Sean Cooch
@waxcapscooch.bsky.social
Grassland Ecologist in England trying hard to save nature in an official capacity, annoying some in the process. Fungi, insects, plants fanboy, indie music, Green and sometimes, loud lefty, union geyser, politics, football, cycling & tofu. 🍄🍄🟫
It’s been a tricky season for grassland fungi particularly here in southern England because it had been so dry. Finally finding some chunky waxcaps and distorted bent over Crimsons always appeal 😍 #fungifriday @britmycolsoc.org.uk
October 24, 2025 at 10:28 PM
It’s been a tricky season for grassland fungi particularly here in southern England because it had been so dry. Finally finding some chunky waxcaps and distorted bent over Crimsons always appeal 😍 #fungifriday @britmycolsoc.org.uk
I get crappy AI images of ‘perfect’ wildlife scenes/habitats coming up on here. Hate them. As an antidote - real wildlife is 200+ #Swallows and #Housemartins gathering on the wires near my house. No embellishments! Sad to see them going bit joy at seeing them.
September 22, 2025 at 10:19 AM
I get crappy AI images of ‘perfect’ wildlife scenes/habitats coming up on here. Hate them. As an antidote - real wildlife is 200+ #Swallows and #Housemartins gathering on the wires near my house. No embellishments! Sad to see them going bit joy at seeing them.
Today I’m mostly trying to do my bit for fungi conservation. Key point, the UK is globally important for grassland fungi. We protect just 5 sites in England. We have 26 #IUCN Red listed grassland fungi species i.e accorded the same status as Giant 🐼. I reckon we should be doing a bit better?!
September 17, 2025 at 7:48 AM
Today I’m mostly trying to do my bit for fungi conservation. Key point, the UK is globally important for grassland fungi. We protect just 5 sites in England. We have 26 #IUCN Red listed grassland fungi species i.e accorded the same status as Giant 🐼. I reckon we should be doing a bit better?!
With the lovely rain finally dampening the grasslands I’m looking forward to waxcaps and other fungi to bury my head into the turf and disappear from the shit show going on in the world. Selfish escapism, but needed just occasionally. Anyway, some waxcap fungi pics⬇️
September 5, 2025 at 8:53 AM
With the lovely rain finally dampening the grasslands I’m looking forward to waxcaps and other fungi to bury my head into the turf and disappear from the shit show going on in the world. Selfish escapism, but needed just occasionally. Anyway, some waxcap fungi pics⬇️
It goes without saying every day won’t be sunny & windy but look at renewables supplying the grid today (now); biomass not needed (except for very local sourcing) if solar was scaled up to every appropriate rooftop had solar. Stop subsidy on biomass, tax fossil fuel companies, fund renewables 100%.
June 28, 2025 at 2:42 PM
It goes without saying every day won’t be sunny & windy but look at renewables supplying the grid today (now); biomass not needed (except for very local sourcing) if solar was scaled up to every appropriate rooftop had solar. Stop subsidy on biomass, tax fossil fuel companies, fund renewables 100%.
We do but I’ll admit that’s a lot Cirsium dissectum, more than I’ve ever seen. In UK it’s given the name Purple Moor-grass and Rush pasture and classified as NVC community M24 Molinia caerulea - Cirsium dissectum fen-meadow. It’s highly variable with regional variation. Some cut, others grazed.
May 25, 2025 at 9:29 PM
We do but I’ll admit that’s a lot Cirsium dissectum, more than I’ve ever seen. In UK it’s given the name Purple Moor-grass and Rush pasture and classified as NVC community M24 Molinia caerulea - Cirsium dissectum fen-meadow. It’s highly variable with regional variation. Some cut, others grazed.
Well, if you do come over (happy to show in an official capacity) we of course still have some special grasslands from tiny meadows, like 0.25ha to Salisbury Plain - thank goodness for the military, where it’s possible to see & hear a proper grassland bird population. A few sites as a taster.
