Expanded Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) offer - register expression of interest in controlled roll out phase from today. Applications open to wider sector, based on eligibility, 22 July. gov.uk/government/new…

Good selection of orchids out today in south Warwickshire - Common spotted, Twayblade, Bee & Greater butterfly, plus what I think is Early gentian. Can anyone confirm or correct?

A selection of plants from this week’s conservation fieldwork for #WildflowerHour, clockwise from top left: Grass vetchling, Fairy flax, Adder’s-tongue fern, Ragged robin and Great mullein.

Delighted that one of the projects I was involved with has been shortlisted for an award! Hampton Gay manor ruins have been sensitively conserved with support from Historic England and Higher Tier CS. A complex project but great to be part of the wider team that made it happen.

Always nice to see how a client’s project gets on - in this case a small woodland planted into a simple wildflower & grass mix. It’ll change as the trees grow, of course, meanwhile a boost for wild pollinators and a sight that’s good for the soul!

It’s been a warm couple of days for on-farm fieldwork - a good time to re-appreciate trees! Living heirlooms to treasure and legacies to pass on…in woods, in hedges and in fields, including this rather splendid Oak for #ThickTrunkTuesday.

After a warm day with the big sign at #Groundswell2024 yesterday, it was also promising to see this small sign when arriving at a new farm this afternoon.

Pleased to find both Round-leaved and Sharp-leaved fluellens this week whilst mapping farmland natural capital. Smallish, if not #TinyPlants for #WildflowerHour - but certainly the most satisfying names to say out loud.

My first encounter with a Great crested newt - poor beastie had to be carefully rescued from an ornamental rill that they had no way of climbing out of. (In England this species is protected by law - see gov.uk/guidance/great….)

Making time today with Oakbank Game & OakbankWoodland colleagues for training on mental health first aid. 💚 Thanks to MI Team Training and Nuco Training Ltd. for the professional support.

Few from a family trip across the Channel this week for #WildflowerHour - Sea holly, Common restharrow and Buck’s-horn plantain growing absolutely everywhere!

Looking forward to seeing lots of folk this Saturday at the Blakesley & District Agricultural Show. Come and say hi - we’ll be talking all things Stewardship, SFI, trees & regen ag! theblakesleyshow.co.uk

It’s a grand day for the Blakesley & District Agricultural Show - come and say hello! theblakesleyshow.co.uk

Chuffed to have found my first Wasp spider today whilst looking at grassland management with some south Oxfordshire farmers. Even more chuffed that they were just as excited as me!

For this week’s #WildflowerHour, I offer the humble Common restharrow and not-so-humble Woolly thistle, both at Warwickshire Wildlife Trust Welcombe Hills, Warwickshire.

Details of 5-year SFI action GRH6 Manage priority habitat species-rich grassland were published this week. Covers management of existing, restoration & creation @ £646/ha but requires endorsement. Can combine with some hay-making +/ grazing supplements. gov.uk/find-funding-f…

Wanted Live-in stock person/couple to manage our regen suckler herd in S.Oxon Oct-Dec 24. <4 hours per day farming - we are near Oxford only an hour from London Stratford and the Cotswolds - might suit a couple with livestock experience visiting the UK? DM for more info 🙏

With conditions this year favouring strong grass growth, cutting and removing AB8/IPM2 will be important to maintain the flowers. Don’t forget to leave the recommended c10% uncut though as a refuge for pest predators & other wildlife.

Bit of light cloud and a slight camera wobble, but a lovely pass from International Space Station just now. NightCap Camera

Going through inverts swept from grassland in Hampshire in July - anyone fancy naming this large, dark (crab?) spider? BAS