"Almost all the parasiticides that are preventatively applied to pets are unnecessary." This could be a big step forward in reducing routine use of fipronil and imidacloprid, potent insecticides which have been shown to be devastating to aquatic life.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Two Lower Derwent Valley specialities from Sutton-upon-Derwent today: Marsh Stitchwort and Narrow-leaved Water-dropwort. Quail and Cuckoo singing in the meadows and several Hares.
I don't have a garden and so regard any public mown grass as 'my' lawn. Here's one @wonkyeggs.bsky.social has been adding locally collected wildflower/grass seeds to, inc. Bird's-foot-trefoil. Bee Orchid and Daisy turned up on their own.
#WildflwerHour #LawnFlowers
My lawn's Common Spotted Orchid population has trebled from one spike to three!
Not-at-all-typical meadow flora on rising ground at the edge of the floodplain. Abundant Autumnal Hawkbit and Red Clover with mainly fine-leaved grasses. Few of the most characteristic hay meadow plants but herb-rich.
Veteran White Willow, Lower Derwent Valley.
Cowpen Marsh from Holme Fleet 15.15: Ruddy Shelduck, pair of Egyptian Geese, LRP, at least 4 Yellow Wagtails.
@teesbirds.bsky.social
2 different Quails could be heard singing from Jubilee Viewpoint, Saltholme 16.00
@teesbirds.bsky.social
Surveying grasslands in the heart of the Lower Derwent Valley - the largest expanse of traditionally-managed floodplain meadows remaining in the UK. Some superb fields with abundant Pepper Saxifrage, Narrow-leaved Water-dropwort and Great Burnet.
Longhorn Beetles from Pickering Woods today.
Golden-bloomed Grey Longhorn, Wasp Beetle, Spotted Longhorn, and Black-striped Longhorn.
@northyorkmoors.org.uk
