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Andy Goodey @andygoodey.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

Some wildlife from a few of my local patches in mid Essex at the weekend: possible Amanita echinocephala (needs clarification, any takers?). Clouded Yellow, Common Blue, Small Copper and another Southern Green Shieldbug instar @bc-cambs-essex.bsky.social #wildlife #bugs

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Reposted by Andy Goodey

Richard Chew @ss15birder.bsky.social · 12/09/2026

Swifts need our help! There has been a 70% decline in the Swift population in the UK since 1995. Please follow and support. saveouressexswifts.weebly.com www.facebook.com/groups/80184... #essexbirding

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Andy Goodey @andygoodey.bsky.social · 16/09/2026

Just had another (or likely the same) Raven ‘cronking’ over my Essex house just now, the third this month. I shall call it ‘Bill’ after William the Cronkeror #birds #Essexbirding

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Andy Goodey @andygoodey.bsky.social · 09/09/2026

Having again released some local trapped wildlife from various fruit cages (mainly butterflies/bees), an otherwise mundane trip to Rayne allotment resulted in 2 shieldbugs: Nezara viridula (recent arrival from continent) and Dolycoris baccarum (common). Also a worn ♀️Common Blue butterfly #bugs

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Andy Goodey @andygoodey.bsky.social · 06/09/2026

Not much birdwise locally but highlight were the Firebugs; this one i rescued after it fell into a crevice in a post. Also a few Willow Emeralds and a single Clouded Yellow which obviously evaded my attempts to take its photo Mid-Essex #bugs #insects

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Andy Goodey @andygoodey.bsky.social · 30/08/2026

Some distant wader action near Braintree today with 4 Ruff and a Greenshank. Also Common Sand, 8 Yellow Wags over, 60+ Swallow, 3 Lesser Whitethroat and Marsh Harrier. 2 Nuthatch were a site tick for me. @essexbirdnews.bsky.social #Essexbirding #UKbirding #birds

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Andy Goodey @andygoodey.bsky.social · 25/08/2026

Some of the butterflies of the wooded hills of Monte Fenera NP, Valduggia, Italy, from a few days ago: Swallowtail, Dryad, Silver-washed Fritillary, Mallow Skipper and Queen of Spain Fritillary. There were 4 species of fritillary in the small garden where we stayed #butterflies #insects

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Andy Goodey @andygoodey.bsky.social · 25/08/2026

Female valezina variant of Silver-washed Fritillary in NW Italy a few days ago. #butterflies #insects

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Andy Goodey @andygoodey.bsky.social · 25/08/2026

Silver-washed Fritillary var. valezina in the wooded hills of Monte Fenera NP, Valduggia, NW Italy, a few days ago. Roughly half the females I saw were of this variant #butterflies #insects

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Andy Goodey @andygoodey.bsky.social · 20/08/2026

Spotted Fritillary, Piedmont, Italy, August, 2026 #butterflies #insects #bugs

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Andy Goodey @andygoodey.bsky.social · 20/08/2026

A Heath Fritillary sp. drinking salts from my hand in Piedmont, Italy, August 2026 #butterflies #insects

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Andy Goodey @andygoodey.bsky.social · 20/08/2026

A few of the butterflies from my trip to northwest Italy: Large Wall Brown (1), Spotted Fritillary (2) and a Heath Fritillary sp. (3-6) #butterflies #insects

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Andy Goodey @andygoodey.bsky.social · 08/08/2026

Pegsdon Hills, nr Hitchin: fine Wildlife Trust reserve. Exceptional butterfly numbers in scenic hills, especially blues on carpets of scented Marjoram. Chalkhill, Common and Brown Argus. 15+ Clouded Yellow. Ravens cronking eerily in distance and an early return Wheatear. #insects #bugs

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Andy Goodey @andygoodey.bsky.social · 07/08/2026

I remember my regular autumn birding trips to Scilly back in the day, always hoping to see a fabled Hummingbird Hawkmoth there. I never did but nowadays they appear daily in my Rayne garden this time of year - so easy to be blasé about them #moths #insects #bugs

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Andy Goodey @andygoodey.bsky.social · 06/08/2026

My neighbour just alerted me to this Elephant Hawkmoth caterpillar that was climbing up his stairs! Just rescued and placed on our fuchsia. The fuchsia’s rosy!

