Ken Charity
@kgc24.bsky.social
Interested in birding, botany and all things natural history esp. in VC55 Leicestershire and Rutland. I want a better world for my children and grandchildren to live in. Ex RAF and NHS.
Reposted by Ken Charity
Merry Christmas!🎄
Some frosty snaps to wake you from the post-lunch nap on Christmas Day…❄️😴
Thank you for everything you’ve done to help us protect plants and fungi in 2025. Let’s get ready for next year!
#Christmas #MerryChristmas
Some frosty snaps to wake you from the post-lunch nap on Christmas Day…❄️😴
Thank you for everything you’ve done to help us protect plants and fungi in 2025. Let’s get ready for next year!
#Christmas #MerryChristmas
December 25, 2025 at 8:01 AM
Merry Christmas!🎄
Some frosty snaps to wake you from the post-lunch nap on Christmas Day…❄️😴
Thank you for everything you’ve done to help us protect plants and fungi in 2025. Let’s get ready for next year!
#Christmas #MerryChristmas
Some frosty snaps to wake you from the post-lunch nap on Christmas Day…❄️😴
Thank you for everything you’ve done to help us protect plants and fungi in 2025. Let’s get ready for next year!
#Christmas #MerryChristmas
Reposted by Ken Charity
Happy Christmas from BTO! 🎄🐦 Thank you to all who have supported us during 2025. 💚
📷 Curlew by Edmund Fellowes / BTO
📷 Curlew by Edmund Fellowes / BTO
December 25, 2025 at 8:00 AM
Happy Christmas from BTO! 🎄🐦 Thank you to all who have supported us during 2025. 💚
📷 Curlew by Edmund Fellowes / BTO
📷 Curlew by Edmund Fellowes / BTO
Reposted by Ken Charity
🎄 From everyone here at the Charnwood Forest Geopark - including our very special fossil superstar Charnia - have a very Merry Christmas, and a Happy New Year ☃️
December 25, 2025 at 8:30 AM
🎄 From everyone here at the Charnwood Forest Geopark - including our very special fossil superstar Charnia - have a very Merry Christmas, and a Happy New Year ☃️
Reposted by Ken Charity
Acoustic monitoring for Lesser Spotted Woodpeckers - LesserSpotNet is fully involved with this excellent initiative being developed by BTO which is all positive for the conservation of LSWs
⚠️ The UK’s smallest and rarest woodpecker, the Lesser Spotted Woodpecker is a shy and elusive bird. It’s rapidly becoming one of our scarcest breeding birds, with substantial declines since the 1980s. 🧵⬇️ #bioacoustics #ornithology
December 15, 2025 at 12:38 PM
Acoustic monitoring for Lesser Spotted Woodpeckers - LesserSpotNet is fully involved with this excellent initiative being developed by BTO which is all positive for the conservation of LSWs
Reposted by Ken Charity
I doubt I'll ever find a rarer species of any description in Europe than this little gem. Fair to say I turned the air (Desert Babul) blue when I set eyes upon it...
But never say never!
But never say never!
Day 16 of our #AdventCalendar celebrates a big moment of this past year, wrapped up in a small butterfly. Our Autumn Exotica in Andalusia tour in September was thrilled to find Desert Babul Blue, an African vagrant only recorded in mainland Europe a handful of times beforehand.
December 16, 2025 at 9:18 AM
I doubt I'll ever find a rarer species of any description in Europe than this little gem. Fair to say I turned the air (Desert Babul) blue when I set eyes upon it...
But never say never!
But never say never!
Reposted by Ken Charity
New #PECBMS update! The Pan-European Common Bird Monitoring Scheme gathers data from monitoring schemes across Europe on breeding bird populations.
BTO contributes data through @bbs-birds.bsky.social and the Waterways Breeding Bird Survey.
BTO contributes data through @bbs-birds.bsky.social and the Waterways Breeding Bird Survey.
The Pan-European Common Bird Monitoring Scheme has published 2025 update on indices and trends! Unfortunately, it still shows an overall decline in common birds breeding in Europe, with the most pronounced decline among farmland species. Read more about the new update: pecbms.info/what-is-new-...
