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Alastair Swinnerton @alswinn.bsky.social · 11h

Clouded Yellow still around in the back field, very pink Vestal Moth and the currently ubiquitous Common Crane Fly - love Crane Flies, you could imagine H.R. Giger using them as inspiration for Alien. @teamdiptera.bsky.social @dorsetwildlife.bsky.social @dorsetbutterflies.bsky.social

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Alastair Swinnerton @alswinn.bsky.social · 15/09/2026

Best of the rest from RSPB Ham Wall yesterday. I was hoping the Osprey was still there, but it didn't show - but as I was having a cup of tea back at the Welcome Hut, one of the regulars noticed it flying high over the car park towards Shapwick. @somersetbirds.bsky.social @btosomerset.bsky.social

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Alastair Swinnerton @alswinn.bsky.social · 14/09/2026

Adult and juvenile Glossy Ibises going at it, Ham Wall this morning (despite appearances, the adult eventually won). #rspbhamwall @somersetbirds.bsky.social @btosomerset.bsky.social

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Alastair Swinnerton @alswinn.bsky.social · 02/09/2026

2/2 from today's grey, wet @harbourbirds.bsky.social trip - the Sandwich Terns, brightening up a dull afternoon. @dorsetwildlife.bsky.social @dorsetbirdclub.bsky.social

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Alastair Swinnerton @alswinn.bsky.social · 02/09/2026

1/2. A very grey, wet @harbourbirds.bsky.social trip this pm, with a surprise - a Bittern. They only see a couple a year apparently, team very excited. Very distant, even with a 600mm, as were the Marsh Harrier, Osprey, and Whimbrel and Curlew. @dorsetwildlife.bsky.social

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Alastair Swinnerton @alswinn.bsky.social · 01/09/2026

Tree Bumblebee, first I've photographed in the garden, and a nice Vestal Moth from the Yetminster Mill Walk. @bumblebeetrust.bsky.social @dorsetbutterflies.bsky.social @ukbutterflies.bsky.social

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Alastair Swinnerton @alswinn.bsky.social · 12/08/2026

Checking the trailcam on return from holiday and found this fox, not just a one off either, it was here three separate nights. Looks like a young one. @dorsetwildlife.bsky.social

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Alastair Swinnerton @alswinn.bsky.social · 11/08/2026

The Dipper is back at Ninesprings - apologies for the shaky video, only had my phone with me @btosomerset.bsky.social #yeovilcountrypark @somersetbirds.bsky.social

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Alastair Swinnerton @alswinn.bsky.social · 08/08/2026

Also at Castle Drogo, my first ever Clouded Yellow, and a f. helice to boot. Thought it was just a Small White until it landed. No dorsal shots I'm afraid, too flighty, but it was white with heavy black markings. I'll record it when I'm home. @savebutterflies.bsky.social @ukbutterflies.bsky.social

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Alastair Swinnerton @alswinn.bsky.social · 08/08/2026

Could I have some ID help please...? Google AI seems to think this is a Chalkhill Blue, but I'm not convinced. A good few seen in the gardens of Castle Drogo earlier. Phone shot I'm afraid. Any thoughts? @ukbutterflies.bsky.social @savebutterflies.bsky.social #devonwildlife

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Alastair Swinnerton @alswinn.bsky.social · 19/07/2026

Yetminster Mill Walk this morning, Small Copper again, seems to like that spot. @dorsetbutterflies.bsky.social @dorsetwildlife.bsky.social

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Alastair Swinnerton @alswinn.bsky.social · 13/07/2026

Small Copper, Yetminster Mill Walk earlier. First time I've taken the camera on a dog walk since the heatwave began, way too hot to have even a kg of kit strapped around you. @dorsetbutterflies.bsky.social @dorsetwildlife.bsky.social

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Alastair Swinnerton @alswinn.bsky.social · 04/07/2026

Skylark, and Stonechat and young, Ham Hill this morning. You can tell there's been a lot of perching on that wall! @somersetbirds.bsky.social @btosomerset.bsky.social #hamhillcountrypark #somersetwildlifetrust

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Alastair Swinnerton @alswinn.bsky.social · 02/07/2026

Thanks to Dan and the team at @dorsetwildlife.bsky.social for a great Little Tern Walk this morning. Serious heat haze on the beach, however, as you'll see from some of the photos, but not so bad in the air. @dorsetbirdclub.bsky.social @btobirds.bsky.social

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Alastair Swinnerton @alswinn.bsky.social · 01/07/2026

Loads of Silver-Washed Fritillaries at Duncliffe Woods earlier, as well as my first and second ever White Admirals. Quite exciting. A good supporting cast as well. @dorsetbutterflies.bsky.social @dorsetwildlife.bsky.social #ukwildlife #'ukbutterflies #uknature

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Alastair Swinnerton @alswinn.bsky.social · 23/06/2026

