Matt Phelps
@mostlyscarce.bsky.social
🐦 Birder/Nature geek
🫎 Rewilding champion
🦫 Lead Ecologist & Science Communicator
@kneppwilding.bsky.social
🫎 Rewilding champion
🦫 Lead Ecologist & Science Communicator
@kneppwilding.bsky.social
Reposted by Matt Phelps
#StorkNatureFest2025: Storrington celebrates. What an excellent article by @mostlyscarce.bsky.social on the @whitestorkproject.bsky.social at Knepp. knepp.co.uk/2025/05/whit...
White storks’ revival: what happens when we stop asking ‘why’ and start asking ‘why not’ - Knepp
Matt Phelps | Lead Ecologist This spring, a piece of history is being written in Sussex as we witness another successful breeding season for white storks, thanks to the efforts of the White Stork Proj...
knepp.co.uk
May 7, 2025 at 8:20 PM
#StorkNatureFest2025: Storrington celebrates. What an excellent article by @mostlyscarce.bsky.social on the @whitestorkproject.bsky.social at Knepp. knepp.co.uk/2025/05/whit...
Reposted by Matt Phelps
By donating to this campaign, SOS will help finance part of a series of works to improve the area including a freshwater control structure, a bund built to separate the freshwater areas from the brackish water areas.
@mayfieldbirder.bsky.social @mostlyscarce.bsky.social @jamko69.bsky.social
@mayfieldbirder.bsky.social @mostlyscarce.bsky.social @jamko69.bsky.social
April 23, 2025 at 8:08 AM
By donating to this campaign, SOS will help finance part of a series of works to improve the area including a freshwater control structure, a bund built to separate the freshwater areas from the brackish water areas.
@mayfieldbirder.bsky.social @mostlyscarce.bsky.social @jamko69.bsky.social
@mayfieldbirder.bsky.social @mostlyscarce.bsky.social @jamko69.bsky.social
Reposted by Matt Phelps
Had a fantastic recce at Knepp yesterday ahead of our long lens assignment. Special thanks to Matt Phelps @mostlyscarce.bsky.social, Ryan Greaves and Paul Stevens for showing us around!
Photos by Irina Patrut, Ed Prendeville and Hannah Wise.
Rove beetle (Platydracus sp.)
Photos by Irina Patrut, Ed Prendeville and Hannah Wise.
Rove beetle (Platydracus sp.)
March 27, 2025 at 12:50 PM
Had a fantastic recce at Knepp yesterday ahead of our long lens assignment. Special thanks to Matt Phelps @mostlyscarce.bsky.social, Ryan Greaves and Paul Stevens for showing us around!
Photos by Irina Patrut, Ed Prendeville and Hannah Wise.
Rove beetle (Platydracus sp.)
Photos by Irina Patrut, Ed Prendeville and Hannah Wise.
Rove beetle (Platydracus sp.)
Reposted by Matt Phelps
We have TWO new podcast episodes!
In Ground Control to Ranger Tom, Penny speaks to Knepp woodsman @therusticranger.bsky.social about Knepp's ancient trees.
In Dam Good News for Beavers, Penny chats with Knepp's new lead ecologist @mostlyscarce.bsky.social
🔊https://knepp.co.uk/wildland-podcast/
In Ground Control to Ranger Tom, Penny speaks to Knepp woodsman @therusticranger.bsky.social about Knepp's ancient trees.
In Dam Good News for Beavers, Penny chats with Knepp's new lead ecologist @mostlyscarce.bsky.social
🔊https://knepp.co.uk/wildland-podcast/
March 25, 2025 at 10:56 AM
We have TWO new podcast episodes!
In Ground Control to Ranger Tom, Penny speaks to Knepp woodsman @therusticranger.bsky.social about Knepp's ancient trees.
In Dam Good News for Beavers, Penny chats with Knepp's new lead ecologist @mostlyscarce.bsky.social
🔊https://knepp.co.uk/wildland-podcast/
In Ground Control to Ranger Tom, Penny speaks to Knepp woodsman @therusticranger.bsky.social about Knepp's ancient trees.
In Dam Good News for Beavers, Penny chats with Knepp's new lead ecologist @mostlyscarce.bsky.social
🔊https://knepp.co.uk/wildland-podcast/
White-tailed Eagles over the garden yesterday morning. Red Kites purposefully left in shot for a sense of scale! 👀
Also only one of a handful of times I've heard WTE call - such a bizarre, almost wader-like yelping!