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Andy Goodey @andygoodey.bsky.social · 31/07/2026

Some poor photos of a fem. helice Clouded Yellow at Level’s Green, nr Farnham, Essex. There were c30 Clouded Yellows on the Lucerne crop plus many Common Blues. Also another possible Red Bartsia Bee, this time from Takeley. @bc-cambs-essex.bsky.social #insects #bugs #nature

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Andy Goodey @andygoodey.bsky.social · 27/07/2026

A somewhat distant Ruff today inland in Essex at Pincey Brook, Hatfield Broad Oak. Also 3 Green Sandpipers and a Kingfisher @essexbirdnews.bsky.social #nature #Essexbirding #birds #UKbirding

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Andy Goodey @andygoodey.bsky.social · 27/07/2026

Hatfield Broad Oak: having noticed the abundance of Red Bartsia in 2025, I searched for associated bee and found a possible contender. A Ruff on pool was nice with 3 Green Sands + Kingfisher. Fast-flying Painted Ladies, probably 50+ were constantly north over site @essexbirdnews.bsky.social #nature

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Andy Goodey @andygoodey.bsky.social · 26/07/2026

More from my local patch in mid-Essex today: Clouded Yellow, Red-banded Sand Wasp, Red Bartsia, Firebugs, Small Red-eyed Damselfly and Burnet Companion #nature @bc-cambs-essex.bsky.social #bugs

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Andy Goodey @andygoodey.bsky.social · 26/07/2026

Local Buzzard plus a Jersey Tiger moth in my village yesterday in Essex yesterday

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Reposted by Andy Goodey

Andy Symes @andysymes.bsky.social · 18/07/2026

Visited Stotfold, Beds Green-flowered Helleborines only to find whole colony (and significant area of woodland floor) in the process of being trashed by dumping of waste soil from a nearby development. Work now stopped til Mon when I'll have to try to speak with council... @ukorchids.bsky.social

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Andy Goodey @andygoodey.bsky.social · 20/07/2026

The local Little Owl showed at its favoured brick building this evening in Rayne @essexbirdnews.bsky.social #Essexbirding #birds

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Andy Goodey @andygoodey.bsky.social · 20/07/2026

Happy to see this Hedgehog in my wild garden in Essex, the first I’ve seen here for many #hedgehogs

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Andy Goodey @andygoodey.bsky.social · 20/07/2026

Hoping this might be Hedychrum rutilans, a rare cuckoo wasp with 9 coastal records in Essex. Found at my local gravel pit at weekend #insects #bugs #buglife @britishnatureguide.bsky.social #nature

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Andy Goodey @andygoodey.bsky.social · 20/07/2026

Successful trip to local gravel pits produced Red-legged Spider Wasp, Beewolf, Firebug, Hedychrum rutilans (cuckoo wasp), Wall Brown. Black-tailed Skimmer. The cuckoo wasp is a parasitoid of Beewolf and, if confirmed, is a rare coastal species in Essex @bc-cambs-essex.bsky.social #insects #bugs

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Andy Goodey @andygoodey.bsky.social · 18/07/2026

Pair of Hairy Shieldbugs have been ‘at it’ most of the day on the scabious in my wild garden in Rayne, Essex. Also a Hummingbird Hawkmoth earlier and 4 Red Kites overhead giving their delightful call.

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Andy Goodey @andygoodey.bsky.social · 13/07/2026

Local gravel pit visit near Braintree, Essex in windy conditions: Beewolf, Firebug, 3 Clouded Yellow in an area of masses of trefoil, a potential food plant snd possible Red-legged Spider Wasp @britishnatureguide.bsky.social #insects #nature #bugs @bc-cambs-essex.bsky.social

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Andy Goodey @andygoodey.bsky.social · 13/07/2026

Berechurch, Colchester, Essex at weekend: 7 Silver-washed Fritillaries patrolling sunny edge and, especially, the dappled woodland interior. Also 2 White Admiral, Brown Argus, Common Blue and my first for site Marbled White on nearby meadows @bc-cambs-essex.bsky.social #butterflies #bugs #nature

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Andy Goodey @andygoodey.bsky.social · 11/07/2026

The BBC cancelling Winterwatch is such a shame, especially when we need to be connecting with nature more than ever. If we want people to protect our wildlife, we have to show them it! Add your name to ask the BBC to reconsider. you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/do...

you.38degrees.org.uk

Tell the BBC: Save Winterwatch!

