Steven Oliver
@steven-oliver.bsky.social
Recovering public health academic (retired)
Now mainly: natural world | history | prison education | research ethics
Now mainly: natural world | history | prison education | research ethics
Apparently this lichen @northcavewet.bsky.social was wearing 'sunscreen' today. Xanthoria parietina, produces a chemical (parietin) that along with giving it a yellow colouration provides it with UV protection (perhaps a bit optimistic in Yorkshire ... in December 😆) Elsewhere: goldcrests.
December 8, 2025 at 5:25 PM
Apparently this lichen @northcavewet.bsky.social was wearing 'sunscreen' today. Xanthoria parietina, produces a chemical (parietin) that along with giving it a yellow colouration provides it with UV protection (perhaps a bit optimistic in Yorkshire ... in December 😆) Elsewhere: goldcrests.
A year on Bluesky in emojis - I’m happy with that! 😀
December 3, 2025 at 6:37 AM
A year on Bluesky in emojis - I’m happy with that! 😀
Very few invertebrates to see today in the 🌧️ @northcavewet.bsky.social. So this Common Wasp was a welcome splash of colour. Elsewhere: murmurating starlings.
December 1, 2025 at 5:36 PM
Very few invertebrates to see today in the 🌧️ @northcavewet.bsky.social. So this Common Wasp was a welcome splash of colour. Elsewhere: murmurating starlings.
A glimpse into dragonfly lifecycle today @northcavewet.bsky.social 🐉Scars on willow bark, sites where Willow Emerald Damselfly eggs were laid and overwintered. Larvae then hatched and dropped into the water below. Elsewhere: Bittern & Bullfinches @yorkswildlife.bsky.social
December 1, 2025 at 5:17 PM
A glimpse into dragonfly lifecycle today @northcavewet.bsky.social 🐉Scars on willow bark, sites where Willow Emerald Damselfly eggs were laid and overwintered. Larvae then hatched and dropped into the water below. Elsewhere: Bittern & Bullfinches @yorkswildlife.bsky.social
Reposted by Steven Oliver
This Bittern, one of two birds currently on the reserve, gave excellent views as it fished in the cut channel on Village Lake below the Turret Hide at North Cave Wetlands this morning.
@northcavewet.bsky.social
@northcavewet.bsky.social
November 29, 2025 at 9:53 PM
This Bittern, one of two birds currently on the reserve, gave excellent views as it fished in the cut channel on Village Lake below the Turret Hide at North Cave Wetlands this morning.
@northcavewet.bsky.social
@northcavewet.bsky.social
Surely there can only be one scientific response…. Shun the frumious Bandersnatch!
November 27, 2025 at 8:22 AM
Surely there can only be one scientific response…. Shun the frumious Bandersnatch!
Reposted by Steven Oliver
and in other news….
November 27, 2025 at 7:59 AM
and in other news….
Reposted by Steven Oliver
Bishop Wilton Wold – better after it's highest point Garrowby Hill – is situated in the Yorkshire Wolds, a broad sweep of farmland rising north of Pocklington, with the A166 skimming its crest. But its quiet fields hold a sombre memory. On the morning of
November 27, 2025 at 6:38 AM
Bishop Wilton Wold – better after it's highest point Garrowby Hill – is situated in the Yorkshire Wolds, a broad sweep of farmland rising north of Pocklington, with the A166 skimming its crest. But its quiet fields hold a sombre memory. On the morning of
Reposted by Steven Oliver
Little egret about Black dyke by the North hedge. This spot is always the last resort of any Little egrets should there be a deep frost as the dyke does not freeze over.
For some reason the number of roosting birds has been only 2 or 3, so they are no longer a guaranteed sighting on a morning's walk
For some reason the number of roosting birds has been only 2 or 3, so they are no longer a guaranteed sighting on a morning's walk
November 26, 2025 at 7:15 PM
Little egret about Black dyke by the North hedge. This spot is always the last resort of any Little egrets should there be a deep frost as the dyke does not freeze over.