May 9, 2025 at 8:06 PM
Well, if you do come over (happy to show in an official capacity) we of course still have some special grasslands from tiny meadows, like 0.25ha to Salisbury Plain - thank goodness for the military, where it’s possible to see & hear a proper grassland bird population. A few sites as a taster.
Ok, it’s probably too simplistic but hasn’t Reform just flipped the Tory vote and that’s the only story. Tory voters are now reform minded ones. Ok it could mean the Tories are toast and Labour is still hapless. But no surprises the BBC is pandering to its right-wing narrative, period…..
May 2, 2025 at 7:58 PM
Ok, it’s probably too simplistic but hasn’t Reform just flipped the Tory vote and that’s the only story. Tory voters are now reform minded ones. Ok it could mean the Tories are toast and Labour is still hapless. But no surprises the BBC is pandering to its right-wing narrative, period…..
Our first House Martin returned nearly two weeks ago. This weekend ‘lots’ have arrived, prospecting nest cups both natural and artificial. I’ve had this book for a few years & finally just read it! If you love these birds it’s a must read; joyous & fascinating but an allegory to what we have lost.
April 28, 2025 at 10:23 PM
Our first House Martin returned nearly two weeks ago. This weekend ‘lots’ have arrived, prospecting nest cups both natural and artificial. I’ve had this book for a few years & finally just read it! If you love these birds it’s a must read; joyous & fascinating but an allegory to what we have lost.
Thanks to @naturelark.bsky.social for posting up #anthills I’d like to see more pics but I’m particularly interested in the plant communities (also fungi) that can occur on these mounds of ant magic! Ecologically, anthills in grasslands = diversity. They are also reliant on grazing. Much to say✔️
April 28, 2025 at 9:30 PM
Thanks to @naturelark.bsky.social for posting up #anthills I’d like to see more pics but I’m particularly interested in the plant communities (also fungi) that can occur on these mounds of ant magic! Ecologically, anthills in grasslands = diversity. They are also reliant on grazing. Much to say✔️
I think there needs to be a picture thread of #anthills. Mini #biodiversity hotspots. Love the pic, here’s one for the record from Malvern Common.
April 27, 2025 at 5:40 AM
I think there needs to be a picture thread of #anthills. Mini #biodiversity hotspots. Love the pic, here’s one for the record from Malvern Common.
It’s English woodland time. Peak bluebell now, with greater stichwort, wild garlic, some delightful moschatel (town hall clock) and early purple orchid. Beautiful ancient woodland I’m lucky enough to look after.
April 25, 2025 at 9:25 PM
It’s English woodland time. Peak bluebell now, with greater stichwort, wild garlic, some delightful moschatel (town hall clock) and early purple orchid. Beautiful ancient woodland I’m lucky enough to look after.
One of my favourite woodland plants. A parasite on the roots of hazel trees, a lovely cluster of Toothwort Lathraea squamaria. West Dorset woods this morning.
April 4, 2025 at 7:54 AM
One of my favourite woodland plants. A parasite on the roots of hazel trees, a lovely cluster of Toothwort Lathraea squamaria. West Dorset woods this morning.
I have two ponds in my garden, two species of #newts and I’m contemplating a third - gonna name it Reeve’s pond. Fortunately no immediate threat of it being concreted over……
January 30, 2025 at 7:56 PM
I have two ponds in my garden, two species of #newts and I’m contemplating a third - gonna name it Reeve’s pond. Fortunately no immediate threat of it being concreted over……
Travelled on train to Bristol yesterday. Floodplains doing what floodplains do, taking the water (colour an issue🤔). This is now such a commonplace thing for many of these areas their use for farming must be seriously questionable. More dynamic wetlands, riverine forests and grasslands.
January 28, 2025 at 8:12 AM
Travelled on train to Bristol yesterday. Floodplains doing what floodplains do, taking the water (colour an issue🤔). This is now such a commonplace thing for many of these areas their use for farming must be seriously questionable. More dynamic wetlands, riverine forests and grasslands.
