Peter Driver
@peterdriveruk.bsky.social
Birds, Bats, Butterflies, Insects, Wildflowers (you know the sort of thing). Benenden in Kent
Surprised to find at least 15 Palmate newts in a local woodland stream. They were loitering in the deeper slow flowing pools. At least 15 in this pool but probably more #newts #amphibiansuk
May 14, 2025 at 7:03 PM
Surprised to find at least 15 Palmate newts in a local woodland stream. They were loitering in the deeper slow flowing pools. At least 15 in this pool but probably more #newts #amphibiansuk
We are lucky to have some superb Oak trees in Benenden. None of them are classed as Ancient on the Ancient Tree Inventory but this one looks like a good candidate to me #oaks #woodlandtrust
February 28, 2025 at 5:37 PM
We are lucky to have some superb Oak trees in Benenden. None of them are classed as Ancient on the Ancient Tree Inventory but this one looks like a good candidate to me #oaks #woodlandtrust
Fascinating shape to this Oak in Benenden. Bell bottom trees like this one occur when the tree sustains damage which allows infection to reach into the heart of the tree and weaken it. The tree responds by growing more wood around the damaged area strengthening the trunk of the tree. #oak #trees
February 16, 2025 at 9:45 PM
Early Purple Orchids well on their way now, Benenden, Kent
February 14, 2025 at 6:42 PM
Early Purple Orchids well on their way now, Benenden, Kent
This is an iconic Oak tree in the village but I'm worried! In 2009 it was 7 degrees from vertical but now it's more like 16 degrees. I suspect the roots were cut when the path was constructed. Can this be saved? It's 300 years old but how much longer can it last? #trees #oak @WoodlandTrust
January 12, 2025 at 8:50 AM
Reposted by Peter Driver
I just posted my in depth guide to pond dipping - for those who enjoy looking for pond life and those that might be interested in doing so :)
youtu.be/OLQjl6dj2Hc
#Bugsky #PondLife #freshwater #UKWildlife
youtu.be/OLQjl6dj2Hc
#Bugsky #PondLife #freshwater #UKWildlife
Pond Dipping - an in depth guide
YouTube video by Pond Lab
youtu.be
December 30, 2024 at 4:44 PM
I just posted my in depth guide to pond dipping - for those who enjoy looking for pond life and those that might be interested in doing so :)
youtu.be/OLQjl6dj2Hc
#Bugsky #PondLife #freshwater #UKWildlife
youtu.be/OLQjl6dj2Hc
#Bugsky #PondLife #freshwater #UKWildlife
A couple of Common brackets today in misty Kent woodland - Birch Polypore and Oak Mazegill
#funghi #Kentwildlife
#funghi #Kentwildlife
December 29, 2024 at 2:00 PM
A couple of Common brackets today in misty Kent woodland - Birch Polypore and Oak Mazegill
#funghi #Kentwildlife
#funghi #Kentwildlife
Reposted by Peter Driver
The 2024 Headline of the Year Nominees
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December 22, 2024 at 6:48 PM
The 2024 Headline of the Year Nominees
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🧵
Back in April I smeared a Mistletoe berry onto this apple tree. A month later you can see it's taken but not much has changed since then - perhaps the roots are a little sturdier but I don't think there'll be any kissing under this for a few years #trees #mistletoe #christmas
December 25, 2024 at 10:57 AM
Back in April I smeared a Mistletoe berry onto this apple tree. A month later you can see it's taken but not much has changed since then - perhaps the roots are a little sturdier but I don't think there'll be any kissing under this for a few years #trees #mistletoe #christmas
Reposted by Peter Driver
Dungeness: Dartford Warblers bred for the first time on The Point this year, these pictures of the foraging male taken in May. #UKBirding #Kentbirding
December 24, 2024 at 7:47 PM
Dungeness: Dartford Warblers bred for the first time on The Point this year, these pictures of the foraging male taken in May. #UKBirding #Kentbirding
A primrose blooming well in time for Christmas in Kent #wildflowerhour
December 23, 2024 at 1:31 PM
A primrose blooming well in time for Christmas in Kent #wildflowerhour
Partial "rainbow" today with no rain (it's pretty nippy but with bright sunshine) . Is this caused by light refraction from ice crystals in the cloud? Or something else? #cloud #rainbow #cloudbow #cloudspotting
December 20, 2024 at 12:49 PM
Partial "rainbow" today with no rain (it's pretty nippy but with bright sunshine) . Is this caused by light refraction from ice crystals in the cloud? Or something else? #cloud #rainbow #cloudbow #cloudspotting
Reposted by Peter Driver
The Botanical Society of Scotland’s species of the week: Scarlet Pimpernel
botsoc.scot/2024/12/08/p...
botsoc.scot/2024/12/08/p...
Plant of the Week – December 9th 2024 – Scarlet Pimpernel (Lysimachia arvensis)
One of the ‘World’s Worst Weeds’ but rather harmless here in its native range.
botsoc.scot
December 10, 2024 at 9:38 PM
The Botanical Society of Scotland’s species of the week: Scarlet Pimpernel
botsoc.scot/2024/12/08/p...
botsoc.scot/2024/12/08/p...
