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Ai-Lin @akeewales.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

Thks to Graeme Lyons' tip on his Insta post, these Lanzia echinophila fungi were found. The fungi grows on old Sweet Chestnut husks. There was only 1 record in North Wales. We now hv 1st record in Glamorgan at Forest Farm. Another at Garwnant, Breconshire & at least 4 in Cyfarthfa Park.

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Ai-Lin @akeewales.bsky.social · 11/08/2026

Terrible vid. Is this a Green Sandpiper or something else? This was at WWT Llanelli last Sunday. #birdingwales

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Ai-Lin @akeewales.bsky.social · 28/07/2026

A Caspian gull was spotted close to home. Unfortunately, we didn't see it. There were lots of Yellow-legged gulls (they look like Herring gulls with slightly square or boxier head). This is a year ✅ for me. I had a lesson in spotting Yellow-legged gulls & It was mind boggling. #birdingwales

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Ai-Lin @akeewales.bsky.social · 26/07/2026

Terrible vid of a Long- tailed Shrike but it is a life ✅! Pretty close view but a bit breezy hence the terrible vid. #birdingUK

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Ai-Lin @akeewales.bsky.social · 30/06/2026

A much better view of the Western Reef Heron, last weekend in Pembrokeshire than when I first saw it in Caernarfon a few weeks ago. The terrible video via my scope does not do it justice. #birdingwales

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Ai-Lin @akeewales.bsky.social · 22/06/2026

Sometimes, you get lucky when a 4 spotted Chaser dragonfly lands on you. Patiently, it posed for its photo. A beautiful creature. Isn't nature just beautiful? #natureconnection

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Ai-Lin @akeewales.bsky.social · 06/06/2026

With a weekend up in North Wales, it would be silly not to go twitch a Woodchat Strike at South Stack. Honestly, that is the bird in the photo. The Western Reef-Heron was a bit more elusive at Y Foryd. No photos but managed to just see its head above the grass. Two lovely life tick. #birdingwales

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Ai-Lin @akeewales.bsky.social · 05/06/2026

Happy World Environment Day. Much to appreciate, to celebrate and help protect in our natural world. As I often say 'Just because you can't or don't see something, it doesn't mean it's not there'. Like this wonderful Great spotted Woodpecker. ☺️ Clearly making his presence heard!

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Ai-Lin @akeewales.bsky.social · 20/05/2026

Cuckoo heard, Siskins feeding on Dandelion flowerheads and Redpolls showed well yesterday at Garwnant. #birdingwales

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Ai-Lin @akeewales.bsky.social · 16/05/2026

If you plan to visit South East Asia with a stopover in Singapore. I highly recommend at visit to Pasir Ris Park, Singapore. A little gem & haven for wildlife. We were fortunate to experience this en route home from Sabah, Borneo. #nparkbuzz #singapore #birding #citynature

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Ai-Lin @akeewales.bsky.social · 17/04/2026

Out on my @webs-gsmp.bsky.social this morning. Did a double take. Did a double count just to be sure. What I thought were Sand Martins at first 🤦 , were actually 20 Swallows. Lovely to see so many over a little pond. There was a Sand Martin with them. #birdingwales

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Ai-Lin @akeewales.bsky.social · 12/04/2026

Despite the rather wet & windy start, it was a lovely day out. Osprey, year ✅ at Talybont on Usk. Swallow, Little Tern, Common Redstart and this lovely Yellow Wagtail are also year ✅ at Llangorse. #birdingwales

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Ai-Lin @akeewales.bsky.social · 06/04/2026

Yesterday was a lovely day at Kenfig. Birding year ✅ - Linnet, Sand Martin. Highlight tho were finding Golden-eye lichen, Morel fungus & Early Purple Orchid. Finished the day at Ogmore by Sea, with yr ✅ of American Wigeon. #birdingwales #natureconnection

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Ai-Lin @akeewales.bsky.social · 27/03/2026

Unfortunately no photos but it was great to see a pair of Willow tits yesterday Both were showing well, totally oblivious of me. Chiffchaffs were in good voices too. 2 days before, along the same trail, lots of Fieldfares fed in the field. Yet to see my first Blackcap of the year 😞 #birdingwales

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Ai-Lin @akeewales.bsky.social · 17/02/2026

It would be remiss of me not to pop into Thomson's Park, Cardiff when I was in Cardiff earlier today 😁! I heard the RN Parakeets b4 I saw them. Terrible vid but glad (or maybe not?) to hv seen them. #birdingwales

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Ai-Lin @akeewales.bsky.social · 02/02/2026