If you want any reinforcement that X is a pit of pile and rot a quick visit re-confirmed how totally insane that place and its owner is🤦♂️🤦♂️🤦♂️
January 10, 2025 at 11:06 AM
If you want any reinforcement that X is a pit of pile and rot a quick visit re-confirmed how totally insane that place and its owner is🤦♂️🤦♂️🤦♂️
The structure of our woodlands is changing dramatically. My local English woods have lost at least 60% of ash Fraxinus excelsior, from dieback in 5 years. Increasing freq of storms is felling trees regularly -storm #Darragh was damaging. The change is rapid. Winners & losers🤔
December 14, 2024 at 6:59 AM
The structure of our woodlands is changing dramatically. My local English woods have lost at least 60% of ash Fraxinus excelsior, from dieback in 5 years. Increasing freq of storms is felling trees regularly -storm #Darragh was damaging. The change is rapid. Winners & losers🤔
This is damming and sad, and terrible and heartbreaking. A troubling few years ahead not just for 🇺🇸
December 3, 2024 at 1:52 PM
This is damming and sad, and terrible and heartbreaking. A troubling few years ahead not just for 🇺🇸
It was cold but rather lovely in Dorset today. Hilfield church one of the smallest in the country.
November 21, 2024 at 8:47 PM
It was cold but rather lovely in Dorset today. Hilfield church one of the smallest in the country.
A superb day with friends/colleagues 👀 for #fungi in the Blakdowns of East Devon. The Blushing Waxcap looking like a (sometimes) large sheep turd, a generally rare species. Also found the appropriately named Splendid Waxcap giving off lurid red to pink hues. A cracking site.
November 13, 2024 at 9:36 PM
A superb day with friends/colleagues 👀 for #fungi in the Blakdowns of East Devon. The Blushing Waxcap looking like a (sometimes) large sheep turd, a generally rare species. Also found the appropriately named Splendid Waxcap giving off lurid red to pink hues. A cracking site.
Training staff is a key part of my work. Two weeks ago Natural England staff visited Dorset, SW England to learn about the conservation, ecology and identification of grassland fungi. UK internationally important. Sustainable farming on plant and fungi species rich grassland. Bit tight on the 🔬!
November 12, 2024 at 11:33 AM
Training staff is a key part of my work. Two weeks ago Natural England staff visited Dorset, SW England to learn about the conservation, ecology and identification of grassland fungi. UK internationally important. Sustainable farming on plant and fungi species rich grassland. Bit tight on the 🔬!
Something of a mini-tsunami of new followers today! Has the dam burst from the dark place⁉️ Anyway, feels like I need to post some positive #grassland pics. Floristically rich, grazed mesotrophic pastures, ancient ant-hills, fungi rich too. Exceptional & rare in lowland England.
November 11, 2024 at 11:39 PM
Something of a mini-tsunami of new followers today! Has the dam burst from the dark place⁉️ Anyway, feels like I need to post some positive #grassland pics. Floristically rich, grazed mesotrophic pastures, ancient ant-hills, fungi rich too. Exceptional & rare in lowland England.
I think all Golden waxcap. Here is Citrine
November 10, 2024 at 8:33 PM
I think all Golden waxcap. Here is Citrine
One day there will be no trees left on Bodmin Moor. This hawthorn is just one of a handful left on the baize bitten vegetation near Minions. Here, where the boulders provide some protection from the extreme grazing, bracken is the hint that this could actually be temperate rainforest. At least some🤷♂️
October 22, 2024 at 7:50 AM
One day there will be no trees left on Bodmin Moor. This hawthorn is just one of a handful left on the baize bitten vegetation near Minions. Here, where the boulders provide some protection from the extreme grazing, bracken is the hint that this could actually be temperate rainforest. At least some🤷♂️
quantity rather than High Diversity indicator grassland fungi yesterday. South of Mutters Moor, nr Sidmouth:
October 18, 2024 at 6:15 AM
quantity rather than High Diversity indicator grassland fungi yesterday. South of Mutters Moor, nr Sidmouth: