Carl Sayer
@carlsayer.bsky.social
Professor at UCL, Restoration of freshwaters, ponds, lakes, rivers, meadows, plants, diatoms, fish, eels, burbot, crucians, palaeoecology, rewilding, Norfolk: https://www.ucl.ac.uk/geography/carl-sayer
Pinned
Carl Sayer
@carlsayer.bsky.social
· Dec 8
Bringing 'ghost' and 'zombie' ponds back from the dead
YouTube video by RAZOR Science Show
youtu.be
POND GHOSTS & ZOMBIES. A film on our #pond #restoration #Ghostponds work in @uclgeography.bsky.social by RAZOR Science featuring Norfolk Ponds Project, Helen Greaves, myself & many. Pond restoration achieves nature recovery so quickly: youtu.be/SYkbDdaUMBY?...
Agile Frog is getting a helping hand in the Channel Islands. Brilliant project underway in Jersey. www.bbc.com/news/article...
Jersey wildlife trust recognised for protecting agile frogs
Wildlife experts say the agile frog could have "disappeared from Jersey" without the project.
www.bbc.com
November 13, 2025 at 11:05 PM
Agile Frog is getting a helping hand in the Channel Islands. Brilliant project underway in Jersey. www.bbc.com/news/article...
Much talk all the time of freshwater wetlands being great filters & cleaning water. We must remember that sending dirty water into wetlands destroys them. There is nothing more certain in science than that. Make wetlands clean!!! @ramsar.org @freshwaterbio.bsky.social
November 11, 2025 at 9:00 PM
Much talk all the time of freshwater wetlands being great filters & cleaning water. We must remember that sending dirty water into wetlands destroys them. There is nothing more certain in science than that. Make wetlands clean!!! @ramsar.org @freshwaterbio.bsky.social
Reposted by Carl Sayer
Happy Halloween freshwater fiends! Do you believe in ghosts? Nope. How about ghost ponds?👻
Please allow us to introduce you to a the amazing #GhostPond aficionado @carlsayer.bsky.social for inspiring ponderings on the incredible power of ghost pond resurrections!
Check it out: youtu.be/bT1FLPCjEPw
Please allow us to introduce you to a the amazing #GhostPond aficionado @carlsayer.bsky.social for inspiring ponderings on the incredible power of ghost pond resurrections!
Check it out: youtu.be/bT1FLPCjEPw
October 31, 2025 at 12:39 PM
Happy Halloween freshwater fiends! Do you believe in ghosts? Nope. How about ghost ponds?👻
Please allow us to introduce you to a the amazing #GhostPond aficionado @carlsayer.bsky.social for inspiring ponderings on the incredible power of ghost pond resurrections!
Check it out: youtu.be/bT1FLPCjEPw
Please allow us to introduce you to a the amazing #GhostPond aficionado @carlsayer.bsky.social for inspiring ponderings on the incredible power of ghost pond resurrections!
Check it out: youtu.be/bT1FLPCjEPw
How do you get a 120% increase in wetland plants in the farmed landscape & massively increase water beetle diversity too? The answer is restore farm ponds by scrub & sediment removal - key is to go in hard & make a big impact. See new paper: share.google/VVowsJzqHdPT...
October 23, 2025 at 6:52 PM
How do you get a 120% increase in wetland plants in the farmed landscape & massively increase water beetle diversity too? The answer is restore farm ponds by scrub & sediment removal - key is to go in hard & make a big impact. See new paper: share.google/VVowsJzqHdPT...
Reposted by Carl Sayer
Campaigners + local businesses claim phosphates + nitrates from the collective poo of as many as 23million chickens packed into the Wye catchment from a growing number of intensive chicken farms are driving algal blooms, harming fish + wildlife.
🧵 1/
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
🧵 1/
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
River Wye pollution prompts UK's largest environmental lawsuit
Livestock and water companies are accused of “extensive” pollution in the Wye, Lugg and Usk rivers.
www.bbc.co.uk
October 8, 2025 at 5:30 PM
Campaigners + local businesses claim phosphates + nitrates from the collective poo of as many as 23million chickens packed into the Wye catchment from a growing number of intensive chicken farms are driving algal blooms, harming fish + wildlife.
