Ben
@benjyhere.bsky.social
First and foremost, biodiversity: Frogs; Snakes; Bees but the wild kinds; Birds but not a birder. Occasional politics, of the woke, pro-Rejoin kind. Si j'avais le choix, je serais à Toulouse. SW London. Crepuscular.
Pinned
Ben
@benjyhere.bsky.social
· Nov 22
If I were allowed to write a @theguardian.com Country Diary, it might go something like this. @nicwilson.bsky.social @katebradbury.bsky.social @levparikian.bsky.social @brigit.strawbridge.bsky.social
Balham, SW London: little beats the thrill of nesting swifts and you can have it too.
A 🧵
Balham, SW London: little beats the thrill of nesting swifts and you can have it too.
A 🧵
Reposted by Ben
The finale of the great TV comedy show Blackadder goes Forth.
Back then I didn't expect one of the funniest programmes ever to end with a scene that makes me cry every time I see it.
Every single time.
Back then I didn't expect one of the funniest programmes ever to end with a scene that makes me cry every time I see it.
Every single time.
November 11, 2025 at 12:33 PM
The finale of the great TV comedy show Blackadder goes Forth.
Back then I didn't expect one of the funniest programmes ever to end with a scene that makes me cry every time I see it.
Every single time.
Back then I didn't expect one of the funniest programmes ever to end with a scene that makes me cry every time I see it.
Every single time.
Out looking for firecrests on Wimbledon Common again, heard not seen. Lovely views of goldcrests and long tailed tits though. Merlin also picked up a ring ouzel which would have been nice to confirm...Firecrest quest continues. @lesevanshill.bsky.social
November 9, 2025 at 11:06 AM
Out looking for firecrests on Wimbledon Common again, heard not seen. Lovely views of goldcrests and long tailed tits though. Merlin also picked up a ring ouzel which would have been nice to confirm...Firecrest quest continues. @lesevanshill.bsky.social
Reposted by Ben
As our Beewalk season comes to an end, we’re thrilled to share that the rarest bumblebee in England has been recorded at RHS Garden Hyde Hall 🌷🐝
The shrill carder bumblebee was spotted in September by BeeWalk volunteer Cheryl Sheff on Salvia 'Royal Bumble'.
Read on: https://ow.ly/yQ0v50Xmuu6
The shrill carder bumblebee was spotted in September by BeeWalk volunteer Cheryl Sheff on Salvia 'Royal Bumble'.
Read on: https://ow.ly/yQ0v50Xmuu6
November 6, 2025 at 9:40 AM
As our Beewalk season comes to an end, we’re thrilled to share that the rarest bumblebee in England has been recorded at RHS Garden Hyde Hall 🌷🐝
The shrill carder bumblebee was spotted in September by BeeWalk volunteer Cheryl Sheff on Salvia 'Royal Bumble'.
Read on: https://ow.ly/yQ0v50Xmuu6
The shrill carder bumblebee was spotted in September by BeeWalk volunteer Cheryl Sheff on Salvia 'Royal Bumble'.
Read on: https://ow.ly/yQ0v50Xmuu6
Reposted by Ben
House prices have gone up in the French town of Sauté since it's become gentlyfried.
November 6, 2025 at 11:28 AM
House prices have gone up in the French town of Sauté since it's become gentlyfried.
Reposted by Ben
À tale of two cities.
The Macron presidency in Paris, which ends in 2027,will have coincided, broadly with the Brexit period in London.
There is a interesting comparison which tells us something about the UK, about France, and maybe even Brexit.
A 🧵
The Macron presidency in Paris, which ends in 2027,will have coincided, broadly with the Brexit period in London.
There is a interesting comparison which tells us something about the UK, about France, and maybe even Brexit.
A 🧵
November 6, 2025 at 7:57 AM
À tale of two cities.
The Macron presidency in Paris, which ends in 2027,will have coincided, broadly with the Brexit period in London.
There is a interesting comparison which tells us something about the UK, about France, and maybe even Brexit.
A 🧵
The Macron presidency in Paris, which ends in 2027,will have coincided, broadly with the Brexit period in London.
There is a interesting comparison which tells us something about the UK, about France, and maybe even Brexit.
A 🧵
Reposted by Ben
Avec 470 arbres plantés et 4 000m2 de nature en plein cœur du 14e arrondissement, la place de Catalogne s'est radicalement transformée en 2024 !
