iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Reposted by Mel S-W

Swallow Birding & Wildlife @swallowbirding.bsky.social · 06/10/2026

Couple of hours at Abberton Res this morning. 22 SPOONBILL inc cr dutch bird, 19 GREAT EGRET inc cr Somerset bird plus SPOTSHANK, GOOSANDER and bonus OTTER! #BirdsSeenIn2026 #essexbirding #birds #birding #ukbirding @britishnatureguide.bsky.social

0263

Reposted by Mel S-W

Swallow Birding & Wildlife @swallowbirding.bsky.social · 05/10/2026

Lovely day with 2 ladies that won a day out with us in the @essexbirdnews.bsky.social Conference Raffle. Headed to The Naze where this late HOBBY plus YELLOW-BROWED WARBLER, JAYS, GOLDCREST & more were seen. #BirdsSeenIn2026 #essexbirding #birds #birding #ukbirding @britishnatureguide.bsky.social

0344

Reposted by Mel S-W

OliCWildlife @olicwildlife.bsky.social · 05/10/2026

Great Grey Shrike, Common Woodpigeons, Northern Wheatear, and Whooper Swans, all on migration around Kihnu Island! #Birding #Estonia #BirdingEstonia #WildlifePhotography @swallowbirding.bsky.social

0181

Mel S-W @corvidcrazychap.bsky.social · 05/10/2026

Interesting 🤨 the Weasel is a ferocious predator for its diminutive size 🤷🏼‍♂️

020

Mel S-W @corvidcrazychap.bsky.social · 05/10/2026

Glad I read the whole post 🥴 thought to myself wow Frome has changed a lot since I was last there 🤭

110

Mel S-W @corvidcrazychap.bsky.social · 04/10/2026

2/2 I especially enjoy watching them hatch in the spring when the males hatch up first then females ready to mate … the female then blocks the end of tube with mud the lays an egg & supplying food to each offspring before capping each subsequent egg to fill the tube before capping tube with mud

031

Mel S-W @corvidcrazychap.bsky.social · 04/10/2026

I have been a 🐝 parent for 5 / 6 years originally from #MasonBeeCoUk but they folded,I still continue to collect them to release in spring it started with Red mason bees having my best harvest ever but my big surprise was the Leaf-cutter bee using the bee hotel for the 1st time 😍 1/2

Two smallish wooden boxes one open fronted with cardboard tubes inside which is a solitary bee hotel
Box two has three small holes in front & is lidded this holds the bee cocoons in the spring for release

16 small green pellets on a white kitchen towel & which are Leaf-cutter bee cocoons

40 small brown egg shaped cocoons of the Red mason bee (the smaller ones are female & large males which always hatch first in spring time

031

Reposted by Mel S-W

Swallow Birding & Wildlife @swallowbirding.bsky.social · 03/10/2026

Our group enjoyed seeing a wide range of species in Estonia with @birdinghaapsalu.bsky.social including GREAT TITS migrating, GREAT GREY SHRIKE, SMEW & EURASIAN SKYLARKS among others. #BirdsSeenIn2026 #estonia #birds #birding @britishnatureguide.bsky.social @tonyrinaud.bsky.social

0143

Mel S-W @corvidcrazychap.bsky.social · 04/10/2026

Hey Suzy my #Top5Birds this week includes 1) Great egret 2) Little egret 3) Lapwing 4) Water rail close view preening 🎥 5) Common snipe close view

120

Reposted by Mel S-W

Casual Birder Podcast @casualbirderpod.bsky.social · 04/10/2026

What were your #Top5Birds or bird moments from the past week? Mine: 1. Chiffchaff bathing in my birdbath 2. 2 Buzzards calling over my garden 3. Hearing a Tawny Owl in my neighbourhood 4. Visit by a friendly Rook pair looking for suet treats 5. House Sparrows chirping in a hedge 🪶

Square graphic design. Pale mint green with blue wavy-edged bands at top and bottom.

Portrait format photo on the left side showing a Common Chiffchaff. A small, brownish-yellow bird with a dark eye and pointed beak perches on a dark, textured tree branch. Its feathers show subtle yellow and olive tones, and it appears alert as it looks slightly upward. The bird is facing towards the right of the frame and is shown against a dark background.

Caption below the photo reads: Common Chiffchaff.

Text on the right reads: #Top5Birds What were your best bird moments from the past week?