December 16, 2025 at 9:21 AM
New #PECBMS update! The Pan-European Common Bird Monitoring Scheme gathers data from monitoring schemes across Europe on breeding bird populations.
BTO contributes data through @bbs-birds.bsky.social and the Waterways Breeding Bird Survey.
BTO contributes data through @bbs-birds.bsky.social and the Waterways Breeding Bird Survey.
Reposted by Ken Charity
Opportunities for photography abound on our #OrchidsOfRhodes tour - the orchids themselves are numerous & diverse, the sites we visit are the best on the island, and the pace is relaxed & gentle, allowing time to compose a shot or simply revel in the flowers.
www.mariposanature.com/tours/botani...
www.mariposanature.com/tours/botani...
December 13, 2025 at 9:20 AM
Opportunities for photography abound on our #OrchidsOfRhodes tour - the orchids themselves are numerous & diverse, the sites we visit are the best on the island, and the pace is relaxed & gentle, allowing time to compose a shot or simply revel in the flowers.
www.mariposanature.com/tours/botani...
www.mariposanature.com/tours/botani...
Reposted by Ken Charity
Appalling, illegal, unethical, disgusting. Oh, and in the midst of a severe outbreak of Avian Influenza #BirdFlu #H5N1 where free-range poultry are in mandatory lockdown to prevent viral spread.
#Ornithology #UKBirding
raptorpersecutionuk.org/2025/11/12/s...
#Ornithology #UKBirding
raptorpersecutionuk.org/2025/11/12/s...
Shot Pheasants found dumped in Dorset
Another week and another pile of shot and dumped gamebirds. Thanks to the blog reader who sent in this photo of a pile of dead, shot Pheasants he found yesterday, dumped on the road (B3081) running…
raptorpersecutionuk.org
November 12, 2025 at 2:09 PM
Appalling, illegal, unethical, disgusting. Oh, and in the midst of a severe outbreak of Avian Influenza #BirdFlu #H5N1 where free-range poultry are in mandatory lockdown to prevent viral spread.
#Ornithology #UKBirding
raptorpersecutionuk.org/2025/11/12/s...
#Ornithology #UKBirding
raptorpersecutionuk.org/2025/11/12/s...
Reposted by Ken Charity
Traps out for the 1st time in 7 weeks (weather, work, birding, laziness). Worth doing for 49/16 inc 4 belated NFY: 2 Merveille du Jour, 2 Feathered Thorn, 1 Brick & 10 November sp. 1 Rusty-dot Pearl the only migrant. Surprised to see Vine's Rustic still going! #VC55Moths #TeamMoth
November 6, 2025 at 8:00 AM
Traps out for the 1st time in 7 weeks (weather, work, birding, laziness). Worth doing for 49/16 inc 4 belated NFY: 2 Merveille du Jour, 2 Feathered Thorn, 1 Brick & 10 November sp. 1 Rusty-dot Pearl the only migrant. Surprised to see Vine's Rustic still going! #VC55Moths #TeamMoth
Reposted by Ken Charity
📗 New report by @britishecologicalsociety.org & @nationaltrust.org.uk
Time to rethink nature conservation? Ecologists call for an ecosystem approach to halt UK wildlife decline and protect the vital services nature provides us💚
👉 Read here: www.britishecologicalsociety.org/time-to-reth...
Time to rethink nature conservation? Ecologists call for an ecosystem approach to halt UK wildlife decline and protect the vital services nature provides us💚
👉 Read here: www.britishecologicalsociety.org/time-to-reth...
November 6, 2025 at 8:00 AM
📗 New report by @britishecologicalsociety.org & @nationaltrust.org.uk
Time to rethink nature conservation? Ecologists call for an ecosystem approach to halt UK wildlife decline and protect the vital services nature provides us💚
👉 Read here: www.britishecologicalsociety.org/time-to-reth...
Time to rethink nature conservation? Ecologists call for an ecosystem approach to halt UK wildlife decline and protect the vital services nature provides us💚
👉 Read here: www.britishecologicalsociety.org/time-to-reth...
