Ben Averis @averisben.bsky.social · 4hIn Edinburgh this morning. Later, looking at this photo I took on Cockburn Street, I thought "oh no - that damn van". I then saw that there are two vans (one moving and one parked), the photo having been taken at the exact moment when their front windows were aligned. I'm now quite pleased with it! 051
Ben Averis @averisben.bsky.social · 10/09/2026They did a stint at Venus Pool Flying flighty, running quick Local birder: "This is cool! A full-on patch and county tick!" 140
Ben Averis @averisben.bsky.social · 02/09/2026A Silver Y moth found by Alison Averis today here in East Lothian, Scotland. #TeamMoth 0201
Ben Averis @averisben.bsky.social · 31/08/2026They're usually blue but sometimes white or pale shades of pink, and just a few (the rarest sight) are yellow! Who would think? 110
Ben Averis @averisben.bsky.social · 25/08/2026Interesting 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. 0161
Ben Averis @averisben.bsky.social · 24/08/2026My wife Alison found and photographed this Autumnal Rustic here in East Lothian, Scotland, this morning. Her first sighting of this species this summer. #TeamMoth 0150
Ben Averis @averisben.bsky.social · 23/08/2026The white one is the same species. As with some other normally blue-flowered species, odd individuals have white (or in some species such as bluebell, white or pink) flowers, apparently reflecting genetic variation. 140
Ben Averis @averisben.bsky.social · 22/08/2026Unusual to see Wood Melick (Melica uniflora) forming an extensive dominant sward beneath a canopy of Douglas Fir. Near Pitlochry, Perthshire, Scotland, this afternoon. 0180
Ben Averis @averisben.bsky.social · 17/08/2026Unusually late-flowering Purple Saxifrage (Saxifraga oppositifolia) in the Cairngorms, Scotland, today. This species normally flowers in early spring. 081
Ben Averis @averisben.bsky.social · 15/08/2026Red Underwing, found and photographed by Alison Averis in East Lothian, Scotland, on 15th August 2026. A rare species in Scotland. #TeamMoth 1321
Ben Averis @averisben.bsky.social · 08/08/2026The land is tipped in Tipperary Tilting down to the left hand side I think I'd find that pretty scary "Help! We're slipping on a sideways slide!" 000
Reposted by Ben AverisBSBI Scotland @bsbiscotland.bsky.social · 09/07/2026Calling 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.orgBotanical Photographer of the Year 01811
Ben Averis @averisben.bsky.social · 07/07/2026Just refound and photographed the exact same view that I drew a picture of back in 2011. Location: near Ullapool, NW Scotland. 1232
Ben Averis @averisben.bsky.social · 02/07/2026Part of a poem I wrote a few years ago: Please don't write the heights in feet It's out of touch with the rhythm and the beat of the world today, whose people say: "Use metres! It's a better way!" 020
Ben Averis @averisben.bsky.social · 24/06/2026Just 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! 070
Ben Averis @averisben.bsky.social · 24/06/2026Marbled 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 0100
Reposted by Ben AverisWoodland Trust Scotland @wtscotsocial.bsky.social · 19/06/2026Here'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 #ForestryJobsbuff.lyNationalVacancies in our central services: Audiences & Support, Conservation & Policy, Corporate & Commercial Services, People and Public Engagement & Research. 073
Ben Averis @averisben.bsky.social · 12/06/2026An unusual species mix just now in the NW ScottishHighlands: Bog Bilberry (Vaccinium uliginosum) and the moss Antitrichia curtipendula. (Also some Blaeberry Vaccinium myrtillus.) 0181
Ben Averis @averisben.bsky.social · 10/06/2026Mother Shipton moth found and photographed by Alison Averis in Wester Ross, Scotland, on 10th June 2026. #TeamMoth 0303
Ben Averis @averisben.bsky.social · 09/06/2026We can see Bass Rock from our house, so I'll keep a lookout for any signs of café development there. 030
