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Gail Ashton

@gailashton.bsky.social
3K followers 781 following 146 posts

bug lover / nature nerd photographer / author / illustrator www.gailashton.co.uk Books available here: uk.bookshop.org/shop/gail-ashton-na…

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Gail Ashton @gailashton.bsky.social · 20/09/2026
I fulfilled a childhood dream yesterday - seeing my first Red-billed Choughs. Concealed among the other corvids, that slender, blood red bill gave me such a prickle of excitement when I caught sight of it. What an elegant, striking bird and well worth the battering from the Atlantic gusts.
Two Red-billed Choughs flying, silhouetted against a white, cloudy sky.
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NatureBureau @naturebureau.bsky.social · 23/04/2026
Check out the review in British Wildlife here bit.ly/4tlMckS for our recently published #BestFlyBook A Photographic Guide to Flies of Britain & Ireland @rdimond.bsky.social @gailashton.bsky.social @flygirlnhm.bsky.social @dipteristsforum.bsky.social @bbowt.bsky.social @worcswt.bsky.social
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Entomological Society of America @entsocamerica.bsky.social · 21/02/2026
Join us February 27 for a webinar in honor of #BlackHistoryMonth, hosted by the International Association of Black Entomologists. Panelists will share their research programs, professional accomplishments & testimonies of resilience. Register today: www.entsoc.org/events/webin...
The graphic includes gray text on a blue background that reads, “ESA Webinar.” Below that, there is white text that reads, “International Association of Black Entomologists (IABE) Voices: Reputability, Research, and Resilience. Friday, February 27. 12 p.m. ET.” There is also an image of a yellow butterfly and the ESA logo.
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Steve @stevetypesstuff.bsky.social · 21/02/2026
Oh hello… it’s here! The new ‘Photographic guide to flies of Britain and Ireland’. Steven Falk (not sure if he’s on BS?) @gailashton.bsky.social @rdimond.bsky.social Peter Creed Forward by @flygirlnhm.bsky.social It is an astonishing piece of work for such a diverse taxonomic group. #diptera
The cover of The new ‘Photographic guide to flies of Britain and Ireland’An open page from the new ‘Photographic guide to flies of Britain and Ireland’. Text for each species on the left with beautiful macro photos on the right.
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NatureBureau @naturebureau.bsky.social · 20/02/2026
THE WAIT IS OVER - We're busy mailing out copies of our new guide to #FliesofBritainandIreland to all those who pre-ordered. Order your copy here bit.ly/4dqQI8Z @rdimond.bsky.social @flygirlnhm.bsky.social @gailashton.bsky.social @dipteristsforum.bsky.social @sussexwildlife.bsky.social
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Gail Ashton @gailashton.bsky.social · 17/02/2026
It’s here! The wait is over! Thank you for your patience to all of you who pre-ordered ☺️
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Gail Ashton @gailashton.bsky.social · 08/02/2026
The first Lesser Celandine of my year, navigating its way through the undergrowth, seen in Beds today. #wildflowerhour @wildflowerhour.bsky.social
A Lesser Celandine flower in spring undergrowth.
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NatureBureau @naturebureau.bsky.social · 30/01/2026
Ben Lawers, Perthshire, 8th of 9 great places to see an amazing range of flies featured in our guide to #FliesofBritainandIreland due mid-Feb 2026. Hurry, pre-pub offer runs til 31 Jan bit.ly/4dqQI8Z @rdimond.bsky.social @flygirlnhm.bsky.social @gailashton.bsky.social @dipteristsforum.bsky.social
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NatureBureau @naturebureau.bsky.social · 16/01/2026
THE WAIT IS NEARLY OVER: Just signed off the printer's proofs for our new guide to #FliesofBritainandIreland - due mid-Feb 2026. Pre-pub offer runs until 31 Jan - order your copy now bit.ly/4dqQI8Z @rdimond.bsky.social @gailashton.bsky.social @flygirlnhm.bsky.social @dipteristsforum.bsky.social
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NatureBureau @naturebureau.bsky.social · 13/01/2026
Our new 416pp #FliesofBritainandIreland covering over 1300 species & with over 1500 photos is now being printed - due mid Feb 2026. You can still pre-order until 31 Jan bit.ly/4dqQI8Z @flygirlnhm.bsky.social @gailashton.bsky.social @dipteristsforum.bsky.social @georgemcgavin.bsky.social
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NatureBureau @naturebureau.bsky.social · 14/11/2025
First & last flies featured in #FliesofBritainandIreland – Wasp-banded Comb-horn Ctenophora flaveolata & Deer Warble Fly Hypoderma diana. Nearing completion due late Jan/early Feb 2026. Pre-order now bit.ly/4dqQI8Z @flygirlnhm.bsky.social @gailashton.bsky.social @dipteristsforum.bsky.social
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Gail Ashton @gailashton.bsky.social · 27/09/2025
New work from my Master’s research project, ‘The Alder’. The Common Alder is home to a huge number of invertebrate species, including beetles, sawflies, leaf miners and at least 50 moths. Some of these species can be seen in the feeding signs on leaves. #CommonAlder #tree #ecologies
Close up of a Common Alder leaf which is losing its chlorophyll and starting to decay.Close up of a Common Alder leaf which is losing its chlorophyll and starting to decay. It has a hole in it where it has been eaten by an insect.Close up of a Common Alder leaf which is losing its chlorophyll and starting to decay.Close up of a Common Alder leaf which is losing its chlorophyll and starting to decay.
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Gail Ashton @gailashton.bsky.social · 16/08/2025
Saw this queen toda 💛🤍🖤 Wasp Spider (Argiope bruennechi) #HertsSpiders