For some reason the number of roosting birds has been only 2 or 3, so they are no longer a guaranteed sighting on a morning's walk
For some reason the number of roosting birds has been only 2 or 3, so they are no longer a guaranteed sighting on a morning's walk
That’s this year’s presents sorted (postage might be a bit steep though)
November 26, 2025 at 12:55 PM
That’s this year’s presents sorted (postage might be a bit steep though)
Lamium album, the White Dead-Nettle, one of the few plants still in flower @northcavewet.bsky.social. Elsewhere: mixed flocks of mood-raising goldfinches, siskins, blue- great- and long tailed tits worked their way down west path.
November 24, 2025 at 2:11 PM
Lamium album, the White Dead-Nettle, one of the few plants still in flower @northcavewet.bsky.social. Elsewhere: mixed flocks of mood-raising goldfinches, siskins, blue- great- and long tailed tits worked their way down west path.
‘…the UK’s biggest prostate cancer screening trial in a generation gets underway’ Great that scientific evaluation of the outcomes of early detection is continuing - also helpful to know when your generation’s time is passed 😂 Helping start the last one does feel an age away!
November 21, 2025 at 9:41 AM
‘…the UK’s biggest prostate cancer screening trial in a generation gets underway’ Great that scientific evaluation of the outcomes of early detection is continuing - also helpful to know when your generation’s time is passed 😂 Helping start the last one does feel an age away!
www.campop.geog.cam.ac.uk/blog/
Looks interesting, suggests …’societies that coped best with epidemics were those with a diverse and interdependent institutional framework’ with a powerful but ‘temperate’ state, an adaptable market, and a strong civil society.
Looks interesting, suggests …’societies that coped best with epidemics were those with a diverse and interdependent institutional framework’ with a powerful but ‘temperate’ state, an adaptable market, and a strong civil society.
November 20, 2025 at 8:32 AM
www.campop.geog.cam.ac.uk/blog/
Looks interesting, suggests …’societies that coped best with epidemics were those with a diverse and interdependent institutional framework’ with a powerful but ‘temperate’ state, an adaptable market, and a strong civil society.
Looks interesting, suggests …’societies that coped best with epidemics were those with a diverse and interdependent institutional framework’ with a powerful but ‘temperate’ state, an adaptable market, and a strong civil society.
Reposted by Steven Oliver
A Dusting Of Snow. 1°C on the Yorkshire Wolds. Rooks.
November 19, 2025 at 1:43 PM
A Dusting Of Snow. 1°C on the Yorkshire Wolds. Rooks.
Reposted by Steven Oliver
Great days birding at North cave wetlands yesterday was finished with a starling extravaganza
The final throes are below.
#yorkshirebirding
#yorksbirding
#ukbirding
@yorkswildlife.bsky.social
The final throes are below.
#yorkshirebirding
#yorksbirding
#ukbirding
@yorkswildlife.bsky.social
November 17, 2025 at 10:15 AM
Great days birding at North cave wetlands yesterday was finished with a starling extravaganza
The final throes are below.
#yorkshirebirding
#yorksbirding
#ukbirding
@yorkswildlife.bsky.social
The final throes are below.
#yorkshirebirding
#yorksbirding
#ukbirding
@yorkswildlife.bsky.social
I assume it’s recent 🌧️🌧️🌧️ which has triggered vivipary on teasels @northcavewet.bsky.social - water levels are definitely rising. Elsewhere: great spotted woodpecker, marsh harrier, siskins
November 17, 2025 at 12:53 PM
I assume it’s recent 🌧️🌧️🌧️ which has triggered vivipary on teasels @northcavewet.bsky.social - water levels are definitely rising. Elsewhere: great spotted woodpecker, marsh harrier, siskins
Reposted by Steven Oliver
Well, as I finally got to see their memorial a few days ago, I thought it was timely to add a piece to the Long, Long Trail about the Wagoners Special Reserve. See "Who were the Wolds Wagoners?" at www.longlongtrail.co.uk/wolds-wagone...