November 1, 2025 at 5:40 PM
Avec 470 arbres plantés et 4 000m2 de nature en plein cœur du 14e arrondissement, la place de Catalogne s'est radicalement transformée en 2024 !
Quite often I cook a roast meal in two sittings, on days when my wife gets home from a late shift at the hospital. Hot gravy is my friend but re-crisping roast potatoes eludes me. Any tips @nigella.bsky.social @nigelslater.bsky.social @snig.bsky.social ? TIA.
November 1, 2025 at 5:42 PM
Quite often I cook a roast meal in two sittings, on days when my wife gets home from a late shift at the hospital. Hot gravy is my friend but re-crisping roast potatoes eludes me. Any tips @nigella.bsky.social @nigelslater.bsky.social @snig.bsky.social ? TIA.
There's always room for one more bee-friendly plant - here, Rosa. xanthina var. spontanea ‘Canary Bird’ bare root courtesy of David Austin... but it's all the fault of @jeremybartlett.bsky.social and @vannabartlett.bsky.social for planting the seed so to speak. 📸 in flower: David Austin website
November 1, 2025 at 2:07 PM
There's always room for one more bee-friendly plant - here, Rosa. xanthina var. spontanea ‘Canary Bird’ bare root courtesy of David Austin... but it's all the fault of @jeremybartlett.bsky.social and @vannabartlett.bsky.social for planting the seed so to speak. 📸 in flower: David Austin website
Reposted by Ben
National Trust members! You have until 2359pm tonight to cast your vote for NT Council.
It's imperative that you use your vote to keep out the Restore Trust entryists!
It's imperative that you use your vote to keep out the Restore Trust entryists!
And do take heed of Stewart Lee's adjuration to all National Trust members - vote vote vote to keep Restore Trust Out.
October 31, 2025 at 8:46 AM
National Trust members! You have until 2359pm tonight to cast your vote for NT Council.
It's imperative that you use your vote to keep out the Restore Trust entryists!
It's imperative that you use your vote to keep out the Restore Trust entryists!
@brigitstrawbridge.bsky.social @katebradbury.bsky.social @patrickbarkham.bsky.social please spread the word, what an opportunity this would be for @the-wildlifetrusts.bsky.social
Where are those for whom £30m is small change? Anyway, here in the real world, please donate if you can. @the-wildlifetrusts.bsky.social
BBC News - Sir David Attenborough backs bid to buy Rothbury Estate - BBC News
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
BBC News - Sir David Attenborough backs bid to buy Rothbury Estate - BBC News
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Sir David Attenborough backs bid to buy Rothbury Estate
Wildlife trusts attempt to raise £30m to keep Northumberland's Rothbury Estate from being split up.
www.bbc.co.uk
October 30, 2025 at 3:27 PM
@brigitstrawbridge.bsky.social @katebradbury.bsky.social @patrickbarkham.bsky.social please spread the word, what an opportunity this would be for @the-wildlifetrusts.bsky.social
Please email your MP, this is existential.
**Planning and Infrastructure Bill update**
The House of Lords have moved to keep vital protections for sensitive habitats and species.
It's now time to ask MPs to hold the line.
Let your MP know that we need to keep Amendment 130 in the Bill.
action.wildlifetrusts.org/page/180301/...
The House of Lords have moved to keep vital protections for sensitive habitats and species.
It's now time to ask MPs to hold the line.
Let your MP know that we need to keep Amendment 130 in the Bill.
action.wildlifetrusts.org/page/180301/...
Email your MP. Amendment 130 would make sure the new planning systems works for, not against nature.demand they keep amendment 130 in the Bill
It's now or never. This is the last chance to protect nature in the Planning and Infrastructure Bill.
Email your MP to keep amendment 130 in the Bill.
action.wildlifetrusts.org
October 30, 2025 at 1:42 PM
Please email your MP, this is existential.
Where are those for whom £30m is small change? Anyway, here in the real world, please donate if you can. @the-wildlifetrusts.bsky.social
BBC News - Sir David Attenborough backs bid to buy Rothbury Estate - BBC News
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
BBC News - Sir David Attenborough backs bid to buy Rothbury Estate - BBC News
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Sir David Attenborough backs bid to buy Rothbury Estate
Wildlife trusts attempt to raise £30m to keep Northumberland's Rothbury Estate from being split up.
www.bbc.co.uk
October 29, 2025 at 1:06 PM
Where are those for whom £30m is small change? Anyway, here in the real world, please donate if you can. @the-wildlifetrusts.bsky.social
BBC News - Sir David Attenborough backs bid to buy Rothbury Estate - BBC News
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
BBC News - Sir David Attenborough backs bid to buy Rothbury Estate - BBC News
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Reposted by Ben
X is a cesspit led by an unhinged billionaire who is desperately trying to stir up civil war in Britain.
