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Andrew Lucas @andrewlucas103.bsky.social · 13h

With the wind gusting to gale force, just about managed a view of the Lapland Bunting at Esha Ness. #UKbirding

Andrew Lucas @andrewlucas103.bsky.social · 04/10/2026

High winds and driving rain made birding on Shetland challenging today. But we were eventually rewarded with this cracking Red-breasted Flycatcher, in a garden with Yellow-browed Warbler and half a dozen Bramblings. #UKbirding

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Andrew Lucas @andrewlucas103.bsky.social · 03/10/2026

An excellent day of birding in southern Shetland included Olive-backed Pipit, Great Grey Shrike, multiple Yellow-browed Warblers, Firecrest and Merlin, as well as loads of these very smart Bramblings. #ukbirding

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Andrew Lucas @andrewlucas103.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

Had my morning serving of haggis, then a brisk walk across Aberdeen, and my first lifer of the trip. Sykes's Warbler at Girdleness, eventually showed well. British lifer no. 372. #UKbirding

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Andrew Lucas @andrewlucas103.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

A visit to Loch of Strathbeg yesterday. Great to see decent flocks of Tree Sparrow for once, a bird almost totally lost from south Wales. Also, signs of winter, with Whooper Swan, Goldeneye and Scaup on the Loch, and the sky full of Pink-feet. #ukbirding

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Andrew Lucas @andrewlucas103.bsky.social · 26/09/2026

'Open Landscape with Poultry and Waterfowl' painted by de Hondecoeter about 1675, hanging in Belton House, Grantham. Many of the bird species will be instantly recognisable to modern birders. #ukbirding

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Andrew Lucas @andrewlucas103.bsky.social · 26/09/2026

A quick call in yesterday to pay homage to the Rutland Water Lesser Yellowlegs. According to the locals, 12 pairs of Osprey bred in Rutland in 2026, but there hasn't been a confirmed record of Tree Sparrow in the county so far this year. How times change! #ukbirding

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Andrew Lucas @andrewlucas103.bsky.social · 20/09/2026

Two Clifden Nonpareil at a marshy grassland/upland site north of Pontardawe near Swansea. A nice supporting cast of autumn species, including Lunar Underwing, Green-brindled Crescent and Pink-barred Sallow. #teammoth

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Andrew Lucas @andrewlucas103.bsky.social · 19/09/2026

Autumn moths in full swing in my gardeninClydach, Swansea, with the first Black Rustics and Large Ranunculus in the garden this year. Also a single L-album Wainscot. The Large Yellow Underwing season is at its height. Groan! #teammoth

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Andrew Lucas @andrewlucas103.bsky.social · 11/09/2026

An early morning visit to meet the high tide at Blackpill, Swansea. The Baird's Sandpiper showed well, before disappearing into the mixed Sanderling/Dunlin/Ringed Plover flock for a snooze. #birdingWales

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Andrew Lucas @andrewlucas103.bsky.social · 10/09/2026

A nice selection of common Autumn moths from woodland near Glais, Swansea this morning. Sallow, Cente-barred Sallow, and Autumnal Rustic. #teammoth

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Andrew Lucas @andrewlucas103.bsky.social · 08/09/2026

Whoever thought birding got you into the tranquility of nature has never stood next to one of Cardiff's busiest roads, being deafened and gassed, whilst watching a White-winged Black Tern. But it was a gorgeous little bird. British lifer no. 371 Photo: Luke Warlow - my camera died! #birdingWales

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Andrew Lucas @andrewlucas103.bsky.social · 31/08/2026

With moths winding down as summer ends, time to get back to birding. Tutt Head (auks, scoters, one frustrating large skua too far to nail), Llwchwr (Loughor) foreshore (Curlew Sandpiper, Marsh Harrier), then Merthyr Tydfil for the Ortolan Buntings, which showed well after 40 minutes. #birdingWales

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Andrew Lucas @andrewlucas103.bsky.social · 30/08/2026

80 moths of 21 species in my garden moth trap in Clydach, Swansea this morning. The undoubted star was this L-album Wainscot, a scarce moth of mostly southern coastal sites. New for the garden, SN60 and me! Also my first proper autumn moth - a Centre-barred Sallow. Winter is coming! #teammoth

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Andrew Lucas @andrewlucas103.bsky.social · 27/08/2026

The scarce Picture-winged Fly Acanthiophilus helianthi, swept this week from grassland near Rhosili, Gower was my 1700th British species. A comparatively rare fly, mostly confined to south Wales and southern England. Photo: Kate Nightingale, NatureSpot. #UKWildlife

Acanthiophilus helianthi. Photo: Kate Nightingale.