Reposted by Ken Charity
The new European Butterfly Red List is published today, with worrying findings. Over 1/4 (28%) of Europe’s 442 species are threatened with extinction or are close to being so. The situation is far worse for our 148 endemic species, 40% are now threatened or nearly so www.bc-europe.eu/webpage.php?...
October 11, 2025 at 9:17 AM
The new European Butterfly Red List is published today, with worrying findings. Over 1/4 (28%) of Europe’s 442 species are threatened with extinction or are close to being so. The situation is far worse for our 148 endemic species, 40% are now threatened or nearly so www.bc-europe.eu/webpage.php?...
Reposted by Ken Charity
Major revision of #GBRedList of plants published today shows 25% of our native & archaeophyte flora threatened with extinction. Many iconic widespread species classified as threatened for first time including Betony, Marsh Marigold, Devil’s-bit Scabious and Harebell. Another wake-up call for action!
November 5, 2025 at 6:17 PM
Major revision of #GBRedList of plants published today shows 25% of our native & archaeophyte flora threatened with extinction. Many iconic widespread species classified as threatened for first time including Betony, Marsh Marigold, Devil’s-bit Scabious and Harebell. Another wake-up call for action!
Reposted by Ken Charity
1776: Flies abound. They stay long after the hirundines are withdrawn. Tipulae sport in the air.
November 6, 2025 at 7:00 AM
1776: Flies abound. They stay long after the hirundines are withdrawn. Tipulae sport in the air.
Reposted by Ken Charity
💜 Check out that colour!
🍄 Amethyst Deceiver mushroom from Charnwood Forest.
📷 Barry Ingram
🍄 Amethyst Deceiver mushroom from Charnwood Forest.
📷 Barry Ingram
November 6, 2025 at 9:33 AM
💜 Check out that colour!
🍄 Amethyst Deceiver mushroom from Charnwood Forest.
📷 Barry Ingram
🍄 Amethyst Deceiver mushroom from Charnwood Forest.
📷 Barry Ingram
Reposted by Ken Charity
Until recently I used to do my own thing chasing orchids around Europe.
Then I did the Rhodes trip with #Mariposa_Nature
The quantity and variety of orchids found by #thenewgalaxy and #dunnjons were amazing.
Subsequently I've booked 2 in the past year and 3 for next year.
Do it!
Then I did the Rhodes trip with #Mariposa_Nature
The quantity and variety of orchids found by #thenewgalaxy and #dunnjons were amazing.
Subsequently I've booked 2 in the past year and 3 for next year.
Do it!
An update to the update...
Our Orchids of Rhodes tour for 2027, the ultimate exploration of the island's #orchids with two of Europe's keenest orchid-hunters, is now half full!
Six places remain to book to join us, but we don't anticipate those remaining available for long...
Our Orchids of Rhodes tour for 2027, the ultimate exploration of the island's #orchids with two of Europe's keenest orchid-hunters, is now half full!
Six places remain to book to join us, but we don't anticipate those remaining available for long...
Finally, our flagship Orchids of Rhodes tour in 2026 has been fully booked for 6 months now.
🌼 However, Orchids of Rhodes 2027 is available to book, and is already nearly half full.
We're proud to be the first choice for orchid-hunting holidays. (3/3) #orchids
mariposanature.com/tours/botani...
🌼 However, Orchids of Rhodes 2027 is available to book, and is already nearly half full.
We're proud to be the first choice for orchid-hunting holidays. (3/3) #orchids
mariposanature.com/tours/botani...
November 4, 2025 at 5:23 PM
Until recently I used to do my own thing chasing orchids around Europe.
Then I did the Rhodes trip with #Mariposa_Nature
The quantity and variety of orchids found by #thenewgalaxy and #dunnjons were amazing.
Subsequently I've booked 2 in the past year and 3 for next year.
Do it!
Then I did the Rhodes trip with #Mariposa_Nature
The quantity and variety of orchids found by #thenewgalaxy and #dunnjons were amazing.
Subsequently I've booked 2 in the past year and 3 for next year.
Do it!
Reposted by Ken Charity
Good morning, and hello November!
