My first ever trip to Ripple GPs was ruined by an out of control spaniel swimming out to the island and eating a Great Crested Grebe nest. This shows how destructive dogs are to our wild birds and even island nesters are not safe.
@WorcsBirding
@RareBirdAlertUK
@BirdGuides
I’m having a lovely nature walk tonight. I’ve seen a breeding Common Sandpiper, Goosander brood and had a plant tick then I nearly trod on this chap.
#nature
#wildlife
I could only find one Coral-root Orchid in a brief search at Loch Leven today but what a cracker it was. Probably my best specimen here.
#botany
#nature
#NaturePhotography
It’s been a good day for birds at Loch Leven today. As well as the Richardsons, 2 Parvipes, drake Ringed-neck Duck, 15 Scaup, 2 Slavonian Grebes, Merlin, 3 Barnacle Geese, Rock Pipit, 450 Whooper Swans and 14000 Pinkies.
#LochLevenBirds
@SNPCelts
@scottishlabour
Thatcher tried to control the unions. I suppose at heart you are the tartan Tories. What next in your right wing agenda? Keynote speech from Tommy Robinson?
Who said Orchid season was over yet? This recently flowered Broad-leafed Helleborine was in the woodland around Loch Leven. First found on the 28th November. I’m led to believe it’s the first record for the loch since 1936.
Not bad bit of post work botany and bird spotting. I spotted my first flowering Dark Red Helleborines and year ticked Bog Orchid plus 5 Golden Eagles, Merlin, Short-eared Owl and Ring Ouzels.
Was attracted to an unusual screeching noise while out duck counting today. Found two of these. I don't find them very often and don't usually get a photo before they are off.
A couple of record shots of the Common Rosefinch from St Kilda a fortnight ago. I'm guessing it's a male because it burst into song when sat on one of the cleats. 18th St Kilda record apparently.
I was a little surprised to find Coltsfoot in flower in the Cotswold Water Park this afternoon. I was also delighted. Last years leaves still visible.
#signsofspring
@BBCSpringwatch
It was a lovely morning so I went to Coombe Hill early. Lots of wildfowl present plus 91 Black-tailed Godwits, 6 Ruff and 4 Dunlin from the hide. At least 10 Chiffchaff and 13 Little Egrets dotted about. It’s never a bad day when you see a Kingfisher.
#Glosbirds
“I am very proud of my son, William, for his growing commitment to the environment and the bold ambition of the Earthshot Prize. As a world, we need to come together to inspire, reimagine and build the sustainable future we so desperately need.”
- HRH The Prince of Wales
By complete chance we stumbled upon some Broomrape on the central reservation of an A-Road near Cheltenham. I went back for a second look tonight when the road was quiet.
#wildflowerhour
@BSBIbotany
@wildflower_hour
My mum saved this Wildfowl Trust magazine from 1989 when I was 10. In the front for a commemorative event. I wish I remember what he was saying. Spot the young
@ChrisGPackham
also.
Beaver watching last night was fruitful even though the conditions were far from perfect. Also got cracking views of a Barn Owl on a fence post.
#scottishbeavers
#Beavers
5 minutes out of a busy day to read an Ali Smith interview is v good for the soul. If you love books, I recommend
1/ This
@PenguinUKBooks
. The seasonal quartet books are objects of beauty as well as literary masterpieces. This account of how they were written & produced is 👌
Mega session at Coombe Hill this evening. The Spoonbill was showing well, then M and F Garganey showed briefly. The highlight however was a cracking young drake Goshawk which was drowning a Coot. 200+ Black-tailed Godwits too.
#GlosBirds
I was interested to learn the Gargoyles on the church were based on disgruntled Cotswold birders who refused to believe that the Blue Rock Thrush was a genuine vagrant.
#GlosBirds
Mega bird spotting at Loch Leven today with two Black Terns and a Hen Harrier. The former at point blank range! Also a Green Sandpiper and Greenshank on a flooded field at the larder.
#LochLevenBirds
Blimey that Steller’s Eider was hard work but it’s in the bag. Also 2 Glaucous Gulls, Hen Harrier, Merlin and a few Twite and other wildfowl and Divers. Also had an adult Iceland Gull last night.
#birding
Spotted a Long-eared Owl and a Barn Owl within 100 metres of each other last night on my way back in the Kingdom of Fife last night. Propped the phone on the dash and did a drive by.
#Owls
Yesterday I went to a known Adoxa moschatellina site in to see how far it was spread. I was there for an hour and found tens of thousands of plants but only 3 actually in flower. There were carpets in some places!
#wildflowerhour
#greenflowers
@BSBIbotany
@wildflower_hour
@iansummer1
@MrJohnNicolson
He was a terrible MP in Kinross. Just a career politician. All about himself. Nothing about serving the people. He’s still got his radio show I expect. He’ll be fine.
Caught a Garden Tiger this morning. Probably my earliest record here in Kinross. They’ve actually got more scarce in recent years.
#mothtrap
#mothsmatter
Decent walk back from the pub. Both Tawny and Long-eared Owls in the night vision. I’ve never known a year like it round here for Long-eareds!
#LochLevenBirds
Being away in Scotland I feel I’ve not been getting my fill of Bee Orchids this year so I went to a nice wet meadow in the vale to find some. A few crispy flowers but still a few out.
@ukorchids