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Andrew Lucas @andrewlucas103.bsky.social · 22/08/2026

23 species in the garden moth trap this morning in Clydach, Swansea. No big surprises, but some nice things in small packages. The bird-dropping mimic Chinese Character, and the tiny Single-dotted Wave. #teammoth

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Andrew Lucas @andrewlucas103.bsky.social · 18/08/2026

Two moths from a visit to Crymlyn Burrows, a sand dune system between Neath and Swansea last night. Striped Hawk-moth and Yellow Belle. This was my 50th trap-night of 2026. #teammoth

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Andrew Lucas @andrewlucas103.bsky.social · 15/08/2026

Olive-tree Pearl from an upland fringe site north of Pontardawe, near Swansea. No big surprises amongst about 60 species, but it was a good night for Poplar Hawk-moths! #teammoth

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Andrew Lucas @andrewlucas103.bsky.social · 14/08/2026

115 moths of 39 species in the garden moth trap in Clydach, Swansea. The best was this rather unremarkable European Corn Borer, which appears to be the first Swansea record for over 25 years, and new to SN60. #teammoth

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Andrew Lucas @andrewlucas103.bsky.social · 11/08/2026

My last 2026 1km pollinator survey for @pomscheme.bsky.social today in a very dry and hot north Carmarthenshire. Five pan trap stations put up and collected, 6 fixed timed counts, 1 bee walk count, landowners thanked, 18k steps. And that's me done for the year. And now...ice cold in Clydach!

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Andrew Lucas @andrewlucas103.bsky.social · 06/08/2026

A day at the National Eisteddfod of Wales, which this year is being held in north Pembrokeshire. Despite being one of Britain's larger cultural festivals, with an attendance close to Glastonbury, it is mostly ignored by the UK media.

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Andrew Lucas @andrewlucas103.bsky.social · 03/08/2026

The countryside in the Swansea valley, south Wales, is looking more like the Mediterranean after one of the hottest and driest summers on record.

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Andrew Lucas @andrewlucas103.bsky.social · 26/07/2026

My pilgrimage to the Long-tailed Shrike was very successful, with the bird showing well. What a beast it is - killing and dismembering a shrew whilst I was there. UK lifer no. 369. A superbly organised twitch, thanks to landowner and volunteers. £1000s raised for charity. Well done all. #UKbirding

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Andrew Lucas @andrewlucas103.bsky.social · 16/07/2026

80 species from woodland near Clydach, Swansea this morning, including a single Gem. Also three common micros that were still new for SN60. Each Hook-tip carefully scrutinised, but the wait for Spiny Hook-tip goes on! #teammoth

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Andrew Lucas @andrewlucas103.bsky.social · 11/07/2026

A bumper night of 205 moths of 63 species in my garden in Clydach, Swansea. Definite star was this Small Argent and Sable, an upland species that must have travelled a few km to get to me. New for SN60. #teammoth

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Andrew Lucas @andrewlucas103.bsky.social · 10/07/2026

44 species from Crymlyn Burrows,Swansea,a mixed sand dune/saltmarsh/fen site from 10:30pm to 12:30am. Multiple new species for me, including Kent Black Arches and Brown-veined Wainscot. #teammoth

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Andrew Lucas @andrewlucas103.bsky.social · 09/07/2026

53 species from a woodland/upland site near Glais, Swansea, the best being this nationally scarce Waved Carpet. New for SN70, and 1650th for my all time British pan species list. #teammoth

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Andrew Lucas @andrewlucas103.bsky.social · 23/06/2026

18 counts of sexual abuse and one of rape against children. Where is the rioting mob led by Tommy Robinson? Why isn't Farage calling for rage? Oh yeah. He's white, right-wing and says he's a Christian. Ex DUP leader Jeffrey Donaldson guilty of child sex abuse & rape. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

bbc.co.uk

Jeffrey Donaldson: Former DUP leader guilty of all child sex abuse charges including one count of rape

The former MP is remanded in custody while he awaits sentencing for 18 offences.