Who were the Wolds Wagoners? - The Long, Long Trail
Background The primary driver of the establishment of what became the Wagoners Special Reserve was Colonel Sir Mark Sykes (1879-1919), a grandee […]
www.longlongtrail.co.uk
September 16, 2025 at 7:59 AM
Well, as I finally got to see their memorial a few days ago, I thought it was timely to add a piece to the Long, Long Trail about the Wagoners Special Reserve. See "Who were the Wolds Wagoners?" at www.longlongtrail.co.uk/wolds-wagone...
Reposted by Steven Oliver
Myrtle Pizzey, a contemporary artist and printmaker from Somerset, UK #WomensArt
November 16, 2025 at 6:56 AM
Myrtle Pizzey, a contemporary artist and printmaker from Somerset, UK #WomensArt
Reposted by Steven Oliver
The UK media is overstating the benefits of prostate specific antigen tests, which can result in risk without benefit.
Men need fair information about screening for prostate cancer, writes @mgtmccartney.bsky.social
www.bmj.com/content/391/...
Men need fair information about screening for prostate cancer, writes @mgtmccartney.bsky.social
www.bmj.com/content/391/...
November 13, 2025 at 5:11 PM
The UK media is overstating the benefits of prostate specific antigen tests, which can result in risk without benefit.
Men need fair information about screening for prostate cancer, writes @mgtmccartney.bsky.social
www.bmj.com/content/391/...
Men need fair information about screening for prostate cancer, writes @mgtmccartney.bsky.social
www.bmj.com/content/391/...
It’s the season to blend our single (-celled) bodies into the communal slime while we reproduce. If that’s not weird enough, let’s look like Dog Sick too! 🤣 Didymium spongiosum (Dog Sick Slime Mould) doing its amazing stuff @northcavewet.bsky.social. Elsewhere: Bittern @yorkswildlife.bsky.social
November 10, 2025 at 4:37 PM
It’s the season to blend our single (-celled) bodies into the communal slime while we reproduce. If that’s not weird enough, let’s look like Dog Sick too! 🤣 Didymium spongiosum (Dog Sick Slime Mould) doing its amazing stuff @northcavewet.bsky.social. Elsewhere: Bittern @yorkswildlife.bsky.social
Male migrant hawker, amongst the last of the class of 2025 @northcavewet.bsky.social today. Elsewhere: redwings, stonechat. @yorkswildlife.bsky.social
November 10, 2025 at 12:11 PM
Male migrant hawker, amongst the last of the class of 2025 @northcavewet.bsky.social today. Elsewhere: redwings, stonechat. @yorkswildlife.bsky.social
Excellent session @openuniversity.bsky.social Arts & Humanities day, assessing primary sources for a 22nd Century history of ‘the fall of the House of Windsor’ (don’t worry - other futures are available 😂)
November 8, 2025 at 11:58 AM
Excellent session @openuniversity.bsky.social Arts & Humanities day, assessing primary sources for a 22nd Century history of ‘the fall of the House of Windsor’ (don’t worry - other futures are available 😂)
❤️ Royal Soc Portrait Painters Drawing Prize exhibition @uniofhull.bsky.social - delivering excellent headspace!
November 7, 2025 at 11:17 AM
❤️ Royal Soc Portrait Painters Drawing Prize exhibition @uniofhull.bsky.social - delivering excellent headspace!
Reposted by Steven Oliver
American Medical Association Introduces New Highly Effective Placebo Doctors https://theonion.com/american-medical-association-introduces-new-highly-effe-1819576542/
November 4, 2025 at 3:00 PM
American Medical Association Introduces New Highly Effective Placebo Doctors https://theonion.com/american-medical-association-introduces-new-highly-effe-1819576542/