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Ben Averis @averisben.bsky.social · 02/09/2026

A Silver Y moth found by Alison Averis today here in East Lothian, Scotland. #TeamMoth

A Silver Y moth found by Alison Averis in East Lothian, Scotland, on 2nd September 2026.

Ben Averis @averisben.bsky.social · 25/08/2026

Interesting to find the moss Polytrichum strictum growing in good quantity on logs today, in open woodland in West Lothian, Scotland. An unusual habitat for this species, which is normally found on wet ground, especially in bogs.

The moss Polytrichum strictum growing in good quantity on logs in open woodland in West Lothian, Scotland, on 25th August 2026. Logs are an unusual habitat for this species, which is normally found on wet ground, especially in bogs.

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Ben Averis @averisben.bsky.social · 24/08/2026

My wife Alison found and photographed this Autumnal Rustic here in East Lothian, Scotland, this morning. Her first sighting of this species this summer. #TeamMoth

Autumnal Rustic moth in East Lothian, Scotland, on 24th August 2026. Found and photographed by Alison Averis.

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Ben Averis @averisben.bsky.social · 22/08/2026

Unusual to see Wood Melick (Melica uniflora) forming an extensive dominant sward beneath a canopy of Douglas Fir. Near Pitlochry, Perthshire, Scotland, this afternoon.

Wood Melick (Melica uniflora) forming an extensive dominant grass sward beneath a canopy of Douglas Fir. Near Pitlochry, Perthshire, Scotland.

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Ben Averis @averisben.bsky.social · 17/08/2026

Unusually late-flowering Purple Saxifrage (Saxifraga oppositifolia) in the Cairngorms, Scotland, today. This species normally flowers in early spring.

Purple Saxifrage (Saxifraga oppositifolia) in flower in the Cairngorms, Scotland, on 17th August 2026. Normally flowers in early spring.

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Ben Averis @averisben.bsky.social · 15/08/2026

Red Underwing, found and photographed by Alison Averis in East Lothian, Scotland, on 15th August 2026. A rare species in Scotland. #TeamMoth

A Red Underwing moth, found and photographed by Alison Averis in East Lothian, Scotland, on 15th August 2026. A rare species in Scotland.

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Reposted by Ben Averis

BSBI Scotland @bsbiscotland.bsky.social · 09/07/2026

Calling all plant photographers (and anyone with a camera phone and a bit of a sense of aesthetics): The 2026 Botanical Photographer of the Year competition is open for entries! bsbi.org/take-part/ac... Relaunched with a 16-strong judging panel, plus Young BPotY categories as well! Get snapping 📷😁

bsbi.org

Botanical Photographer of the Year

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Ben Averis @averisben.bsky.social · 07/07/2026

Just refound and photographed the exact same view that I drew a picture of back in 2011. Location: near Ullapool, NW Scotland.

Photo of oaks near Ullapool, Scotland on 7th July 2026

Coloured pencil drawing of oaks near Ullapool, Scotland. Done in 2011.

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Ben Averis @averisben.bsky.social · 24/06/2026

Just found myself in a first class train carriage for a few minutes before realising it. Seemed surprisingly normal. People looked the same as us, etc. Parallel universe stuff!

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Ben Averis @averisben.bsky.social · 24/06/2026

Marbled Coronet, found and photographed by Alison Averis in East Lothian on 24th June 2026. An inland record of a species that in Scotland is mainly coastal. #TeamMoth

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Reposted by Ben Averis

Woodland Trust Scotland @wtscotsocial.bsky.social · 19/06/2026

Here's an exciting new role - Native Woodland Partnership Officer with @n-t-s.bsky.social - developing large-scale projects including #ScotlandsRainforest restoration projects in West Lochalsh & on Arran. Closing date: 21 Jun 2026 | Fixed-Term til Jan 2029 ➡️ buff.ly/3B0cE4f #NatureJobs #ForestryJobs

buff.ly

National

Vacancies in our central services: Audiences & Support, Conservation & Policy, Corporate & Commercial Services, People and Public Engagement & Research.