Fortunately, the weather wasn't too bad yesterday. A lovely day spent at WWT Slimbridge. Firecrest (unfortunately no photos!) took my year list to 81 and Jack Snipe took me to 91. Jack stopped bopping when I spotted it. #ukbirding

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Ai-Lin @akeewales.bsky.social · 28/01/2026

I wasn't planning on counting them as there were so many. However, I did and there's at least 120 Snipes on that little island at Llwyn Onn Reservoir. Apparently, quite an exceptional number for one site in Glamorgan 😬. Just as well I counted! #birdingwales

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Ai-Lin @akeewales.bsky.social · 25/01/2026

No Little Gull in Cardiff Bay this morning. Black Redstart still about & I did spot a Redshank. It was lovely to see @cardiffbirder.bsky.social and @sconzani.bsky.social too. #birdingwales

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Ai-Lin @akeewales.bsky.social · 19/01/2026

I was in the area yesterday so popped down to Penarth Marina to see if I could see the Black Redstart. Conditions were terrible so I was pleased to see it-Female. Also had a Rock Pipit and Chiffy whilst there. #birdingwales

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Ai-Lin @akeewales.bsky.social · 17/01/2026

Spotted Redshank? That was my first thought. Seen from British Steel Hide, WWT Llanelli today. If it is, I will be well chuffed. #birdingwales

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Ai-Lin @akeewales.bsky.social · 06/01/2026

Taken many snowy, wintry scenes the last few days. This is my favourite of Llwyn Onn Reservoir this morning. Made up for missing Great Northern Diver.

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Ai-Lin @akeewales.bsky.social · 30/12/2025

Finish with 211 sp on my British Bird Year list. Added Little Stint & Tundra Bean Goose (lifer) at WWT Slimbridge last wkend. However, it was the Great Grey Shrike added to the list wkend b4 Xmas at New Forest, which was fab, Finally after 8 yrs of twitching it ! #birdinguk

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Ai-Lin @akeewales.bsky.social · 24/12/2025

Snipe galore at Llwyn Onn Reservoir. Great Northern Diver not in sight today. #birdingwales

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Ai-Lin @akeewales.bsky.social · 01/12/2025

Had a lovely weekend in Norfolk to see how many year ticks or lifers to add to my birding list. Snow Bunting, Firecrest (fantastic view!) , Long-tailed duck & Tawny owl added as year ticks. Shore Lark was a lifer. There were also Chinese Water Deer, Muntjacs & Grey Seals. #birdingwales

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Ai-Lin @akeewales.bsky.social · 17/11/2025

Popped into Aust, Bristol for the Penduline Tit on Sat. It took a bit of looking and thanks to the birder who got us onto it. Definitely a needle in a haystack job! Really pleased to hv a good view of it through someone's scope. Unfortunately, no photos. What a pretty little bird. #birdingwales

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Ai-Lin @akeewales.bsky.social · 13/11/2025

Snipe showing well this morning at Llwyn Onn Reservoir. I counted 13 that I could see. There are probably more. #birdingwales

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Ai-Lin @akeewales.bsky.social · 06/11/2025

Took this vid a year go. Still yet to see my first Redwing of this Autumn..😢 #birdingwales

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Ai-Lin @akeewales.bsky.social · 25/10/2025

Last night's Bioflourescent Walk was the last of a series of nature engagement sessions I was privileged to deliver for @buglife31.bsky.social #CoalSpoilsConnection project. It has been a pleasure. #natureconnection #naturematters

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Ai-Lin @akeewales.bsky.social · 24/10/2025

Llanishen & Lisvane Reservoir looked lovely this morning. Little Grebes, Tufties, Canada Geese Black headed Gulls & Grey Heron spotted. Chuffed to hv found the Grey Heron mosaic I remembered from the days before the redevelopment.

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Ai-Lin @akeewales.bsky.social · 08/10/2025

Vote for your fav green space awarded @greenflagaward.bsky.social to win Green Flag People’s Choice Awards 2025. Voting opens till 31 Oct. www.greenflagaward.org/award-winners/

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Ai-Lin @akeewales.bsky.social · 06/10/2025

Love this @rspbcymru.bsky.social Newport Wetlands. A fantastic way to show & to engage others in bird migration. #natureconnection #birdsmatter

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Ai-Lin @akeewales.bsky.social · 06/10/2025

Storm Amy last weekend meant sessions planned had to be postponed 😢 as it wasn't save to take people into the woods. So with a free weekend, when the weather cleared, it was lovely to spot many different fungi & slime mould about. #natureconnection #fungimatters

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Ai-Lin @akeewales.bsky.social · 01/10/2025

It's been awhile since I left my trap out in my garden (it had been quite wet).Just these three - Red Green Carpet, Angle Shades & Black Rustic, in the trap this morning😢. Hopefully, the trap I left out at work has a better result! 🤞 #teammoth #mothmatters

