Ben
@benjyhere.bsky.social
First and foremost, biodiversity: Frogs; Snakes; Bees but the wild kinds; Birds but not a birder. Occasional politics, of the woke, pro-Rejoin kind. Si j'avais le choix, je serais à Toulouse. SW London. Crepuscular.
Pinned
Ben
@benjyhere.bsky.social
· Nov 22
If I were allowed to write a @theguardian.com Country Diary, it might go something like this. @nicwilson.bsky.social @katebradbury.bsky.social @levparikian.bsky.social @brigit.strawbridge.bsky.social
Balham, SW London: little beats the thrill of nesting swifts and you can have it too.
A 🧵
Balham, SW London: little beats the thrill of nesting swifts and you can have it too.
A 🧵
Reposted by Ben
Takes a few seconds and this is definitely needed so please do your bit.
petition.parliament.uk/petitions/74...
petition.parliament.uk/petitions/74...
Petition: Call a public inquiry into Russian influence on UK politics & democracy
We are concerned about reported efforts from Russia to influence democracy in the US, UK, Europe and elsewhere. We believe we must establish the depth and breadth of possible Russian influence campaig...
petition.parliament.uk
November 28, 2025 at 11:07 PM
Takes a few seconds and this is definitely needed so please do your bit.
petition.parliament.uk/petitions/74...
petition.parliament.uk/petitions/74...
Magnifique. Ça donne des frissons, de la chair de poule...
France hosted a large musical flash mob featuring 100 musicians who came together to perform a new orchestral version of Carol of the Bells to mark the ceremonial switching-on of the Christmas lights in the streets of Paris.
November 28, 2025 at 9:56 PM
Magnifique. Ça donne des frissons, de la chair de poule...
Reposted by Ben
Reposted by Ben
"This is the first time we can say with certainty that European wildcats lived in prehistoric Ireland"
A stunning discovery and more evidence that there's a lot left to discover about Ireland's ecology!
www.rte.ie/news/munster...
A stunning discovery and more evidence that there's a lot left to discover about Ireland's ecology!
www.rte.ie/news/munster...
Wildcat bones found in Co Clare dated to 5,500 years ago
The first directly dated wildcat bones found in Ireland have been identified, confirming that the species inhabited the island more than 5,500 years ago.
www.rte.ie
November 28, 2025 at 9:03 AM
"This is the first time we can say with certainty that European wildcats lived in prehistoric Ireland"
A stunning discovery and more evidence that there's a lot left to discover about Ireland's ecology!
www.rte.ie/news/munster...
A stunning discovery and more evidence that there's a lot left to discover about Ireland's ecology!
www.rte.ie/news/munster...
November 27, 2025 at 11:13 PM
Ok, now I'm in the mood - happy thanksgiving!
November 27, 2025 at 7:33 PM
Ok, now I'm in the mood - happy thanksgiving!
Reposted by Ben
Who remembers that Brexit campaign slogan from 2016? 🤔
November 25, 2025 at 4:51 PM
Who remembers that Brexit campaign slogan from 2016? 🤔
Fabulous photo of a female blackcap.
Ten perfect minutes with a wintering blackcap in Inch Park this morning. Picking berries, eating berries, and wiping her beak - pick, eat, wipe, repeat - the whole time I was watching her 🥰
#Edinburgh #birds
#Edinburgh #birds
November 25, 2025 at 5:12 PM
Fabulous photo of a female blackcap.
A day with a kestrel in it is always a good day... but one with a peregrine (prize-winning photo on the left), sparrowhawk and buzzards in it too? A fabulous day. Beautiful light in Richmond Park at lunchtime today. @rspb.bsky.social
November 25, 2025 at 5:10 PM
A day with a kestrel in it is always a good day... but one with a peregrine (prize-winning photo on the left), sparrowhawk and buzzards in it too? A fabulous day. Beautiful light in Richmond Park at lunchtime today. @rspb.bsky.social
Reposted by Ben
An investigation into Russian interference in our politics is long overdue. And we all know who should be questioned first.
November 21, 2025 at 7:01 PM
An investigation into Russian interference in our politics is long overdue. And we all know who should be questioned first.
No world-beating photo but i present this from our garden this morning as #FoxOfTheDay in the context of it having escaped the bastards in our road who recently spent £2k to cull 2 vixens because they (the humans) can't operate a dustbin lid. @chrisgpackham.bsky.social
November 22, 2025 at 11:50 PM
No world-beating photo but i present this from our garden this morning as #FoxOfTheDay in the context of it having escaped the bastards in our road who recently spent £2k to cull 2 vixens because they (the humans) can't operate a dustbin lid. @chrisgpackham.bsky.social
It must be about time for Cornwall to begin the great frog spawn wave across the UK. Anyone seen any reports out there? Maybe once the cold snap has passed... @katebradbury.bsky.social @brigitstrawbridge.bsky.social @nicolawriting.bsky.social @froglife.bsky.social @arc-trust.bsky.social
November 21, 2025 at 6:58 PM
It must be about time for Cornwall to begin the great frog spawn wave across the UK. Anyone seen any reports out there? Maybe once the cold snap has passed... @katebradbury.bsky.social @brigitstrawbridge.bsky.social @nicolawriting.bsky.social @froglife.bsky.social @arc-trust.bsky.social
Reposted by Ben
My message to Rachel Reeves ahead of the Budget: Don’t just blame the Brexit damage, fix it.
November 21, 2025 at 4:00 PM
My message to Rachel Reeves ahead of the Budget: Don’t just blame the Brexit damage, fix it.
Reposted by Ben
Gill-ty as charged.
I wonder if Nigel Farage will be giving a press conference on this one?