🧵 1/
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
🧵 1/
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Reposted by Carl Sayer
The great Helen Greaves representing us at the Norfolk Biodiversity Partnership Community Biodiversity Fair today @theforumnorwich.bsky.social promoting ponds, #pond restoration & of course #ghostpond resurrection
October 4, 2025 at 12:20 PM
The great Helen Greaves representing us at the Norfolk Biodiversity Partnership Community Biodiversity Fair today @theforumnorwich.bsky.social promoting ponds, #pond restoration & of course #ghostpond resurrection
A simply magnificent @uclgeography.bsky.social MSc Aquatic Conservation & MSc Conservation team at Blakeney Point NNR in autumn weather to dream of @tonyjuniper.bsky.social @craigbennett3.bsky.social
September 30, 2025 at 9:56 PM
A simply magnificent @uclgeography.bsky.social MSc Aquatic Conservation & MSc Conservation team at Blakeney Point NNR in autumn weather to dream of @tonyjuniper.bsky.social @craigbennett3.bsky.social
The Bodham Beavers, upper River Glaven. North Norfolk MSc fieldclass for @uclgeography.bsky.social MSc Conservation & Aquatic Conservation 2025 with Jonah Tosney from Norfolk Rivers Trust & 9 beavers
September 28, 2025 at 9:35 PM
The Bodham Beavers, upper River Glaven. North Norfolk MSc fieldclass for @uclgeography.bsky.social MSc Conservation & Aquatic Conservation 2025 with Jonah Tosney from Norfolk Rivers Trust & 9 beavers
Sampling #ghostponds before & after ressurection today with @hayleymcmechan.bsky.social & the MSc Conservation & MSc Aquatic Conservation teams on our @uclgeography.bsky.social fieldcourse to N. Norfolk. Utter madness!
September 28, 2025 at 9:18 PM
Sampling #ghostponds before & after ressurection today with @hayleymcmechan.bsky.social & the MSc Conservation & MSc Aquatic Conservation teams on our @uclgeography.bsky.social fieldcourse to N. Norfolk. Utter madness!
The MSc Aquatic Conservation & MSc Conservation @uclgeography.bsky.social North Norfolk fieldclass in full flow in superb weather. So far no sign of #Blackshuck! @tonyjuniper.bsky.social @craigbennett3.bsky.social
September 27, 2025 at 11:54 AM
The MSc Aquatic Conservation & MSc Conservation @uclgeography.bsky.social North Norfolk fieldclass in full flow in superb weather. So far no sign of #Blackshuck! @tonyjuniper.bsky.social @craigbennett3.bsky.social
Spindle at a pink peak. My favourite plant of the autumn for #wildflowerhour
September 21, 2025 at 7:11 PM
Spindle at a pink peak. My favourite plant of the autumn for #wildflowerhour
Reposted by Carl Sayer
A resurrected Ice age #pond in Norfolk, E. England. Dug to draw in extraterrestrials. It took 1 day to bring back. The black soil is full of seeds. The excavation will fill over winter & be amazing by summer. Photo @hburningham.bsky.social @hayleymcmechan.bsky.social @timholtwilson.bsky.social
September 21, 2025 at 9:27 AM
A resurrected Ice age #pond in Norfolk, E. England. Dug to draw in extraterrestrials. It took 1 day to bring back. The black soil is full of seeds. The excavation will fill over winter & be amazing by summer. Photo @hburningham.bsky.social @hayleymcmechan.bsky.social @timholtwilson.bsky.social
Reposted by Carl Sayer
‘It’s resurrection’: 1,000-year-old seeds could grow ancient plants in England’s ice-age ghost ponds
So excited to be quoted in this article about our resurrected #ghostponds with members of our fantastic team @carlsayer.bsky.social, @hburningham.bsky.social, @timholtwilson.bsky.social
So excited to be quoted in this article about our resurrected #ghostponds with members of our fantastic team @carlsayer.bsky.social, @hburningham.bsky.social, @timholtwilson.bsky.social
‘It’s resurrection’: 1,000-year-old seeds could grow ancient plants in England’s ice-age ghost ponds
An expert team are resurrecting ice age ponds and finding rare species returning from a ‘perfect time capsule’
www.theguardian.com
September 20, 2025 at 11:04 AM
‘It’s resurrection’: 1,000-year-old seeds could grow ancient plants in England’s ice-age ghost ponds
So excited to be quoted in this article about our resurrected #ghostponds with members of our fantastic team @carlsayer.bsky.social, @hburningham.bsky.social, @timholtwilson.bsky.social
So excited to be quoted in this article about our resurrected #ghostponds with members of our fantastic team @carlsayer.bsky.social, @hburningham.bsky.social, @timholtwilson.bsky.social
Reposted by Carl Sayer
Our work resurrecting ice age #ghostponds in the Guardian today @timholtwilson.bsky.social @hburningham.bsky.social @uclgeography.bsky.social ‘Just add water’: how to bring back ancient plants in a Norfolk ghost pond | Wildlife | The Guardian share.google/kO6HQaC4PAUJ...