Spotted this tiny gold beetle at Ninesprings earlier, which turned out to be a Rough-Haired Darkling Beetle (Lagria hirta). Didn't spot the Plant Bug (Orthonotus rufifrons) until I got it on the computer. Nice twofer! @colsocbi.bsky.social #somersetbeetles #somersetwildlifetrust #yeovilcountrypark

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Alastair Swinnerton @alswinn.bsky.social · 23/06/2026

Need help please. Highland Water, New Forest, what I think might be a Willow Tit? Looked at comparison pages - messy bib, white spot on beak, whiter cheeks etc. Any thoughts? @btobirds.bsky.social @rspb.bsky.social #ukbirding #hiwwt

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Alastair Swinnerton @alswinn.bsky.social · 22/06/2026

A week around the New Forest. Day 1, went to #Lymington Marshes. The other photos will go in a blog, but these were my first ever Little Tern Photos. I was going to bin the 3rd one, but kept it, missing wingtip and all, as it shows the reality of photographing Terns! @btobirds.bsky.social #hiwwt

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Alastair Swinnerton @alswinn.bsky.social · 16/06/2026

Ninesprings this morning - male Mandarins transitioning into eclipse plumage, and who doesn't love a Scorpionfly? @somersetbirds.bsky.social #yeovilcountrypark #somersetwildlifetrust #ukwildlife #uknature #ukbirding

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Alastair Swinnerton @alswinn.bsky.social · 15/06/2026

I know they're very common, but they're still an impresive Beetle - Black-and-Yellow Longhorn Beetle, Rutpela maculata, staring into the abyss at Ninesprings this morning. @teamdiptera.bsky.social @colsocbi.bsky.social #ukbeetles #ukwildlife #closeenoughphotography #notquitemacro

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Alastair Swinnerton @alswinn.bsky.social · 15/06/2026

Could I have some ID help, please? I think this is Andrena semilaevis, and a couple of different Scraptiidae? I know it's not an uber-sharp photo. Ninesprings this morning. @bumblebeetrust.bsky.social @uk-soldierflies.bsky.social @britishbugs.bsky.social

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Alastair Swinnerton @alswinn.bsky.social · 14/06/2026

The Red Kite was back this morning for the grass collecting, and he brought two friends! Couldn't get a shot of all three together, but looking at wing feathers and markings, these are at least two of them, maybe three. @dorsetbirdclub.bsky.social @dorsetwildlife.bsky.social @btobirds.bsky.social

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Alastair Swinnerton @alswinn.bsky.social · 13/06/2026

Popped up to the end of the garden to see if anything other than Gulls had gathered for the mowing of the field - hoped for Ravens, but really didn't expect a Red Kite! Mostly blurred by heat haze, annoyingly, but managed to salvage a few. @dorsetbirdclub.bsky.social @dorsetwildlife.bsky.social

The Gulls really weren't happy about the intruder!

First time I've ever got photos of a Red Kite not against the sky. Yes, they're heat hazy, but an exciting few minutes nonetheless!

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Alastair Swinnerton @alswinn.bsky.social · 13/06/2026

Large Yellow Underwing just landed in front of me as I had a camera in my hand, first time I've seen one in the garden. @dorsetbutterflies.bsky.social @dorsetwildlife.bsky.social @mothiduk.bsky.social #ukbutterflies #ukmoths

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Alastair Swinnerton @alswinn.bsky.social · 13/06/2026

Butterfly season getting into full flow on the Lyde Road Riverside Walk - A good few Marbled Whites, Large Skippers, Red Admirals and Small Tortoiseshells, as well as Meadow Browns and Painted Ladies. @savebutterflies.bsky.social #somersetbutterflies #yeovilcountrypark #ukbutterflies

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Alastair Swinnerton @alswinn.bsky.social · 10/06/2026

Girdled Snail, Hygromia cinctella, Ninesprings this morning. Not something I've noticed before. Mediterranean origins, only recorded in this country from 1945 apparently. #uksnails #ukgastropods #ukwildlife #uknature #conchsoc #conchology

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Alastair Swinnerton @alswinn.bsky.social · 08/06/2026

Testing out a new vintage macro lens, and spotted something on the back of this 4th instar Harlequin larva - is that an aphid hitching a ride, or something more parasytic, or maybe symbiotic? @colsocbi.bsky.social @britishbugs.bsky.social @dorsetwildlife.bsky.social @vc40ladybirds.bsky.social

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Alastair Swinnerton @alswinn.bsky.social · 07/06/2026

Ninesprings earlier this morning, a nice (Orange-Spotted) Plant Bug, Grypocoris stysi, stalking an aphid. Very common it seems, but not one I've noticed before. @teamdiptera.bsky.social #ukinsects #somersetwildlife

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Alastair Swinnerton @alswinn.bsky.social · 07/06/2026

Popped to Sutton Bingham to see if the Osprey was still there (it wasn't), but enjoyed watching the Swallows chasing each other around the wildflower meadow, until (I'm guessing) an adult and a juvenile briefly landed in a tree in front of me. @somersetbirds.bsky.social #ukbirding #somersetbirding

