iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Reposted by Joseph Beale

Garry Pogson @garrypogson.bsky.social · 20/09/2026

Little flora around at Vanbrugh Pits, Greenwich today - so looked like 1 Speckled Wood would be it. Then saw 1 small stem of ragwort - with a Brown Argus and Small Copper. Then another 2xSC turned up - then one of them started turning purple! Memorable! @joebeale.bsky.social @dustygedge.bsky.social

042

Joseph Beale @joebeale.bsky.social · 13/08/2026

Recording at Stave Hill Ecological Park (Rotherhithe, VC Surrey) in July produced plenty of interesting moths. A Dark Crimson Underwing was one highlight.

The beautifully camouflaged upperwings of a Dark Crimson Underwing moth at rest.

A Dark Crimson Underwing moth partially opens its wings to reveal its outrageously bright pink-red and black hindwings.

061

Joseph Beale @joebeale.bsky.social · 06/07/2026

Recording at Stave Hill Ecological Park (Rotherhithe, VC Surrey) has produced some lovely sights: Stratiomys potamida soldierfly, migrant Pearly Underwing, Caloptilia cuculipennella, and a superbly coloured Acrobasis tumidana, a favourite of mine - and not many VC Surrey records. #TeamMoth

A richly coloured Acrobasis tumidana, likely a migrant, resting on a piece of wood. It is rather slender with red and ochre colours, a black and white band across the middle, and raised scales forming a ridge along this band.

Boldy striped, yellow and black, large soldierfly Stratiomys potamida - aka the Banded General - rests in a glass tube while being photographed.

The head end of a Pearly Underwing moth - a migrant - showing its reddish brown colour with classic whitish raised scales in 'mohican' style on the top of its head.

080

Joseph Beale @joebeale.bsky.social · 05/07/2026

That's a great image on the left; what camera did you use for it? Thanks!

110

Joseph Beale @joebeale.bsky.social · 29/06/2026

Greenwich light-trap has produced Eupachygaster tarsalis each of the 3 times I've trapped (4 f, 1 m); the best year for me for this overlooked species, generally overshadowing the moths. I did have a Phtheochroa schreibersiana in May for the moths @kitenet.bsky.social @uk-soldierflies.bsky.social

Golden and dark mottled micro moth Phtheochroa schreibersiana resting in a glass tube.

A small, chunky, and infrequently recorded black soldierfly Eupachygaster tarsalis on a whitish background.

041

Reposted by Joseph Beale

Martin Harvey @kitenet.bsky.social · 28/06/2026

From the garden light trap last week: Scarce Black #soldierfly (Eupachygaster tarsalis) male & female, first time I've seen this species here in 20-odd years of trapping. @joebeale.bsky.social & others have also reported them from light traps. @vc28nature.bsky.social @uk-soldierflies.bsky.social

A side view of the female Scarce Black soldierfly, on a leaf, with head to the left. Note the sharp rim around the scutellum.

A side view of the male Scarce Black soldierfly, on a leaf, with head to the right. Also has a sharp rim around the scutellum (less clear in this photo).

Comparison between females of Eupachygaster tarsalis (Scarce Black) and the more widespread Pachygaster atra (Dark-winged Black).

2479

Joseph Beale @joebeale.bsky.social · 20/11/2025

It's for a short communication about a recent record I had in VC16. It would be good to have details of other VC16 records to make sure I've got the right ones from NBN! Thank you.

000

Joseph Beale @joebeale.bsky.social · 14/11/2025

With awful news (e.g. Planning Bill), I escape in nature. #Greenwich: Moth trap (12th) - Feathered Thorn + 2 Udea ferrugalis (at last a little for @migrantmothuk.bsky.social!). 3 Teal on Park lake briefly (Oct) - until fountain began; my 1st autumn Ashy Mining Bee (Sept) a sign of the climate times.

Autumn Ashy Mining Bee on ivy in late September - normally a species I see in spring/early summer

One of three Teal, small migratory ducks, on the Park lake in mid October - until the fountain came on and scared them off

Udea ferrugalis, a small migratory moth, attracted to light traps on 12th Nov during a warm southerly airflow

Close up of a Feathered Thorn moth, a large autumnal species, on 12th November - showing the male's golden-orange feathery antennae

0352

Joseph Beale @joebeale.bsky.social · 14/07/2025

It's so important for insects when other flowers have succumbed to the drought!

000

Joseph Beale @joebeale.bsky.social · 05/06/2025

It may also be useful to see the value to the local community via the Vision here. What a treasure of a breathing space so close to London! So pleased Natural England recognised its value, and the ill-conceived theme park never went ahead. www.buglife.org.uk/campaigns/sa...

buglife.org.uk

Save Swanscombe Marshes ~ Vision for Swanscombe Peninsula

000

Joseph Beale @joebeale.bsky.social · 05/06/2025

Anyhoo, it seems unfair for us to pick just a sample of the varied and exceptional wildlife at Swanscombe SSSI. Below is a refutation of the inaccurate political claims being made about the site: www.kentwildlifetrust.org.uk/news/conserv...

kentwildlifetrust.org.uk

Conservation charities step into set the record straight after PM wrongly claims spiders stopped 15,000 home development

Kent Wildlife Trust has refuted claims made by Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer regarding the impact of conservation efforts on housing development in Ebbsfleet.

110

Joseph Beale @joebeale.bsky.social · 05/06/2025

Lovely images of some of Swanscombe's rich wildlife! Such a shame Nightingale and Grasshopper Warbler are Red-listed Birds of Conservation Concern in Britain, and Marsh Harrier Amber-listed, Man Orchid is Nationally Scarce; Distinguished Jumping Spider is Nationally Rare. www.bto.org/sites/defaul...

bto.org

110

Joseph Beale @joebeale.bsky.social · 04/06/2025

Do you mean the site recolonised by nature that's now home to an extraordinary range of wildlife - from Nightingales, Grasshopper Warblers and Marsh Harriers to butterflies and rare orchids (and, yes, rare spiders too)? The one now a SSSI and much valued by the local community as a green space?

120

Reposted by Joseph Beale

RSPB @rspb.bsky.social · 03/06/2025

Irreplaceable habitats are on the line. This is the reality if an unamended Part 3 of the Bill passes. It must not.

5252127

Reposted by Joseph Beale

Dusty Gedge @dustygedge.bsky.social · 03/06/2025

Found me a lesser-spotted #woodpeckers nest in last week. 1st in 23 yr used to nest around here i#blackheath #greenwich #lewisham - why not anymore? Mix of joy/sadness This 1 is for @joebeale.bsky.social youtu.be/W8zSOszVqCg #birds #nature #wildlife #UrbanNature #urbanwildlife

youtu.be

My first Lesser-spotted woodpecker nest in 20 Years – in Italy! 🪵🔭🪶

YouTube video by Dusty Gedge

181

Joseph Beale @joebeale.bsky.social · 02/05/2025

Great and informative video, Dusty! I had a look the next day but didn't see it there. Walls do seem to be on the rebound a bit. I'm seeing them around Kent and the Thames Estuary more then before, so there's just possibly a chance we might see others around Blackheath!

220

Joseph Beale @joebeale.bsky.social · 02/05/2025

There's a fair chance of finding something interesting if you look at insects - like this Least Black Arches moth. Few Greenwich records, but it has increased nationally. Blackheath this a.m: a Yellow Wagtail paused on migration to catch insects amongst Dandelions. A benefit of less intense mowing!

Close up of a Least Black Arches moth - a small but attractive moth, finely patterned in black and white

A Least Black Arches moth - a small but attractive moth, finely patterned with chevrons and wavy lines in black and white

070

Joseph Beale @joebeale.bsky.social · 02/05/2025

Well here's #mothfaceFriday. A Centre-barred Sallow looking a bit socially uncomfortable.

A fluffy-faced Centre-barred Sallow moth with what appears to be a slightly alarmed look on its face.