131

Reposted by Mel S-W

Swallow Birding & Wildlife @swallowbirding.bsky.social · 03/10/2026

Lots of migrating species in Estonia with @birdinghaapsalu.bsky.social last week including both GREAT & LESSER SPOTTED WOODPECKERS, BEARDED REEDLINGS and hundreds of EURASIAN JAY. #BirdsSeenIn2026 #estonia #birds #birding @britishnatureguide.bsky.social @tonyrinaud.bsky.social

0213

Reposted by Mel S-W

Swallow Birding & Wildlife @swallowbirding.bsky.social · 03/10/2026

Surely at least one NORTHERN NUTCRACKER must turn up in the UK this winter? Lots of birds on the move in Estonia last week! #BirdsSeenIn2026 #estonia #birds #birding @britishnatureguide.bsky.social @tonyrinaud.bsky.social

091

Reposted by Mel S-W

Swallow Birding & Wildlife @swallowbirding.bsky.social · 03/10/2026

Always a joy to see PALLID HARRIERS and our group enjoyed great views of these birds in Estonia that were fresh in from Finland! #BirdsSeenIn2026 #estonia #birds #birding #pallidharrier @tonyrinaud.bsky.social @britishnatureguide.bsky.social

0192

Reposted by Mel S-W

Swallow Birding & Wildlife @swallowbirding.bsky.social · 03/10/2026

A lovely selection of raptors from Estonia last week with @birdinghaapsalu.bsky.social inc WT EAGLES, PALLID HARRIER, PEREGRINE, MERLIN, SPARROWHAWK & COMMON BUZZARD. #BirdsSeenIn2026 #estonia #birds #birding @tonyrinaud.bsky.social @britishnatureguide.bsky.social

0194

Reposted by Mel S-W

Swallow Birding & Wildlife @swallowbirding.bsky.social · 03/10/2026

Phenomenal numbers of seaduck migrating past the Estonian coast last week with @birdinghaapsalu.bsky.social including LONG-TAILED DUCKS, VELVET & COMMON SCOTER and GREATER SCAUP. #BirdsSeenIn2026 #estonia #birds #birding @britishnatureguide.bsky.social @tonyrinaud.bsky.social

0183

Mel S-W @corvidcrazychap.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

Yes we can’t wait me & 4 pals come Thursday to Sunday got a walk Friday & Saturday plus sea watching every day 😋

010

Reposted by Mel S-W

Flamborough Bird Observatory @flamboroughbird.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

Migweek is just over a week away!!! Bird ringing demonstrations, vismigging, Guided walks, Expert talks on migration Plus much more !! Book your place on the events by following the link below flamboroughbirdobs.org.uk/events/migwe...

flamboroughbirdobs.org.uk

Migweek 2026 Programme - Flamborough Bird Observatory

Saturday 10th – Sunday 18th October 2026 Every day Ringing Demonstration 8am – 12pm at the Living Seas Centre, Flamborough Come and meet FBO’s ringing team, see birds up close and discover the secrets...

2229

Reposted by Mel S-W

Swallow Birding & Wildlife @swallowbirding.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

Great day guiding @landguardbo.bsky.social Highlights incl SHORELARK, SHORT-EARED OWL, GANNET, YELLOW & GREY WAGS, 3 WHEATEAR, ROCK PIPIT & 3 BLACK REDSTART. #BirdsSeenIn2026 #suffolkbirding #birds #birding @suffolkbirdgroup.bsky.social @britishnatureguide.bsky.social @tonyrinaud.bsky.social

1254

Reposted by Mel S-W

Richard K Broughton @richardkbroughton.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

I can thoroughly recommend the Prince Albert pub in Ely. Good beer and food. One of my fieldwork favourites when working in the Fens and having to rough it in the Ely Travelodge. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

bbc.co.uk

Ten-minute favour leads to 50 years behind the bar for Ely pub regular

Glyn has been working at the same pub since he was asked to help with a rush of customers in 1976.

2162

Reposted by Mel S-W

Essex Birdwatching Society @essexbirdnews.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

Tune in to watch Edward Mayer's superb talk about Swift conservation from 7:30pm on Friday. This talk WILL NOT be uploaded to our YouTube channel so if you want to see it, you must watch the live stream: www.youtube.com/live/lVNERuQ... #essexbirding

084

Mel S-W @corvidcrazychap.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

Hey Suzy my #Top5Birds this week includes 1) Lapwing 2) Little grebe plus youngster 3) Nuthatch 4) Jay 5) Kingfisher

110

Reposted by Mel S-W

Casual Birder Podcast @casualbirderpod.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

What were your #Top5Birds or bird moments from the past week? Mine: 1. Around 25 House Martins flying over on migration. 2. Woodpigeons foraging for beech nuts & looking surprisingly agile 3. Tawny Owl calling at dusk 4. Green Woodpecker calling 5. A Eurasian Jay screaming its raucous cry 🪶

Square graphic design. Pale mint green with blue wavy-edged bands at top and bottom.

Portrait format photo on the left side showing a Western House Martin perched on a wire. The bird’s body is facing the camera and its head is turned to the left of the frame. The background is blue sky.

