Neil Forbes
@treebeard793.bsky.social
Ecologist, based in South Cumbria. Mostly focused on coastal, wetland, limestone and upland habitats; botany, birds & Natterjacks. Views my own.
January 25, 2026 at 8:54 PM
First of the year for me. Lesser Celendine, Ficaria verna. Early for up here in North Lancs.
Jenny Brown's Point, #Silverdale
#wildflowerhour
Jenny Brown's Point, #Silverdale
#wildflowerhour
January 25, 2026 at 8:48 PM
First of the year for me. Lesser Celendine, Ficaria verna. Early for up here in North Lancs.
Jenny Brown's Point, #Silverdale
#wildflowerhour
Jenny Brown's Point, #Silverdale
#wildflowerhour
It's a classic early flowering species, but not usually this in these parts. Erophila verna, Arnside Promenade.
A total of 69 records this year on the #NewYearPlantHunt but I'd wager not many were this far north.
#wildflowerhour
A total of 69 records this year on the #NewYearPlantHunt but I'd wager not many were this far north.
#wildflowerhour
January 25, 2026 at 8:27 PM
It's a classic early flowering species, but not usually this in these parts. Erophila verna, Arnside Promenade.
A total of 69 records this year on the #NewYearPlantHunt but I'd wager not many were this far north.
#wildflowerhour
A total of 69 records this year on the #NewYearPlantHunt but I'd wager not many were this far north.
#wildflowerhour
Slow going on the #BigGardenBirdwatch today but we managed 15 species and 52 birds by the end (also Great Tit, Greenfinch & Collared Dove nearby but not obliging). House Sparrows (19) as usual stole the show & it was nice to get a Goldcrest right at the end.
@rspb.bsky.social
@rspb.bsky.social
January 25, 2026 at 11:43 AM
Slow going on the #BigGardenBirdwatch today but we managed 15 species and 52 birds by the end (also Great Tit, Greenfinch & Collared Dove nearby but not obliging). House Sparrows (19) as usual stole the show & it was nice to get a Goldcrest right at the end.
@rspb.bsky.social
@rspb.bsky.social
Whilst the first #spring plants are now on their way, some stragglers from last year still remain.
Nipplewort in South Cumbria.
This was the 25th most frequently recorded species with 243 records on the #NewYearPlantHunt
#wildflowerhour
@bsbibotany.bsky.social
nyph.bsbi.org/species.php?...
Nipplewort in South Cumbria.
This was the 25th most frequently recorded species with 243 records on the #NewYearPlantHunt
#wildflowerhour
@bsbibotany.bsky.social
nyph.bsbi.org/species.php?...
January 18, 2026 at 8:20 PM
Whilst the first #spring plants are now on their way, some stragglers from last year still remain.
Nipplewort in South Cumbria.
This was the 25th most frequently recorded species with 243 records on the #NewYearPlantHunt
#wildflowerhour
@bsbibotany.bsky.social
nyph.bsbi.org/species.php?...
Nipplewort in South Cumbria.
This was the 25th most frequently recorded species with 243 records on the #NewYearPlantHunt
#wildflowerhour
@bsbibotany.bsky.social
nyph.bsbi.org/species.php?...
Aren't Hazel flowers brilliant 💚
- The Lodge Nature Reserve.
#wildflowerhour
#Phenology
#Hedgerows
#Tree #Flowers
@rspbengland.bsky.social
- The Lodge Nature Reserve.
#wildflowerhour
#Phenology
#Hedgerows
#Tree #Flowers
@rspbengland.bsky.social
January 18, 2026 at 8:05 PM
Aren't Hazel flowers brilliant 💚
- The Lodge Nature Reserve.
#wildflowerhour
#Phenology
#Hedgerows
#Tree #Flowers
@rspbengland.bsky.social
- The Lodge Nature Reserve.
#wildflowerhour
#Phenology
#Hedgerows
#Tree #Flowers
@rspbengland.bsky.social
After the excitement of the #NewYearPlantHumt I've barely had a minute to look for plants this week. Nothing in flower of note but this thriving patch of Black Spleenwort brightened up a very wet, grey day in the Forest of #Bowland today.
#wildflowerhour
#WildFernHour
@bsbibotany.bsky.social
#wildflowerhour
#WildFernHour
@bsbibotany.bsky.social
January 11, 2026 at 8:00 PM
After the excitement of the #NewYearPlantHumt I've barely had a minute to look for plants this week. Nothing in flower of note but this thriving patch of Black Spleenwort brightened up a very wet, grey day in the Forest of #Bowland today.
