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 🧵
#SolitaryBee season open - signs of hatching around the hotel and if you look carefully you can see the white moustache of an orchard mason bee. Not much pollen about but cherry plum is coming into flower and the snowdrops are out and about. Forecast bit wet though... @ianbeavis.bsky.social
February 8, 2026 at 12:30 PM
#SolitaryBee season open - signs of hatching around the hotel and if you look carefully you can see the white moustache of an orchard mason bee. Not much pollen about but cherry plum is coming into flower and the snowdrops are out and about. Forecast bit wet though... @ianbeavis.bsky.social
Booking European train odyssey, I have learnt:
- *no one* wants my money for Budapest-Stuttgart sleeper. Why?
- DB app cheaper for TGV than SNCF.
- Vienna-Split sleeper *is* running
#TrainsNotPlanes but with patience. @seatsixtyone.bsky.social @andybtravels.bsky.social @politicanimal.bsky.social
- *no one* wants my money for Budapest-Stuttgart sleeper. Why?
- DB app cheaper for TGV than SNCF.
- Vienna-Split sleeper *is* running
#TrainsNotPlanes but with patience. @seatsixtyone.bsky.social @andybtravels.bsky.social @politicanimal.bsky.social
February 4, 2026 at 9:39 AM
Booking European train odyssey, I have learnt:
- *no one* wants my money for Budapest-Stuttgart sleeper. Why?
- DB app cheaper for TGV than SNCF.
- Vienna-Split sleeper *is* running
#TrainsNotPlanes but with patience. @seatsixtyone.bsky.social @andybtravels.bsky.social @politicanimal.bsky.social
- *no one* wants my money for Budapest-Stuttgart sleeper. Why?
- DB app cheaper for TGV than SNCF.
- Vienna-Split sleeper *is* running
#TrainsNotPlanes but with patience. @seatsixtyone.bsky.social @andybtravels.bsky.social @politicanimal.bsky.social
There's something in the air with sleeper trains. First this bad news of no Vienna-Split (*big* part of summer plans) then 4 failed attempts (DB,OeBB,TL) to pay for Budapest-Stuttgart. Are you hearing anything about that route also, Mark? @seatsixtyone.bsky.social #TrainsNotPlanes
February 3, 2026 at 9:27 AM
There's something in the air with sleeper trains. First this bad news of no Vienna-Split (*big* part of summer plans) then 4 failed attempts (DB,OeBB,TL) to pay for Budapest-Stuttgart. Are you hearing anything about that route also, Mark? @seatsixtyone.bsky.social #TrainsNotPlanes
Two yaffles yaffling. Get into the woods more. #GreenWoodpecker @rspb.bsky.social
February 2, 2026 at 10:16 AM
Two yaffles yaffling. Get into the woods more. #GreenWoodpecker @rspb.bsky.social
Reposted by Ben
No, your artificial lawn is not a "life hack". It's another tiny nail in the planet's coffin.
February 2, 2026 at 8:33 AM
No, your artificial lawn is not a "life hack". It's another tiny nail in the planet's coffin.
Reposted by Ben
What to Sow in February. A list of some of the things you can sow in February - but apart from aubergines, chillies and peppers, which take a long time to grow in the UK, everything on this list can wait until March.
🌱
🌱
February 1, 2026 at 7:31 AM
What to Sow in February. A list of some of the things you can sow in February - but apart from aubergines, chillies and peppers, which take a long time to grow in the UK, everything on this list can wait until March.
🌱
🌱
A dusk walk on #WimbledonCommmon or was it Narnia? Green woodpeckers fighting, long tailed tits coming into roost, goldcrests and firecrests in new locations. Redwings aplenty. Get into the woods more.
January 31, 2026 at 9:29 PM
A dusk walk on #WimbledonCommmon or was it Narnia? Green woodpeckers fighting, long tailed tits coming into roost, goldcrests and firecrests in new locations. Redwings aplenty. Get into the woods more.