Also only one of a handful of times I've heard WTE call - such a bizarre, almost wader-like yelping!
March 10, 2025 at 6:36 AM
White-tailed Eagles over the garden yesterday morning. Red Kites purposefully left in shot for a sense of scale! 👀
Also only one of a handful of times I've heard WTE call - such a bizarre, almost wader-like yelping!
Also only one of a handful of times I've heard WTE call - such a bizarre, almost wader-like yelping!
Reposted by Matt Phelps
Great video by c4 news on the first legal release of #beavers into the wild in England. Previously, they have been released into enclosures. #nature #rewilding
youtube.com/watch?v=0XNW...
youtube.com/watch?v=0XNW...
Rewilding: beavers legally return to the wild in England
YouTube video by Channel 4 News
youtube.com
March 6, 2025 at 3:24 PM
Great video by c4 news on the first legal release of #beavers into the wild in England. Previously, they have been released into enclosures. #nature #rewilding
youtube.com/watch?v=0XNW...
youtube.com/watch?v=0XNW...
Reposted by Matt Phelps
On the beaver news today, Knepp's Isabella Tree said:
“We are absolutely delighted that the UK Government will allow licenced reintroductions of wild beavers into river catchments in England, and we commend them for this decision which follows years of campaigning by nature restoration leaders.
“We are absolutely delighted that the UK Government will allow licenced reintroductions of wild beavers into river catchments in England, and we commend them for this decision which follows years of campaigning by nature restoration leaders.
February 28, 2025 at 9:42 AM
On the beaver news today, Knepp's Isabella Tree said:
“We are absolutely delighted that the UK Government will allow licenced reintroductions of wild beavers into river catchments in England, and we commend them for this decision which follows years of campaigning by nature restoration leaders.
“We are absolutely delighted that the UK Government will allow licenced reintroductions of wild beavers into river catchments in England, and we commend them for this decision which follows years of campaigning by nature restoration leaders.
Reposted by Matt Phelps
Just one month until #WorldRewildingDay on 20 March 🥳
This year’s theme is #RewildingTogether – for people, the planet & our communities.
What does rewilding mean to YOU? Share your thoughts 👇 – we might feature your comment in our celebrations!
📸 John Bryant / Knepp Wildland
This year’s theme is #RewildingTogether – for people, the planet & our communities.
What does rewilding mean to YOU? Share your thoughts 👇 – we might feature your comment in our celebrations!
📸 John Bryant / Knepp Wildland
February 20, 2025 at 11:30 AM
Just one month until #WorldRewildingDay on 20 March 🥳
This year’s theme is #RewildingTogether – for people, the planet & our communities.
What does rewilding mean to YOU? Share your thoughts 👇 – we might feature your comment in our celebrations!
📸 John Bryant / Knepp Wildland
This year’s theme is #RewildingTogether – for people, the planet & our communities.
What does rewilding mean to YOU? Share your thoughts 👇 – we might feature your comment in our celebrations!
📸 John Bryant / Knepp Wildland
More Hawfinches, I hear you cry? Oh go on then!
A few recent photos of these chunky beauties, mostly taken from home. Last photo of the one in flight was at @kneppwilding.bsky.social yesterday morning.
A few recent photos of these chunky beauties, mostly taken from home. Last photo of the one in flight was at @kneppwilding.bsky.social yesterday morning.
February 5, 2025 at 7:01 PM
More Hawfinches, I hear you cry? Oh go on then!
A few recent photos of these chunky beauties, mostly taken from home. Last photo of the one in flight was at @kneppwilding.bsky.social yesterday morning.
A few recent photos of these chunky beauties, mostly taken from home. Last photo of the one in flight was at @kneppwilding.bsky.social yesterday morning.
Thanks to @therusticranger.bsky.social for capturing me in my natural habitat at @kneppwilding.bsky.social.
Tom's view vs my view 😄🦫
Tom's view vs my view 😄🦫
February 1, 2025 at 9:07 AM
Thanks to @therusticranger.bsky.social for capturing me in my natural habitat at @kneppwilding.bsky.social.
Tom's view vs my view 😄🦫
Tom's view vs my view 😄🦫
Reposted by Matt Phelps
At Knepp we've recorded 527 different moth species, including some rare & declining ones: sloe carpet, rush wainscot, webb’s wainscott, dusky thorn, figure of eight, ghost moth & bulrush veneer.
More: knepp.co.uk/rewilding/wi...
📷Pippa Reay, Neil Hulme
🧠 Matt Phelps @mostlyscarce.bsky.social (2/2)
More: knepp.co.uk/rewilding/wi...
📷Pippa Reay, Neil Hulme
🧠 Matt Phelps @mostlyscarce.bsky.social (2/2)
January 29, 2025 at 11:03 AM
At Knepp we've recorded 527 different moth species, including some rare & declining ones: sloe carpet, rush wainscot, webb’s wainscott, dusky thorn, figure of eight, ghost moth & bulrush veneer.
More: knepp.co.uk/rewilding/wi...
📷Pippa Reay, Neil Hulme
🧠 Matt Phelps @mostlyscarce.bsky.social (2/2)
More: knepp.co.uk/rewilding/wi...
📷Pippa Reay, Neil Hulme
🧠 Matt Phelps @mostlyscarce.bsky.social (2/2)
Reposted by Matt Phelps
Scientists from the University of Sussex are calling for the government to urgently reassess the environmental risk of pesticides used in flea & tick treatments after finding that 100% of the nests tested contained fipronil.
Source @theguardian.com www.theguardian.com/environment/...
📷Alison Playle
Source @theguardian.com www.theguardian.com/environment/...
📷Alison Playle
January 27, 2025 at 10:03 AM
Scientists from the University of Sussex are calling for the government to urgently reassess the environmental risk of pesticides used in flea & tick treatments after finding that 100% of the nests tested contained fipronil.
Source @theguardian.com www.theguardian.com/environment/...
📷Alison Playle
Source @theguardian.com www.theguardian.com/environment/...
📷Alison Playle
While out and about in the Southern Block at @kneppwilding.bsky.social on Friday, I visited an area that Hawfinches have been frequenting recently and saw ten flying up from an area of Blackthorn...
January 27, 2025 at 7:11 PM
While out and about in the Southern Block at @kneppwilding.bsky.social on Friday, I visited an area that Hawfinches have been frequenting recently and saw ten flying up from an area of Blackthorn...
Reposted by Matt Phelps
Marvellous to join a field visit to Boothby Wildlands Landscape Recovery project in Lincolnshire with colleagues from Natural England, Environment Agency, Forestry England & Defra, to learn of brilliant ambitions for Nature recovery being led there by Nattergal. Real Nature recovery in action.
January 23, 2025 at 5:25 PM
Marvellous to join a field visit to Boothby Wildlands Landscape Recovery project in Lincolnshire with colleagues from Natural England, Environment Agency, Forestry England & Defra, to learn of brilliant ambitions for Nature recovery being led there by Nattergal. Real Nature recovery in action.
Inquisitive Exmoor pony on my winter bird survey at @kneppwilding.bsky.social yesterday 🐴
January 24, 2025 at 11:30 AM
Inquisitive Exmoor pony on my winter bird survey at @kneppwilding.bsky.social yesterday 🐴
Some Hawfinch photos from home recently. Up to three of these normally elusive, chunky finches have been regularly visiting the yew tree in our neighbour's garden since Christmas.
It really is an incredible treat to be seeing these wonderful birds on an almost daily basis at the moment 😍
It really is an incredible treat to be seeing these wonderful birds on an almost daily basis at the moment 😍
January 22, 2025 at 1:52 PM
Some Hawfinch photos from home recently. Up to three of these normally elusive, chunky finches have been regularly visiting the yew tree in our neighbour's garden since Christmas.
It really is an incredible treat to be seeing these wonderful birds on an almost daily basis at the moment 😍
It really is an incredible treat to be seeing these wonderful birds on an almost daily basis at the moment 😍
Like so many named days throughout the year, so called 'Blue Monday' came about as the result of an advertising campaign twenty years ago. Don't buy into it. There is beauty and wonder to be found in nature every day, and it costs nothing!