The UK is losing its wildlife, and shows like Winterwatch are vital for connecting us to nature. The BBC's decision to cancel it makes no sense. Let's ask them to rethink this! Add your name here:

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Andy Goodey @andygoodey.bsky.social · 04/07/2026

Some phone video of a Small Tortoiseshell thats been in my Rayne garden all day today. A garden year tick as well @bc-cambs-essex.bsky.social #nature

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Andy Goodey @andygoodey.bsky.social · 04/07/2026

Our colony of Gatekeepers have emerged in last few days. Only about half a dozen individuals seen annually but I always look forward to them. Wild garden has got a bit unruly this year due to the rattle failure but still loads of action going on @bc-cambs-essex.bsky.social #insects

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Andy Goodey @andygoodey.bsky.social · 28/06/2026

Gt Holland Pits NR, Essex: congrats to Bob Seago for his management work here who I spent time with looking for Purple Emperor, 1 was seen near Tarn Pond. Also 3+ White Admirals, an elusive Hobby overhead and much more @britishnatureguide.bsky.social @bc-cambs-essex.bsky.social #nature #insects

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Andy Goodey @andygoodey.bsky.social · 21/06/2026

Heddon’s Mouth, Devon: failed to get adequate views of High Fritillary though many rapid-flying large Fritillaries seen including Dark Green and a Silver Washed. 2 Golden-ringed Dragonflies noted and at least 10 Hummingbird Hawkmoths, all around stone walls. Stunning area. #nature

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Andy Goodey @andygoodey.bsky.social · 21/06/2026

Melbury Plantation, Devon: return visit to see if Crossbills present following breeding in 2025. Unfortunately, many trees taken down including nesting tree but a surprise, unseen Nightjar heard churring for about half an hour at 2pm. Can just hear it in 📹 #birds #ukbirding @birdtrack.bsky.social

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Andy Goodey @andygoodey.bsky.social · 21/06/2026

More Exmoor birding: Lynmouth then Chetsford Water. No sign of Whinchats but pair but pair of Siskins showed with male displaying, lots of Stonechats and Grey Wagtails and single Dipper #birds #ukbirding

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Andy Goodey @andygoodey.bsky.social · 21/06/2026

My Swiftmapper app has taken a bit of a bashing during our West Country trip with numerous entries for Devon, Gloucestershire, Wiltshire, Somerset and Oxfordshire #birds #ukbirding

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Andy Goodey @andygoodey.bsky.social · 20/06/2026

Dipper at Lynmouth in north Devon yesterday #birds #ukbirding

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Andy Goodey @andygoodey.bsky.social · 19/06/2026

Attempted to video some of the numerous Manx Shearwaters off Lundy island from the MS Oldenburg ferry #birds #ukbirding

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Andy Goodey @andygoodey.bsky.social · 19/06/2026

Lundy Is. introduced Sika Deer, a few Red Admiral and many Painted Ladies on the island, including a couple of small, pale individuals, Navelwort and an inquisitive Grey Seal #wildlife #nature

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Andy Goodey @andygoodey.bsky.social · 19/06/2026

Some of the auks at Jenny’s Cove, Lundy Island yesterday plus a colour-ringed Wheatear (orange/red on right leg, yellow with black ring on left leg), Shag and Linnet #birds #ukbirding

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Andy Goodey @andygoodey.bsky.social · 17/06/2026

A visit to Collard Hill, Somerset yesterday failed to reveal any Large Blues. The award seemed quite tall and it was quite blowy though. Painted Lady, Marbled Whites and Common Spotted Orchids seen #nature #wildlife

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Andy Goodey @andygoodey.bsky.social · 17/06/2026

Glastonbury Tor, Somerset yesterday with numerous 6-spot Burnets and several fresh Large Skippers seen #nature

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Andy Goodey @andygoodey.bsky.social · 17/06/2026

Peregrine on St John’s Church, Glastonbury yesterday with accompanying church bells 🔔 #birds #ukbirding

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Reposted by Andy Goodey

Richard Chew @ss15birder.bsky.social · 15/04/2026

I have set up a “Save our Essex Swifts!” Facebook group. www.facebook.com/groups/80184... I want to raise awareness of this declining species and any initiatives and projects in Essex. If you are interested in following progress, follow the link above and click on “join group” 😊 #essexbirding

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