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Ben Averis @averisben.bsky.social · 12/06/2026

An unusual species mix just now in the NW ScottishHighlands: Bog Bilberry (Vaccinium uliginosum) and the moss Antitrichia curtipendula. (Also some Blaeberry Vaccinium myrtillus.)

Bog Bilberry (Vaccinium uliginosum) and the moss Antitrichia curtipendula growing together in the NW Scottish Highlands on 12th June 2026.

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Ben Averis @averisben.bsky.social · 10/06/2026

Mother Shipton moth found and photographed by Alison Averis in Wester Ross, Scotland, on 10th June 2026. #TeamMoth

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Ben Averis @averisben.bsky.social · 28/05/2026

Fantastic colours of Sphagnum mosses and reflected sky in a bog pool in Perthshire, Scotland, this afternoon.

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Ben Averis @averisben.bsky.social · 27/05/2026

Here's an example of bog vegetation (with abundant Hare's-tail Cottongrass - Eriophorum vaginatum) on a surprisingly steep slope. I found this today, during survey work in the hills in Perthshire, Scotland.

Bog vegetation with abundant Hare's-tail Cottongrass (Eriophorum vaginatum) on a steep slope in Perthshire, Scotland on 27th May 2026.

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Reposted by Ben Averis

Scottish Greens @scottishgreens.org · 08/05/2026

🟢 @lornaslater.bsky.social elected to represent Edinburgh Central! Lorna is the first Scottish Green MSP to be elected today, and the first Scottish Green constituency MSP to be elected ever!

Elected. Lorna Slater. Edinburgh Central.

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Ben Averis @averisben.bsky.social · 06/05/2026

Lots of dead, blackened leaves on Hawthorns (Crataegus monogyna) in woodland at a site in West Lothian, Scotland, today. Not sure what has caused this.

Hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna) with many leaves dead and blackened. West Lothian, Scotland, on 6th March 2026.

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Ben Averis @averisben.bsky.social · 06/05/2026

A nice human touch just a few minutes ago: the ticket inspector drew a smiley face on my train ticket!

A train ticket with a smiley face drawn on it by the ticket inspector just now. Happy days!

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Ben Averis @averisben.bsky.social · 04/05/2026

The moss Grimmia pulvinata on a Rowan trunk at Kinross service station, Scotland, yesterday. More commonly seen on rocks and stonework.

The moss Grimmia pulvinata on a Rowan trunk at Kinross service station, Scotland, on 3rd May 2026.

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Ben Averis @averisben.bsky.social · 02/05/2026

Here is Alison's photo of the Nut-tree Tussock moth that she had in her moth trap last night, here in East Lothian, Scotland. It put itself in a position in which its patterns match those of the bark. #TeamMoth

Nut-tree Tussock moth found by Alison Averis in East Lothian, Scotland, on the night of 1st May 2026.

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Ben Averis @averisben.bsky.social · 29/04/2026

Great to see @ross-greer.bsky.social of the Scottish Greens deal with that Reform guy so well. Very good work.

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Reposted by Ben Averis

Richard Harris @beeblebrox.com · 25/04/2026

My long experience of trying to source good quality ingredients when in the US makes me completely agree with this demonstration. Compare with France, where it’s actually harder to find processed crap than good fresh, unadulterated ingredients.

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Reposted by Ben Averis

Richard K Broughton @richardkbroughton.bsky.social · 18/04/2026

This Monks Wood #rewilding (natural colonisation) plot is 30 years old this year. It's taken that long for this single Bluebell to migrate 20m from adjacent ancient woodland to colonise the plot. But now it's here, joining the growing trees & shrubs: future ancient woodland in the making.

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Ben Averis @averisben.bsky.social · 12/04/2026

Amazing lit-up skyscraper in Barcelona last night.