‘Just add water’: how to bring back ancient plants in a Norfolk ghost pond
An expert team are resurrecting ice age ponds and finding rare species returning from a ‘perfect time capsule’
share.google
September 20, 2025 at 6:59 AM
Our work resurrecting ice age #ghostponds in the Guardian today @timholtwilson.bsky.social @hburningham.bsky.social @uclgeography.bsky.social ‘Just add water’: how to bring back ancient plants in a Norfolk ghost pond | Wildlife | The Guardian share.google/kO6HQaC4PAUJ...
Reposted by Carl Sayer
1/4: We restored the biggest Norfolk farmland #pond we have ever worked on over the last 3 days. 50 x 25 m. Huge amounts of willow was removed by our volunteers followed by much chainsaw work @patrickbarkham.bsky.social
September 18, 2025 at 8:44 PM
1/4: We restored the biggest Norfolk farmland #pond we have ever worked on over the last 3 days. 50 x 25 m. Huge amounts of willow was removed by our volunteers followed by much chainsaw work @patrickbarkham.bsky.social
Reposted by Carl Sayer
We have been described as "THE BEST NGO THAT NOBODY KNOWS ABOUT"
Please help by following us & reposting!!!
Please help by following us & reposting!!!
September 15, 2025 at 8:37 PM
We have been described as "THE BEST NGO THAT NOBODY KNOWS ABOUT"
Please help by following us & reposting!!!
Please help by following us & reposting!!!
Reposted by Carl Sayer
1/4: It's Norfolk Ponds Project Pond Week. Despite the wild weather hampering things today we are now 4 ponds in! Look at this pond in the morning compared with the afternoon. All done with hand tools & brill volunteers clearing scrub (phase 1)!
September 15, 2025 at 8:24 PM
1/4: It's Norfolk Ponds Project Pond Week. Despite the wild weather hampering things today we are now 4 ponds in! Look at this pond in the morning compared with the afternoon. All done with hand tools & brill volunteers clearing scrub (phase 1)!
Reposted by Carl Sayer
A day of 'ghostpingo' #pond resurrection in the Norfolk Brecklands with @timholtwilson.bsky.social & other wonderful experts. By the end of tomorrow Norfolk will have 2 more of its lost ancient ponds back
September 11, 2025 at 8:39 PM
A day of 'ghostpingo' #pond resurrection in the Norfolk Brecklands with @timholtwilson.bsky.social & other wonderful experts. By the end of tomorrow Norfolk will have 2 more of its lost ancient ponds back
Reposted by Carl Sayer
This week we are working with volunteers to restore around 6 farm #ponds by major scrub & mud removal. Today we got almost 2 ponds done through pure weight of numbers helping!!! A truly brilliant crazy team!!!
September 13, 2025 at 7:49 PM
This week we are working with volunteers to restore around 6 farm #ponds by major scrub & mud removal. Today we got almost 2 ponds done through pure weight of numbers helping!!! A truly brilliant crazy team!!!
Reposted by Carl Sayer
Check it out: www.vims.edu/newsandevent...!
@jwcat757.bsky.social at VIMS popularized our article (www.nature.com/articles/s43...)! Enjoy with ditches, folks! 🧪
Not pictured: journal article co-lead @peatymike.bsky.social, section leads @fluitans.bsky.social,
@drtatariw.bsky.social, & others...
@jwcat757.bsky.social at VIMS popularized our article (www.nature.com/articles/s43...)! Enjoy with ditches, folks! 🧪
Not pictured: journal article co-lead @peatymike.bsky.social, section leads @fluitans.bsky.social,
@drtatariw.bsky.social, & others...