There's just one month left on our early bird deal for 2026 holidays, offering £150 off the list price of any week-long tour if booked before 1 Dec 2025.
Bee orchids, birds, butterflies (or bears!), we've lots of choice!
mariposanature.com/calendar
#nature
There's just one month left on our early bird deal for 2026 holidays, offering £150 off the list price of any week-long tour if booked before 1 Dec 2025.
Bee orchids, birds, butterflies (or bears!), we've lots of choice!
mariposanature.com/calendar
#nature
November 1, 2025 at 8:51 AM
Good morning, and hello November!
There's just one month left on our early bird deal for 2026 holidays, offering £150 off the list price of any week-long tour if booked before 1 Dec 2025.
Bee orchids, birds, butterflies (or bears!), we've lots of choice!
mariposanature.com/calendar
#nature
There's just one month left on our early bird deal for 2026 holidays, offering £150 off the list price of any week-long tour if booked before 1 Dec 2025.
Bee orchids, birds, butterflies (or bears!), we've lots of choice!
mariposanature.com/calendar
#nature
Google plans to bulldoze a wildlife haven in Essex – home to rare species – for a data centre. Sign the petition now to help save it before it’s gone forever 🐝🦋 you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/sa...
Save Arena Essex- Tell Google to search elsewhere!
Wedged between the Mar Dyke Valley and Lakeside Retail Park, the former Arena Essex Raceway is not your usual wildlife haven. Where once stock cars and speedway bikes lined up to cross the fini...
you.38degrees.org.uk
November 4, 2025 at 10:15 AM
Google plans to bulldoze a wildlife haven in Essex – home to rare species – for a data centre. Sign the petition now to help save it before it’s gone forever 🐝🦋 you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/sa...
Reposted by Ken Charity
We are so excited to announce that Spain's preeminent butterfly authority, Miguel López Munguira, is now part of Team Mariposa!
Miguel's vast knowledge and experience will enhance our existing Spanish tours; and he's also designing some new tours. We're over the moon! (1/2)
Miguel's vast knowledge and experience will enhance our existing Spanish tours; and he's also designing some new tours. We're over the moon! (1/2)
October 31, 2025 at 5:23 PM
We are so excited to announce that Spain's preeminent butterfly authority, Miguel López Munguira, is now part of Team Mariposa!
Miguel's vast knowledge and experience will enhance our existing Spanish tours; and he's also designing some new tours. We're over the moon! (1/2)
Miguel's vast knowledge and experience will enhance our existing Spanish tours; and he's also designing some new tours. We're over the moon! (1/2)
Reposted by Ken Charity
⚠️ Found a sick or dead bird?
In gardens 👉 report to Garden Wildlife Health: www.gardenwildlifehealth.org
In the countryside 👉 log on BirdTrack, and if there are several birds, notify APHA.
In gardens 👉 report to Garden Wildlife Health: www.gardenwildlifehealth.org
In the countryside 👉 log on BirdTrack, and if there are several birds, notify APHA.
Garden Wildlife Health
Garden Wildlife Health (GWH) is a collaborative project between the Zoological Society of London (ZSL), the British Trust for Ornithology (BTO), Froglife and the Royal Society for the Protection of Bi...
www.gardenwildlifehealth.org
October 29, 2025 at 7:36 AM
⚠️ Found a sick or dead bird?
In gardens 👉 report to Garden Wildlife Health: www.gardenwildlifehealth.org
In the countryside 👉 log on BirdTrack, and if there are several birds, notify APHA.
In gardens 👉 report to Garden Wildlife Health: www.gardenwildlifehealth.org
In the countryside 👉 log on BirdTrack, and if there are several birds, notify APHA.
