Pond Watcher
@watcherpond.bsky.social
Interested in natural history, particularly ponds. Yorkshire based.
Reposted by Pond Watcher
When there are limpet shells in your thatch, you know something's not quite right with the weather.
Today's @theguardian.com country diary by @tomallanwriter.bsky.social considers storm damage in a beleaguered Devon village.
#countrydiary #naturewriting
Today's @theguardian.com country diary by @tomallanwriter.bsky.social considers storm damage in a beleaguered Devon village.
#countrydiary #naturewriting
Country diary: How much bad weather can one village take? | Tom Allan
Torcross, Devon: 2026 has been defined by storms here. My job of repairing a thatched roof is simple compared with the wider recovery
www.theguardian.com
February 12, 2026 at 8:09 AM
When there are limpet shells in your thatch, you know something's not quite right with the weather.
Today's @theguardian.com country diary by @tomallanwriter.bsky.social considers storm damage in a beleaguered Devon village.
#countrydiary #naturewriting
Today's @theguardian.com country diary by @tomallanwriter.bsky.social considers storm damage in a beleaguered Devon village.
#countrydiary #naturewriting
Reposted by Pond Watcher
New paper published today in @peerj.bsky.social
Based on simple observation and citizen science, we show that cats and dogs can contribute to the spread of invasive land flatworms—no molecular data needed.🧪
Open access: peerj.com/articles/207...
Based on simple observation and citizen science, we show that cats and dogs can contribute to the spread of invasive land flatworms—no molecular data needed.🧪
Open access: peerj.com/articles/207...
February 10, 2026 at 9:25 PM
New paper published today in @peerj.bsky.social
Based on simple observation and citizen science, we show that cats and dogs can contribute to the spread of invasive land flatworms—no molecular data needed.🧪
Open access: peerj.com/articles/207...
Based on simple observation and citizen science, we show that cats and dogs can contribute to the spread of invasive land flatworms—no molecular data needed.🧪
Open access: peerj.com/articles/207...
Reposted by Pond Watcher
Three-lobed Crowfoot is at peak flowering just now in the Mediterranean temporary ponds on the Lizard Heaths. #WildflowerHour
February 8, 2026 at 8:31 PM
Three-lobed Crowfoot is at peak flowering just now in the Mediterranean temporary ponds on the Lizard Heaths. #WildflowerHour
@scarpermac.bsky.social for info following your recent post about this book
Ordered last June, arrived Tuesday, finished last night. A book I needed years ago. Absolutely terrific and if you’re early in your naturalist phase an essential read I would say. One that won’t go on the shelf but to reread and dip into, especially the section on different groups.
February 7, 2026 at 12:20 PM
@scarpermac.bsky.social for info following your recent post about this book
A UK climate security report backed by the intelligence services was quietly buried – a pattern we’ve seen many times before
theconversation.com/a-uk-climate...
theconversation.com/a-uk-climate...
A UK climate security report backed by the intelligence services was quietly buried – a pattern we’ve seen many times before
Governments have been warned about climate change for 70 years. They’re still suppressing the worst news.
theconversation.com
February 5, 2026 at 12:17 PM
A UK climate security report backed by the intelligence services was quietly buried – a pattern we’ve seen many times before
theconversation.com/a-uk-climate...
theconversation.com/a-uk-climate...
Reposted by Pond Watcher
Reposted by Pond Watcher
For #WorldWetlandsDay, we're shining a light on four of the 25% of Britain's threatened spider species that are wetland specialists. They're entirely dependent on aquatic habitats remaining wet, unpolluted and growing, not shrinking, in size and connectivity @naturalengland.bsky.social
February 2, 2026 at 8:46 PM
For #WorldWetlandsDay, we're shining a light on four of the 25% of Britain's threatened spider species that are wetland specialists. They're entirely dependent on aquatic habitats remaining wet, unpolluted and growing, not shrinking, in size and connectivity @naturalengland.bsky.social
On #WorldWetlandsDay here is a spring-fed woodland pond In Elloughton Dale on the southern edge of the Yorkshire Wolds. @freshwaterhabitats.bsky.social @carlsayer.bsky.social @chrismcgregor.bsky.social
February 2, 2026 at 4:33 PM
On #WorldWetlandsDay here is a spring-fed woodland pond In Elloughton Dale on the southern edge of the Yorkshire Wolds. @freshwaterhabitats.bsky.social @carlsayer.bsky.social @chrismcgregor.bsky.social
Reposted by Pond Watcher
Happy #WorldWetlandsDay!
Traditional knowledge has long guided the sustainable use of wetlands. As the Convention on Wetlands marks 55 years, #WorldWetlandsDay2026 calls on us to protect wetlands and honour cultural heritage.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=S_Mc...