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Ben Averis @averisben.bsky.social · 11/04/2026

Japanese onigiri! Bought just now from a shop in Barcelona. Haven't seen these in a shop since I was in Japan in 2018. Had them then as daily fieldwork food during survey work in Hokkaido.

Japanese onigiri bought from a shop in Barcelona on 11th April 2026.

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Reposted by Ben Averis

Mark Avery @markavery.bsky.social · 10/04/2026

NEWS: @rspb.bsky.social advice on bird feeding; Feed Seasonally, Feed Safely. My blog: markavery.info/2026/04/10/g... I think the RSPB has called this right. @btobirds.bsky.social @the-wildlifetrusts.bsky.social @alexanderlees.bsky.social @nationaltrust.org.uk

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Ben Averis @averisben.bsky.social · 09/04/2026

Tame Cattle Egrets! In a busy park in the middle of Barcelona.

Two Cattle Egrets in a park in the middle of the city of Barcelona on 9th April 2026. The birds were surprisingly tame.

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Ben Averis @averisben.bsky.social · 08/04/2026

Shoulder Stripe, Twin-spotted Quaker and Water Carpet moths found and photographed by my wife Alison here in East Lothian, Scotland, this morning (8th April 2026). #TeamMoth

Shoulder Stripe moth found and photographed by Alison Averis in East Lothian, Scotland, on 8th April 2026.

Twin-spotted Quaker moth found and photographed by Alison Averis in East Lothian, Scotland, on 8th April 2026.

Water Carpet moth found and photographed by Alison Averis in East Lothian, Scotland, on 8th April 2026.

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Reposted by Ben Averis

This Is My Glasgow @thisismyglasgow.bsky.social · 28/03/2026

The Duke is coneless ... I repeat, the Duke is coneless ... this is not a drill ... Can all available Guardians of the Cone please report to their assigned posts as soon as possible to rectify the situation. #glasgow #dukeofwellington #roadcone #glasgowhumour

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Ben Averis @averisben.bsky.social · 28/03/2026

I'm sure Mondrian's cheese sandwiches would have been superior to mine!

A cheese sandwich in the making.

Location: Scotland (kitchen table).
Date: 28th March 2026.
Materials: bread + butter + cheese + knife.
Background: wood (breadboard).

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Reposted by Ben Averis

Calton Hill Conservation Trust @caltonhill.bsky.social · 27/03/2026

SHORT STORY COMPETITION? What happened here? Cut flowers left at the base of a tree behind the National Monument on Calton Hill? A memorial? A date that ended badly? An offering for someone at tomorrow's Independence Rally, but perhaps they will wilt? What do you think?

Cut flowers at the base of a tree, Calton Hill, Edinburgh, 27 March 2026

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Ben Averis @averisben.bsky.social · 27/03/2026

Here is a Common Quaker moth found and photographed by my wife Alison here in East Lothian, Scotland, this morning. #TeamMoth

Common Quaker found and photographed by Alison Averis in East Lothian, Scotland, on 27th March 2026.

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Ben Averis @averisben.bsky.social · 26/03/2026

Amazed to see -97C in Antarctica today on the Ventusky weather app! The 'Feels like temperature' given for this location/time was -127C. I wonder how accurate these figures are. It also showed +46C in NE Africa at the same time: a difference of 143C between hottest and coldest places on the planet.

Screenshot of -97C in Antarctica on 26 March 2026, from Ventusky weather forecast app.

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Ben Averis @averisben.bsky.social · 19/03/2026

Just stepped back to photograph this luxuriant population of Navelwort (Umbilicus rupestris) on rocks, and found that I was 'photobombed' (if that term can apply to something stationary) by a great population of the uncommon lichen Ricasolia amplissima on an oak trunk! Location: Argyll, Scotland.

Oak trunk with good extent of the lichen Ricasolia amplissima in front of rocks with luxuriant Umbilicus rupestris (Navelwort) in Argyll, Scotland, on 19th March 2026.

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Ben Averis @averisben.bsky.social · 18/03/2026

In a B&B in Argyll just now. Opening these plastic water bottles must be more of a job than we would normally expect!

