Prof Duncan Westbury

This pond in Malvern frustrates me. Ruined by recreational use by dogs. @freshwaterhabitats.bsky.social

Great to find this locally rare corky-fruited water-dropwort (Oenanthe pimpinelloides). Light sheep grazing through the autumn and winter months can be really beneficial for this type of species as they tend to avoid it!

I’ve managed to get a seed to germinate! The rubbing of seed on sandpaper to scarify (weaken the seed coat), has worked! @wagnermarkus.bsky.social

Office buzz: UK employers turn to beehives to boost workplace wellbeing Providers report rise in demand as companies seek mental health benefits and increased sense of community

Oh my gosh! So many people have been #BeeWashed

www.theguardian.com/environment/...

Oh my gosh! #BeeWashing to the next level! Thanks for sharing.

Spring is in the air, skylarks singing to claim territory.

This isn’t regen ag though, last year they sprayed the vegetation along hedgerows!

My home town!

Electric fencing would work just fine. Not sure about water provision in autumn would be needed. With the shortage of forage due to last year’s drought, this was wasted forage.

Rather than spray off volunteer barley, why don’t farmers graze with sheep? Lack of graziers/access to livestock?

Biological Flora of Britain and Ireland: Geranium sylvaticum* Geranium sylvaticum is a perennial forb of upland grasslands, woodlands and riverbanks in northern Britain, with scattered native occurrences also in Wales, central England and Northern Ireland. It h...

Our Biological Flora on Wood Crane's-bill is out in @journalofecology.bsky.social. besjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/... A team effort w/ @ruthsk.bsky.social @sandravarga.bsky.social @spp-rich.bsky.social @duncanwestbury.bsky.social, irina Tatarenko & artist Lucy Hulmes on pen and ink.

That's amazing! Just what you need to give you a boost on a wet January evening 😊

Delighted to see three Great Crested Newts #GCNs in our wildlife pond this evening, two males, one female @arc-trust.bsky.social @worcswt.bsky.social

The evidence continues…desperately need guidance on what sustainable bee keeping looks like…. agriland.ie/farming-news/h…

Before & After! Mulch mown leaf litter in our mini-woodland to encourage establishment of wild garlic seedlings in the spring!

Meadow Matters | Podcast on RSS.com This podcast explores the creation, restoration, and management of species-rich meadows and how ultimately, they not only support wildlife, but enable us to produce food in a more sustainable way.

Welcome to my new podcast “Meadow Matters”. The first episode is all about Yellow Rattle.

rss.com/podcasts/mea...

Secret Hampshire: Botanist hailed as 'Attenborough of his day' Richard St Barbe Baker's passion for trees saw him travel the world promoting reforestation.

www.bbc.com/news/article...

Thanks for the offer Louise!

Meadow Matters | Podcast on RSS.com This podcast explores the creation, restoration, and management of species-rich meadows and how ultimately, they not only support wildlife, but enable us to produce food in a more sustainable way.

Welcome to my new podcast “Meadow Matters”. The first episode is all about Yellow Rattle.

rss.com/podcasts/mea...

Trucked-in honeybees may edge out bigger bumblebee foragers The finding could guide beekeepers to keep hives out of most vulnerable areas of the Irish heathlands.

The evidence keeps on stacking up. When are we going to call out the honey bee #Beewashers? #BeeWashing

www.sciencenews.org/article/hone...

£8.99 + postage for a raspberry “twig” from Sutton’s seeds. Remind me not to buy such plants online in 2026!

Open fronted bird box high in cherry tree which is highly exposed to predators

If putting up bird boxes this winter, seek advice from the webpages of @rspb.bsky.social and @btobirds.bsky.social This box is unlikely to be used, but if it is, the breeding attempt will not be successful. Too open - Too exposed. If ivy, honeysuckle etc was protecting it success will be higher!

My first ever contribution to a podcast with Will Rogers from Charles Faram and PhD student Josh Brett on 'Why Agricultural Research is Imperative for the Future of Sustainable Brewing'

The conversation starts at 12 minutes!

hopforward.beer/episodes/why...

Managed to harvest some seed & now have three more to look after!

I Live & Learn. I discovered these new plants when potting on!

'My sister Catherine shares a love of bees and has a few hives herself': James Middleton, Jamie Oliver and Sir David Beckham on the pleasures of harvesting your own honey Beekeeping is a star-studded hobby and has much to offer, finds Jane Wheatley.

They’ve been #BeeWashed www.countrylife.co.uk/food-drink/m...

Rubbish video, but great to see a male & female GCN in our wildlife pond tonight! Clearly not ready to hibernate! @arc-trust.bsky.social @freshwaterhabitats.bsky.social @worcswt.bsky.social

Try and make space for patch of white dead nettles (Lamium album) in your garden, they flower throughout the year (mostly) providing nectar for late & early bumblebees. @lgspace.bsky.social @worcswt.bsky.social

Did you know that 90% of hops used in the UK are imported for brewing beer? Had a great time yesterday at the Damm Brewery in Bedford for a BBPA meeting to talk about our research projects in UK hops.

I used to, but now it has a bitter taste!