I wonder if Nigel Farage will be giving a press conference on this one?
November 21, 2025 at 1:05 PM
Gill-ty as charged.
I wonder if Nigel Farage will be giving a press conference on this one?
I wonder if Nigel Farage will be giving a press conference on this one?
A result these days is getting the dishwasher on in time to reload before bed time. @tomflood.bsky.social
November 20, 2025 at 6:37 PM
A result these days is getting the dishwasher on in time to reload before bed time. @tomflood.bsky.social
Ok, I've decided I now want this as my Christmas card to friends and family. Is the artist selling prints?
It’s the exclusive everyone wanted, the story that will win next year’s Pulitzer…
I can reveal London’s giant AI generated Christmas artwork, the subject of much online mockery, is being torn down - and I honestly *genuinely* think you’ll never guess why. www.londoncentric.media/p/ai-artwork...
I can reveal London’s giant AI generated Christmas artwork, the subject of much online mockery, is being torn down - and I honestly *genuinely* think you’ll never guess why. www.londoncentric.media/p/ai-artwork...
London's giant AI artwork to be torn down
The bizarre story of why a much-talked-about creation is being torn down. Plus: Docklands Light Railway extension, giant laser stalks the night sky, and more tales of Android phone theft rejection.
www.londoncentric.media
November 20, 2025 at 8:11 AM
Ok, I've decided I now want this as my Christmas card to friends and family. Is the artist selling prints?
@drrosena.bsky.social do you agree with Simon or the shower in the cabinet? Tooting deserves better if you're not willing to stand up for what makes it strong.
We should stop the boats because it's dangerous, and we should stop the scapegoating of immigrants because it's wrong and cruel.
Controlled migration is good for the country, helps build our economy and diversity strengthens our communities. (1/6) 🧵
Controlled migration is good for the country, helps build our economy and diversity strengthens our communities. (1/6) 🧵
November 17, 2025 at 1:49 PM
@drrosena.bsky.social do you agree with Simon or the shower in the cabinet? Tooting deserves better if you're not willing to stand up for what makes it strong.
🎶 It's beginning to feel a lot like Swift-mas... 🎶
I put swift bricks into our parapet wall a couple of years ago. Still no joy attracting any tenants but hope springs eternal! If you’re doing any works to high up walls and roofs it’s worth considering adding some
Swift bricks to the mix
Swift bricks to the mix
November 17, 2025 at 7:59 AM
🎶 It's beginning to feel a lot like Swift-mas... 🎶
Sh*t, sh*t, sh*t - I've woken the owl up and it didn't even have the language i wanted...
November 16, 2025 at 11:46 AM
Sh*t, sh*t, sh*t - I've woken the owl up and it didn't even have the language i wanted...
Another outstanding thread.
I was tagged and asked to take a look at this claim - cos, well just look at it!🙄
Does it seem plausible that THE Trocadero is going to be turned into a Mosque?
It was pretty easy to debunk but I decided to do a deep dive into the reality AND the appalling press coverage
🧵
1/26
Does it seem plausible that THE Trocadero is going to be turned into a Mosque?
It was pretty easy to debunk but I decided to do a deep dive into the reality AND the appalling press coverage
🧵
1/26
November 16, 2025 at 11:43 AM
Another outstanding thread.
Good news klaxon! 🚨
Back in 1997, there were just 11 booming male Bitterns left in the UK – almost extinct. Thanks to conservation by @rspb.bsky.social and @naturalengland.bsky.social 283 booming males were recorded in 2024.
Les Cater shares his story and stunning photos of these rare birds ⤵️
Les Cater shares his story and stunning photos of these rare birds ⤵️
Hidden wonders: my fascinating encounters with the Bittern
Elusive and majestic, the Bittern’s booming call echoes across Minsmere’s reeds – a symbol of hope and conservation success
eastangliabylines.co.uk
November 16, 2025 at 10:50 AM
Good news klaxon! 🚨
In a world of bullocks, be a cow. Alt text, mandatory reading.
THREAD. A collection of photographs of excellent cattle I have met on walks.
You will find the captions to each photo in the alt text.
You will find the captions to each photo in the alt text.
November 15, 2025 at 10:27 PM
In a world of bullocks, be a cow. Alt text, mandatory reading.
Firecrest in the house(woods)! Amazingly not even the UK's smallest bird. Seems to be doing well across South London, now hearing in several locations. @btobirds.bsky.social @rspb.bsky.social
November 14, 2025 at 4:10 PM
Firecrest in the house(woods)! Amazingly not even the UK's smallest bird. Seems to be doing well across South London, now hearing in several locations. @btobirds.bsky.social @rspb.bsky.social
F*ck you and your fancy pond that you spent hours digging and years perfecting for I shall bathe in this plastic pot tray over here. Among the pots. In a tray. @rspb.bsky.social #robin #f*ckyou
November 13, 2025 at 10:28 PM
F*ck you and your fancy pond that you spent hours digging and years perfecting for I shall bathe in this plastic pot tray over here. Among the pots. In a tray. @rspb.bsky.social #robin #f*ckyou
Reposted by Ben
The finale of the great TV comedy show Blackadder goes Forth.
Back then I didn't expect one of the funniest programmes ever to end with a scene that makes me cry every time I see it.
Every single time.
Back then I didn't expect one of the funniest programmes ever to end with a scene that makes me cry every time I see it.
Every single time.
November 11, 2025 at 12:33 PM
The finale of the great TV comedy show Blackadder goes Forth.
Back then I didn't expect one of the funniest programmes ever to end with a scene that makes me cry every time I see it.
Every single time.
Back then I didn't expect one of the funniest programmes ever to end with a scene that makes me cry every time I see it.
Every single time.