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Ben Averis @averisben.bsky.social · 11/03/2026

Here’s Physconia distorta, so spectacularly lit from the lower right-hand quarter, and… a northern Long-tailed Tit Some have said they judge the latter quite the better of the two Yes or no? Does it matter? Please weigh in and state your view!

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Ben Averis @averisben.bsky.social · 10/03/2026

Two shopping centres in one day! 1. Edinburgh 2. Inverness

St James Quarter, Edinburgh, on 10th March 2026.

Eastgate Shopping Centre, Inverness, on 10th March 2026.

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Ben Averis @averisben.bsky.social · 09/03/2026

A Lichen Tortrix, also known as 'Mini Merv' (Acleris literana), found and photographed by my wife Alison Averis here in East Lothian, SE Scotland, this morning (9th March 2026). #TeamMoth

Lichen Tortrix (Acleris literana) also known as 'Mini Merv', found and photographed by Alison Averis in East Lothian, SE Scotland, on 9th March 2026.

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Ben Averis @averisben.bsky.social · 08/03/2026

Excited to find the tiny western oceanic liverwort Colura calyptrifolia new to East Lothian (SE Scotland) today. Two small tufts of it in a damp area of woodland: one on a Downy Birch (Betula pubescens) trunk and the other on a fallen Douglas Fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii).

The tiny yellow-green liverwort Colura calyptrifolia on a Downy Birch trunk in woodland in East Lothian, Scotland, on 8th March 2026.

The tiny yellow-green liverwort Colura calyptrifolia on a twig of a fallen Douglas Fir tree in woodland in East Lothian, Scotland, on 8th March 2026.

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Reposted by Ben Averis

Patrick Harvie @patrickharvie.bsky.social · 07/03/2026

It's clear this is an illegal war. There's not much left to consider.

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Reposted by Ben Averis

Zack Polanski @zackpolanski.bsky.social · 07/03/2026

Over 1000 civilians dead, and we're letting Trump use UK bases to further his war. Britain should stand firm against Trump's illegal warmongering, and stop these bombers landing on UK soil.

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Ben Averis @averisben.bsky.social · 03/03/2026

One of Alex Morss's hats: Trustee for the Bristol Nats Recent news - they've dumped the place run by Mr What's-his-face who turned it into something rotten Sold his soul. Now forgotten by the learned nature folk happier in woods of oak, fields of flowers, shores of sand: everywhere a wonderland

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Zack Polanski @zackpolanski.bsky.social · 02/03/2026

Day 1. Hope is already feeling a lot more normal again. Join.greenparty.org.uk

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Ben Averis @averisben.bsky.social · 02/03/2026

A warning to those who go killing the moss Your Karma will come, because Nature Is Boss You will also incite The Bryologist’s Curse, which will make the whole business considerably worse!

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Ben Averis @averisben.bsky.social · 01/03/2026

From Yorkshire they came in a whirr and a whizz of a teleport game for which yellow high-vis is rule number one, so no-one gets lost, and the coats they all come at affordable cost from a specialist shop in the city of Leeds called "Costume & Prop for Theatrical Needs"

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Ben Averis @averisben.bsky.social · 27/02/2026

Really, really great to see this win by the Greens!

Gorton and Denton

The win by the Greens
is great, and it means
the political tide
could change nationwide
for a system that’s fair,
run by people who care,
who aim for the day
of sustainable way,
who are not in the game
of material gain
for the privileged few
(corrupt through and through)
A Manchester district
has made realistic
our vision: a light
that is now within sight

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Reposted by Ben Averis

Alex Morss 🦇🏴‍☠️♾️ @alexmorss.bsky.social · 26/02/2026

Hi folks. I am going freelance again. I don’t share my work on here, apart from books (which are not my proper job) so here’s more info about what I do: www.alexmorss.co.uk/about.html

alexmorss.co.uk

Who is Alex Morss

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