iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Derek Smith @djsmith65.bsky.social · 05/10/2026

Some highlights from my recent trip to the wonderful island of Unst with thanks to @ppg0104.bsky.social for his company sharing the long days out birding in all weathers.

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Derek Smith @djsmith65.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

Seen whilst birding on a damp afternoon on Unst yesterday with @ppg0104.bsky.social just wondered if anyone could suggest the identification of this bumblebee

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Derek Smith @djsmith65.bsky.social · 26/06/2026

One of the two sallow clearwings attracted to the Sellindge garden this afternoon @birdingbazzer.bsky.social

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Derek Smith @djsmith65.bsky.social · 21/06/2026

A nice variety of clearwings in the Sellindge garden this week: orange-tailed (5), red-belted (11), currant (5), red-tipped (2) and yellow-legged (1)

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Derek Smith @djsmith65.bsky.social · 18/06/2026

A willow emerald damselfly at cock ash lake near Sellindge this evening. Seems quite early this year. How does this compare with other records @marcheath.bsky.social

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Derek Smith @djsmith65.bsky.social · 20/04/2026

Some pictures on a beautiful sunny day in Kent. First twayblade and fly orchid I’ve seen this year.

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Derek Smith @djsmith65.bsky.social · 19/04/2026

Many large red damselflies around the garden today and plenty of evidence of their emergence from the garden pond this morning @marcheath.bsky.social

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Derek Smith @djsmith65.bsky.social · 04/04/2026

An unexpected surprise this afternoon was a lone early purple orchid amongst the many bluebells and wood anemones at Yockletts nature reserve in Kent.

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Derek Smith @djsmith65.bsky.social · 11/07/2025

a Black Redstart was an unexpected visitor to the Sellindge garden late afternoon today, new for the garden list.

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Derek Smith @djsmith65.bsky.social · 25/06/2025

Some dragonflies and damselflies from around the Sellindge area in the warm sun this week with large numbers of recently emerged willow emeralds today @marcheath.bsky.social

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Derek Smith @djsmith65.bsky.social · 30/05/2025

A few lovely orchids seen in east Kent this morning. A small area of beech trees with many beautiful white helleborines was quite something to see in the dull light.

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Derek Smith @djsmith65.bsky.social · 24/04/2025

The amazing fly orchid in Kent today always brings a smile; also lady orchids, twayblades and so many orchid wonderful spring flowers.

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Derek Smith @djsmith65.bsky.social · 17/04/2025

It was a beautiful morning around Shuart with the sound of sedge warblers and whitethroats singing all over the marsh, and my first cuckoo this year was lovely to hear.

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Derek Smith @djsmith65.bsky.social · 14/03/2025

Some recent additions to the Sellindge local ‘patch’ year list, all seen at Cock Ash Lake

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Derek Smith @djsmith65.bsky.social · 10/01/2025

A lovely walk at Minnis Bay this morning with the usual winter waders, 40+ g c grebes on the sea, hundreds of Brent geese and an obliging rock pipit.

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Derek Smith @djsmith65.bsky.social · 08/01/2025

A grey heron on a grey morning from a local walk around the Sellindge area. Also c35 siskins, 18 redwings, a grey wagtail, nuthatch and treecreeper at Horton Priory

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Derek Smith @djsmith65.bsky.social · 04/01/2025

A short walk from Shuart this morning (still shaking off a rotten cold) a couple of brambling and a white-fronted goose with the local greylags were the best bits.

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Derek Smith @djsmith65.bsky.social · 24/12/2024

A lovely Christmas Eve walk around the Shuart area and the 4 snow buntings landed right beside me on the beach at Plumpudding which was a real treat.

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Derek Smith @djsmith65.bsky.social · 15/12/2024

A local walk around Sellindge this morning over 40 species seen/heard, best bits were a red kite, 4 buzzards, a sparrowhawk, c30 siskins, 6+ yellowhammers, c60 fieldfares, c80 redwings, a little grebe and 6 tufted duck on cock ash lake.

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Derek Smith @djsmith65.bsky.social · 19/11/2024

This kestrel dropped into the garden and enjoyed a bit of a splash in the pond then took a rest in the Kilmarnock Willow

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