AgrimonySpikes
@agrimonyspikes.bsky.social
🇮🇪 Im not a bot. I like wildflowers, nature, biodiversity, habitats, birds, habitat restoration and creation in Ireland, UK, and EU and laws on same. Also current affairs.
Joined Bluesky 9th Nov 2024. Eat your crusts.
Joined Bluesky 9th Nov 2024. Eat your crusts.
Pinned
Began mini meadow creation in north Wexford in 2022 (mostly cutting,removing rank thatch layer after covid abandonment)
31st May 2024 👇🙂
Local Hay rattle was first sown in 2 by 1m2 plots in autumn 2022 for 2023 flowering and seed gathered and sown autumn 2023 over 60 m2 developed nicely for 2024.
31st May 2024 👇🙂
Local Hay rattle was first sown in 2 by 1m2 plots in autumn 2022 for 2023 flowering and seed gathered and sown autumn 2023 over 60 m2 developed nicely for 2024.
Reposted by AgrimonySpikes
Ok Bluesky it's rare I ask for help. But this time I need huge help from the #osint community and #speirgorm #speirghorm, and everyone who follows me.
I have a goal to raise up to €100,000 for a long time friend and colleague who is going to leave us.
I have a goal to raise up to €100,000 for a long time friend and colleague who is going to leave us.
September 21, 2026 at 8:14 PM
Ok Bluesky it's rare I ask for help. But this time I need huge help from the #osint community and #speirgorm #speirghorm, and everyone who follows me.
I have a goal to raise up to €100,000 for a long time friend and colleague who is going to leave us.
I have a goal to raise up to €100,000 for a long time friend and colleague who is going to leave us.
A sad sign that habitats and their species mix may change soon due to climate change despite best efforts to conserve them. I'm wondering should my neutral grassland conservation aspirations change to a drier grassland mix. Late season DBS have struggled in spots.
Despite our best efforts, sad news for Heath Lobelia (Lobelia urens) in Hampshire 💔
August 20, 2026 at 5:13 PM
A sad sign that habitats and their species mix may change soon due to climate change despite best efforts to conserve them. I'm wondering should my neutral grassland conservation aspirations change to a drier grassland mix. Late season DBS have struggled in spots.
August 9, 2026 at 8:05 PM
Reposted by AgrimonySpikes
Ring Ouzel is on the verge of extinction as a breeding species in Ireland, according to a recently published paper:
Ring Ouzel on the verge of extinction in Ireland
A dedicated survey in 2021 produced only a handful of confirmed breeding records of Ring Ouzel in Ireland, leaving the species facing imminent extinction there.
f.mtr.cool
August 7, 2026 at 2:56 PM
Ring Ouzel is on the verge of extinction as a breeding species in Ireland, according to a recently published paper:
Reposted by AgrimonySpikes
Bringing back Dorset's long-lost Starved Wood-sedge (Carex depauperata)!
August 3, 2026 at 6:02 PM
Bringing back Dorset's long-lost Starved Wood-sedge (Carex depauperata)!
Reposted by AgrimonySpikes
Another installment of the 'native woodlands don't burn' debunking. Birch and oak are made of wood, and if they're dry enough (like in a drought) then they'll burn. And if they're on peat, they'll burn all the more.
Just to reiterate, this is a fen. A famously wet habitat. On fire.
Just to reiterate, this is a fen. A famously wet habitat. On fire.
Firefighters remained at Holme Fen overnight after a major wildfire was brought under control. Councillor Simon Bywater has praised emergency crews and urged people to stay vigilant during the continuing dry weather.
📷 Terry Harris/CambsNews #cambridgeshire
www.cambsnews.co.uk/major-holme-...
📷 Terry Harris/CambsNews #cambridgeshire
www.cambsnews.co.uk/major-holme-...
July 29, 2026 at 11:18 AM
Another installment of the 'native woodlands don't burn' debunking. Birch and oak are made of wood, and if they're dry enough (like in a drought) then they'll burn. And if they're on peat, they'll burn all the more.
Just to reiterate, this is a fen. A famously wet habitat. On fire.
Just to reiterate, this is a fen. A famously wet habitat. On fire.
Reposted by AgrimonySpikes
Want a copy? Head to our online shop at www.speciesrecoverytrust.org.uk/product-page... 🙌📚
A Field Guide to Grasses, Sedges and Rushes | SpeciesRecoveryTrust
An essential guide to identifiying all the common grasses, sedges and rushes in the UK. With over 72 pages of colour photos, habitat guides and straightforward field descrptions, this book has remaine...
www.speciesrecoverytrust.org.uk
July 24, 2026 at 9:36 AM
Want a copy? Head to our online shop at www.speciesrecoverytrust.org.uk/product-page... 🙌📚
Reposted by AgrimonySpikes
Looking to improve your grass ID? 🌿 Here's a thread you might be interested in... ⤵️
July 24, 2026 at 9:36 AM
Looking to improve your grass ID? 🌿 Here's a thread you might be interested in... ⤵️
Reposted by AgrimonySpikes
3 days until #BigButterflyCount 2026 lifts off! 🦋
The Gatekeeper took third in last year's count with 236,425 sightings. Despite a slight increase from 2024, this butterfly has seen a 22% decline since the count began.