Traditional knowledge has long guided the sustainable use of wetlands. As the Convention on Wetlands marks 55 years, #WorldWetlandsDay2026 calls on us to protect wetlands and honour cultural heritage.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=S_Mc...
World Wetlands Day 2026
YouTube video by The Convention on Wetlands
www.youtube.com
February 2, 2026 at 9:12 AM
Happy #WorldWetlandsDay!
Traditional knowledge has long guided the sustainable use of wetlands. As the Convention on Wetlands marks 55 years, #WorldWetlandsDay2026 calls on us to protect wetlands and honour cultural heritage.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=S_Mc...
Traditional knowledge has long guided the sustainable use of wetlands. As the Convention on Wetlands marks 55 years, #WorldWetlandsDay2026 calls on us to protect wetlands and honour cultural heritage.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=S_Mc...
Reposted by Pond Watcher
I very deliberately keep my feed personal and separate from work but today is an exception. Today we published Yorkshires 1st Local Nature Recovery Strategy. If you don’t like it don’t spam me here! The #Hull and #EastYorkshire LNRS is a plan. Next step is the action. heylnp.co.uk/lnrs/#LNRSDOC
Hull and East Yorkshire Local Nature Recovery Strategy - Hull and East Yorkshire Local Nature Partnership
Contribute to Hull & East Yorkshire's Nature Recovery Strategy. Discover priority habitats, explore funding opportunities, and support local biodiversity today.
heylnp.co.uk
February 2, 2026 at 1:19 PM
I very deliberately keep my feed personal and separate from work but today is an exception. Today we published Yorkshires 1st Local Nature Recovery Strategy. If you don’t like it don’t spam me here! The #Hull and #EastYorkshire LNRS is a plan. Next step is the action. heylnp.co.uk/lnrs/#LNRSDOC
Reposted by Pond Watcher
Reposted by Pond Watcher
We're now just a few months away from this year's City Nature Challenge, which will be running for the 4th year in Hull. Find out all the details for how to get involved on our website: www.neyedc.org.uk/hull-cnc-2026 and visit our iNaturalist project here: uk.inaturalist.org/projects/cit... 🔎
January 30, 2026 at 9:21 AM
We're now just a few months away from this year's City Nature Challenge, which will be running for the 4th year in Hull. Find out all the details for how to get involved on our website: www.neyedc.org.uk/hull-cnc-2026 and visit our iNaturalist project here: uk.inaturalist.org/projects/cit... 🔎
@norfolkponds.bsky.social @carlsayer.bsky.social @norfolknats.bsky.social Have you come across Tufted Ducks being called Arps?
Tufted ducks, according to Google AI, are called "Arps" (or "Harps") on Norfolk & Suffolk Broads as a local dialect contraction of their scientific genus name, Aythya. Is this 'origin' of Arps name correct?
January 29, 2026 at 11:16 AM
@norfolkponds.bsky.social @carlsayer.bsky.social @norfolknats.bsky.social Have you come across Tufted Ducks being called Arps?
Tufted ducks, according to Google AI, are called "Arps" (or "Harps") on Norfolk & Suffolk Broads as a local dialect contraction of their scientific genus name, Aythya. Is this 'origin' of Arps name correct?
January 28, 2026 at 9:55 PM
Tufted ducks, according to Google AI, are called "Arps" (or "Harps") on Norfolk & Suffolk Broads as a local dialect contraction of their scientific genus name, Aythya. Is this 'origin' of Arps name correct?
What were the first animals? The fierce sponge–jelly battle that just won’t end www.nature.com/articles/d41...
What were the first animals? The fierce sponge–jelly battle that just won’t end
For almost two decades, scientists have debated whether sponges or comb jellies are the first animal lineage. Now some are calling for a more harmonious approach.
www.nature.com
January 28, 2026 at 9:35 AM
What were the first animals? The fierce sponge–jelly battle that just won’t end www.nature.com/articles/d41...
Reposted by Pond Watcher
Bee-hunting beetles are the first animals known to fake the smell of flowers | Science | AAAS www.science.org/content/arti...
Bee-hunting beetles are the first animals known to fake the smell of flowers
Study of parasitic blister beetles reveals a new form of chemical deception
www.science.org
January 26, 2026 at 10:09 PM
Bee-hunting beetles are the first animals known to fake the smell of flowers | Science | AAAS www.science.org/content/arti...
Reposted by Pond Watcher
We have no idea what it does down there yet. Predator? Menace? Vibes-only organism? Classic deep sea: shows up, breaks the rules, refuses to explain itself.
Watch video at www.fisheries.noaa.gov/feature-stor...
Watch video at www.fisheries.noaa.gov/feature-stor...