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Andrew Lucas @andrewlucas103.bsky.social · 23/06/2026

89 species at a marshy grassland/upland site north of Pontardawe near Swansea. Definite star was a Cloaked Carpet, which looks like the 8th or 9th Glamorgan record. Also the wet grassland specialists Small Dotted Buff and Double Line. #teammoth

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Andrew Lucas @andrewlucas103.bsky.social · 20/06/2026

133 moths of 55 species in my garden this morning, a very high number for the site. Highlights included Bordered Straw (a scarce migrant), Cypress Carpet (new for SN60) and the moth trap intruder the Broad Centurion (photo from NatureSpot). #teammoth

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Andrew Lucas @andrewlucas103.bsky.social · 19/06/2026

80 species from a mixed upland oak woodland and grassland site at Glais, near Swansea. Beautiful Hook-tip, new for SN70. #teammoth

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Andrew Lucas @andrewlucas103.bsky.social · 18/06/2026

55 species from woodland near Clydach, Swansea this morning, including Small Yellow Wave and the south-west speciality Double Line. #teammoth

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Andrew Lucas @andrewlucas103.bsky.social · 09/06/2026

Made the 4hr trek north from Swansea for the Western Reef Heron, which showed well if a little distantly. This is how birding should be - target bird safely on the list before 9am! British lifer no. 368. #birdingWales

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Andrew Lucas @andrewlucas103.bsky.social · 05/06/2026

52 species away from home near Lostwithiel, Cornwall, included a number of species new to me at least. Sandy Carpet, Wood Carpet, Cypress Carpet and Barred Red. #teammoth

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Andrew Lucas @andrewlucas103.bsky.social · 31/05/2026

Scallop Shell, Clydach, Swansea. 30 May. #teammoth

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Andrew Lucas @andrewlucas103.bsky.social · 31/05/2026

Striped Hawk-moth, Crymlyn Burrows, Swansea last night. New for SS79 - and me! #teammoth

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Andrew Lucas @andrewlucas103.bsky.social · 31/05/2026

One of the many advantages of an electric car is 'vehicle to load'. Basically you can plug in and run almost any electrical appliance from your car battery. So last night I took my moth trap out on the dunes at Crymlyn Burrows, Swansea. A way for moth-ers in future to sample new sites? #teammoth

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Andrew Lucas @andrewlucas103.bsky.social · 30/05/2026

Managed to stop off at RSPB Winterbourne on my way home to pay homage to the Stone Curlews. They finally emerged distantly in the twilight. Too far for photo, but they are out there! Also ran into the local moth enthusiasts, setting up for the evening. A very nice group of people! #UKbirding

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Andrew Lucas @andrewlucas103.bsky.social · 28/05/2026

60 spp from upland oak woodland near Glais, Swansea, with a number of micros and moth trap intruders (mostly Diptera) left to sort. Map-winged Swift, Green Silver-lines and Yellow-barred Long-horn. #teammoth

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Andrew Lucas @andrewlucas103.bsky.social · 27/05/2026

73 spp from a marshy grassland and upland site north of Pontardawe, south Wales. Oblique Carpet, Fox Moth, Lime Hawk Moth and Puss Moth. #teammoth

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Andrew Lucas @andrewlucas103.bsky.social · 24/05/2026

43 Small Mottled Willow in the garden moth trap last night, which is bonkers considering I've only ever had one record of this species before. Also one insularia form of Peppered Moth (remember your school biology classes?) and an Eyed Hawk Moth - always a pleasure. Clydach, Swansea. #teammoth

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Andrew Lucas @andrewlucas103.bsky.social · 20/05/2026

The Minoan Palace at Knossos, Crete. This site was already nearly 2000 years old when Jesus was supposed to have been born.

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Andrew Lucas @andrewlucas103.bsky.social · 11/05/2026

I was part of the Wales Wader Survey earlier this year, slogging for hours around Mynydd Epynt. Today I received a thank-you note and a bar of chocolate! Well played/chwarae teg, @btocymru.bsky.social #birdingWales

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Andrew Lucas @andrewlucas103.bsky.social · 10/05/2026

The Welsh Senedd result is really ideal for Reform PLC. They get a nice salary, get to go on TV, and make speeches about how every problem has a simple solution only they have spotted. But they have no real responsibility, and no one expects them to achieve anything.

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Andrew Lucas @andrewlucas103.bsky.social · 10/05/2026

Alder Kitten from my moth trap this morning. Also Early Grey, showing that spring is far from over. Clydach, Swansea. #teammoth

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Andrew Lucas @andrewlucas103.bsky.social · 04/05/2026

This morning's moth trap intruders proved to be Cantharis pellucida (a beetle), common but new for SN70, and Rilaena triangularis( a harvestman) also common, but new for me. Struggling with various Diptera, only to discover I need a male to get to species. Of course, I only have females. ☹️ #teammoth

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Andrew Lucas @andrewlucas103.bsky.social · 04/05/2026

93 moths of 29 species from woodland near Glais, Swansea. No big surprises, but a nice selection including Scorched Wing and Waved Umber. One micro and a number of moth trap intruders to be identified. #teammoth

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