Neil Forbes
@treebeard793.bsky.social
Ecologist, based in South Cumbria. Mostly focused on coastal, wetland, limestone and upland habitats; botany, birds & Natterjacks. Views my own.
Pinned
Neil Forbes
@treebeard793.bsky.social
· Oct 5
Earlier this year we published a summary of our short-term study of the apparent changing phenology of Sabulina verna, Spring Sandwort, at #Arnside Knott in @bsbibotany.bsky.social News. Had a quick visit yesterday and it was by some margin the most abundant flowering species.
#wildflowerhour
#wildflowerhour
Reposted by Neil Forbes
On Monday 17th November we have a webinar from our @npwsireland.bsky.social-funded Targeted Aquatic Plants Project.
This webinar, from the fantastic Nick Stewart, is about the identification of non-native aquatic plants.
Interested? Book yourself a ticket here: www.tickettailor.com/events/botan...
This webinar, from the fantastic Nick Stewart, is about the identification of non-native aquatic plants.
Interested? Book yourself a ticket here: www.tickettailor.com/events/botan...
November 11, 2025 at 8:53 PM
On Monday 17th November we have a webinar from our @npwsireland.bsky.social-funded Targeted Aquatic Plants Project.
This webinar, from the fantastic Nick Stewart, is about the identification of non-native aquatic plants.
Interested? Book yourself a ticket here: www.tickettailor.com/events/botan...
This webinar, from the fantastic Nick Stewart, is about the identification of non-native aquatic plants.
Interested? Book yourself a ticket here: www.tickettailor.com/events/botan...
Petty Spurge, Euphorbia peplus prefers "... well-drained and nutrient-rich soils in sun-warmed situations..." & so probably isn't enjoying the current water levels at RSPB Leighton Moss all that much at present.
@rspbengland.bsky.social @bsbibotany.bsky.social
plantatlas2020.org/atlas/2cd4p9...
@rspbengland.bsky.social @bsbibotany.bsky.social
plantatlas2020.org/atlas/2cd4p9...
November 11, 2025 at 9:30 PM
Petty Spurge, Euphorbia peplus prefers "... well-drained and nutrient-rich soils in sun-warmed situations..." & so probably isn't enjoying the current water levels at RSPB Leighton Moss all that much at present.
@rspbengland.bsky.social @bsbibotany.bsky.social
plantatlas2020.org/atlas/2cd4p9...
@rspbengland.bsky.social @bsbibotany.bsky.social
plantatlas2020.org/atlas/2cd4p9...
Reposted by Neil Forbes
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 Neil Forbes
Ok President Trump, if you sue the BBC for $1bn for spreading lies, I’ll sue you for the same amount. I reckon Planet Earth would crowdfund that. Then I’ll buy Mar A Largo, turn it into a climate change research centre, free Melania, and put a 1000% tariff on orange face paint.
November 10, 2025 at 7:29 PM
Ok President Trump, if you sue the BBC for $1bn for spreading lies, I’ll sue you for the same amount. I reckon Planet Earth would crowdfund that. Then I’ll buy Mar A Largo, turn it into a climate change research centre, free Melania, and put a 1000% tariff on orange face paint.
November 9, 2025 at 8:45 PM
Sea Radish, Raphanus raphanistrum subsp. maritimus, growing on a recently inundated upper #saltmarsh
We've had several more very high tides since so it's probably looking very bedraggled by now.
#Wildflowerhour
We've had several more very high tides since so it's probably looking very bedraggled by now.
#Wildflowerhour
November 9, 2025 at 8:38 PM
Sea Radish, Raphanus raphanistrum subsp. maritimus, growing on a recently inundated upper #saltmarsh
We've had several more very high tides since so it's probably looking very bedraggled by now.
#Wildflowerhour
We've had several more very high tides since so it's probably looking very bedraggled by now.
#Wildflowerhour
A second #Winter10 for #Wildflowerhour.
From another lovely limestone site, Helsington Barrows.
Wild Thyme, Harebell, Mouse-ear Hawkweed, Rough Hawkbit, Gorse, Bramble sp, Herb-Robert, Daisy, Dandelion & Creeping Buttercup.
#Cumbria
From another lovely limestone site, Helsington Barrows.
Wild Thyme, Harebell, Mouse-ear Hawkweed, Rough Hawkbit, Gorse, Bramble sp, Herb-Robert, Daisy, Dandelion & Creeping Buttercup.
#Cumbria
November 9, 2025 at 8:35 PM
A second #Winter10 for #Wildflowerhour.
From another lovely limestone site, Helsington Barrows.
Wild Thyme, Harebell, Mouse-ear Hawkweed, Rough Hawkbit, Gorse, Bramble sp, Herb-Robert, Daisy, Dandelion & Creeping Buttercup.
#Cumbria
From another lovely limestone site, Helsington Barrows.
Wild Thyme, Harebell, Mouse-ear Hawkweed, Rough Hawkbit, Gorse, Bramble sp, Herb-Robert, Daisy, Dandelion & Creeping Buttercup.