090

Reposted by Joseph Beale

Dusty Gedge @dustygedge.bsky.social · 28/04/2025

A Wall on a Wall - had a #butterfly discovery a few days ago on #blackheath this video goes into detail about said butterfly and its population collapse in London +shout 4 g8 book link in reply#SE #england 4 @joebeale.bsky.social @garrypogson.bsky.social @katemidd.bsky.social youtu.be/fIIDLeYczkw

youtu.be

Amazing Butterfly Discovery Right on the Wall!

YouTube video by Dusty Gedge

351

Joseph Beale @joebeale.bsky.social · 27/04/2025

I agree- they are wonderful! BTW saw my first Swifts of the year from the Marathon start area this morning.

130

Joseph Beale @joebeale.bsky.social · 26/04/2025

I had a brief look this afternoon, saw the wall but not the Wall. But it (and others??) could still be around the grassland and scrub in the area.

000

Joseph Beale @joebeale.bsky.social · 04/04/2025

Apparently #mothfaceFriday is a thing. Well here's one (Elephant Hawk) from Greenwich last summer.

2573

Joseph Beale @joebeale.bsky.social · 28/03/2025

The Dark-edged Bee-flies are back Ted. #Greenwich today.

A Bee-fly hovers as it sips nectar from a Celandine flower.

090

Reposted by Joseph Beale

Garry Pogson @garrypogson.bsky.social · 07/03/2025

My first Comma and first Brimstone of 2025, about 10 yards apart, at Vanbrugh Pits, Greenwich thurs lunchtime. Several years now the same bramble patch has yielded my first comma of the year @joebeale.bsky.social @dustygedge.bsky.social

172

Reposted by Joseph Beale

Dusty Gedge @dustygedge.bsky.social · 03/03/2025

If you live in #lewisham #deptford #blackheath #greenwich or anywhere else #selondon a little video ad for a talk I will be doing locally on #nature #wildlife #birds #greenroofs and #greencities as a local #geezer @joebeale.bsky.social @dohertyta.bsky.social @katemidd.bsky.social

0228

Reposted by Joseph Beale

Kent Field Club @kentfieldclub.bsky.social · 24/02/2025

Old Park in Canterbury is a superb area of acid grassland with a flora including Harebell, Bedstraw (or Clove-scented) Broomrape & Mossy Stonecrop, & loads of Nightingales. The MoD owns it and has put it up for sale. Join the campaign to save this extraordinary site canterburyoldpark.org.uk

The pale blue flowers of Harebell, with grass in the foreground and branbles behind.

A pink flowerhead of Bedstraw Broomrape, amongst grass.

Creeping, red-green stems of Mossy Stonecrop, growing amongst stones and isolated grasses.

35730

Reposted by Joseph Beale

London Natural History Society @lnhs.bsky.social · 12/02/2025

So excited to see this in print🥳 Congratulations Leslie for a very comprehensive guide on London's butterfly species👏 From species distributions to conservation efforts, if you want to ID butterfly species or conserve them, then this is the guide for you🦋📖 www.naturebureau.co.uk/the-butterfl...

2425

Reposted by Joseph Beale

London Natural History Society @lnhs.bsky.social · 09/02/2025

Hello Bluesky! We've just joined and are looking forward to meeting likeminded societies and people! The LNHS is a local natural history society concerned with recording the wildlife of London, covering a 20-mile radius from St. Paul's Cathedral. #UKWildlife #LondonWildlife

A lovely male tufted duck photographed at Hampstead Heath in January. It is floating in a greenish pond, and is mainly black with white on the side of his abdomen. His head is black with some purple irridescence, his beak is grey and his eye yellow. He is facing to the right.

611125

Joseph Beale @joebeale.bsky.social · 23/01/2025

Good news for Swanscombe SSSI's exceptional wildlife, and for the local community! Swanscombe - a site rich in natural wonders, from orchids to Nightingales - has been under threat for years from an ill-conceived theme park. Also nice to see my photo in use 🙂 community.rspb.org.uk/ourwork/b/rs...

community.rspb.org.uk

Swanscombe Peninsula outcome showcases the power of your dedicated campaigning

“The RSPB is delighted that Swanscombe Peninsula has been saved for wildlife - it is an amazing Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), alive with birds, wildflowers

182

Joseph Beale @joebeale.bsky.social · 22/01/2025

Thanks very much to the Vanbrugh Volunteers who helped with a bit of habitat management in #Greenwich on Sunday. It's to maintain a dynamic mix of habitats of varying structure, openness, and stages of growth, to maximise the benefit to wildlife. We also cleared a fair bit of litter!