Reposted by Ken Charity
A new proposal from a group of peers could disarm the most damaging aspect of the Planning and Infrastructure Bill and reduce the risks that it currently poses to the UK's wildlife:
Nature charities urge backing of amendment to planning bill
A new proposal from a group of peers could disarm the most damaging aspect of the Planning and Infrastructure Bill and reduce the risks that it currently poses to the UK's wildlife. The bill, as it currently stands, represents one of the largest dismantling of protections ever seen for the most precious wildlife habitats and species.
bit.ly
October 29, 2025 at 7:11 AM
A new proposal from a group of peers could disarm the most damaging aspect of the Planning and Infrastructure Bill and reduce the risks that it currently poses to the UK's wildlife:
Reposted by Ken Charity
As we build Charnwood Forest Geopark, we're proud to be supporting local businesses:
🌳 Our Geopartner signs are made by In The Shed Woodcraft
🟫 Interpretation gabions by Markfield's MP Steel
🎨 Interpretation panel design by Loughborough's Crayfish Design
🐝 Honey gifts by Temple Bees
🌳 Our Geopartner signs are made by In The Shed Woodcraft
🟫 Interpretation gabions by Markfield's MP Steel
🎨 Interpretation panel design by Loughborough's Crayfish Design
🐝 Honey gifts by Temple Bees
October 29, 2025 at 8:30 AM
As we build Charnwood Forest Geopark, we're proud to be supporting local businesses:
🌳 Our Geopartner signs are made by In The Shed Woodcraft
🟫 Interpretation gabions by Markfield's MP Steel
🎨 Interpretation panel design by Loughborough's Crayfish Design
🐝 Honey gifts by Temple Bees
🌳 Our Geopartner signs are made by In The Shed Woodcraft
🟫 Interpretation gabions by Markfield's MP Steel
🎨 Interpretation panel design by Loughborough's Crayfish Design
🐝 Honey gifts by Temple Bees
Reposted by Ken Charity
Hundreds of seal pups have been discovered dead on Heard Island in the sub-Antarctic, with Australian scientists investigating whether a destructive H5N1 strain bird flu that has swept the globe is responsible.
. www.independent.co.uk/news/science...
. www.independent.co.uk/news/science...
Fears highly contagious virus spreading after hundreds of seal pups found dead
The H5N1 bird flu strain has caused millions of deaths among wild birds and mammals since 2021
www.independent.co.uk
October 24, 2025 at 9:34 PM
Hundreds of seal pups have been discovered dead on Heard Island in the sub-Antarctic, with Australian scientists investigating whether a destructive H5N1 strain bird flu that has swept the globe is responsible.
. www.independent.co.uk/news/science...
. www.independent.co.uk/news/science...
Reposted by Ken Charity
Meet kohlrabi, the "cabbage-turnip" from Germany. This unique brassica, a swollen stem not a root, was first recorded in northern Europe in 1554 & made it to North America by the 1800s. Consistent watering is KEY! Keep the soil evenly moist to prevent the stem from getting tough & woody. #gardening
October 24, 2025 at 10:49 PM
Meet kohlrabi, the "cabbage-turnip" from Germany. This unique brassica, a swollen stem not a root, was first recorded in northern Europe in 1554 & made it to North America by the 1800s. Consistent watering is KEY! Keep the soil evenly moist to prevent the stem from getting tough & woody. #gardening
Reposted by Ken Charity
Govt publishes England water companies' league of sewage dumping and pollution .
Worst since 2011. 9 companies collectively received 19 out of possible 36 stars.
Thames Water the lowest rating of 1. Seven firms score only 2.
No fines on execs. No exec prosecuted. Dividends paid. Customers fleeced
Worst since 2011. 9 companies collectively received 19 out of possible 36 stars.
Thames Water the lowest rating of 1. Seven firms score only 2.
No fines on execs. No exec prosecuted. Dividends paid. Customers fleeced
Water and sewerage companies in England: environmental performance report for 2024
www.gov.uk
October 24, 2025 at 8:39 AM
Govt publishes England water companies' league of sewage dumping and pollution .
Worst since 2011. 9 companies collectively received 19 out of possible 36 stars.
Thames Water the lowest rating of 1. Seven firms score only 2.
No fines on execs. No exec prosecuted. Dividends paid. Customers fleeced
Worst since 2011. 9 companies collectively received 19 out of possible 36 stars.
Thames Water the lowest rating of 1. Seven firms score only 2.
No fines on execs. No exec prosecuted. Dividends paid. Customers fleeced