Reposted by Peter Driver
According to the Express, magpies are "hooligans" & "instinctive killers" best controlled by using pesticides to kill their insect prey. Against stiff competition, possibly the worst piece of journalism I've seen. www.express.co.uk/news/uk/1984...
Warning issued to anyone with magpies in their garden
Magpies can cause damage to gardens, particularly in the breeding season.
www.express.co.uk
December 9, 2024 at 12:16 PM
According to the Express, magpies are "hooligans" & "instinctive killers" best controlled by using pesticides to kill their insect prey. Against stiff competition, possibly the worst piece of journalism I've seen. www.express.co.uk/news/uk/1984...
Reposted by Peter Driver
Disappointing to see the PM has succumbed to populist nonsense using 🦇 as scapegoats for spiralling costs and delays of HS2.
Undermining regulations that protect our natural heritage and environment is not the way forward.
Future generations will not forgive us!
www.bats.org.uk/news/2024/12...
Undermining regulations that protect our natural heritage and environment is not the way forward.
Future generations will not forgive us!
www.bats.org.uk/news/2024/12...
Plan for Change: Don’t blame bats - News - Bat Conservation Trust
The Prime Minister was wrong to label the regulators as “naysayers” and to undermine the regulations that protect out natural heritage and environment.
www.bats.org.uk
December 10, 2024 at 10:17 AM
Disappointing to see the PM has succumbed to populist nonsense using 🦇 as scapegoats for spiralling costs and delays of HS2.
Undermining regulations that protect our natural heritage and environment is not the way forward.
Future generations will not forgive us!
www.bats.org.uk/news/2024/12...
Undermining regulations that protect our natural heritage and environment is not the way forward.
Future generations will not forgive us!
www.bats.org.uk/news/2024/12...
Hundreds of 16 Spot Ladybirds, a fairly common grassland species, overwintering on these fence posts in Benenden, Kent
November 30, 2024 at 10:50 AM
Hundreds of 16 Spot Ladybirds, a fairly common grassland species, overwintering on these fence posts in Benenden, Kent
Reposted by Peter Driver
Wall chart of tree bark - free download - UK species.
The hi-res file is a free download or you can buy a print
also tree leaves & buds posters
microcosmic.shop
@brigitstrawbridge.bsky.social
@chrisgpackham.bsky.social
@wildflowerhour.bsky.social
@bsbibotany.bsky.social
The hi-res file is a free download or you can buy a print
also tree leaves & buds posters
microcosmic.shop
@brigitstrawbridge.bsky.social
@chrisgpackham.bsky.social
@wildflowerhour.bsky.social
@bsbibotany.bsky.social
November 27, 2024 at 2:19 PM
Wall chart of tree bark - free download - UK species.
The hi-res file is a free download or you can buy a print
also tree leaves & buds posters
microcosmic.shop
@brigitstrawbridge.bsky.social
@chrisgpackham.bsky.social
@wildflowerhour.bsky.social
@bsbibotany.bsky.social
The hi-res file is a free download or you can buy a print
also tree leaves & buds posters
microcosmic.shop
@brigitstrawbridge.bsky.social
@chrisgpackham.bsky.social
@wildflowerhour.bsky.social
@bsbibotany.bsky.social
Reposted by Peter Driver
The Chequered Skipper caterpillar is incredible! Before it creates an overwintering cocoon, it is green, to match the leaves of its foodplant. The plant dies back in the winter and, in the spring & before pupating, the caterpillar (without moulting) has turned light brown, now matching dead leaves.
November 28, 2024 at 8:08 PM
The Chequered Skipper caterpillar is incredible! Before it creates an overwintering cocoon, it is green, to match the leaves of its foodplant. The plant dies back in the winter and, in the spring & before pupating, the caterpillar (without moulting) has turned light brown, now matching dead leaves.
Reposted by Peter Driver
🌟 Throwback to my 2020 research published in @science.org 🌼🐝 We showed how bumble bees actively shape their environment—making plants flower earlier to meet their needs. Nature’s engineers in action! 🧪🌏
Sharing this for anyone who missed it—let’s dive in! [1/17] 👇
Sharing this for anyone who missed it—let’s dive in! [1/17] 👇
November 27, 2024 at 10:59 AM
🌟 Throwback to my 2020 research published in @science.org 🌼🐝 We showed how bumble bees actively shape their environment—making plants flower earlier to meet their needs. Nature’s engineers in action! 🧪🌏
Sharing this for anyone who missed it—let’s dive in! [1/17] 👇
Sharing this for anyone who missed it—let’s dive in! [1/17] 👇
I'm not quite sure why this article has cheered me up but it has! 12 year old girl to the rescue
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Slovenian girl, 12, saves project aiming to reintroduce cicadas to New Forest
Conservationists failed to capture elusive insects this summer, so Kristina Kenda offered to step in
www.theguardian.com
November 23, 2024 at 2:23 PM
I'm not quite sure why this article has cheered me up but it has! 12 year old girl to the rescue
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
A nice holiday butterfly poolside - a Scarce Swallow tail (although quite common here in Puglia!) It's lost half a hind wing probably to a bird distracted by it's "eyes"
August 19, 2024 at 4:08 PM
A nice holiday butterfly poolside - a Scarce Swallow tail (although quite common here in Puglia!) It's lost half a hind wing probably to a bird distracted by it's "eyes"