#wildflowerhour
#WildFernHour
@bsbibotany.bsky.social
#wildflowerhour
#WildFernHour
@bsbibotany.bsky.social
Too early for the #NewYearPlantHunt, Cow Parsely was an unexpected find in Kentmere on 29th Dec given that there was almost nothing else in flower here.
#wildflowerhour
#Cumbria
#wildflowerhour
#Cumbria
January 4, 2026 at 8:54 PM
Too early for the #NewYearPlantHunt, Cow Parsely was an unexpected find in Kentmere on 29th Dec given that there was almost nothing else in flower here.
#wildflowerhour
#Cumbria
#wildflowerhour
#Cumbria
Heathwaite (Arnside Knott) for the #NewYearPlantHunt
Lesser trefoil was unexpected and Procumbent Pearlwort was pleasing due to the sheer improbability of finding one of the tiny flowers at this time of year. Crepis capillaris a bit more expected bit always nice to see
#wildflowerhour
Lesser trefoil was unexpected and Procumbent Pearlwort was pleasing due to the sheer improbability of finding one of the tiny flowers at this time of year. Crepis capillaris a bit more expected bit always nice to see
#wildflowerhour
January 4, 2026 at 8:51 PM
Heathwaite (Arnside Knott) for the #NewYearPlantHunt
Lesser trefoil was unexpected and Procumbent Pearlwort was pleasing due to the sheer improbability of finding one of the tiny flowers at this time of year. Crepis capillaris a bit more expected bit always nice to see
#wildflowerhour
Lesser trefoil was unexpected and Procumbent Pearlwort was pleasing due to the sheer improbability of finding one of the tiny flowers at this time of year. Crepis capillaris a bit more expected bit always nice to see
#wildflowerhour
The #Winter10 (16) for the #NewYearPlantHunt
#wildflowerhour
#Arnside Village, #Cumbria
An equal split between native and naturalised species (I think).
Names in Alt.
#wildflowerhour
#Arnside Village, #Cumbria
An equal split between native and naturalised species (I think).
Names in Alt.
January 4, 2026 at 8:46 PM
The #Winter10 (16) for the #NewYearPlantHunt
#wildflowerhour
#Arnside Village, #Cumbria
An equal split between native and naturalised species (I think).
Names in Alt.
#wildflowerhour
#Arnside Village, #Cumbria
An equal split between native and naturalised species (I think).
Names in Alt.
We really weren't expecting to find Early Hair-grass, Aira praecox at Low Wood in the Duddon Valley on the #NewYearPlantHunt. Early normally means April not Jan. The supporting cast included Hazel catkins & Wavy Bittercress.
#wildflowerhour
#Cumbria
#wildflowerhour
#Cumbria
January 4, 2026 at 8:42 PM
We really weren't expecting to find Early Hair-grass, Aira praecox at Low Wood in the Duddon Valley on the #NewYearPlantHunt. Early normally means April not Jan. The supporting cast included Hazel catkins & Wavy Bittercress.
#wildflowerhour
#Cumbria
#wildflowerhour
#Cumbria
The #Winter 10 (12) from @rspbengland.bsky.social #Hodbarrow
#NewYearPlantHunt for #wildflowerhour
Silver Hair-grass was the least expected species. Rough Hawkbit and Smooth Hawk's-beard were nice to get. & Tim Rich has kindly confirmed that we can count the Scarlet Pimpernel as flowering 😁
#NewYearPlantHunt for #wildflowerhour
Silver Hair-grass was the least expected species. Rough Hawkbit and Smooth Hawk's-beard were nice to get. & Tim Rich has kindly confirmed that we can count the Scarlet Pimpernel as flowering 😁
January 4, 2026 at 8:30 PM
The #Winter 10 (12) from @rspbengland.bsky.social #Hodbarrow
#NewYearPlantHunt for #wildflowerhour
Silver Hair-grass was the least expected species. Rough Hawkbit and Smooth Hawk's-beard were nice to get. & Tim Rich has kindly confirmed that we can count the Scarlet Pimpernel as flowering 😁
#NewYearPlantHunt for #wildflowerhour
Silver Hair-grass was the least expected species. Rough Hawkbit and Smooth Hawk's-beard were nice to get. & Tim Rich has kindly confirmed that we can count the Scarlet Pimpernel as flowering 😁
Any thoughts on including this Lysimachia arvensis in the #NewYearPlantHunt ?
We've erred on the side of caution and omitted it at present but aware that the flowers can close up in certain weather conditions. It was a fairly bright, cold and dry day though.
@bsbibotany.bsky.social
We've erred on the side of caution and omitted it at present but aware that the flowers can close up in certain weather conditions. It was a fairly bright, cold and dry day though.
@bsbibotany.bsky.social
January 3, 2026 at 11:31 AM
Any thoughts on including this Lysimachia arvensis in the #NewYearPlantHunt ?
