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Henk-Jan van der Veen

@henk-janvdveen.bsky.social

180 followers 140 following 150 posts

* Plantenecoloog, was 23 jr boswachter, verbind nu natuur en mensen bij Landschapsbeheer Drenthe * NL/conservationist/ecologist/botany * UK-lover/gardens/weather/climate

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Henk-Jan van der Veen @henk-janvdveen.bsky.social · 3d

Interrupted Clubmoss (Lycopodium annotinum) and Marsh Clubmoss (Lycopodiella inundata)
Two evergreen beauties and real bog-specials spotted this week!
#WildflowerHour

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Henk-Jan van der Veen @henk-janvdveen.bsky.social · 3d

For this week’s #WildflowerHour, I’m sharing some awesome Sphagnum species I found in a tiny bog:
☘️ S compactum
☘️ S. magellanicum
Both with Cranberry, Vaccinium oxycoccos)
Not your everyday plants, but a thrill to discover!

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Henk-Jan van der Veen @henk-janvdveen.bsky.social · 7d

I recently wrote an article for a Dutch weather magazine about the record-breaking summer0 in the UK in 2025.
It’s a glimpse into what climate change could mean for the future. 🌍☀️

Henk-Jan van der Veen @henk-janvdveen.bsky.social · 10d

Found this Fringed Pink (Dianthus superbus 🌸) in my neighborhood this morning, glowing in the early mist. Wildflower seed mix magic?
#WildflowerHour

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Henk-Jan van der Veen @henk-janvdveen.bsky.social · 17d

Wrapped up a survey day with this wildflower bouquet of Goldenrod and Zigzag Clover — best kind of field bonus!
#WildflowerHour

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Henk-Jan van der Veen @henk-janvdveen.bsky.social · 20d

Spent a lovely morning with volunteers collecting seeds of Goldenrod (Solidago virgaurea) and Devil's-bit scabious (Succisa pratensis) from a species-rich Nardus grassland in a local nature reserve. 🌱🌾

These seeds will help restore wildflower-rich habitat on the edge of a nearby village.

Henk-Jan van der Veen @henk-janvdveen.bsky.social · 20d

Amazing find indead. Also a good indicator for more interesting species

Henk-Jan van der Veen @henk-janvdveen.bsky.social · 22d

Great pics. Got any plans for orchid tours in Kent next year?

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Henk-Jan van der Veen @henk-janvdveen.bsky.social · 24d

If I get to sneak in one last #FavouritePlant, it’s this Tuffed Vetch right here.
Such a stunning plant, and yep... totally fell for it this year.
#WildflowerHour

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Henk-Jan van der Veen @henk-janvdveen.bsky.social · 24d

My #favouritePlant of 2025? Wild Marjoram! 🌸
Spotted it everywhere on my walks in Kent this summer - loads of flowers and loads of my favourite butterflies 🦋

Back home, I collected seeds, ready for a Marjoram explosion in my wildflower garden, and pics for next year’s #WildflowerHour challenges! 🌿

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Henk-Jan van der Veen @henk-janvdveen.bsky.social · 26d

A day out in the field with MSc students, surrounded by the open, flat Frisian countryside. Big skies, sunshine, and heavy showers

Henk-Jan van der Veen @henk-janvdveen.bsky.social · Sep 7

Two examples of insects on seedheads. Common Darter basking on Betony and
Sheltering wasps in the #SeedHeads of the Wild Carrot
#WildflowerHour

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Henk-Jan van der Veen @henk-janvdveen.bsky.social · Sep 7

Spotted loads of #SeedHeads on my walk through our community meadow today. Here my #WildflowerHour snaps:
✅ Creeping thistle
✅ Viper's-bugloss
✅ Devil's-bit scabious
✅ Common Knapweed

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Henk-Jan van der Veen @henk-janvdveen.bsky.social · Sep 4

video footage

Henk-Jan van der Veen @henk-janvdveen.bsky.social · Sep 4

Beautiful shelf cloud over my city

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Henk-Jan van der Veen @henk-janvdveen.bsky.social · Sep 3

Superb day with MSc Conservation students in a species-rich fen meadow, learning all about plant ID and vegetation survey skills.
Interesing finds: Yellow Centaury,Marsh Gentian in different colours and Allseed (Radiola linoides).

Henk-Jan van der Veen @henk-janvdveen.bsky.social · Aug 31

For this weeks #WildflowerHour, I found lots of #fruits:
🍒 Blackberry
🍒 Elder
🍒 Guelder Rose
🍒 Common Dogwood

But in many places, they’re tiny, shriveled, and on the verge of disappearing.
It's the other side of a record-warm and scorched summer.

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Henk-Jan van der Veen @henk-janvdveen.bsky.social · Aug 31

Mudflat hike around the island of Griend in the tidal area of the Wadden Sea. No wind and a mirror-smooth surface. Almost magical.

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Henk-Jan van der Veen @henk-janvdveen.bsky.social · Aug 29

Here you can see how Flea Sedge got its name: the fruits appear to 'spring' like a flea when touched
#wildflowerhour

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Henk-Jan van der Veen @henk-janvdveen.bsky.social · Aug 28

Formation of Altocumulus lenticularis clouds, a sign of strong wind shear in the upper atmosphere and a change in the weather

Henk-Jan van der Veen @henk-janvdveen.bsky.social · Aug 26

Opmerkelijk vind ik de uitspraken dat we nu de warmste fase van de eeuw zouden hebben en de komende decennia al iets zullen gaan merken van een lichte afkoeling. Hoe kun je dit als onderzoeker zeggen met nog zoveel onzekerheden?

Henk-Jan van der Veen @henk-janvdveen.bsky.social · Aug 24

This week, we were surrounded by Devil’s-bit Scabious, and in between we found some gorgeous blue Marsh Gentians and teeny Yellow Centaury.
#GentianFamily #WildflowerHour

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Henk-Jan van der Veen @henk-janvdveen.bsky.social · Aug 24

Over the past few weeks, I came across a few members of the #GentianFamily:
☘️ Common Centaury (Centaurium erythraea) at the White Cliffs near Dover
☘️ and Yellow-wort (Blackstonia perfoliata) at Lydden Temple Ewell
#WildflowerHour

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Henk-Jan van der Veen @henk-janvdveen.bsky.social · Aug 22

Wow! Great photo. Saw one at Lydden Temple Ewell two weeks ago. Too bad, couldn’t snap a pic, it flew off.

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