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Cactus Frank

@cactusfranks.bsky.social
292 followers 229 following 174 posts

Neuroscientist, cactophile, wildlife photographer

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Cactus Frank @cactusfranks.bsky.social · 13/04/2026
Today is International Puffin Day, celebrating the arrival of Atlantic puffins back at their coastal breeding colonies and raising awareness for their conservation. Last year there were a record >43,000 puffins on Skomer Island, I can't wait to visit again! #BirdingWales @wtsww.bsky.social
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Cactus Frank @cactusfranks.bsky.social · 09/04/2026
For today’s #BirdOfTheDay theme #ManMadePerch set by @alan678.bsky.social I have chosen a Common Redstart on a fence, I look forward to their return any day now! #birdingWales #ukbirding #birdphotography
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Cactus Frank @cactusfranks.bsky.social · 09/04/2026
The Hawfinches haven't had a great year so far in my local woods in north Cardiff, but this morning I got lucky with a male that posed very nicely! #BirdsSeenIn2026 #BirdingWales
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Cactus Frank @cactusfranks.bsky.social · 21/02/2026
I got very lucky at Forest Farm this morning: my first otter there! #wildlifephotography @bbcspringwatch.bsky.social
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Cactus Frank @cactusfranks.bsky.social · 20/02/2026
It's been a poor winter for Short-eared Owls in the southwest of the UK, so I was glad to see three at Steart Marshes, without any rain! #BirdsSeenIn2026 #UKbirding #birds
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Cactus Frank @cactusfranks.bsky.social · 15/02/2026
I was beginning to wonder whether I'd manage to photograph a Firecrest this winter... Alexandra Park, Penarth #BirdingWales #birds #BirdsSeenIn2026
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Cactus Frank @cactusfranks.bsky.social · 15/02/2026
Glossy Ibis at Catcott NR yesterday afternoon, looking great in the light coming from the strange yellow object in the sky! #UKbirding #birds #BirdsSeenIn2026
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Mariposa Nature Tours @mariposanature.bsky.social · 26/01/2026
A mouthwatering variety of butterflies are on the wing at this time of year, and we've the opportunity to see some of Europe's most charismatic species. Led by Mariposa founder David Moore and @cactusfranks.bsky.social, our guests have a dream team at the helm for an memorable holiday (2/2)
Two-tailed Pasha (Charaxes jasius) © Jon Dunn
Knapweed Fritillary (Melitaea phoebe) © Jon Dunn
Apollo (Parnassius apollo) © Jon Dunn
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Cactus Frank @cactusfranks.bsky.social · 30/01/2026
The Willow Tit is one of the most endangered breeding birds in the UK (90% decline in the last 30 years); I was happy to see two at Garwnant in the Brecon Beacons yesterday, my first in a few years. #BirdingWales #birds #BirdsSeenIn2026 @bannaubrycheiniog.bsky.social
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Cactus Frank @cactusfranks.bsky.social · 11/01/2026
🚨 An undercover sting just exposed alarming loopholes in Westminster’s weak lobbying system: a fake Chinese company bought meetings with ministers and MPs, and it may not have even broken any rules! ✍️ Sign & share: you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/st...
you.38degrees.org.uk
Stop foreign interference in British politics
British politics has a foreign interference problem. An undercover investigation by Democracy for Sale and Led By Donkeys has revealed how shockingly easy it is for secretive Chinese interests to pene...
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Cactus Frank @cactusfranks.bsky.social · 04/01/2026
I revisited the Aust Wetlands with @kev4nature.bsky.social yesterday, in much better weather than the first time (before Christmas) - the 3 Penduline Tits were still there and looking great! #UKbirding #birds #🪶#BirdsSeenIn2026
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Cactus Frank @cactusfranks.bsky.social · 26/12/2025
Christmas Kingfisher at Forest Farm, Cardiff posing very nicely in the sun #BirdingWales #birds #🪶#BirdsSeenIn2025
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Cactus Frank @cactusfranks.bsky.social · 21/12/2025
Great to see 3 Penduline Tits at Aust today, with @kev4nature.bsky.social - first time I've seen this species since January 2022! Didn't get a photo of the male, first 3 show a female, 4th a first-year bird. #UKbirding #birds #🪶#BirdsSeenIn2025
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Cactus Frank @cactusfranks.bsky.social · 19/12/2025
It was fantastic to watch a pair of Dippers displaying to each other at Forest Farm, Cardiff today, only the second time ever I've witnessed that. #birdingwales #birds #🪶
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Cactus Frank @cactusfranks.bsky.social · 18/12/2025
A few highlights from a visit to Newton Point, Porthcawl a couple of days ago, when the weather was much nicer than it is today... Grey Plover, Common Redshank, Ruddy Turnstone, Oystercatcher #birdingwales #birds #🪶
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Cactus Frank @cactusfranks.bsky.social · 17/12/2025
🚨 Nigel Farage’s Reform UK just opened the floodgates to dark money in our politics by becoming the first UK party to accept untraceable crypto donations. Join me and sign the petition to stop shady crypto donations flooding our politics: 38d.gs/xvqe
38d.gs
Shady billionaires can quietly pour money into our elections, completely hidden from view.