A lovely celebration of place and those who roamed and worked the landscape before us. @nicolawriting.bsky.social I hope you've come out from behind the sofa, this was a joy.
www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
Ramblings - Ghosts of the Farm with Nicola Chester - BBC Sounds
Clare joins writer Nicola Chester for a circular walk out of Inkpen, West Berkshire.
www.bbc.co.uk
January 31, 2026 at 8:25 PM
A lovely celebration of place and those who roamed and worked the landscape before us. @nicolawriting.bsky.social I hope you've come out from behind the sofa, this was a joy.
www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
Reposted by Ben
As someone who had past affiliation with Goldsmith, I very much endorse this message.
The threat posed by Reform now is too great to ignore any boost given to it ‘within’ our sector.
Sitting back and watching is how very dangerous things happen.
The threat posed by Reform now is too great to ignore any boost given to it ‘within’ our sector.
Sitting back and watching is how very dangerous things happen.
How about instead of ‘watching with interest’ like this is a fascinating game that you have only passing interest in, you point out VOCALLY, PUBLICLY and OFTEN that you find his politics disgusting,
& distance yourself from any past affiliation if you had any.
You Have A Platform - use it!
& distance yourself from any past affiliation if you had any.
You Have A Platform - use it!
January 31, 2026 at 12:34 PM
As someone who had past affiliation with Goldsmith, I very much endorse this message.
The threat posed by Reform now is too great to ignore any boost given to it ‘within’ our sector.
Sitting back and watching is how very dangerous things happen.
The threat posed by Reform now is too great to ignore any boost given to it ‘within’ our sector.
Sitting back and watching is how very dangerous things happen.
I have these breeding in my SW London garden and you can too. Plant a bit of cherry plum and blackthorn and don't flail. @savebutterflies.bsky.social
Rare butterflies bounce back after landowners in Wales cut back on flailing hedges
Rare butterflies bounce back after landowners in Wales cut back on flailing hedges
More than 300 brown hairstreak butterfly eggs discovered near Llandeilo this winter after decade of decline
Record numbers of eggs of the rare brown hairstreak butterfly have been found in south-west Wales after landowners stopped flailing hedges every year.
The butterfly lays its eggs on blackthorn every summer. But when land managers and farmers mechanically cut hedges every autumn, thousands of the eggs are unknowingly destroyed. Continue reading...
www.theguardian.com
January 30, 2026 at 7:44 AM
I have these breeding in my SW London garden and you can too. Plant a bit of cherry plum and blackthorn and don't flail. @savebutterflies.bsky.social
A song thrush a day, keeps the blues away - especially when it's from the back door. Sound up. #FirstBirdOfMyDay #Spring @rspb.bsky.social
January 30, 2026 at 6:22 AM
A song thrush a day, keeps the blues away - especially when it's from the back door. Sound up. #FirstBirdOfMyDay #Spring @rspb.bsky.social
You can't nest there, mate. #GreatSpottedWoodpecker @rspb.bsky.social
January 29, 2026 at 11:19 AM
You can't nest there, mate. #GreatSpottedWoodpecker @rspb.bsky.social
A blackbird has started rink-tink-tinking from the rooftops again and the effect is transformational. #Spring @rspb.bsky.social
January 28, 2026 at 5:18 PM
A blackbird has started rink-tink-tinking from the rooftops again and the effect is transformational. #Spring @rspb.bsky.social
Lunchtime #bittern at London Wetland Centre and a better shot of a cousin. @wwtworldwide.bsky.social @everyheron.bsky.social
January 28, 2026 at 2:03 PM
Lunchtime #bittern at London Wetland Centre and a better shot of a cousin. @wwtworldwide.bsky.social @everyheron.bsky.social
Reposted by Ben
Full EU membership should be put to the public at the next election. It's time to return home.
inews.co.uk/opinion/rejo...
inews.co.uk/opinion/rejo...
Rejoining the EU is the only way to stop Trump
It is time to return home
inews.co.uk
January 27, 2026 at 10:54 AM
Full EU membership should be put to the public at the next election. It's time to return home.
inews.co.uk/opinion/rejo...
inews.co.uk/opinion/rejo...