Caption below the photo reads: Western House Martin

Text on the right reads: #Top5Birds What were your best bird moments from the past week?

161

Reposted by Mel S-W

Swallow Birding & Wildlife @swallowbirding.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

Stunning final full day of our autumn birding tour in West Estonia with @birdinghaapsalu.bsky.social 4 sp of Owls, inc URAL, PYGMY and LONG-EARED + HAZEL GROUSE, 6 LESSER SP WOODPECKERS and 3 MOOSE! #BirdsSeenIn2026 #estonia #birds #birding @britishnatureguide.bsky.social @tonyrinaud.bsky.social

0296

Reposted by Mel S-W

Swallow Birding & Wildlife @swallowbirding.bsky.social · 26/09/2026

Cracking migration this morning at Cape Põõsaspea, Estonia with @birdinghaapsalu.bsky.social Over 7000 SCAUP, 2000 COM SCOTER, 750 VELVET SCOTER plus LT DUCKS plus 2 juv and female PALLID HARRIERS! #BirdsSeenIn2026 #estonia #birds #birding @britishnatureguide.bsky.social @tonyrinaud.bsky.social

0254

Reposted by Mel S-W

Swallow Birding & Wildlife @swallowbirding.bsky.social · 26/09/2026

We´ve seen over 30 WT EAGLES in just over two days with @birdinghaapsalu.bsky.social whilst Matsalu NP and Haapsalu treated us to our first flocks of TUNDRA SWANS, HEN HARRIER, MIDDLE SPOTTED WOODPECKER + 450 CRANES! #BirdsSeenIn2026 #estonia #birds #birding @britishnatureguide.bsky.social

0252

Reposted by Mel S-W

Richard K Broughton @richardkbroughton.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

This paper is based upon the years of citizen-science data collection by Wiltshire Tree Sparrow legend and @btobirds.bsky.social ringer, Matt Prior.

14914

Reposted by Mel S-W

Richard K Broughton @richardkbroughton.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

New in #BirdStudy And a rather special 'classic' paper from Ian Newton, ahead of his upcoming monograph book on Bullfinches next year: A 51-year study of Eurasian Bullfinches Pyrrhula pyrrhula in Treswell Wood (UK) www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.... #ornithology

1297

Reposted by Mel S-W

Swallow Birding & Wildlife @swallowbirding.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

First full birding day with @birdinghaapsalu.bsky.social on Kihnu island. A superb 30 NUTCRACKER during 4 hrs vismig session. Other notable species included LAP BUNT, HEN HARRIERS, 15 WT EAGLES, 3 GG SHRIKE & SMEW. #BirdsSeenIn2026 #estonia #birds #birding @britishnatureguide.bsky.social

0322

Mel S-W @corvidcrazychap.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

Had a lovely #VolunteerThankYouParty at #RyeMeads @rspbengland.bsky.social sadly the last one due to it’s closure in November but I received my 5 year long service award 😍 sad I can’t add to that 🥴 nice to catch up with such lovely people/friends hopefully will still volunteer with #ThamesWater

030

Mel S-W @corvidcrazychap.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

Small trap yesterday VC20 #RyeMeads highlights include Vestal (pristine) Old lady Orange sallow L-album wainscot & Black rustic plus a few regulars

010

Reposted by Mel S-W

Brigit Strawbridge @brigitstrawbridge.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

Calling walkers, birders, nature lovers, or anyone fancying a break... October & November dates available in our new BnB, if anyone's interested? On the southern edge of Bodmin Moor, which is a great place to explore, and wonderfully peaceful at this time of year www.airbnb.co.uk/rooms/173324...

airbnb.co.uk

Guest suite in Tremar Coombe · ★5.0 · 1 bedroom · 1 bed · 1 bathroom

Beautifully renovated annexe near Bodmin Moor

12611

Mel S-W @corvidcrazychap.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

I already own a pair of these & indeed several of their other designs & it helps the cause 🥰

010

Reposted by Mel S-W

Richard K Broughton @richardkbroughton.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

Finally caught & colour-ringed the female mate of our 11 yr old Marsh Tit. She's only 16 months old and arrived in the wood in April at last minute to breed, having dispersed from elsewhere - itself a major feat. Her life expectancy now is maybe another 1-2 yrs, if she's careful/lucky.

4749

Mel S-W @corvidcrazychap.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

So near but so far Madeleine I was driving through Harlow yesterday after having been to #VanHagues garden centre on route to #TgeOrangeTree pub in Sawbridgeworth for a lovely anniversary lunch … near met up 🫣

100

Reposted by Mel S-W

Radio Lento @radiolento.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

Scenes from the Stort. Love this stretch of river between Harlow Mill and Sawbridgeworth. Just four minutes on the train but two slow hours on foot. Beautiful conditions yesterday.

gentle river with trees on both sides. grassed towpath. brambles and briar by the water's edge. hawthorn bush on the other side with red highlights from its berries. no one else around.

another view of the river curving round to the left. this section has tall reeds by the edge of the water. perfect blue sky.

straight section of the river with a wider towpath. overhanging trees on both sides. no one else around.

another section of the river. green trees with a hint of the autumn colours to come.