A female Wasp Spider (Argiope bruennechi) in her web in long grass.
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Gail Ashton @gailashton.bsky.social · 14/08/2025
It’s one of those evenings when you feel like you’ve accidentally walked onto a film set. #sunset
Sunset over a farming field that has an irrigation system watering it. The sun is a low, bright red circle.
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NatureBureau @naturebureau.bsky.social · 06/08/2025
We're now laying out the Tachinids for #FliesofBritainandIreland bit.ly/4dqQI8Z to be published this Autumn TOP Cistogaster globosa & Gymnocheta viridis; BOTTOM Phasia hemiptera & Tachina grossa @gailashton.bsky.social @dipteristsforum.bsky.social @flygirlnhm.bsky.social @georgemcgavin.bsky.social
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Gail Ashton @gailashton.bsky.social · 04/07/2025
The home run!! 😃
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NatureBureau @naturebureau.bsky.social · 30/06/2025
On the home run now for our #FliesofBritainandIreland book bit.ly/4dqQI8Z – Steven Falkhas now completed the text for the Anthomyiidae & we've started laying out the intro pages @flygirlnhm.bsky.social @gailashton.bsky.social @tverc1.bsky.social @dipteristsforum.bsky.social
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Gail Ashton @gailashton.bsky.social · 19/06/2025
Summer evenings don’t get much better than watching a Barn Owl hunting at sunset 💚💚💚
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Gail Ashton @gailashton.bsky.social · 12/06/2025
Summer 💙💚💛
Evening view across a meadow in southern England
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NatureBureau @naturebureau.bsky.social · 29/05/2025
Off to the Gower next week & hope to see the magnificent Pied-winged Robberfly (Pamponerus germanicus) at Whiteford Burrows. All of Britain's robberflies are covered in our #FliesofBritainandIreland bit.ly/4dqQI8Z @gailashton.bsky.social @the-wildlifetrusts.bsky.social @dipteristsforum.bsky.social
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Gail Ashton @gailashton.bsky.social · 14/05/2025
I don’t know what this type of cloud is called, but it’s a cracker.
A spectral phenomenon on the edge of a small cloud
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NatureBureau @naturebureau.bsky.social · 12/05/2025
Lesser Bulb Fly (Eumerus funeralis) a small hoverfly is common in our garden & develops in Spanish Bluebells, also seen on its leaves was the Large Narcissus Fly a bumblebee mimic #FliesofBritainandIreland bit.ly/4dqQI8Z @bbowt.bsky.social @the-wildlifetrusts.bsky.social @gailashton.bsky.social
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Gail Ashton @gailashton.bsky.social · 11/05/2025
Queen of queens 💚
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NatureBureau @naturebureau.bsky.social · 07/05/2025
Now laying out the Snail-killing flies (Sciomyzidae) pages for our new #FliesofBritainandIreland due Autumn 2025 - pre-order now bit.ly/4dqQI8Z @bbowt.bsky.social @gailashton.bsky.social @dipteristsforum.bsky.social @the-wildlifetrusts.bsky.social @worcswt.bsky.social @flygirlnhm.bsky.social
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Gail Ashton @gailashton.bsky.social · 06/05/2025
Finding a little joy in the unexpected things.
A cat park stairwell light fitting with burn marks that make it look like it has a smiley face.
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NatureBureau @naturebureau.bsky.social · 01/05/2025
Picture-winged Flies pages are now laid out for our NEW #FliesofBritainandIreland due Autumn 2025 - pre-order now at bit.ly/4dqQI8Z & save £££s on published price @gailashton.bsky.social @bbowt.bsky.social @dipteristsforum.bsky.social @the-wildlifetrusts.bsky.social @flygirlnhm.bsky.social
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Gail Ashton @gailashton.bsky.social · 18/04/2025
Pear blossom is the gift that keeps on giving 💚
A bumblebee forages on white pear blossomAn Orange-tailed Mining Bee forages on white pear blossomA Dark-edged Bee-fly forages on white pear blossomA Honey-bee forages on white pear blossom
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Norfolk & Norwich Naturalists' Society @norfolknats.bsky.social · 14/04/2025
If any naturalists would like to increase their knowledge of flies, then this is a great way to do it! But as Andy says, these workshops need a minimum number of participants to run so do consider booking a place on this, or one of the others (mosquitoes, sawflies, wasps)
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Charlie Bingham @charliebingham.bsky.social · 11/04/2025
What a stunning way to launch The Life Affirming Magic of Birds 🐦 A beautiful conversation with Nick Acheson to a room full of people who share our love for the natural world 🌎 #BookLaunch #Norfolk #Nature #Wildlife #Author #History #TLAMOB #MagicOfBirds #Writer 📷 @gailashton.bsky.social
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Gail Ashton @gailashton.bsky.social · 11/04/2025
This was a lovely evening. Congrats Charlie!
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NatureBureau @naturebureau.bsky.social · 31/03/2025
Just about to start laying out pages for these little gems, the picture-winged flies for our new book #FliesofBritainandIreland to be published Autumn 2025 – order now & SAVE £££s bit.ly/4dqQI8Z @gailashton.bsky.social @flygirlnhm.bsky.social @bbowt.bsky.social @the-wildlifetrusts.bsky.social
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Gail Ashton @gailashton.bsky.social · 30/03/2025
Making sun prints in situ. #Cyanotype
Photograph of the making of a sun print on location. A clipframe holds cyanotype holds a flowering Blackthorn branch in place whilst it is exposed to the sun.Photograph of the making of a sun print on location. A clipframe holds cyanotype holds a flowering plant in place whilst it is exposed to the sun.Photograph of the making of a sun print on location. A clipframe holds cyanotype holds a flowering plant in place whilst it is exposed to the sun.Plant cyanotype sun print of comfrey, after it has been exposed to the sun and before it is washed.