With over 80% of UK butterfly species in decline, every single sighting counts.
The Gatekeeper took third in last year's count with 236,425 sightings. Despite a slight increase from 2024, this butterfly has seen a 22% decline since the count began.
With over 80% of UK butterfly species in decline, every single sighting counts.
July 14, 2026 at 10:55 AM
3 days until #BigButterflyCount 2026 lifts off! 🦋
The Gatekeeper took third in last year's count with 236,425 sightings. Despite a slight increase from 2024, this butterfly has seen a 22% decline since the count began.
With over 80% of UK butterfly species in decline, every single sighting counts.
The Gatekeeper took third in last year's count with 236,425 sightings. Despite a slight increase from 2024, this butterfly has seen a 22% decline since the count began.
With over 80% of UK butterfly species in decline, every single sighting counts.
Reposted by AgrimonySpikes
Exciting news for Field Cow-wheat in Wiltshire! Here’s Dom to tell you more…
@the-wildlifetrusts.bsky.social
@the-wildlifetrusts.bsky.social
June 25, 2026 at 5:37 PM
Exciting news for Field Cow-wheat in Wiltshire! Here’s Dom to tell you more…
@the-wildlifetrusts.bsky.social
@the-wildlifetrusts.bsky.social
Reposted by AgrimonySpikes
🎯 Our poor beleaguered waters
'The data tell the story:they’re filthy with pollution, clogged with man-made barriers & wrecked by State-funded drainage schemes that channel them, pour herbicides along them & cut vegetation that otherwise offers much-needed shade'
www.irishtimes.com/environment/...
'The data tell the story:they’re filthy with pollution, clogged with man-made barriers & wrecked by State-funded drainage schemes that channel them, pour herbicides along them & cut vegetation that otherwise offers much-needed shade'
www.irishtimes.com/environment/...
Wild salmon are on the verge of extinction. There is not one fish to spare
What happened on the river Glyde in June is not a local incident. It is a national emergency
www.irishtimes.com
June 15, 2026 at 1:01 PM
🎯 Our poor beleaguered waters
'The data tell the story:they’re filthy with pollution, clogged with man-made barriers & wrecked by State-funded drainage schemes that channel them, pour herbicides along them & cut vegetation that otherwise offers much-needed shade'
www.irishtimes.com/environment/...
'The data tell the story:they’re filthy with pollution, clogged with man-made barriers & wrecked by State-funded drainage schemes that channel them, pour herbicides along them & cut vegetation that otherwise offers much-needed shade'
www.irishtimes.com/environment/...
Reposted by AgrimonySpikes
Long eared owl hunting rabbit, Wicklow
June 13, 2026 at 9:09 AM
Long eared owl hunting rabbit, Wicklow
Reposted by AgrimonySpikes
Sadly, crayfish plague (Aphanomyces astaci) has now been recorded from the Camac River, Clondalkin, Co. Dublin.
A reminder from Minister O'Sullivan that we should all check, clean and dry equipment and PPE before and after entering a waterbody.
#NatureConservation
www.npws.ie/news/ministe...
A reminder from Minister O'Sullivan that we should all check, clean and dry equipment and PPE before and after entering a waterbody.
#NatureConservation
www.npws.ie/news/ministe...
Minister O’Sullivan urges people using rivers and lakes to ‘Check, Clean and Dry’ boats and fishing equipment to protect wildlife | National Parks & Wildlife Service
www.npws.ie
June 12, 2026 at 12:12 PM
Sadly, crayfish plague (Aphanomyces astaci) has now been recorded from the Camac River, Clondalkin, Co. Dublin.
A reminder from Minister O'Sullivan that we should all check, clean and dry equipment and PPE before and after entering a waterbody.
#NatureConservation
www.npws.ie/news/ministe...
A reminder from Minister O'Sullivan that we should all check, clean and dry equipment and PPE before and after entering a waterbody.
#NatureConservation
www.npws.ie/news/ministe...
A disgrace. Nets used first time to prevent nesting Sand martin
Regular development: Conceal it until we're found out. Protect the habitat for a season. Once their gone we'll destroy it permanently so they won't come back. Get dark ecologist to sign off!
www.greystonesguide.ie/a-line-is-dr...
Regular development: Conceal it until we're found out. Protect the habitat for a season. Once their gone we'll destroy it permanently so they won't come back. Get dark ecologist to sign off!
www.greystonesguide.ie/a-line-is-dr...
The Greystones Guide | A Line Is Drawn For North Beach Sand Martins
Planned repair works halted for environmental assessment…
www.greystonesguide.ie
June 7, 2026 at 6:42 PM
A disgrace. Nets used first time to prevent nesting Sand martin
Regular development: Conceal it until we're found out. Protect the habitat for a season. Once their gone we'll destroy it permanently so they won't come back. Get dark ecologist to sign off!
www.greystonesguide.ie/a-line-is-dr...