Join me and add your name to the petition to stop this.
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Mark Simmonds @markbirdingpinoso.bsky.social · 06/12/2025
Lovely to have the Bluethroats back at my local spring near Pinoso. Such beautiful birds. In a few months time all of the little white tips to the feathers will wear off leaving the stunning spring plumage. #birds #birdphotography #birdsseenin2025 #canonphotography
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Cactus Frank @cactusfranks.bsky.social · 05/12/2025
On the way to the @physoc.bsky.social 150th anniversary celebrations I stopped off in Kensington Gardens yesterday to have some fun with the Rose-ringed Parakeets, they love apples! #birds #🪶 #wildlifephotography
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Cactus Frank @cactusfranks.bsky.social · 29/11/2025
Buzzard in Cathays Cemetery, Cardiff today: it perched low down in a tree, unusually approachable, and then swooped down onto the grass right in front me but failed to make the catch. #birdingwales #birds #🪶 #wildlifephotography
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Cactus Frank @cactusfranks.bsky.social · 23/11/2025
I'll never tire of photographing kingfishers! Forest Farm, Cardiff #birdingwales #birds #🪶 #wildlifephotography
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Cactus Frank @cactusfranks.bsky.social · 06/11/2025
If you want to meet me IRL and hear me sing the praises of the wildlife of north Cardiff, here is your opportunity! 📷
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Cactus Frank @cactusfranks.bsky.social · 02/11/2025
I had some great views of the Red-throated Diver at the Cardiff Bay barrage this afternoon, plus a bonus Grey Seal! #birds #BirdsSeenIn2025 #birdingwales #🪶 #wildlifephotography
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Cactus Frank @cactusfranks.bsky.social · 31/10/2025
Kestrel keeping an eye on me, at Aberthaw Nature Reserve with @kev4nature.bsky.social #birds #birdingwales #🪶 #wildlifephotography
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Cactus Frank @cactusfranks.bsky.social · 27/10/2025
A nice hike in the Dare Valley Country Park, no Ring Ouzel but a fine Badger Face Welsh Mountain Sheep #Autumn #sheep
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Cactus Frank @cactusfranks.bsky.social · 23/10/2025
Ring Ouzel at @rspb.bsky.social Ham Wall, a lifer for Kevin @kev4nature.bsky.social and me! Great to meet @carlbovisnature.bsky.social too #BirdsSeenIn2025 #UKbirding #birds #wildlifephotography
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Cactus Frank @cactusfranks.bsky.social · 23/10/2025
Fantastic visit to Westhay Moor with Kevin @kev4nature.bsky.social yesterday: first we saw half a dozen Bearded Reedlings along the main track and then at the North Hide a Bittern flew straight towards us from the far side of the lake! @somersetwt.bsky.social #UKbirding #birds #wildlifephotography
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Cactus Frank @cactusfranks.bsky.social · 18/10/2025
An hour before high tide with Kevin @kev4nature.bsky.social at Trecco Bay, Porthcawl: a small flock of Sanderling and a large flock of Ringed Plover kept us entertained! #UKbirding #BirdingWales
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Cactus Frank @cactusfranks.bsky.social · 14/10/2025
Great morning at Forest Farm (Cardiff), light was poor but Kingfisher and Goldcrest were very cooperative! #BirdingWales #wildlifephotography
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Cactus Frank @cactusfranks.bsky.social · 14/10/2025
The Government has revealed plans for a new mandatory digital ID. It’s invasive and could mean millions of people unable to go about their daily lives. Right now it's just an idea - we need to stop it becoming a reality. Join me and sign the petition now! you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/re...
you.38degrees.org.uk
Reject plans for a mandatory BritCard (digital ID)
Sir Keir Starmer is considering a mandatory digital ID scheme called “BritCard” that would make us all reliant on a digital pass to go about our daily lives. Mandatory digital IDs give the state enor...