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NatureBureau @naturebureau.bsky.social · 19/03/2025
CONOPIDS are fascinating flies. Females deposit an egg in the abdomen of a bee or wasp whist in flight. The larva develops inside & pupates when the host dies #FliesofBritainandIreland bit.ly/4dqQI8Z @gailashton.bsky.social @the-wildlifetrusts.bsky.social
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Gail Ashton @gailashton.bsky.social · 13/03/2025
“Live in the moment, humans are often told, but snails don’t need to be told. We’re in the moment all the time, and the moment is in us.” Margaret Atwood: Old Babes in the Wood
The shell of an aquatic snail laying on damp reed litter.
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Dr Astrid Biddle @astridbiddle.bsky.social · 06/03/2025
I finished my paper today. Woo-hoo! Lots and lots of minor details to finish it off. Now back to looking at other Cyperaceae stuff.
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Gail Ashton @gailashton.bsky.social · 12/03/2025
As you know I am a very casual birder at best, but my first Great White Egret at @suffolkwildlife.bsky.social Carlton Marshes today was a bit special. Can you spot it?
View across Carlton Marshes nature reserve in Suffolk, with cloudy skies and broken sunshine illuminating parts of the marsh. A Great White Egret can just be seen on the water’s edge.
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Rory Dimond @rdimond.bsky.social · 10/03/2025
A new #bee for me! A male White-faced Mason Bee (Osmia cornuta), one of several drinking from Mahonia in a pub garden in St Margarets, Herts. Never managed to spot one in London but nice to see them spreading into the home counties. As good an excuse as any to yoink myself back into social media.
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Gail Ashton @gailashton.bsky.social · 09/03/2025
Close encounters with cave spiders in the Peak District today. Meta menardi is a scarce and highly specialised spider that lives close to the entrance of caves. The egg sacs are beautiful, silken teardrops that suspend from the ceiling and ledges. #CaveSpider #MetaMenardi #spider #PeakDistrict
Close up of the egg sac of Meta menardi spider hanging in a cave entrance.Dewdrop covered web of Meta menardi in a cave entrance.Female Meta menardi spider in a cave entrance.
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Gail Ashton @gailashton.bsky.social · 06/03/2025
Marram grass appreciation post. • Stabiliser of cliffs and dune systems. • Safe harbour for invertebrates, birds, reptiles and mammals. • Harvested to make fishing nets, house roofs and even shoes. • Looks, sounds and feels amazing. #marram #grass #coast #nature
A concrete sea wall, covered in faint graffiti. On top of the wall is a metal railing. Behind the wall and railing is a bank of marram grass, growing over the edges of the wall.Close up of marram grass growing over the edge of a concrete block wall.Tussocks of marram grass growing either side of a concrete slipway that leads down to the sea. Some of the grass in the foreground is illuminated by the setting sun.
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Gail Ashton @gailashton.bsky.social · 25/02/2025
Spring spring spring spring spring spring spring. Black Oil Beetle out in the late February sunshine. #MeloeProscarabaeus #BlackOilBeetle #BeetlesOfBluesky
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Gail Ashton @gailashton.bsky.social · 20/02/2025
I’m outside. In February. Without a coat. (Yes, Northern Hemisphere.)
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Cath Hodsman @cathhodsman.bsky.social · 18/02/2025
Did u know? We mustn't all panic this season when aphids appear in our gardens. Leave these little sap suckers be, because they're re food for everything else - Ladybirds, Lacewings & Wasps AND they feed young nestlings. Don't spray, celebrate. Whoop! 🙌🌱🌿🌍🪲🐦‍⬛🐙
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NatureBureau @naturebureau.bsky.social · 10/02/2025
Flat-footed Flies might be tiny at 3 to 4 mm in length, but they're amazing little flies - the bright orange Agathomyia wankowiczii was seen #BBOWT's Bowdown Woods #FliesofBritainandIreland bit.ly/4dqQI8Z #gail_in_nature @flygirlnhm.bsky.social @the-wildlifetrusts.bsky.social
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Biological Recording Company @biologicalrecording.co.uk · 09/02/2025
Mission: Bee-fly 1. Look out for bee-flies. 2. Photograph bee-fly. 3. Identify bee-fly species observed. 4. Submit record to Bee-fly Watch. Disperse and observe biological recorders.
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Gail Ashton @gailashton.bsky.social · 09/02/2025
My first cherry plum blossom of the year, in Bedfordshire today. #wildflowerhour @wildflowerhour.bsky.social
Cherry plum blossom emerging in a roadside hedge.Cherry plum blossom emerging in a roadside hedge.
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Martin Harvey @kitenet.bsky.social · 06/02/2025
My colleague Sue Taylor has arranged a Women Entomologists Networking Day, in association with @britentsoc.bsky.social, taking place in Buckinghamshire on 10 May - contact Sue to find out more.
Poster for the event - text reads:
Save the date!
Women Entomologists Networking Day
In association with BENHS
May 10th 2025
A chance to get together, chat and network
informally with other women*
Featuring;
- a warm meeting room,
- café on site (or bring your own food)
- picnic tables
- a lovely 62 acre reserve to explore and record invertebrates
- Talks or presentations if wet.
- Trampers and accessible toilets for those with reduced mobility.
- Easy access by car or train, just off the A41 or Tring Station 2 miles

