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Join us tomorrow for talks and informal chats about wildlife in the Cynon Valley and help shape the next phase of the 'Our Cwm Cynon' project. ⬇️

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Liam Olds @liamolds.bsky.social · 27/09/2026

🌿 Help shape a new wildlife & heritage project in the Ogmore Valley! @gloinatur.bsky.social are exploring a potential project at Ogmore Washeries and Wyndham/Western Colliery, bringing wildlife, coal-mining heritage and community activities together. We’d love to hear from local people! 👇

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Liam Olds @liamolds.bsky.social · 07/08/2026

The Gaer Hill Fort BioBlitz is taking place this Saturday in Newport. There'll be guided wildlife walks led by some of Wales' leading naturalists, plus plenty of family activities....and it's all FREE!!! Do join us if you can and help us to record as many species as we can at this historic site.

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Liam Olds @liamolds.bsky.social · 04/08/2026

Join me on guided pollinator walks at Margam Country Park tomorrow (Wed 5th August) ⬇️

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Glo i Natur CIC @gloinatur.bsky.social · 29/07/2026

🌸🐝 Buzzing Through Margam: A Pollinator Walk Join Glo i Natur CIC for a guided walk through Margam Country Park to discover the fascinating world of pollinators. 📅 5th Aug 🕙 10–12 | 🕐 1–3 🎟️ Free (booking essential) 🔗 www.trybooking.com/uk/GMMH #Pollinators #GloiNatur #Margam #NeathPortTalbot

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Glo i Natur CIC @gloinatur.bsky.social · 26/07/2026

Then join us on Sat 8 Aug (10am–4pm) for a day of FREE wildlife activities! 🦎 Guided walks 🦋 Moth reveal 🔍 Nature treasure hunts 🪵 Willow weaving, bug hunting & crafts 🌿 Wildlife stalls ☕ Free refreshments 📍 Gaer Hill Fort, Newport (via Wells Close, NP20 3LJ) 🧵⬇️

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Glo i Natur CIC @gloinatur.bsky.social · 26/07/2026

🌿🦇🐞 Join us for the Gaer Hill Fort BioBlitz! The BioBlitz begins on Friday evening with a guided bat walk led by local bat expert Peter Wilton-Jones. 🦇 Friday 7th August 🕣 8:45pm–10:30pm 🎟️ Free, but booking essential 📍 Gaer Hill Fort, Newport 🔗 www.trybooking.com/uk/GTIH 🧵⬇️

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Glo i Natur CIC @gloinatur.bsky.social · 23/07/2026

Our programme includes events in Aberdare, Loughor, Margam, Newport, Neath, Gower, Blaenavon, Port Talbot, Gwaun-Cae-Gurwen and more, with activities suitable for beginners, wildlife enthusiasts and families alike. We'd love to see you there!

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Bumblebee Conservation Trust @bumblebeetrust.bsky.social · 21/07/2026

New BeeWalk data shows that extreme temperatures can cause bumblebee colonies to decline and populations to shrink the following spring. With more intense heatwaves on the horizon, some of our most cherished species could be pushed to the brink. Read more: ow.ly/JMNs50ZqHir

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Liam Olds @liamolds.bsky.social · 21/07/2026

Join @valelnp.bsky.social and myself at Aberthaw Nature Reserve this Friday (24th July) as we search for the darkling beetle Helops caeruleus - a rare species in Wales. 🎟️ Free: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/lost-and-f...

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Liam Olds @liamolds.bsky.social · 20/07/2026

On Thursday, Christian and I were at Kenfig NNR showcasing the rare invertebrates that are qualifying features of the SSSI to colleagues from NRW. Highlights included the jumping spider Phlegra fasciata and numerous White-spotted False Widows (Steatoda albomaculata), including spiderlings.

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South East Wales Biodiversity Records Centre @sewbrec.org.uk · 14/07/2026

FREE Habitat courses! Interested in learning how to identify and record different types of habitats? Join SEWBReC & @rctcouncil.bsky.social Ecology team at Pant Marsh #Pontyclun and Dare Valley Country Park #Aberdare this summer. Booking essential, email info@sewbrec.org.uk to secure a space.

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Liam Olds @liamolds.bsky.social · 13/07/2026

Join me this Wednesday for a sand dune invertebrate training day ⬇️

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Liam Olds @liamolds.bsky.social · 02/07/2026

Wales Nature Week is almost upon us! Join me at Pembrey Country Park on Thursday 9th July for two FREE guided insect walks as part of 'Gone Wild' - a day of nature celebrations 🐝🦋 #WalesNatureWeek #Carmarthenshire #Nature #Wildlife #Events #Pembrey #GoneWild #Llanelli

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Liam Olds @liamolds.bsky.social · 30/06/2026

Pantaloon Bees! Rained off on today's survey at Merthyr Mawr National Nature Reserve, but worth getting drenched to see lots of Pantaloon Bees (Dasypoda hirtipes) nesting in the sand 😀 One of my (many) favourite British bees 💚

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Liam Olds @liamolds.bsky.social · 29/06/2026

Join me this Wednesday for a hands-on training day into meadow invertebrates ⬇️

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Liam Olds @liamolds.bsky.social · 24/06/2026

Found another 'Bee City' at Castlemartin Range, Pembrokeshire. No activity but plenty of evidence of the Golden-fringed Mason Bees nesting in the discarded brass ammunition casings. Casings supporting bee larvae have a leaf mastic (chewed plant material) plug. Added a few extra casings too ☺️

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Liam Olds @liamolds.bsky.social · 21/06/2026

Today was my first visit to the 'Bee City' at Castlemartin Range, Pembrokeshire, since April. This extraordinary population of Golden-ringed Mason Bee (Osmia aurulenta) nest in empty ammunition casings - an incredible adaptation to living on an activity military site!

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Cofnod Local Environmental Records Centre @cofnod.org.uk · 17/06/2026

Great trip with NRW & @naturambyth.bsky.social to look for rare fen inverts at Cors Geirch NNR. Idiocera sexguttata (Cranefly), Ground Beetle Chlaenius tristis (only UK site), Attulus caricis. @graemelyons.bsky.social @liamolds.bsky.social @dipteristsforum.bsky.social @britishspiders.bsky.social

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Glo i Natur CIC @gloinatur.bsky.social · 17/06/2026

🦋 #Clearwing #Moth #Training – this Friday! Learn how to identify and survey for the Six-belted Clearwing, a day-flying moth associated with flower-rich grasslands and coal spoil habitats. 📅 Fri 19 June 📍 Blaenserchan Valley LNR, #Pontypool, #Torfaen 🎟️ Free 🔗 www.eventbrite.com/e/moth-phero...

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Liam Olds @liamolds.bsky.social · 16/06/2026

Chuffed to see the damsel bug Himacerus boops at Kenfig Burrows today - a species that I've encountered only a couple of occasions in 11 years of recording bugs. This species appears (to me) to be genuinely scarce in the UK, and certainly rare within the context of Wales.

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Liam Olds @liamolds.bsky.social · 16/06/2026

Back at Kenfig Burrows today with Christian Owen, searching for some of the reserve's rarest invertebrates for NRW. We managed to find 3 target species, including the false widow spider Steatoda albomaculata. We found two individuals — a male and female (in the photo). @britishspiders.bsky.social

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Liam Olds @liamolds.bsky.social · 14/06/2026

Fancy brushing up on your pollinator ID? Join us at Singleton Park, Swansea, today 👇

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Glo i Natur CIC @gloinatur.bsky.social · 13/06/2026

🌿🕷️ A record turnout for today's Fenland Wonders walk at Pant-y-Sais Fen! The sun finally appeared and so did some incredible wildlife. Highlights included large numbers of the rare reed beetle Plateumaris bracata — we recorded more individuals today than have ever been recorded in Wales before! 🤯

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Tegwyn @arachnoteg.bsky.social · 13/06/2026

Visit to a garden centre I haven't looked around in before produced two Marpissa muscosa and a Holocnemus pluchei. I know not many records in my VC41 for either. Went to check but the BAS ATLAS has an 'elasticsearch' error. @britishspiders.bsky.social @cofnod.org.uk @sewbrec.org.uk

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Joey Pickard @bootlegbryos.bsky.social · 13/06/2026

Cracking walk today at Pant y Sais fen led by Liam, Sparrow & Carys from @gloinatur.bsky.social , even managed to see the Fen Raft Spider in full nursery mode protecting its eggs. Hopefully the first of many peatland specialist inverts for me this summer!

A fen raft spider protecting its egg sack. The spider is facing to the right of the photo

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South East Wales Biodiversity Records Centre @sewbrec.org.uk · 12/06/2026

Like to learn about recording habitats? Join us and @rctcouncil.bsky.social at Dare Valley Park on 25th June for FREE training on identifying grassland and heathland habitats and how to record them. Booking is essential, please email info@sewbrec.org.uk to secure a space.

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Caroline Lucas @carolinelucas.bsky.social · 12/06/2026

Good news! Ministers have finally given green light to new #NaturalHistory GCSE. We’ve campaigned so long for this! Big hats off to tireless advocate Mary Colwell 🙌 Now our young people will have a chance to get to know & love the natural world, to feel awe & wonder, & gain skills to protect it 🌷🌳🦡

theguardian.com

Natural history GCSE to teach teenagers to plant wildflower-friendly gardens

Long-awaited course to examine human effects on natural world and explore everyday ways to aid biodiversity

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Glo i Natur CIC @gloinatur.bsky.social · 12/06/2026

🔍🦋 Learn to survey for the Six-belted Clearwing at Blaenserchan Valley LNR, Pontypool! 📅 19 June 🎟️ Free Discover how to identify this fascinating day-flying moth, its coal spoil habitat, and how pheromone lures can be used to find it. Further info & booking at www.eventbrite.com/e/moth-phero...

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South East Wales Biodiversity Records Centre @sewbrec.org.uk · 12/06/2026

#RecordOfTheWeek today is a gorgeous Golden-ringed Dragonfly (Cordulegaster boltonii) in Cefn Golau Cemetery during a Glo i Natur BioBlitz. It's Love Your Burial Grounds Week, an annual celebration of nature & history from @caringforgodsacre.bsky.social Photo © Liam Olds #ChurchesCountOnNature

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Glo i Natur CIC @gloinatur.bsky.social · 11/06/2026

🌿⛪ A great finale to #LoveYourBurialGroundWeek at St Illtyd's Church, #Aberbeeg! Despite cool weather, we recorded ~160 species in the flower-rich churchyard. Thanks to everyone who joined us, the Friends Of group for refreshments, and #BlaenauGwent & Torfaen LNP for supporting the event. 💚

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Glo i Natur CIC @gloinatur.bsky.social · 11/06/2026

🔍 Bryn Tip Biodiversity Discovery Day – Postponed & Rearranged 🔍 Unfortunately, due to poor weather, we have made the decision to postpone tomorrow's event. 📅 New date: Friday 17th July 2026 🔗 www.trybooking.com/uk/GEJV Thank you for your understanding, and we hope to see you in July!

trybooking.com

Bryn Tip - Biodiversity Discovery Day

Join Glo i Natur CIC at Bryn Tip Local Nature Reserve for a Biodiversity Discovery Day. This training event will introduce participants to the...

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Liam Olds @liamolds.bsky.social · 08/06/2026

Great day today recording wildlife at Cefn Golau Cemetery, Tredegar. Join us at St Illtyds Church on Wednesday from 10 AM to 1 PM.

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Glo i Natur CIC @gloinatur.bsky.social · 07/06/2026

🌿⛪ It's #LoveYourBurialGroundWeek! Join us & Blaenau Gwent LNP as we BioBlitz two local burial grounds, recording as much wildlife as possible. 📍 Cefn Golau Cemetery, Tredegar 🗓️ 8 June, 10am–1pm 📍 St Illtyds Church, Aberbeeg 🗓️ 10 June, 10am–1pm 📧 carl.todd@blaenau-gwent.gov.uk

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Glo i Natur CIC @gloinatur.bsky.social · 06/06/2026

🌿🕷️ Join Liam Olds & Christian Owen for a guided walk through one of Wales' most important wetlands, searching for rare and specialised invertebrates. 📅 13 June 🕚 11am–1pm 📍 Pant-y-Sais NNR, Jersey Marine 🎟️ Free (booking required) 🔗 www.trybooking.com/uk/GEKG ⚠️ Limited spaces.

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Liam Olds @liamolds.bsky.social · 04/06/2026

Together with a team of excellent volunteers, we found close to 50 adults of the scarce darkling beetle Helops caeruleus at Gileston last Friday. All found beneath driftwood on the shingle ridge. Also a good range of other dead wood associates. Survey undertaken for Vale of Glamorgan LNP.