#Cumbria
My favourite find this week, a ting Common Centaury on the exceptionally species-rich limestone grasslands at Jack Scout, #Lancashire
#Wildflowerhour
#Wildflowerhour
November 9, 2025 at 8:32 PM
My favourite find this week, a ting Common Centaury on the exceptionally species-rich limestone grasslands at Jack Scout, #Lancashire
#Wildflowerhour
#Wildflowerhour
You can rely on Gorse to brighten up a day at any time of year.
#wildflowerhour
#Silverdale #Lancashire
#wildflowerhour
#Silverdale #Lancashire
November 9, 2025 at 8:08 PM
You can rely on Gorse to brighten up a day at any time of year.
#wildflowerhour
#Silverdale #Lancashire
#wildflowerhour
#Silverdale #Lancashire
I'd just about given up looking for Harebell's yesterday, assuming that was it for the year. And then...
#Wildflowerhour
#Wildflowerhour
November 9, 2025 at 8:07 PM
I'd just about given up looking for Harebell's yesterday, assuming that was it for the year. And then...
#Wildflowerhour
#Wildflowerhour
With no real cold weather to speak of yet there's still lots in flower on NW England limestones - Common Centaury, Common Cat's-ear, Lesser Trefoil, Mouse-ear Hawkeed, Red Clover, Rough Hawkbit, Nipplewort, European Gorse, Daisy & Common Ragwort.
The #Winter10
#Wildflowerhour
#Silverdale
The #Winter10
#Wildflowerhour
#Silverdale
November 9, 2025 at 8:05 PM
With no real cold weather to speak of yet there's still lots in flower on NW England limestones - Common Centaury, Common Cat's-ear, Lesser Trefoil, Mouse-ear Hawkeed, Red Clover, Rough Hawkbit, Nipplewort, European Gorse, Daisy & Common Ragwort.
The #Winter10
#Wildflowerhour
#Silverdale
The #Winter10
#Wildflowerhour
#Silverdale
Reposted by Neil Forbes
Your regular reminder that by throwing away nature, we throw away *everything*.
November 7, 2025 at 7:16 AM
Your regular reminder that by throwing away nature, we throw away *everything*.
I find it hard to pick a favourite native #Fern species. It so often turns out to be the one that I'm looking at any given time. And so here's another firm favourite. Cystopteris fragilis, Brittle Bladder-fern.
#WildFernHour = #Wildflowerhour
@rspbengland.bsky.social #Haweswater
#WildFernHour = #Wildflowerhour
@rspbengland.bsky.social #Haweswater
November 2, 2025 at 8:46 PM
I find it hard to pick a favourite native #Fern species. It so often turns out to be the one that I'm looking at any given time. And so here's another firm favourite. Cystopteris fragilis, Brittle Bladder-fern.
#WildFernHour = #Wildflowerhour
@rspbengland.bsky.social #Haweswater
#WildFernHour = #Wildflowerhour
@rspbengland.bsky.social #Haweswater
More Fern magic from #Haweswater in the #LakeDistrict One of the more distinctive taxa of the wider Dryopteris affinis complex. Now with full species status. It forms large, untidy clumps & the indusia can be highly variable.
Narrow Male-fern, Dryopteris cambrensis
#WildFernHour = #Wildflowerhour
Narrow Male-fern, Dryopteris cambrensis
#WildFernHour = #Wildflowerhour
November 2, 2025 at 8:42 PM
More Fern magic from #Haweswater in the #LakeDistrict One of the more distinctive taxa of the wider Dryopteris affinis complex. Now with full species status. It forms large, untidy clumps & the indusia can be highly variable.
Narrow Male-fern, Dryopteris cambrensis
#WildFernHour = #Wildflowerhour
Narrow Male-fern, Dryopteris cambrensis
#WildFernHour = #Wildflowerhour
Bell Heather, Erica cinerea #StillFlowering at @rspbengland.bsky.social Haweswater in the #LakeDistrict
#Wildflowerhour
#Cumbria
#Wildflowerhour
#Cumbria
November 2, 2025 at 8:19 PM
Bell Heather, Erica cinerea #StillFlowering at @rspbengland.bsky.social Haweswater in the #LakeDistrict
#Wildflowerhour
#Cumbria
#Wildflowerhour
#Cumbria
The Dryopteris affinis agg are a confusing bunch with taxa likely to continue to change. I'm pretty sure this is ssp paleaceolobata which will be new for hectad NY41 if confirmed. Cumbria is something of a hotspot for this taxon.
#WildFernHour = #Wildflowerhour
plantatlas2020.org/atlas/2cd4p9...
#WildFernHour = #Wildflowerhour
plantatlas2020.org/atlas/2cd4p9...
November 2, 2025 at 8:12 PM
The Dryopteris affinis agg are a confusing bunch with taxa likely to continue to change. I'm pretty sure this is ssp paleaceolobata which will be new for hectad NY41 if confirmed. Cumbria is something of a hotspot for this taxon.
#WildFernHour = #Wildflowerhour
plantatlas2020.org/atlas/2cd4p9...
#WildFernHour = #Wildflowerhour
plantatlas2020.org/atlas/2cd4p9...