Open to all women* including students, amateurs or professionals

(book a space now numbers restricted)
College Lake BBOWT Wildlife Reserve, Bucks. HP23 5QG
https://www.bbowt.org.uk
Full details to follow; see BENHS website for details

Contact Sue at Taylor57sc AT gmail.com if you are interested.

* We want to be as inclusive as possible without having a very long title, so ‘born as or identifying as female’ is the rule of thumb.
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Marc Somssich @somssich.bsky.social · 01/02/2025
Do you know Daisy Roulland-Dussoix? She is one of the discoverers of restriction enzymes, who’s findings paved the way for the development of recombinant DNA and cloning technologies. Accordingly, the finding was rewarded with a #NobelPrize. But the prize didn’t go to her. 🧵👇
A portrait of Daisy Roulland-Dussoix from Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daisy_Roulland-Dussoix
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Gail Ashton @gailashton.bsky.social · 02/02/2025
Happy Imbolc you lovely people of Bluesky. In the Pagan calendar, Imbolc celebrates the halfway point between Winter solstice (Yule) and the Spring equinox (Ostara) in the Northern hemisphere, as tiny daily increments of increasing daylight pull us out of the long dark.
A bright pink male hazel flower blooming on a branch in winter.Trees are reflected in a large pond in winter woodland. The green pond vegetation makes the bare trees look green in the reflection.An uphill path through woodland into an open, grassy area, with a distant bench on the brow of the hill.Winter aconites flowering in the late winter sunshine .
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Dave Goulson @davegoulson.bsky.social · 27/01/2025
Pet owners accidentally poisoning garden birds. Our latest research finds pet flea treatments (fipronil and imidacloprid) in 100% of blue tit and great tit nests, with nestling mortality higher in the more contaminated nest. @SongBirdSBS @SussexUni @CannelleTassin
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