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Alastair Swinnerton @alswinn.bsky.social · 06/06/2026

Look what turned up at Ninesprings this morning! Very low light, so extremely high ISO. Sadly, what I didn't manage to photograph was the moment it was divebombed by a Kingfisher!! @rspb.bsky.social @somersetbirds.bsky.social @btobirds.bsky.social #yeovilcountrypark #somersetwildlifetrust #dipper

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Alastair Swinnerton @alswinn.bsky.social · 05/06/2026

Assorted othgers from Affpuddle Heath this morning. Juvenile Stonechat, Four-Spot Chaser and a very shy Small Heath. Didn't see any Silver-Studded Blues, but others did. The Dartfords were enough! @dorsetbirdclub.bsky.social @dorsetwildlife.bsky.social @dorsetbutterflies.bsky.social #ukwildlife

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Alastair Swinnerton @alswinn.bsky.social · 05/06/2026

Affpuddle Heath earlier - after all these years, finally saw my first ever Dartford Warblers! Counted at least 6, and these 3 sat still long enough for photos. 1st 2 quite distant, but the 3rd was only 30 feet away or so. @dorsetwildlife.bsky.social @dorsetbirdclub.bsky.social #ukwildlife #uknature

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Alastair Swinnerton @alswinn.bsky.social · 04/06/2026

Large Skipper, first this season, and male and female Timothy Stem Borer Sawflies, Cephus spinipes, Lyde Road Riverside Walk earlier @dorsetbutterflies.bsky.social @uk-soldierflies.bsky.social #sawflies #butterflies #ukwildlife #uknature

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Alastair Swinnerton @alswinn.bsky.social · 02/06/2026

Our hedgehogs are getting a bit feisty - I'm guessing this is two males showing off for a female? You can just see a third hedgehog over to the right, keeping itself to itself - maybe the female? Hopefully some hoglets to follow! @dorsetwildlife.bsky.social @hedgehogsociety.bsky.social #ukhedgehogs

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Alastair Swinnerton @alswinn.bsky.social · 02/06/2026

Even flies can be beautiful! Quarr Nature Reserve, Sherborne this morning, Streakless Greenbottle, Lucilia ampullacea. Steven Falk says they are generally more blue than L. caesar so I'm going with that. @dorsetwildlife.bsky.social @uk-soldierflies.bsky.social @britishbugs.bsky.social

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Alastair Swinnerton @alswinn.bsky.social · 31/05/2026

Marmalade Hoverfly exploring a rose, and a Red-Tailed Bumblebee worker on Geum. There must be a Red-Tailed Bumblebee nest somewhere close, because the garden's full of them this year. @bumblebeetrust.bsky.social @dorsetwildlife.bsky.social #ukbees #ukhoverflies #uknature #ukwildlife #ukinsects

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Alastair Swinnerton @alswinn.bsky.social · 30/05/2026

The back field is completely devoid of butterflies, given that it's full of tall grasses, buttercups, vetch etc, but ne'er mind, I added a new Eupeodes to my collection, male latifasciatus I think, aka Meadow Broadtail @dorsetwildlife.bsky.social @uk-soldierflies.bsky.social #ukwildlife #uknature

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Alastair Swinnerton @alswinn.bsky.social · 28/05/2026

14-Spot Ladybird larva on the Oregano just now, another new one for the garden. Must get my macro lens back! @ukladybirds.bsky.social @colsocbi.bsky.social #ukwildlife #uknature #ukladybirds #ukinsects

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Alastair Swinnerton @alswinn.bsky.social · 28/05/2026

Also, a very jittery Silver Y Moth, the first I've seen in our garden, little perisher wouldn't settle for more a than a second or two. @dorsetbutterflies.bsky.social @dorsetwildlife.bsky.social @mothiduk.bsky.social #ukwildlife #uknature #ukmoths

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Alastair Swinnerton @alswinn.bsky.social · 28/05/2026

I guess the Large Red Damselflies ARE breeding in our pond then! A good half a dozen males flying around. @britishdragonflies.bsky.social @dorsetwildlife.bsky.social #uknature #ukwildlife #ukpondlife

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Alastair Swinnerton @alswinn.bsky.social · 28/05/2026

Soldier Beetle, Cantharis rustica, and a Seven-Spot Ladybird feasting on Aphids, #yeovilcountrypark Lyde Road Riverside Walk earlier @colsocbi.bsky.social @ukladybirds.bsky.social #ukbeetles #ukwildlife #uknature

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Alastair Swinnerton @alswinn.bsky.social · 26/05/2026

A gloriously mindful @harbourbirds.bsky.social boat trip yesterday evening, thank you as ever to Paul and the team, and here are a few batches of photos, starting with some pre-sunset ones. @dorsetbirdclub.bsky.social @dorsetwildlife.bsky.social #ukwildlife #uknature #ukseabirds

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