Regular development: Conceal it until we're found out. Protect the habitat for a season. Once their gone we'll destroy it permanently so they won't come back. Get dark ecologist to sign off!
www.greystonesguide.ie/a-line-is-dr...
Reposted by AgrimonySpikes
We helped save 5% of Scotland’s population of Aspen Bristle Moss. 🌿
This tiny, endangered moss grows only on Aspen trees and survives at just three sites. When one key tree fell, the moss it carried would have died without action.
🧵1/3
This tiny, endangered moss grows only on Aspen trees and survives at just three sites. When one key tree fell, the moss it carried would have died without action.
🧵1/3
June 5, 2026 at 9:34 AM
We helped save 5% of Scotland’s population of Aspen Bristle Moss. 🌿
This tiny, endangered moss grows only on Aspen trees and survives at just three sites. When one key tree fell, the moss it carried would have died without action.
🧵1/3
This tiny, endangered moss grows only on Aspen trees and survives at just three sites. When one key tree fell, the moss it carried would have died without action.
🧵1/3
June 2, 2026 at 10:23 AM
Common birds foot trefoil is doing really well in the urban front garden this year and the white tailed bumblebees love it.
May 30, 2026 at 7:27 PM
Common birds foot trefoil is doing really well in the urban front garden this year and the white tailed bumblebees love it.
Reposted by AgrimonySpikes
Platanthera bifolia, Selaginella selaginoides and Pedicularis sylvatica subsp. hibernica and Pinguicula vulgaris from the Cooley Mountains, Co. Louth (H31)
I suspect there are many lesser butterfly-orchids on upland wet heath and blanket bogs lurking out there!
I suspect there are many lesser butterfly-orchids on upland wet heath and blanket bogs lurking out there!
May 30, 2026 at 7:00 PM
Platanthera bifolia, Selaginella selaginoides and Pedicularis sylvatica subsp. hibernica and Pinguicula vulgaris from the Cooley Mountains, Co. Louth (H31)
I suspect there are many lesser butterfly-orchids on upland wet heath and blanket bogs lurking out there!
I suspect there are many lesser butterfly-orchids on upland wet heath and blanket bogs lurking out there!
Reposted by AgrimonySpikes
A decent showing of hay rattle again this year. Plenty of bumblebee energy drinks to go around in the North wexford wildflower meadow.
May 30, 2026 at 1:17 PM
A decent showing of hay rattle again this year. Plenty of bumblebee energy drinks to go around in the North wexford wildflower meadow.
Reposted by AgrimonySpikes
Good numbers of painted lady butterflies in the wildflower meadow today. I saw only one all season last year. Red clover seemed to be the nectaring flower of choice. And there was plenty on offer in the meadow.
May 29, 2026 at 7:50 PM
Good numbers of painted lady butterflies in the wildflower meadow today. I saw only one all season last year. Red clover seemed to be the nectaring flower of choice. And there was plenty on offer in the meadow.
Reposted by AgrimonySpikes
I was really happy to see & capture this lovely courtship of these Cryptic wood white #butterflies on a roadside verge.
May 25, 2026 at 8:48 PM
I was really happy to see & capture this lovely courtship of these Cryptic wood white #butterflies on a roadside verge.
Reposted by AgrimonySpikes
Marsh Violet (Viola palustris) looking immensely cute on shaded rocks beneath Powerscourt Waterfall, Co #Wicklow. It likes acidic conditions, so often seen growing with mosses like Sphagnum or Polytrichum commune, as here. #wildflowerhour @bsbibotany.bsky.social @wildflowerhour.bsky.social
May 24, 2026 at 9:42 PM
Marsh Violet (Viola palustris) looking immensely cute on shaded rocks beneath Powerscourt Waterfall, Co #Wicklow. It likes acidic conditions, so often seen growing with mosses like Sphagnum or Polytrichum commune, as here. #wildflowerhour @bsbibotany.bsky.social @wildflowerhour.bsky.social
Reposted by AgrimonySpikes
Thrift on Achill with the Atlantic wind
#wildflowerhour
#wildflowerhour
May 24, 2026 at 7:35 PM
Thrift on Achill with the Atlantic wind
#wildflowerhour
#wildflowerhour
May 24, 2026 at 7:40 PM
Reposted by AgrimonySpikes
I started my #2026OrchidHunt with a new species for me: Bird's-nest orchid, in S Tipperary. It taps into tree roots for nutrients.
With thanks to finder, John F.
#wildflowerhour @ukorchids.bsky.social
With thanks to finder, John F.
#wildflowerhour @ukorchids.bsky.social
May 24, 2026 at 7:02 PM
I started my #2026OrchidHunt with a new species for me: Bird's-nest orchid, in S Tipperary. It taps into tree roots for nutrients.
With thanks to finder, John F.
#wildflowerhour @ukorchids.bsky.social
With thanks to finder, John F.
#wildflowerhour @ukorchids.bsky.social