2586

Reposted by Mel S-W

Swallow Birding & Wildlife @swallowbirding.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

Lots of other great wildlife to be seen during our guided walks over the #BCBW26 weekend including WILLOW EMERALD, EUROPEAN PAPER WASPS, HAIRY SHIELDBUG & IVY BEES galore! #insects #essexwildlife @britishnatureguide.bsky.social

0111

Reposted by Mel S-W

Swallow Birding & Wildlife @swallowbirding.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

Final day of the @essexbirdnews.bsky.social BIG COUNTY BIRDWATCH. Guided walks at Lee Valley & Rainham produced RUDDY SHELDUCK, HOBBIES, PEREGRINE, BEARDED TIT, CETTI'S WARBLER and lots more! #BirdsSeenIn2026 #essexbirding #birds #birding #ukbirding #BCBW26 @britishnatureguide.bsky.social

0282

Mel S-W @corvidcrazychap.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

Purely because of the amazing name Moira …. It’s a plant I have wanted to see ever since I found it in my Collins wildflower book 😍

130

Reposted by Mel S-W

Swallow Birding & Wildlife @swallowbirding.bsky.social · 20/09/2026

@essexbirdnews.bsky.social BIG COUNTY BIRDWATCH DAY 4. @esbr-essex.bsky.social and I spent the day at Fingringhoe leading 2 walks. Highlights inc OSPREY, 2+ HOBBY, PEREGRINE, RED KITE and more! #BirdsSeenIn2026 #essexbirding #birds #birding #ukbirding #BCBW26 @britishnatureguide.bsky.social

0334

Mel S-W @corvidcrazychap.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

Hey Suzy my #Top5Birds this week includes 1) Nuthatch 2) Coal tit 3) Greenfinch 4) Jay 5) Green woodpecker

120

Reposted by Mel S-W

Casual Birder Podcast @casualbirderpod.bsky.social · 20/09/2026

What were your #Top5Birds or bird moments from the past week? Mine, in Hampshire: 1. Little Stint (sp. 199 of 2026) 2. Grey Plover, still in summer plumage 3. Common Whitethroat (my last of the year?) & in Dorset: 4. Big flock of Great Cormorant (sinensis) 5. Two Green Sandpiper in flight 🪶

Square graphic design. Pale mint green background with blue/grey wavy-edged bands at top and bottom.
Landscape format photo in the lower middle with grey/blue text above.
Text reads: #Top5Birds What were your best bird moments from the past week?

Photo shows: Little Stint standing on mud at the edge of water. The bird is facing towards the left of the frame and is leaning forward to feed.

Caption below the photo reads: Little Stint

231

Reposted by Mel S-W

Dungeness Bird Observatory @dungenessbirdobs.bsky.social · 20/09/2026

Come join us for the Big Kent Bird Migration Day at Dungeness Bird Observatory, it is only a week away! There will be plenty with a guided walk, migration watches, seawatching and bird ringing if the weather allows. Today is full of Meadow Pipits with hundreds overhead and 101 ringed #kentbirding

0146

Reposted by Mel S-W

Justin Lansdell @yarevalleyjus.bsky.social · 19/09/2026

A week on, huge thanks to @spurnbirdobs.bsky.social for another great MIGFEST. Birding highlight was the incredible hirundine passage early Sat morning but for me MIGFEST is about so much more: socialising, catching up with friends, the warm Spurn welcome (& of course us winning the quiz! 😉) ❤️

052

Mel S-W @corvidcrazychap.bsky.social · 20/09/2026

I have this actually leaflet in with my bat detector & use it as a visual aid by handing it around when I do my bat walks 👍

010

Reposted by Mel S-W

Bat Conservation Trust @batconservation.bsky.social · 19/09/2026

🦇 Have you ever wondered what species is that bat that visits your garden every evening during the summer? Without a bat detector it's nearly impossible to know. However, it may be possible to narrow it down to some of the more widespread species

32310

Reposted by Mel S-W

Neil @uk-wildlife.bsky.social · 19/09/2026

Here are all the places you can find my stuff online, YouTube for the long videos and other bits on the other platforms :)

A fox head with a green background with logos and usernames of my online content locations

Youtube: Uk wildlife + Pond Lab
Facebook: Uk Wildlife + Pondmanuk

Instagram: Neil_uk_wildlife

Bluesky is the account this is on

A qr code for the link tree with this info too

033