We've erred on the side of caution and omitted it at present but aware that the flowers can close up in certain weather conditions. It was a fairly bright, cold and dry day though.
@bsbibotany.bsky.social
We've erred on the side of caution and omitted it at present but aware that the flowers can close up in certain weather conditions. It was a fairly bright, cold and dry day though.
@bsbibotany.bsky.social
Some amazing figures from the first two days of the #NewYearPlantHunt. We've managed two surveys so far in Cumbria. The most unexpected finds have been both Aira praecox and caryophyllea. Lets see what we can find today.
@bsbibotany.bsky.social
@bsbibotany.bsky.social
January 3, 2026 at 11:24 AM
Some amazing figures from the first two days of the #NewYearPlantHunt. We've managed two surveys so far in Cumbria. The most unexpected finds have been both Aira praecox and caryophyllea. Lets see what we can find today.
@bsbibotany.bsky.social
@bsbibotany.bsky.social
Crepis capillaris (Smooth Hawk's-beard) on Arnside Knott today. Looking likely to be a few in flower for the #NewYearPlantHunt.
2 days to go.
@bsbibotany.bsky.social
2 days to go.
@bsbibotany.bsky.social
December 30, 2025 at 3:40 PM
Crepis capillaris (Smooth Hawk's-beard) on Arnside Knott today. Looking likely to be a few in flower for the #NewYearPlantHunt.
2 days to go.
@bsbibotany.bsky.social
2 days to go.
@bsbibotany.bsky.social
One of the more common winter-flowering grasses - Dactylis glomerata, Cock's-foot.
#wildflowerhour
Witherslack, South #Cumbria
#wildflowerhour
Witherslack, South #Cumbria
December 28, 2025 at 8:49 PM
One of the more common winter-flowering grasses - Dactylis glomerata, Cock's-foot.
#wildflowerhour
Witherslack, South #Cumbria
#wildflowerhour
Witherslack, South #Cumbria
I walked right past this one 3 times before I finally spotted it.
Nipplewort, Lapsana communis.
#StillFlowerimg for #wildflowerhour
Witherslack
South #Cumbria
Nipplewort, Lapsana communis.
#StillFlowerimg for #wildflowerhour
Witherslack
South #Cumbria
December 28, 2025 at 8:34 PM
I walked right past this one 3 times before I finally spotted it.
Nipplewort, Lapsana communis.
#StillFlowerimg for #wildflowerhour
Witherslack
South #Cumbria
Nipplewort, Lapsana communis.
#StillFlowerimg for #wildflowerhour
Witherslack
South #Cumbria
Becoming something of a regular find in December (but nowhere near as much of an outlier as my October 2023 record). Just one in flower, plus one in bud, from a cast of hundreds.
Saxifraga tridactylites, Rue-leaved Saxifrage.
#wildflowerhour
Yewbarrow, #Cumbria
Saxifraga tridactylites, Rue-leaved Saxifrage.
#wildflowerhour
Yewbarrow, #Cumbria
December 28, 2025 at 8:17 PM
Becoming something of a regular find in December (but nowhere near as much of an outlier as my October 2023 record). Just one in flower, plus one in bud, from a cast of hundreds.
Saxifraga tridactylites, Rue-leaved Saxifrage.
#wildflowerhour
Yewbarrow, #Cumbria
Saxifraga tridactylites, Rue-leaved Saxifrage.
#wildflowerhour
Yewbarrow, #Cumbria
The #Winter10 (11)
#wildflowerhour
Rue-leaved Saxifrage, Primrose, Nipplewort, Petty Spurge, Gorse, Cock's-foot, Annual Meadow-grass, Wavy Bittercress, Hazel, Creeping Buttercup & Daisy.
Lets see if I can do as well on the #NewYearPlantHunt next week.
All from Witherslack, South #Cumbria
#wildflowerhour
Rue-leaved Saxifrage, Primrose, Nipplewort, Petty Spurge, Gorse, Cock's-foot, Annual Meadow-grass, Wavy Bittercress, Hazel, Creeping Buttercup & Daisy.
Lets see if I can do as well on the #NewYearPlantHunt next week.
All from Witherslack, South #Cumbria
December 28, 2025 at 8:14 PM
The #Winter10 (11)
#wildflowerhour
Rue-leaved Saxifrage, Primrose, Nipplewort, Petty Spurge, Gorse, Cock's-foot, Annual Meadow-grass, Wavy Bittercress, Hazel, Creeping Buttercup & Daisy.
Lets see if I can do as well on the #NewYearPlantHunt next week.