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Cactus Frank @cactusfranks.bsky.social · 13/10/2025
Part 2 of Saturday's trip to the Somerset Levels: at @rspb.bsky.social Ham Wall the 'ballet dance' moves of a Little Egret catching fish kept us entertained. #wildlifephotography #UKbirding
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Cactus Frank @cactusfranks.bsky.social · 12/10/2025
Great day with Kevin Knowles on the #Somerset Levels yesterday; at Westhay NNR a flock of Bearded Reedlings kept us on our toes (at times literally) for 40 minutes! #BirdsSeenIn2025 #wildlifephotography #UKbirding
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Cactus Frank @cactusfranks.bsky.social · 10/10/2025
It's that time of year again when the Goldcrests come out to play... at Forest Farm, Cardiff #BirdingWales
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Cactus Frank @cactusfranks.bsky.social · 09/10/2025
I never thought I'd photograph Hobbies within the City of Cardiff, until this week! On the River Ely at Leckwith. #BirdsSeenIn2025 #BirdingWales
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Cactus Frank @cactusfranks.bsky.social · 08/10/2025
I'm sorry I've been missing in action for a while. By way of a catch-up, here are two photos I managed to get of the Wryneck at Goldcliff Lagoons last week, my first Wryneck since 2019! #BirdingWales #BirdsSeenIn2025
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Cactus Frank @cactusfranks.bsky.social · 15/05/2025
Great to see the local Redstarts provide a varied diet for their brood; fingers crossed the current weather lasts till they fledge! #BirdingWales #BirdsSeenIn2025
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Cactus Frank @cactusfranks.bsky.social · 11/05/2025
Plenty of Pied Flycatcher singing at RSPB Gwenffrwd-Dinas, also a few Spotted, but the highlight was a Wood Warbler that sang almost non-stop for half an hour, the first I've ever managed to photograph. @rspbcymru.bsky.social #BirdingWales
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Cactus Frank @cactusfranks.bsky.social · 10/05/2025
I've fallen behind a bit... so here are some of my photos of the 4 gorgeous Dotterels at Cwm Cadlan earlier this week #BirdingWales
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Cactus Frank @cactusfranks.bsky.social · 24/03/2025
A lovely spring day on the Gower, gorse flowering everywhere, and my first ever Dartford Warbler! Also my first Wheatear of the year #BirdingWales #BirdsSeenIn2025
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Cactus Frank @cactusfranks.bsky.social · 23/03/2025
I never tire of photographing Hawfinches, one of my favourite birds. Luckily there are more of them around this winter/spring than usual! #BirdingWales #UKbirding
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Cactus Frank @cactusfranks.bsky.social · 16/02/2025
Great Spotted Woodpecker in my local forest #BirdingWales
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Cactus Frank @cactusfranks.bsky.social · 13/02/2025
Long-tailed Tits are so acrobatic! #BirdingWales
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Cactus Frank @cactusfranks.bsky.social · 07/02/2025
Some more highlights of a great afternoon in the Cotswolds #BirdsSeenIn2025 #UKBirding
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Cactus Frank @cactusfranks.bsky.social · 06/02/2025
Going to Oxford on the 'scenic route' through the Cotswolds, I came across this Barn Owl, the first one I've seen out hunting for a couple of years. Light not great but who cares! #BirdsSeenIn2025 #UKBirding
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Cactus Frank @cactusfranks.bsky.social · 03/02/2025
Portrait of a Goldcrest, one that actually sat still for a few seconds to catch its breath! #BirdingWales
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Cactus Frank @cactusfranks.bsky.social · 31/01/2025
Seeing my first Chiffchaff of 2025 in Bute Park this afternoon it almost felt like spring. #BirdsSeenIn2025 #BirdingWales
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Cactus Frank @cactusfranks.bsky.social · 29/01/2025
When the fog had cleared it was great to see the Yellowhammers doing well in the Vale of Glamorgan this morning! #BirdsSeenIn2025 #BirdingWales
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Cactus Frank @cactusfranks.bsky.social · 27/01/2025
Two firsts for me with Mr Kingfisher at Forest Farm today: he caught what looked like a water boatman (how does that fill a stomach?) and then I managed to photograph him hovering (although my shutter speed was way too slow)! #BirdingWales
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Cactus Frank @cactusfranks.bsky.social · 25/01/2025
A very close encounter with a Treecreeper at Forest Farm, Cardiff #BirdsSeenIn2025 #BirdingWales
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Cactus Frank @cactusfranks.bsky.social · 23/01/2025
#Winterwatch @bbcspringwatch.bsky.social @iolowilliams.bsky.social
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Cactus Frank @cactusfranks.bsky.social · 23/01/2025
Peregrine Falcon on the Cardiff City Hall clock tower, a sunny day for a change yesterday... #BirdsSeenIn2025 #BirdingWales
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