The #Winter10 for #Wildflowerhour from @rspbengland.bsky.social Haweswater & Bampton, #Cumbria.
Heath Milkwort the pick of the bunch along with Yarrow, Mouse-ear Hawkeed, Herb-Robert, A Hawkweed sp, Bell Heather, Common Cat's-ear, Creeping Buttercup, European Gorse & Field Forget-me-not.
Heath Milkwort the pick of the bunch along with Yarrow, Mouse-ear Hawkeed, Herb-Robert, A Hawkweed sp, Bell Heather, Common Cat's-ear, Creeping Buttercup, European Gorse & Field Forget-me-not.
November 2, 2025 at 8:05 PM
The #Winter10 for #Wildflowerhour from @rspbengland.bsky.social Haweswater & Bampton, #Cumbria.
Heath Milkwort the pick of the bunch along with Yarrow, Mouse-ear Hawkeed, Herb-Robert, A Hawkweed sp, Bell Heather, Common Cat's-ear, Creeping Buttercup, European Gorse & Field Forget-me-not.
Heath Milkwort the pick of the bunch along with Yarrow, Mouse-ear Hawkeed, Herb-Robert, A Hawkweed sp, Bell Heather, Common Cat's-ear, Creeping Buttercup, European Gorse & Field Forget-me-not.
Parsley Fern is a very common species in the #LakeDistrict, even growing on roadside rocks and walls. A real upland specialist & much scarcer in some other UK areas. It has 2 distinct frond types. One of my favourite botanical names - Cryptogramma crispa. Wonderful 💚
#WildFernHour = #Wildflowerhour
#WildFernHour = #Wildflowerhour
November 2, 2025 at 8:02 PM
Parsley Fern is a very common species in the #LakeDistrict, even growing on roadside rocks and walls. A real upland specialist & much scarcer in some other UK areas. It has 2 distinct frond types. One of my favourite botanical names - Cryptogramma crispa. Wonderful 💚
#WildFernHour = #Wildflowerhour
#WildFernHour = #Wildflowerhour
Reposted by Neil Forbes
Wild Thyme, Thymus drucei.
We just found this one tiny patch in flower on Newbiggin Crags, #Cumbria
Could be the last of the year? We'll see.
#wildflowerhour
We just found this one tiny patch in flower on Newbiggin Crags, #Cumbria
Could be the last of the year? We'll see.
#wildflowerhour
October 26, 2025 at 8:54 PM
Wild Thyme, Thymus drucei.
We just found this one tiny patch in flower on Newbiggin Crags, #Cumbria
Could be the last of the year? We'll see.
#wildflowerhour
We just found this one tiny patch in flower on Newbiggin Crags, #Cumbria
Could be the last of the year? We'll see.
#wildflowerhour
Water Chickweed, Stellaria aquatica at Woolston Eyes Nature Reserve.
Distinguished from other Stellaria spp by the presence of 5 styles (3 in other species). The habitat is right for it but origin is perhaps uncertain given the history of the site.
#Wildflowerhour
Distinguished from other Stellaria spp by the presence of 5 styles (3 in other species). The habitat is right for it but origin is perhaps uncertain given the history of the site.
#Wildflowerhour
October 26, 2025 at 8:46 PM
Water Chickweed, Stellaria aquatica at Woolston Eyes Nature Reserve.
Distinguished from other Stellaria spp by the presence of 5 styles (3 in other species). The habitat is right for it but origin is perhaps uncertain given the history of the site.
#Wildflowerhour
Distinguished from other Stellaria spp by the presence of 5 styles (3 in other species). The habitat is right for it but origin is perhaps uncertain given the history of the site.
#Wildflowerhour
October 26, 2025 at 8:44 PM
Harebell, Campanula rotundifolia with a view. There are still quite a few in flower on limestone grasslands up here in South #Cumbria.
Newbiggin Crags.
#Wildflowerhour
Newbiggin Crags.
#Wildflowerhour
October 26, 2025 at 8:36 PM
Harebell, Campanula rotundifolia with a view. There are still quite a few in flower on limestone grasslands up here in South #Cumbria.
Newbiggin Crags.
#Wildflowerhour
Newbiggin Crags.
#Wildflowerhour
A selection from South Cumbria limestones from the past week - Spring Sandwort (Scarce, RPR), Harebell, Field Speedwell, Lesser Trefoil, Wild Thyme, Wood Sage, Bulbous Buttercup & Common Knapweed. Mouse-ear Hawkeeed (no 📷) appears to be the most abundant flowering species
#Wildflowerhour
#Phenology
#Wildflowerhour
#Phenology
October 26, 2025 at 8:31 PM
A selection from South Cumbria limestones from the past week - Spring Sandwort (Scarce, RPR), Harebell, Field Speedwell, Lesser Trefoil, Wild Thyme, Wood Sage, Bulbous Buttercup & Common Knapweed. Mouse-ear Hawkeeed (no 📷) appears to be the most abundant flowering species
#Wildflowerhour
#Phenology
#Wildflowerhour
#Phenology