All from Witherslack, South #Cumbria
#wildflowerhour
Rue-leaved Saxifrage, Primrose, Nipplewort, Petty Spurge, Gorse, Cock's-foot, Annual Meadow-grass, Wavy Bittercress, Hazel, Creeping Buttercup & Daisy.
Lets see if I can do as well on the #NewYearPlantHunt next week.
All from Witherslack, South #Cumbria
Gorse, brightening a #winters day in South Cumbria.
It had many uses on the past, including as winter fodder for horses and cattle (after being crushed). A fascinating account here - share.google/T6HC2VJdvqyG...
#wildflowerhour
It had many uses on the past, including as winter fodder for horses and cattle (after being crushed). A fascinating account here - share.google/T6HC2VJdvqyG...
#wildflowerhour
December 21, 2025 at 8:00 PM
Gorse, brightening a #winters day in South Cumbria.
It had many uses on the past, including as winter fodder for horses and cattle (after being crushed). A fascinating account here - share.google/T6HC2VJdvqyG...
#wildflowerhour
It had many uses on the past, including as winter fodder for horses and cattle (after being crushed). A fascinating account here - share.google/T6HC2VJdvqyG...
#wildflowerhour
It's pretty late to find Lesser Trefoil (Trifolium dubium) #StillFlowering. Then again, it's so easy to miss when there's only a little and I only found the one flower here at Arnside Knott earlier in the week.
Early for #Wildflowerhour this week.
@nationaltrust.org.uk
Early for #Wildflowerhour this week.
@nationaltrust.org.uk
December 14, 2025 at 6:54 PM
It's pretty late to find Lesser Trefoil (Trifolium dubium) #StillFlowering. Then again, it's so easy to miss when there's only a little and I only found the one flower here at Arnside Knott earlier in the week.
Early for #Wildflowerhour this week.
@nationaltrust.org.uk
Early for #Wildflowerhour this week.
@nationaltrust.org.uk
Smooth Hawk's-beard (Crepis capillaris) tends to be one of the latest flowering winter species outside of the genuine year-rounders up here. Still some in flower on the most species-rich limestone grasslands.
Will it make it to the #NewYearPlantHunt though?
Early for #wildflowerhour
Will it make it to the #NewYearPlantHunt though?
Early for #wildflowerhour
December 14, 2025 at 6:45 PM
Smooth Hawk's-beard (Crepis capillaris) tends to be one of the latest flowering winter species outside of the genuine year-rounders up here. Still some in flower on the most species-rich limestone grasslands.
Will it make it to the #NewYearPlantHunt though?
Early for #wildflowerhour
Will it make it to the #NewYearPlantHunt though?
Early for #wildflowerhour
#Ferns really add interest to #winter #woodland walks when there is so little in the way of flowering plants.
Narrow Male-fern (Dryopteris cambrensis) & Scaly Male-fern (D. affinis ssp affinis) at Witherslack Woods.
#WildFernHour / #WildflowerHour
#Cumbria
@bsbibotany.bsky.social
Narrow Male-fern (Dryopteris cambrensis) & Scaly Male-fern (D. affinis ssp affinis) at Witherslack Woods.
#WildFernHour / #WildflowerHour
#Cumbria
@bsbibotany.bsky.social
December 14, 2025 at 2:09 PM
#Ferns really add interest to #winter #woodland walks when there is so little in the way of flowering plants.
Narrow Male-fern (Dryopteris cambrensis) & Scaly Male-fern (D. affinis ssp affinis) at Witherslack Woods.
#WildFernHour / #WildflowerHour
#Cumbria
@bsbibotany.bsky.social
Narrow Male-fern (Dryopteris cambrensis) & Scaly Male-fern (D. affinis ssp affinis) at Witherslack Woods.
#WildFernHour / #WildflowerHour
#Cumbria
@bsbibotany.bsky.social
#Yew saplings growing out of the walls of Minster Lovell Hall.
A handy reminder that we are never in charge for long. #Nature will always find a way.
#wildflowerhour
A handy reminder that we are never in charge for long. #Nature will always find a way.
#wildflowerhour
December 7, 2025 at 8:30 PM
#Yew saplings growing out of the walls of Minster Lovell Hall.
A handy reminder that we are never in charge for long. #Nature will always find a way.
#wildflowerhour
A handy reminder that we are never in charge for long. #Nature will always find a way.
#wildflowerhour
Shepherd's purse, Capsella bursa-pastoris #StillFlowering
for #wildflowerhour
Minster Lovell, #Oxfordshire
for #wildflowerhour
Minster Lovell, #Oxfordshire
December 7, 2025 at 8:26 PM
Shepherd's purse, Capsella bursa-pastoris #StillFlowering
for #wildflowerhour
Minster Lovell, #Oxfordshire
for #wildflowerhour
Minster Lovell, #Oxfordshire