Nobody with any sense or decency should be there.
No organisations, government departments, or politicians should be there.
Everyone who is, is enabling this monster.
Nobody with any sense or decency should be there.
No organisations, government departments, or politicians should be there.
Everyone who is, is enabling this monster.
October 29, 2025 at 8:22 AM
X is a cesspit led by an unhinged billionaire who is desperately trying to stir up civil war in Britain.
Nobody with any sense or decency should be there.
No organisations, government departments, or politicians should be there.
Everyone who is, is enabling this monster.
Nobody with any sense or decency should be there.
No organisations, government departments, or politicians should be there.
Everyone who is, is enabling this monster.
Reposted by Ben
It's that moment again for National Trust members to vote to keep the entryists out.
Quick and easy to vote and please do so by 31st of October
Quick Vote link keeps the AstroTurfers out.
Then share. Thank you.
secure.cesvotes.com/V3-3-0/nt25/...
Quick and easy to vote and please do so by 31st of October
Quick Vote link keeps the AstroTurfers out.
Then share. Thank you.
secure.cesvotes.com/V3-3-0/nt25/...
Log In
Welcome to the National Trust 2025 voting website, hosted by independent voting service provider Civica Election Services.
secure.cesvotes.com
October 25, 2025 at 10:11 AM
It's that moment again for National Trust members to vote to keep the entryists out.
Quick and easy to vote and please do so by 31st of October
Quick Vote link keeps the AstroTurfers out.
Then share. Thank you.
secure.cesvotes.com/V3-3-0/nt25/...
Quick and easy to vote and please do so by 31st of October
Quick Vote link keeps the AstroTurfers out.
Then share. Thank you.
secure.cesvotes.com/V3-3-0/nt25/...
No need to leave your email, just click submit.
October 21, 2025 at 8:20 AM
No need to leave your email, just click submit.
Reposted by Ben
An actual, real life, nuanced discussion about Brexit!!
October 17, 2025 at 11:49 AM
An actual, real life, nuanced discussion about Brexit!!
Reposted by Ben
Survivor. This frog with a deformed leg has lived in my garden for at least 2 years and is still going strong - here discovered behind a flower pot this week. @froglife.bsky.social @stevoallain.bsky.social
October 16, 2025 at 7:59 PM
Survivor. This frog with a deformed leg has lived in my garden for at least 2 years and is still going strong - here discovered behind a flower pot this week. @froglife.bsky.social @stevoallain.bsky.social
Reposted by Ben
We cannot allow extremists to divide us.
Our city must always be a place where people of all faiths and none can live side by side knowing they aren’t just safe to be who they are - they are celebrated for it.
Our city must always be a place where people of all faiths and none can live side by side knowing they aren’t just safe to be who they are - they are celebrated for it.
All beliefs are welcome in London – we cannot allow extremists to divide us | Sadiq Khan
Attacks against Jewish and Muslim communities are on the rise, and some politicians are exacerbating tensions by appealing to our worst instincts, says London mayor Sadiq Khan
www.theguardian.com
October 13, 2025 at 12:28 PM
We cannot allow extremists to divide us.
Our city must always be a place where people of all faiths and none can live side by side knowing they aren’t just safe to be who they are - they are celebrated for it.
Our city must always be a place where people of all faiths and none can live side by side knowing they aren’t just safe to be who they are - they are celebrated for it.
Just when you think the season's over.... #HummingbirdHawkMoth #TeamMoth
October 11, 2025 at 5:13 PM
Just when you think the season's over.... #HummingbirdHawkMoth #TeamMoth
Pair of buzzards over my house in SW London. @rspb.bsky.social
October 11, 2025 at 3:11 PM
Pair of buzzards over my house in SW London. @rspb.bsky.social
Who doesn't love a robin having a bath? Although between the bath and where I'm sitting is a pond but the bird has chosen the plastic tray...🫤 @rspb.bsky.social
October 11, 2025 at 2:21 PM
Who doesn't love a robin having a bath? Although between the bath and where I'm sitting is a pond but the bird has chosen the plastic tray...🫤 @rspb.bsky.social