Friends of Lye Valley
@friendlyevalley.bsky.social
We care for this 14,000 year-old internationally rare habitat, a tufa-forming alkaline spring fen, together with the calcareous grassland of Rock Edge. Headington, Oxford. www.friendsoflyevalley.org.uk
A grass fire in The Slade entrance to the Lye Valley was promptly extinguished by the Fire Brigade yesterday. Thankfully there was no damage to neighbouring properties, and the fire was restricted to an area about 30m x 2m. Ironically it was due to be cut today... @headingtonnews.bsky.social
In Amsterdam, residents can apply for the city to remove the pavement stones and prepare a narrow planting bed helping Dutch streets become greener, cooler and better prepared for heavy rain. #ActOnClimate #Smartcities #ClimateActionNow
A flyover Cuckoo this morning is only the fifth patch record and the first ever in autumn. This species was not recorded between 2020 and 2026 and is an exceptionally rare bird in the city. Also the first Yellow Wagtail of the year overhead 👌🏻 @friendlyevalley.bsky.social #ukbirding #Oxford
We were delighted to welcome seven #volunteers from Amey, who chose to spend one of their two "social impact days" this year helping us with our #FenRestoration. Their help was much appreciated! #OxfordshireFens #conservation @judywebb.bsky.social 🌍
Delighted to spot this female Wasp Spider (Argiope bruennichi) in the fen this morning, the first of the year for us here. 😍 #inverts #UKWildlife #OxfordshireFens @britishspiders.bsky.social @tverc1.bsky.social @judywebb.bsky.social
The very first of our Grass-of-Parnassus (Parnassia palustris) or "bog star" flowers are just starting to open. 😍 Let's hope this is another bumper year for one of the southern most populations of this plant. #WildflowerHour @bsbibotany.bsky.social @tverc1.bsky.social @judywebb.bsky.social
In 2022 we reintroduced Creeping Marshwort (Helosciadium repens). Endangered on the GB #RedList, there are only a handful of sites where it now grows. This week, we sheared round and over it to simulate the grazing it needs. @bsbibotany.bsky.social @freshwaterhabitats.bsky.social #WildflowerHour
Friends of Lye Valley@friendlyevalley.bsky.social · 4y agoToday we reintroduced Creeping Marshwort (Helosciadium repens) to the Valley. Nationally #Rare, it's also Rare in Oxon, a European Protected Species, and classified as IUCN Endangered. Thanks to everyone that helped make this happen! (See thread) #OxfordshireFens #RarePlants
Sooo many butterflies in the Valley at the moment. Here's a pristine Green-veined White (Pieris napi) refuelling on some of our Ragwort flowers. 😍 They love the damp lush conditions in our #fen. #inverts #UKWildlife @upperthames.bsky.social @judywebb.bsky.social #OxfordshireFens
We’re hiring - Fen Futures Project Officer 🌿 Join our team and help restore some of our rarest wetland habitats. You'll deliver an exciting project focused on conserving endangered invertebrates of lowland alkaline fens, including the Southern Damselfly. Apply now: www.bbowt.org.uk/jobs/fen-fut...
A fasciated Water Figwort (Scrophularia auriculata) plant. Caused by genetic mutation, viral infection, or the bacterium Rhodococcus fascians, it causes these wide and flat stems, with many more flowers than usual. #OxfordshireFens #WildflowerHour @bsbibotany.bsky.social @judywebb.bsky.social
*** TODAY! *** Please come to see us if you're in Oxford! (Given the heat we can't guarantee being there till 6pm though!)