Volunteers managing some Gorse at Vanbrugh Pits, Greenwich, to start the process of regrowth, to maintain a dynamic mix of heights and ages of scrub. This allows wildflowers and grasses to grow in the temporary clearing before the Gorse grows back.

Volunteers pushing the bramble line back to help maintain the rough grassland and create some sunny open spots for invertebrates at Vanbrugh Pits, Greenwich.

A great bunch of people, those who were still there at the end of the volunteer session! Thanks to our volunteers we are keeping the habitat dynamic where possible, allowing a varied mix of vegetation types, open spaces, dense scrub and regrowth. This helps to maximise the value for invertebrates and to prevent the habitat becoming uniform.

Small Copper butterfly is one of the many insects that benefits from habitat work at Vanbrugh Pits (this photo was taken not far away in a previous summer, and is for illustrative purposes here). They are small orange and black butterflies that are resident at Vanbrugh Pits. They lay eggs on Sheep's Sorrel, which grows amongst the Gorse stumps before it regrows. They feed at ragwort and other flowers, which also appreciate sunny clearings that result from the habitat work. We look forward to seeing them again in May.

181

Reposted by Joseph Beale

kmfm news @kmfmnews.bsky.social · 21/01/2025

VIDEO: Buglife are among conservation groups welcoming news the company behind plans for a theme park on the Swanscombe peninsula has gone into liquidation #kmfmnews

141

Reposted by Joseph Beale

Rather Good Art @rathergoodart.bsky.social · 08/01/2025

The Eric Ravilious Wood Engraving Postcard Collection (Selborne). Six beautiful postcards featuring wood engravings produced by Eric Ravilious to illustrate an edition of his favourite book, ‘A Natural History of Selborne’. www.rathergoodart.co.uk/product/eric... #ericravilious #rathergoodart

Six wood engravings by Eric Ravilious, created for the book 'A Natural History of Selborne' by Gilbert White.

0369

Joseph Beale @joebeale.bsky.social · 19/12/2024

Some beautiful insects from 2024 in #Greenwich_Park. Brindled Green new to the Park, Ferdinandea cuprea hoverfly on a tree trunk also likely new for the site, Metalampra italica a small #moth also new here but spreading and frequent; larvae may eat fungi. Oak Hook-tip, a finely patterned species.

Brindled Green, a superbly camouflaged moth with greens, blacks, greys and some orange-pink.

Ferdinandea cuprea, a large woodland hoverfly with a golden abdomen, that likes damaged wood with sap.

Metalampra italica, a small ginger moth with straw-yellow lines and blotches.

Oak Hook-tip, a perfect individual with orange, grey and black shading.

0171

Joseph Beale @joebeale.bsky.social · 19/12/2024

When is the deadline please?

100

Joseph Beale @joebeale.bsky.social · 19/12/2024

It can't get much more urban than this beautiful Red Underwing which I found inside a 2nd floor department of Lewisham Hospital last September! I managed to catch it, to the bemusement of medical staff, and released it that evening in a location with plenty of trees.

A Red Underwing moth in a container before being released somewhere more suitable. It is showing its intricately patterned, camouflaged upperwings and a little of its red and black hindwings.

151

Reposted by Joseph Beale

Florence @florencewilkinson.bsky.social · 17/12/2024

In the spirit of Christmas (and seeing as I’m new here) I thought I’d host a little #giveaway. For the chance to win* a signed copy of my book, Wild City, which came out in paperback this year: 1. Share this post 2. Comment with your favourite wild species that you’ve spotted in an urban setting!

243124

Reposted by Joseph Beale

Helen Day @lbflyawayhome.bsky.social · 15/12/2024

Other work by the Ladybird artists ‘Gusty Twilight’ Artist: CF Tunnicliffe

443462

Joseph Beale @joebeale.bsky.social · 15/12/2024

Blimey! Blakiston's Fish Owl too?

100