistle, Primrose and a very tired looking Lesser Celendine with just a single petal surviving Christmas.
Also caught up with the Tundra Bean & White-fronted Geese. Lovely!
Also caught up with the Tundra Bean & White-fronted Geese. Lovely!
December 28, 2025 at 8:04 PM
Enjoyed a #wildflowerhour walk in Charminster today. Saw Winter Heliotrope, Ivy-leaved Toadflax, Annual Meadow Grass, Smooth Sowthistle, Primrose and a very tired looking Lesser Celendine with just a single petal surviving Christmas.
Also caught up with the Tundra Bean & White-fronted Geese. Lovely!
Also caught up with the Tundra Bean & White-fronted Geese. Lovely!
What a lovely gift I received yesterday - an absolutely gorgeous #fungi poster.
Have incorporated it in the collage below alongside a selection of some of the many fungi (and slime moulds) I've enjoyed over the last couple of months in the woodlands and heaths of Dorset.
Happy #FungiFriday. 🍄
Have incorporated it in the collage below alongside a selection of some of the many fungi (and slime moulds) I've enjoyed over the last couple of months in the woodlands and heaths of Dorset.
Happy #FungiFriday. 🍄
December 26, 2025 at 2:56 PM
What a lovely gift I received yesterday - an absolutely gorgeous #fungi poster.
Have incorporated it in the collage below alongside a selection of some of the many fungi (and slime moulds) I've enjoyed over the last couple of months in the woodlands and heaths of Dorset.
Happy #FungiFriday. 🍄
Have incorporated it in the collage below alongside a selection of some of the many fungi (and slime moulds) I've enjoyed over the last couple of months in the woodlands and heaths of Dorset.
Happy #FungiFriday. 🍄
A Berry Merry Christmas #wlidflowerhour friends. 🎄
I tried to find 10 berries for this week, but fell short so have cheated with a needle-felted mistletoe!
Real berries found were Holly, Wild Privet, Stinking Iris, Blackthorn, Hawthorn, White Bryony, Ivy, Dog Rose, and Cotoneaster.
#thewinter10
I tried to find 10 berries for this week, but fell short so have cheated with a needle-felted mistletoe!
Real berries found were Holly, Wild Privet, Stinking Iris, Blackthorn, Hawthorn, White Bryony, Ivy, Dog Rose, and Cotoneaster.
#thewinter10
December 21, 2025 at 9:07 PM