NOAA Scientists Virtually Discover New Species of Comb Jelly Near Puerto Rico
The comb jellies were recorded two and a half miles below sea level using NOAA's Deep Discoverer remotely operated vehicle.
www.fisheries.noaa.gov
January 16, 2026 at 3:57 PM
We have no idea what it does down there yet. Predator? Menace? Vibes-only organism? Classic deep sea: shows up, breaks the rules, refuses to explain itself.
Watch video at www.fisheries.noaa.gov/feature-stor...
Watch video at www.fisheries.noaa.gov/feature-stor...
Reposted by Pond Watcher
After five years in the making!
All proceeds going directly back into supporting more conservation.
To secure yourself a copy, please send an email to Lucy.Murgatroyd@naturalengland.org.uk
£25 for an amazing hardback with full colour photos and illustrations is an absolute bargain!
All proceeds going directly back into supporting more conservation.
To secure yourself a copy, please send an email to Lucy.Murgatroyd@naturalengland.org.uk
£25 for an amazing hardback with full colour photos and illustrations is an absolute bargain!
January 16, 2026 at 6:41 PM
After five years in the making!
All proceeds going directly back into supporting more conservation.
To secure yourself a copy, please send an email to Lucy.Murgatroyd@naturalengland.org.uk
£25 for an amazing hardback with full colour photos and illustrations is an absolute bargain!
All proceeds going directly back into supporting more conservation.
To secure yourself a copy, please send an email to Lucy.Murgatroyd@naturalengland.org.uk
£25 for an amazing hardback with full colour photos and illustrations is an absolute bargain!
Reposted by Pond Watcher
Tunbridge Wells' very own Rev Thomas Stebbing monographed the crustaceans from the Challenger expeditions. He never went to sea himself, but studied the specimens at his home, Ephraim Lodge on Tunbridge Wells Common
#OnThisDay in 1872, the expedition of HMS Challenger set sail from Portsmouth, travelling nearly 70,00 nautical miles and cataloguing over 4000 unknown species over 4 years. This pioneering expedition, organised by the Royal Society, laid the foundations of oceanography.
January 15, 2026 at 6:42 PM
Tunbridge Wells' very own Rev Thomas Stebbing monographed the crustaceans from the Challenger expeditions. He never went to sea himself, but studied the specimens at his home, Ephraim Lodge on Tunbridge Wells Common
Reposted by Pond Watcher
If people are starting to browse through seed catalogs I can recommend fennel. It germinates easily and grows well even up here at 650 feet and look at all those visitors it had 🌱 #YellowThurs
January 15, 2026 at 2:53 PM
If people are starting to browse through seed catalogs I can recommend fennel. It germinates easily and grows well even up here at 650 feet and look at all those visitors it had 🌱 #YellowThurs
Great Silver Water-beetle found in moth trap at Kilnsea, East Yorkshire, Sept 2025 @ynuorg.bsky.social @tc271.bsky.social @chrismcgregor.bsky.social
At ca 5 cm long, the Great Silver Water-beetle (Hydrophilus piceus) is an impressive beast. It's currently expanding in East Anglia, presumably the source of one caught in a moth trap at Kilnsea in September last. This was the first reliable Yorkshire record of this species as a living insect.
January 13, 2026 at 9:23 PM
Great Silver Water-beetle found in moth trap at Kilnsea, East Yorkshire, Sept 2025 @ynuorg.bsky.social @tc271.bsky.social @chrismcgregor.bsky.social
Reposted by Pond Watcher
Rare plants often turn up in restored Norfolk farm #ponds: Translucent Stonewort (Nitella translucens), Tassel Stonewort (Tolypella intricata), Bladder Sedge (Carex vesicaria) & Marsh Speedwell (Veronica scutellata). Very special species usually confined to nature reserves
January 9, 2026 at 9:59 PM
Rare plants often turn up in restored Norfolk farm #ponds: Translucent Stonewort (Nitella translucens), Tassel Stonewort (Tolypella intricata), Bladder Sedge (Carex vesicaria) & Marsh Speedwell (Veronica scutellata). Very special species usually confined to nature reserves
The Reptile Who Plays Possum - bioGraphic www.biographic.com/the-reptile-...
The Reptile Who Plays Possum - bioGraphic
Grass snakes fake death to avoid predation.
www.biographic.com
January 9, 2026 at 4:56 PM
The Reptile Who Plays Possum - bioGraphic www.biographic.com/the-reptile-...
Jellyfish sleep like humans — even though they don’t have brains www.nature.com/articles/d41...
Jellyfish sleep like humans — even though they don’t have brains
Studying ancient sea creatures’ snoozing habits could shed light on the origins of sleep.
www.nature.com
January 6, 2026 at 9:45 PM
Jellyfish sleep like humans — even though they don’t have brains www.nature.com/articles/d41...