Reposted by Ben
Tears of joy! SCOTLAND HAS JUST PASSED SWIFT BRICKS INTO LAW unanimously!
4 years of asking England & Scotland sorts it in a month led by ACE MARK RUSKELL MSP ♥️The RELIEF is unreal! Tell England to follow 🏴by emailing [email protected] now!WOOP!
4 years of asking England & Scotland sorts it in a month led by ACE MARK RUSKELL MSP ♥️The RELIEF is unreal! Tell England to follow 🏴by emailing [email protected] now!WOOP!
January 27, 2026 at 9:26 PM
Tears of joy! SCOTLAND HAS JUST PASSED SWIFT BRICKS INTO LAW unanimously!
4 years of asking England & Scotland sorts it in a month led by ACE MARK RUSKELL MSP ♥️The RELIEF is unreal! Tell England to follow 🏴by emailing [email protected] now!WOOP!
4 years of asking England & Scotland sorts it in a month led by ACE MARK RUSKELL MSP ♥️The RELIEF is unreal! Tell England to follow 🏴by emailing [email protected] now!WOOP!
Robin having its bath in the gathering dusk. @rspb.bsky.social
January 25, 2026 at 4:54 PM
Robin having its bath in the gathering dusk. @rspb.bsky.social
Reposted by Ben
This isn’t a new video, but it is, I think, a timeless one.
January 25, 2026 at 2:16 PM
This isn’t a new video, but it is, I think, a timeless one.
1 of 2 brawling peregrines over the garden just now. With yesterday's red kite, the birds are having a good old laugh for the #BigGardenBirdWatch @rspb.bsky.social @levparikian.bsky.social
January 25, 2026 at 4:33 PM
1 of 2 brawling peregrines over the garden just now. With yesterday's red kite, the birds are having a good old laugh for the #BigGardenBirdWatch @rspb.bsky.social @levparikian.bsky.social
Cleaning out the bee hotels and harvesting red and orange vented mason bee cocoons. A couple of male RMBs (see his white tache) had already hatched, still alive. Put back to bed and will try again in March when there's pollen and mates about. @bumblebeetrust.bsky.social
January 25, 2026 at 4:17 PM
Cleaning out the bee hotels and harvesting red and orange vented mason bee cocoons. A couple of male RMBs (see his white tache) had already hatched, still alive. Put back to bed and will try again in March when there's pollen and mates about. @bumblebeetrust.bsky.social
January 25, 2026 at 12:04 PM
Reposted by Ben
Rise and shine, it's the final day of #BigGardenBirdwatch!
Remember, you can still take part even if you haven't signed up.
Help us spread the word: share this post, text someone, or tell the whole table over your Sunday roast.
The more data we get, the better 🧑🔬
Remember, you can still take part even if you haven't signed up.
Help us spread the word: share this post, text someone, or tell the whole table over your Sunday roast.
The more data we get, the better 🧑🔬
January 25, 2026 at 8:00 AM
Rise and shine, it's the final day of #BigGardenBirdwatch!
Remember, you can still take part even if you haven't signed up.
Help us spread the word: share this post, text someone, or tell the whole table over your Sunday roast.
The more data we get, the better 🧑🔬
Remember, you can still take part even if you haven't signed up.
Help us spread the word: share this post, text someone, or tell the whole table over your Sunday roast.
The more data we get, the better 🧑🔬
Dreadful video but do I win the Big Garden Birdwatch for getting this red kite over my SW London garden? @rspb.bsky.social
January 24, 2026 at 11:42 AM
Dreadful video but do I win the Big Garden Birdwatch for getting this red kite over my SW London garden? @rspb.bsky.social
Reposted by Ben
January 22, 2026 at 7:46 AM
The woods of SW London are *full* of song thrush. Other thrushes also available - redwing and blackbird. Fill your boots. #Spring @rspb.bsky.social
January 17, 2026 at 11:24 AM
The woods of SW London are *full* of song thrush. Other thrushes also available - redwing and blackbird. Fill your boots. #Spring @rspb.bsky.social