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Ai-Lin @akeewales.bsky.social · 27/09/2025

Our few days in East Yorkshire was a slow start but picked up eventually with Red-Breasted Flycatcher (lifer!), Siberian Stonechat (lifer!), Brown Shrike (British ✅) and Barred Warbler (lifer!). Definitely worth a Tunnock or two. #birdsmatter

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Ai-Lin @akeewales.bsky.social · 25/09/2025

Gutted missing out on the Wryneck at Goldcliff as we are away up north. However, as compensation we did get a Red-Breasted Flycatcher yesterday (lifer!) at Flamborough (no pics unfortunately) & a bouncing Jack Snipe at Spurn, day before. #birdsmatter

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Ai-Lin @akeewales.bsky.social · 20/09/2025

Yesterday, I joined the queue of local birders who had the privilege to see the Sabine's gull close up in Port Talbot. A lifer ✅ #birdingwales

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Ai-Lin @akeewales.bsky.social · 18/09/2025

Yesterday's weather was grim at Llwyn Onn Reservoir. So thanks to the local Dwyr Cymru warden for taking me to the spot where he saw the Grey Phalarope, 10 mins before he saw me. Very confiding little bird. #birdsmatter #birdingwales

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Ai-Lin @akeewales.bsky.social · 15/09/2025

It was a yr ago that I first trialled Bioflourescent Walks after a trip home to Msia & was amazed by what I saw under UV torch. These are photos courtesy of the Carter family who was on my walk last wk. Isn't nature spectacular when you see it in a different light? #natureconnection #bioflourescent

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Ai-Lin @akeewales.bsky.social · 15/09/2025

I dusted off my microscope & decided to give Moss Safari a go. I find microscope work challenging so wasn't too optimistic! So, it was a delight to see my 1st ever Rotifer, Nemotodes, Arcella amoeba, a Diatom of some sort & Tardigrades. Gotta ❤️ Tardis look at how they move the tiny clawed legs!

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Ai-Lin @akeewales.bsky.social · 08/09/2025

Managed to pop west to Kidwelly for the Lesser Yellowlegs yesterday. Unfortunately, no photos but thks to the birders who were there for lowering their scope for me to see it. It was a life ✅! Did get a second ✅ (year tick) for the day at WWT Llanelli of the Grey Phalarope. #birdingwales

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Ai-Lin @akeewales.bsky.social · 05/09/2025

After the long dry spell, autumn has slowly emerged in the last week. #fungimatters

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Ai-Lin @akeewales.bsky.social · 01/09/2025

It wasn't a great weekend to be out & about. Showers & sunshine. So a wander closer to home, it was. One of my favourite places - Morlais Quarry. Rugged. Desolate. Beautiful

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Ai-Lin @akeewales.bsky.social · 26/08/2025

It was really dry at Goldcliff yesterday but managed to ✅ a juvenile Yellow-Wagtail. It was also great to see this Golden plover. The vid doesn't do it justice. Popped by at Peterstone en route home & ✅ Marsh sandpiper. Unfortunately no pix or vid! #birdingwales

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Ai-Lin @akeewales.bsky.social · 22/08/2025

Buff tip moth caterpillars munched away. Didn't take them long to devour the leaf! #natureconnection #teammoth

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Ai-Lin @akeewales.bsky.social · 19/08/2025

It's in a bit of a hurry crossing a path! I think this is a White Ermine moth caterpillar, probably looking for a cosy place to settle in and start the next process of its lifecycle. #natureconnection #invertebratesmatter #mothmatters #teammoth

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Ai-Lin @akeewales.bsky.social · 18/08/2025

It was my pleasure to have spent the day with these kiddies & the adults they brought along to two Minibeasts sessions at Ynysangharad Park today. Many thanks to Canolfan Calon Taf for organising this. #natureconnection #invertebratesmatter

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Ai-Lin @akeewales.bsky.social · 17/08/2025

Whilst out on an all night moth trapping last Thurs night, these are a few finds using a UV torch. Looking forward to delivering Bioflourescent walks planned in coming weeks. #natureconnection #getoutside #bioflourescent

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Ai-Lin @akeewales.bsky.social · 13/08/2025

Looking forward to delivering a Nature Walk this Sat as part of Buglife Cymru's Coal Spoil Connection project. 🤞Weather holds & not too sorchiou!

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Ai-Lin @akeewales.bsky.social · 13/08/2025

Canary-Shouldered Thorn greeted me yesterday morning at work. Elephant Hawkmoth caterpillar greeted me as I was about to leave. #teammoth

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