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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
Thank you Peter! For a change, I'll be going in early May this year instead of late June - the landscape will look more colourful with bluebells and red campion flowering, but the puffins won't come in with beaks full of fish... you can't have it all!
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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
Thank you Peter! Always difficult to get close to, at Gwenffrwd Dinas and elsewhere... this was one actually in Cardiff, I was lucky enough to be able to watch it on and off for a few weeks.
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Cactus Frank @cactusfranks.bsky.social · 09/04/2026
Thank you Kevin! No, this one was local, on Garth Hill.
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Cactus Frank @cactusfranks.bsky.social · 09/04/2026
Thanks a lot Alan!
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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
Thanks a lot Helen!
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Cactus Frank @cactusfranks.bsky.social · 09/04/2026
Thank you Peter! It's been hard going this spring...
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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
Thank you Colin! No, unfortunately not, two very fleeting views, only the one usable photo.
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Cactus Frank @cactusfranks.bsky.social · 21/02/2026
Thank you Peter! 🙏
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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 · 16/02/2026
Thank you Paul! Yes, definitely worth visiting this site again in a few weeks.
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Cactus Frank @cactusfranks.bsky.social · 15/02/2026
Thank you John!
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Cactus Frank @cactusfranks.bsky.social · 15/02/2026
Thank you Peter!
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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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Cactus Frank @cactusfranks.bsky.social · 31/01/2026
That's fantastic, lucky you!
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Cactus Frank @cactusfranks.bsky.social · 30/01/2026
Thank you Kevin, yes it is!
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Cactus Frank @cactusfranks.bsky.social · 30/01/2026
Thank you Peter! Yes, a very sad state of affairs; loss of nest sites (tree holes), predation, being outcompeted by Blue Tits and Great Tits which use manmade nest boxes (which they don't)
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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
Thank you Peter! Yes, needs must...
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Cactus Frank @cactusfranks.bsky.social · 04/01/2026
Thank you John! Maybe climate change will lead to a range expansion?
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Cactus Frank @cactusfranks.bsky.social · 04/01/2026
Thank you Jon!
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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
Cheers Kevin!
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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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Reposted by Cactus Frank
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 · 06/12/2025
Thank you Peter!
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Cactus Frank @cactusfranks.bsky.social · 05/12/2025
Thank you Kevin!
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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 · 01/12/2025
Thank you!
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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 · 24/11/2025
Very nice! You probably know that you should stop watering now until spring?
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Cactus Frank @cactusfranks.bsky.social · 23/11/2025
Thank you Peter!
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Cactus Frank @cactusfranks.bsky.social · 23/11/2025
Thank you Kevin!
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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 · 09/11/2025
Great shot!
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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 · 03/11/2025
I had a look yesterday morning, couldn't hear or see anything but it was between showers.
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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 · 01/11/2025
I think I have to check my favourite spot for them in Bute Park tomorrow…
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Cactus Frank @cactusfranks.bsky.social · 01/11/2025
Thank you 😊
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