Ditches as waterways: Managing ‘ditch-scapes’ to strengthen communities and the environment
A global study reframes ditches as multifunctional waterways with the potential to improve community resilience, water quality, biodiversity and environmental outcomes.
www.vims.edu
September 12, 2025 at 6:14 PM
Check it out: www.vims.edu/newsandevent...!
@jwcat757.bsky.social at VIMS popularized our article (www.nature.com/articles/s43...)! Enjoy with ditches, folks! 🧪
Not pictured: journal article co-lead @peatymike.bsky.social, section leads @fluitans.bsky.social,
@drtatariw.bsky.social, & others...
@jwcat757.bsky.social at VIMS popularized our article (www.nature.com/articles/s43...)! Enjoy with ditches, folks! 🧪
Not pictured: journal article co-lead @peatymike.bsky.social, section leads @fluitans.bsky.social,
@drtatariw.bsky.social, & others...
Reposted by Carl Sayer
Getting ready for this year's 'ghost pingo' restoration campaign on farmland in the Brecks - whatever tomorrow's weather may throw at us! @carlsayer.bsky.social @norfolkponds.bsky.social @brecksfarmerswn.bsky.social
#Breckland #biodiversity #geodiversity
#Breckland #biodiversity #geodiversity
September 10, 2025 at 1:25 PM
Getting ready for this year's 'ghost pingo' restoration campaign on farmland in the Brecks - whatever tomorrow's weather may throw at us! @carlsayer.bsky.social @norfolkponds.bsky.social @brecksfarmerswn.bsky.social
#Breckland #biodiversity #geodiversity
#Breckland #biodiversity #geodiversity
Reposted by Carl Sayer
1/2: Ponds were often filled in at the same time that hedges were removed & so burnt wood & hedgebank soil was dumped in the disappearing pond which was a convenient hole. Big tree stumps could not be burnt so often come out whole when we restore #ghostponds. Often we find loads of big stumps
September 7, 2025 at 7:41 PM
1/2: Ponds were often filled in at the same time that hedges were removed & so burnt wood & hedgebank soil was dumped in the disappearing pond which was a convenient hole. Big tree stumps could not be burnt so often come out whole when we restore #ghostponds. Often we find loads of big stumps
Reposted by Carl Sayer
A pond restored in 2015. Stunning structural complexity & very high biodiversity in its 3 planty zones. Right in the middle of an arable field but no drainage in & a good buffer. Farming & conservation working together. This is what we MUST DO! @wildernorfolk.bsky.social @tonyjuniper.bsky.social
September 7, 2025 at 5:06 PM
A pond restored in 2015. Stunning structural complexity & very high biodiversity in its 3 planty zones. Right in the middle of an arable field but no drainage in & a good buffer. Farming & conservation working together. This is what we MUST DO! @wildernorfolk.bsky.social @tonyjuniper.bsky.social
Reposted by Carl Sayer
This is what we do. Since 2014 we have restored (& guided others to do the same in the UK) 100s of #ponds with **MASSIVE** measured benefits.
See this mid-arable farm pond before & just 1 year after restoration by scrub & mud removal. A freshwater jewel in the landscape @davetickner.bsky.social
See this mid-arable farm pond before & just 1 year after restoration by scrub & mud removal. A freshwater jewel in the landscape @davetickner.bsky.social
September 6, 2025 at 6:35 PM
This is what we do. Since 2014 we have restored (& guided others to do the same in the UK) 100s of #ponds with **MASSIVE** measured benefits.
See this mid-arable farm pond before & just 1 year after restoration by scrub & mud removal. A freshwater jewel in the landscape @davetickner.bsky.social
See this mid-arable farm pond before & just 1 year after restoration by scrub & mud removal. A freshwater jewel in the landscape @davetickner.bsky.social
Reposted by Carl Sayer
It's a great when you change the map! 2 resurrected #ghostpingos, just 1 yr old, look like they have been there forever. Working with the brill @timholtwilson.bsky.social & funded by Norfolk Wildlife Trust, BFER & Heritage Lottery we have helped 22 lost ancient Ice Age ponds back to life since 2021
September 5, 2025 at 9:07 PM
It's a great when you change the map! 2 resurrected #ghostpingos, just 1 yr old, look like they have been there forever. Working with the brill @timholtwilson.bsky.social & funded by Norfolk Wildlife Trust, BFER & Heritage Lottery we have helped 22 lost ancient Ice Age ponds back to life since 2021