I particularly recommend spending some time watching pigs 🐷
I particularly recommend spending some time watching pigs 🐷
January 20, 2025 at 5:53 PM
Like so many named days throughout the year, so called 'Blue Monday' came about as the result of an advertising campaign twenty years ago. Don't buy into it. There is beauty and wonder to be found in nature every day, and it costs nothing!
I particularly recommend spending some time watching pigs 🐷
I particularly recommend spending some time watching pigs 🐷
"To rewild is to restore hope for nature and people."
It can be hard to sum up the concepts and ideas involved in rewilding in short, buzzy phrases but I think this one with which Jacinto Mathe closed his brilliant presentation at the Rewilding Futures conference this morning does it pretty well.
It can be hard to sum up the concepts and ideas involved in rewilding in short, buzzy phrases but I think this one with which Jacinto Mathe closed his brilliant presentation at the Rewilding Futures conference this morning does it pretty well.
January 18, 2025 at 10:40 PM
"To rewild is to restore hope for nature and people."
It can be hard to sum up the concepts and ideas involved in rewilding in short, buzzy phrases but I think this one with which Jacinto Mathe closed his brilliant presentation at the Rewilding Futures conference this morning does it pretty well.
It can be hard to sum up the concepts and ideas involved in rewilding in short, buzzy phrases but I think this one with which Jacinto Mathe closed his brilliant presentation at the Rewilding Futures conference this morning does it pretty well.
Great first day at the Citizen Zoo #RewildingFutures conference! Lovely to see so many friends from across the community together in one place and lots of inspiring talks.
Also, in the University Museum of Zoology, a stark reminder of why we do what we do... (Great Auk skeletons)
Bring on day two!
Also, in the University Museum of Zoology, a stark reminder of why we do what we do... (Great Auk skeletons)
Bring on day two!
January 18, 2025 at 7:19 AM
Great first day at the Citizen Zoo #RewildingFutures conference! Lovely to see so many friends from across the community together in one place and lots of inspiring talks.
Also, in the University Museum of Zoology, a stark reminder of why we do what we do... (Great Auk skeletons)
Bring on day two!
Also, in the University Museum of Zoology, a stark reminder of why we do what we do... (Great Auk skeletons)
Bring on day two!
Portraits of Whooper Swans from High Fen Wildland last week 🦢🦢🦢
www.nattergal.co.uk/high-fen-wil...
www.nattergal.co.uk/high-fen-wil...
January 16, 2025 at 6:46 PM
Portraits of Whooper Swans from High Fen Wildland last week 🦢🦢🦢
www.nattergal.co.uk/high-fen-wil...
www.nattergal.co.uk/high-fen-wil...
Reposted by Matt Phelps
Hi Bluesky 👋
My first post will be a tree, unsurprisingly! 🌳
The Walking Stick Oak, @kneppwilding.bsky.social
#tree #knepp #ancienttrees
My first post will be a tree, unsurprisingly! 🌳
The Walking Stick Oak, @kneppwilding.bsky.social
#tree #knepp #ancienttrees
January 16, 2025 at 4:30 PM
Hi Bluesky 👋
My first post will be a tree, unsurprisingly! 🌳
The Walking Stick Oak, @kneppwilding.bsky.social
#tree #knepp #ancienttrees
My first post will be a tree, unsurprisingly! 🌳
The Walking Stick Oak, @kneppwilding.bsky.social
#tree #knepp #ancienttrees
Reposted by Matt Phelps
The Beaver Trust has published an open letter urging Defra to publish a long-overdue licensing framework and a national strategy to restore this keystone species to England’s rivers.
Read more here: beavertrust.org/restoring-en...
#beavers #nature #flooddefence
Read more here: beavertrust.org/restoring-en...
#beavers #nature #flooddefence
Restoring England’s rivers: Coalition of 49 organisations push for wild beaver reintroduction policy - Beaver Trust
A cross-sector group of 49 leading organisations including environmental, farming, water and business representatives, are today calling on the Labour Government to prioritise the reintroduction of be...
beavertrust.org
January 15, 2025 at 12:46 PM
The Beaver Trust has published an open letter urging Defra to publish a long-overdue licensing framework and a national strategy to restore this keystone species to England’s rivers.
Read more here: beavertrust.org/restoring-en...
#beavers #nature #flooddefence
Read more here: beavertrust.org/restoring-en...
#beavers #nature #flooddefence