Reposted by Ben AverisBSBI Scotland @bsbiscotland.bsky.social · 09/06/2026Beginner botanists & 100 Plants Challengers - join myself, local #BSBICountyRecorder Sue Jury & Ranger Matt McCabe on Sunday 28th June for a day exploring the botanical delights of Holyrood Park and Arthur's Seat! So many fab plants! #100PlantsChallenge www.tickettailor.com/events/botan...tickettailor.comBook your place – Beginner Botany Walk - Holyrood Park, Edinburgh – Queen's Drive, Holyrood Park, EdinburghBeginner Botany Walk - Holyrood Park, Edinburgh – Queen's Drive, Holyrood Park, Edinburgh, Sun 28 Jun 2026 - This is event is part of a suite of events, offered by BSBI members as part of the 100 Plan... 042
Ben Averis @averisben.bsky.social · 06/06/2026I agree. Lots of details (such as brickwork) looking wrong. 110
Ben Averis @averisben.bsky.social · 28/05/2026Fantastic colours of Sphagnum mosses and reflected sky in a bog pool in Perthshire, Scotland, this afternoon. 0619
Ben Averis @averisben.bsky.social · 27/05/2026Here'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. 0130
Ben Averis @averisben.bsky.social · 25/05/2026I saw what was surely that very same bird! (A long time ago.) 110
Reposted by Ben AverisScottish 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! 18601153
Ben Averis @averisben.bsky.social · 06/05/2026Thanks - I've just looked if up and it seems very possible that fire blight is what has affected these hawthorns. 000
Ben Averis @averisben.bsky.social · 06/05/2026Lots of dead, blackened leaves on Hawthorns (Crataegus monogyna) in woodland at a site in West Lothian, Scotland, today. Not sure what has caused this. 190
Ben Averis @averisben.bsky.social · 06/05/2026A nice human touch just a few minutes ago: the ticket inspector drew a smiley face on my train ticket! 060
Ben Averis @averisben.bsky.social · 04/05/2026The moss Grimmia pulvinata on a Rowan trunk at Kinross service station, Scotland, yesterday. More commonly seen on rocks and stonework. 1202
Ben Averis @averisben.bsky.social · 04/05/2026A nice photo of Nogopterium gracile. The wet and dry states look so different from each other. 120
Ben Averis @averisben.bsky.social · 02/05/2026Here 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 0385
Ben Averis @averisben.bsky.social · 29/04/2026Great to see @ross-greer.bsky.social of the Scottish Greens deal with that Reform guy so well. Very good work. 041
Reposted by Ben AverisRichard Harris @beeblebrox.com · 25/04/2026My 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. 0113
Ben Averis @averisben.bsky.social · 22/04/2026Potatoes (already in), lettuce, other salads, leeks, runner beans, sweet peas, chard, kale and carrots. A range suited to the relatively cool upland Scottish climate. We had a raised bed there before, but made with thinner planks of wood that didn't fit together properly; this new one is way better. 000
Ben Averis @averisben.bsky.social · 21/04/2026We built ours just a couple of days ago! Location: Scotland. 110
Reposted by Ben AverisRichard K Broughton @richardkbroughton.bsky.social · 18/04/2026This 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. 29816
Reposted by Ben AverisWylie Horn @wyliehorn.bsky.social · 16/04/2026Reserves Manager - North (Highlands) - Scottish Wildlife Trust - environmentjob.co.uk/jobs/109907-...environmentjob.co.ukReserves Manager - North (Highlands)The post oversees planning, delivery and quality assurance of reserve and project work, ensuring compliance with policies, health and safety and regulatory requirements. It also manages budgets, risks... 044
Ben Averis @averisben.bsky.social · 12/04/2026Thank you! We had a few days here, visiting our daughter. We're going back to Scotland today. Barcelona is such an amazing city! We also had some trips out and saw so many plant species in wonderful vegetation: forest, scrub, rocky coastal habitats, etc. 010
Ben Averis @averisben.bsky.social · 11/04/2026Japanese 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. 060
Reposted by Ben AverisMark Avery @markavery.bsky.social · 10/04/2026NEWS: @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 85124
Ben Averis @averisben.bsky.social · 09/04/2026Tame Cattle Egrets! In a busy park in the middle of Barcelona. 050
Ben Averis @averisben.bsky.social · 08/04/2026Shoulder 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 0150
Ben Averis @averisben.bsky.social · 07/04/2026"That seems reasonable" - as said by Ernie Wise in the Andre Previn sketch! 110
Ben Averis @averisben.bsky.social · 07/04/2026Yes, it is indeed Plagiomnium undulatum. Nice photo. 020