Stephen Lowe Watson
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stephenlowewatson.bsky.social
Stephen Lowe Watson
@stephenlowewatson.bsky.social
Ex-NHS IT guy. Wildlife, trees, Sussex downs, climate. Environmental fantasy novel: 'Root Rage'. I amuse myself by twiddling on a concertina.
Born at 316ppm
Ponies on the South Downs on the site of the Battle of Lewes, munching rough grass; helping to restore species-rich chalk grassland where, back in 1264, Simon de Montfort's rebels charged down towards Lewes Castle and victory over King Henry III and Prince Edward. #Sussex
December 27, 2025 at 3:25 PM
Christmas rosebuds - Mme. Alfred Carrière and Maigold today.
December 25, 2025 at 2:08 PM
Reposted by Stephen Lowe Watson
Happy Winter Solstice! Today marks the shortest day and the longest night of the year 🌙

While we cosy up, here's a little reminder of brighter days to come.
December 21, 2025 at 9:30 AM
Reposted by Stephen Lowe Watson
Missed the last posting date? We've got you covered! Send instant festive cheer with our bee-utiful eCards 💌

Send your loved ones a bumblebee eCard this Christmas via email, WhatsApp or Messenger and donate the cost of sending a greetings card 💚

📨 https://ow.ly/JPRc50XisVP
December 20, 2025 at 10:10 AM
A grey wagtail spotted by the side of the River Ouse in Lewes on this morning's high tide #birds
December 19, 2025 at 12:50 PM
December 17, 2025 at 9:22 PM
Someone's been busily burrowing in this woodland floor - and the entrance is decorated with candles. Candlesnuff fungus, anyway. Chailey Common, Sussex #fungifriends @sussexwildlife.bsky.social
December 17, 2025 at 9:18 PM
Some fungi spotted on trees and fallen logs on Chailey Common, Sussex this afternoon. Yellow Brain is unmistakable; the other two might be Crimped Gill and Hoof fungus #fungifriends 🍄📸
December 17, 2025 at 6:22 PM
@tommckinney.bsky.social This morning's blackbird dawn chorus on BBC Radio 3 breakfast was beautiful, but the robin with which it was duetting didn't get a credit. I understand it's demanding 5 billion mealworms in compensation.
December 16, 2025 at 8:36 AM
@hausfath.bsky.social Do you feel this radio interview with you fairly represented your views? Seemed to me the presenter wanted to put across a reassuring 'climate change isn't as bad as we thought' vibe
www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
More or Less - RCP 8.5: Why did the climate change model get it wrong? - BBC Sounds
How an important climate model was too pessimistic about the future
www.bbc.co.uk
December 14, 2025 at 1:29 PM
"...mine's a simple life – I just have me two dogs, me sheep and me missus way back at the cottage and I come to church on a Sunday. That's all I sees or knows of life; that's all I really want to see or know. I forgot, there's my pint I always have of a night"
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
The South Downs shepherd who had a haunting vision
Reports say Fred Fowler saw something other-worldly while tending his flock on Firle Beacon.
www.bbc.co.uk
December 14, 2025 at 8:50 AM
Reposted by Stephen Lowe Watson
Economist @angelaisfranc.bsky.social speaking at the National Emergency Briefing.

"faster transition saves $12 trillion compared to staying on fossil fuels".

It's time for Governments to start listening to the experts.

Link below to full talk.
#NEB2025 #TimeToStepUp #NationalEmergencyBriefing
December 13, 2025 at 4:25 PM
Woodpigeon's morning preen #birds
December 13, 2025 at 9:12 AM
Sunrise and a sea of mist
December 13, 2025 at 8:23 AM
A slightly gibbous half moon before sunrise this morning
December 11, 2025 at 10:06 AM
Reposted by Stephen Lowe Watson
"This is national security issue. Without a living, healthy biosphere, there is no stable economy, no food..."

Prof Nathalie Seddon of @ox.ac.uk on why we're facing a national emergency.

Sign the open letter calling for a televised emergency briefing. www.nebriefing.org/open-letter-...
#NEB2025
December 10, 2025 at 8:15 AM
Cleaned out our starling nestbox in which a brood was successfully raised this year. Sterilised with boiling water as per @rspb.bsky.social instructions. The box was from CJ Wildlife; the balcony is supposed to protect from predators but we thought it suggested a Tudor makeover. #birds
December 9, 2025 at 1:09 PM
Reposted by Stephen Lowe Watson
A beauty of a #FoxOfTheDay , shared by @lloydytreehugger.bsky.social - top work !
December 9, 2025 at 7:00 AM
Reposted by Stephen Lowe Watson
A Northern Gannet collecting grasses from the cliff tops for Nest Building #BirdOfTheDay #Birds
December 8, 2025 at 4:54 PM
Reposted by Stephen Lowe Watson
There are thousands of trained doctors in the UK right now — unemployed. Not because they’re unnecessary, but because the government refuses to fund the NHS roles we desperately need.

If we have the doctors, we can fund the doctors. So why won’t they?

youtu.be/jN42hYQsehU?...
Why is our government choosing NHS cuts over patient care?
YouTube video by Richard J Murphy
youtu.be
December 5, 2025 at 7:07 AM
Magpie and moon #birds
December 4, 2025 at 7:00 PM
Reposted by Stephen Lowe Watson
This poem is dedicated to anyone making a start on their advent calendar today.
December 1, 2025 at 8:05 AM
Quick #Budget note: to hit people on low earnings, you freeze tax thresholds. To hit the rich, you raise tax rates, especially on higher bands. By their actions you shall know them.
November 26, 2025 at 8:36 AM
Reposted by Stephen Lowe Watson
I wish I didn’t have to share this. But the BBC has decided to censor my first Reith Lecture.

They deleted the line in which I describe Donald Trump as “the most openly corrupt president in American history.” /1
November 25, 2025 at 9:26 AM