The Oxford Nature Network@biodivoxford.bsky.social · 2mo agoJoin Ecologist Judy Webb to learn about the history & ecology of Lye Valley in Oxford - a 14,000-year-old internationally rare habitat 🍂 Find out more thenaturefestival.org @morethanadodo.bsky.social @bbowt.bsky.social @friendlyevalley.bsky.social @naturerecovery.bsky.social @ecioxford.bsky.social
Sheets of Bog Pimpernel in flower in Lye Valley #fen ..And can you spot also the leaves of Marsh Lousewort and some of Grass of Parnassus popping up through the pimpernel? @friendlyevalley.bsky.social #wildflowerhour
For today's #BirdOfTheDay theme of #RedBeaks I've chosen one of the UK's most widespread birds, the Moorhen (Gallinula chloropus). This one was skulking round one of the silt interception ponds in Oxford's Lye Valley. #UKWildlife #birds #ECK #NaturePhotography @friendlyevalley.bsky.social
Our Marsh Helleborines are just coming into flower. 😍 Vulnerable on the #EnglandRedList, it's Scarce in Oxon, and Rare in vc23. Thanks to our continued #FenRestoration work, this is now probably the best place to see them in Oxfordshire. @bsbibotany.bsky.social #WildflowerHour
We spotted this pristine Ringlet (Aphantopus hyperantus) butterfly in the fen a couple of days ago. Although common, they have a relatively short flight period, so enjoy them while they're around! #UKWildlife #UKButterflies #NaturePhotography #inverts 🦋
Join Ecologist Judy Webb to learn about the history & ecology of Lye Valley in Oxford - a 14,000-year-old internationally rare habitat 🍂 Find out more thenaturefestival.org @morethanadodo.bsky.social @bbowt.bsky.social @friendlyevalley.bsky.social @naturerecovery.bsky.social @ecioxford.bsky.social
We've currently got hundreds of Common Spotted Orchids dotting the fen here. Numbers seem to be increasing year on year thanks to our ongoing scything and raking. Worth a visit if you're local! #WildflowerHour #OxfordshireFens #orchids 🌍
This spectacular Elm Pouch Gall was found on leaves of Lye Valley's disease resistant Elm trees, Ulmus minor var Ademuz. Made by aphids Tetaneura ulmi. Presume they have now left the gall through the hole? @friendlyevalley.bsky.social
A recent storm brewing in Lye Valley fen, luckily it passed without a deluge this time & we could get on scything, raking & especially giving a work experience vol (in dayglo orange) a lesson in Austrian #scything by an experienced volunteer @friendlyevalley.bsky.social
Flowers just starting to bloom in Lye Valley fen - Purple Tufted Vetch Vicia cracca and maroon flowered Water Figwort Scrophularia auriculata both visible from the boardwalk. @friendlyevalley.bsky.social A pity too wet for any insect visitors #Wildflowerhour
First smart soldierflies are now on the wing in Lye Valley fen. First a female Common Green Colonel Oplodontha viridula, then a female Banded General Stratiomys potamida. Both sitting out a rain shower @friendlyevalley.bsky.social @uk-soldierflies.bsky.social @dipteristsforum.bsky.social
If you’re in the Oxford area next Friday, 12th June, I’m talking about the “Birds of the Lye Valley Area” at 1:45pm, with lots of pictures and sound recordings. Lunch is also available (but is not compulsory!): www.bullingdoncommunityassociation.co.uk/articles/com... @friendlyevalley.bsky.social
As rain drenched our stalwart volunteers for @friendlyevalley.bsky.social this week, a new scarlet tiger #moth waits things out sitting on its comfrey food plant. Roll on the sunny break between the (much needed) showers for some flying around...
@friendlyevalley.bsky.social will be there, showing off Lye Valley fen..
Leverhulme Centre for Nature Recovery@naturerecovery.bsky.social · 2mo agoJoin us on the 27th June to find out all the amazing work being done across #Oxfordshire and beyond to conserve our biodiversity. Everyone is welcome. thenaturefestival.org
#Fens are peatlands as well as bogs, the difference is that our calcareous fens are fed by alkaline groundwater springs, not just rainwater. A water table just at the surface allows plant remains to fall into the water & not fully decompose, locking carbon away as peat. @friendlyevalley.bsky.social
Peat-free Partnership@peatfree.bsky.social · 2mo agoBeneath our feet, peatlands are doing extraordinary things. 🌍 Bogs, fens & marshes lock away carbon and support unique wildlife like these species here. But peat extraction destroys this balance, and the wildlife too.
'Killer fungus' could be good news for habitats decimated by invasive moss www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Killer fungus discovered that destroys UK invasive plant
A newly discovered species raises hope that some native British habitats could be restored.
bbc.co.uk
This is turning out to be an incredibly year for Painted Lady butterflies, they were everywhere in the Lye Valley area, Oxford, today. These pictures were taken in the Churchill Hospital car park! @friendlyevalley.bsky.social @ouhospitals.bsky.social #paintedlady #butterfly
What plants are going into this restoration area at Lye Valley #fen to enhance biodiversity? Stolons of lovely scented Water mint & young plants of Marsh Marigold. @friendlyevalley.bsky.social. Thanks to www.longmeadwildlifesite.org.uk/thames-valle... for plants
