Digging a buried #ghostpond in Norfolk farmland way back in 2013. The darker lower sediments are the muds from a pond filled in 70+ years ago. We now know that ghost pond ressurection may be the most successful form of ecological restoration known! @billsutherland.bsky.social

Time firework use declared certifiable addiction, with therapy. Too much to hope NY the end of it. Some sufferer just letting off barrage of fireworks east of Barnehurst towards Erith. Fireworks now been used >half the nights since Oct 18th.

During & 2 years after the restoration of a scrubbed over farm #pond. A massive increase in biodiversity observed. Return of Great Crested Newt & appearance of the mega rare Tassel Stonewort. We can report on 100s of stories like this from Norfolk. Ponds should be a higher conservation priority

Three @thames21.bsky.social volunteers at a sunny cold #ThamesRdWetland 3/1. 12.5 person-hrs work. Ice prevented clearing previously cut Reed from H2O, so mainly pruned shrubs to restore sunlight to key reptile habitat. Linnet a new site record, tho species has very probably visited before.

Dark purple-skinned (black-looking) #Tomato from seed of fruit bought in Gravesend deli. Grown both outdoors (struggled to set fruit at 1st - hot + dry) and in unheated greenhouse 2025. None 100% coloured up (esp on bottoms) but went in late. Flavour OK with salt. Mainly cooked.

Fairly hot Chilli 'Kristian', grown in unheated greenhouse last year. Started a bit late. Some have only gone half yellow (and half green) despite being brought indoors some weeks ago, but these are fully ripe. #chilli

Fed up with fireworks. They're also deliberate littering. This from my garden, 2/1. Back when I was young (+fireworks were couple of nights/yr + WAAAY quieter) the debris was usually a thickish card tube and a wooden stick. Now it' s yet more plastic pollution.

Urban sprawl and light pollution disrupt commuting corridors of urban-roosting bats www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...

Get hands on at #ThamesRdWetland - important wildlife site within #CrayfordMarshes Sign-up for monthly
@thames21.bsky.social staff-supported habitat work (Reed cutting, Sallow pollarding, shrub pruning) 9/1, 13/2 +/or 13/3. Kit/tools provided. book.plinth.org.uk/e/LFbuahHJmC...

A simple way to make your own delicious cider with minimal equipment, just in time for Christmas. A great way to use up windfall apples.
youtu.be/jRjBUjcJJMg

Coming soon… In the new year we’ll be publishing a new report highlighting 50 key threatened #GreenSpaces in London. The report will be launched at a webinar on 22nd Jan and free tickets can be booked here
eventbrite.co.uk/e/londons-gr...
Have a great Christmas and a very happy new year

15 volunteers at 12/12 @thames21.bsky.social event #ThamesRdWetland delivered 57 person-hrs Reed, ditch + pollarding work with 9h 30m onsite help from 2 supporting staff. Holding back drying out, maintaining species diversity. Book Jan/Feb/Mar sessions (free) book.plinth.org.uk/e/LFbuahHJmC...

Mottled Shieldbug (Rhaphigaster nebulosa) from pollarded Sallow branch 28/11/25. New site record #ThamesRdWetland SMINC in London Boro Bexley, managed by @thames21.bsky.social Feeds on various decidous trees. First found in UK in London area 2010, following increase on near continent. (Pic Elio G)

Dimming streetlights in urban areas reduces insect attraction but pipistrelle bats forage more in darkness 🦇

www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...

3 of us today #ThamesRdWetland @thames21.bsky.social Sallow pollarding, Reed + other veg work. V. annoying to have to clear 6 bags clothes, pots + pans, 2 large 'just eat' bike delivery back-packs, blanket + shag-pile carpet dumped on site, fortunately near council rubbish collection point.

Also pleasing to see the refreshing Canadian approach to dogs and wildlife. If only UK conservation organisations were as robust in their approach to dogs and cats!