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South East Wales Biodiversity Records Centre @sewbrec.org.uk · 04/06/2026

Free #Dragonfly and #Damselfly course in south Wales! Join SEWBReC and Odonata expert Steve Preddy at #MagorMarsh on 19th June to learn about this fascinating group of insects. Email info@sewbrec.org.uk to secure a space.

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Glo i Natur CIC @gloinatur.bsky.social · 04/06/2026

📺🌿 Yesterday, Liam met Stacey Dooley in Maerdy during filming for the new BBC series 'Stacey Dooley Cleans Up'. With the former Maerdy Colliery nearby, it was a great opportunity to discuss the wildlife value of South Wales' coal legacy landscapes. Looking forward to seeing it on TV in 2027! 💚

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The Wildlife Trust SW Wales Swansea Group @wtswwswanseagroup.bsky.social · 01/06/2026

Liam is a passionate advocate for coal spoil sites. Some of them have more biodiversity than ancient woodlands yet most remain unprotected. The good news for Parc Melin Mynach, Gorseinon is that it’s on the list for potential designation by Swansea Council as a Local Nature Reserve. 🤞 💚

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The Wildlife Trust SW Wales Swansea Group @wtswwswanseagroup.bsky.social · 01/06/2026

Big thanks to Liam Olds of @gloinatur.bsky.social for leading an excellent walk yesterday looking at the wildlife wonders of a coal spoil site at Gorseinon, Swansea. We had a full turn-out to see how the area of coal mine which closed in 1969 has become a haven of biodiversity!

Liam Olds showing the group, appropriately for the site, a mining bee!

A Swollen-thighed Flower Beetle on a blackberry flower

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Glo i Natur CIC @gloinatur.bsky.social · 30/05/2026

📢🌿 June Events Now Open for Booking! 🌿📢 Our June events are now open for bookings, with a varied programme of FREE events taking place across Blaenau Gwent, Neath Port Talbot, Swansea and Torfaen this month. Visit our Facebook, Instagram or LinkedIn pages for the full list and booking details.

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The Wildlife Trust SW Wales Swansea Group @wtswwswanseagroup.bsky.social · 30/05/2026

Due to cancellations TWO places free for tomorrow's coal spoil adventure in Swansea with expert entomologist Liam Olds! 🦟🪲🐝 Book via Eventbrite. @gloinatur.bsky.social

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Liam Olds @liamolds.bsky.social · 30/05/2026

We've got so many guided walks and training events scheduled across South Wales in June!

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Liam Olds @liamolds.bsky.social · 29/05/2026

Phew, what a busy fortnight it's been to round off May! Over the past two weeks, we’ve carried out surveys at Merthyr Mawr NNR, along the Wales Coast Path at Llanelli, in woodland at Llandeilo, and in woodlands in the lower Neath Valley...and all alongside many guided walks and training events.

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Liam Olds @liamolds.bsky.social · 28/05/2026

Join myself and the @valelnp.bsky.social this Friday (29th May) as we explore the coastline around Aberthaw on the hunt for the scarce darkling beetle Helops caeruleus. For further info and booking, visit: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/lost-and-f...

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Journal of Hymenoptera Research @jhr.pensoft.net · 18/05/2026

New comprehensive study on the revision of the #bee genus Andrena in the southern Balkans, which covers a total of 273 species (28 of which are #endemic to the region) and includes a complete identification key to facilitate further research: doi.org/10.3897/jhr.... #DNAbarcoding #taxonomy

Andrena (Euandrena) pileata Warncke, 1975 male.

Andrena (Euandrena) rufitibialis Friese, 1899 lectotype female (ZMHB). A. Label information; B. Habitus, lateral view; C. Scutum, dorsal view; D. Metasoma, dorsal view.

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Liam Olds @liamolds.bsky.social · 13/05/2026

Out again last night in the lower Neath Valley searching for the rare Blue Ground Beetle (Carabus intricatus) with my colleague Christian 'Sparrow' Owen. We were pleased to find 5 adults in a woodland with only one previous record (prior to our surveys this year). Survey undertaken for NRW.

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The Wildlife Trust SW Wales Swansea Group @wtswwswanseagroup.bsky.social · 11/05/2026

Booking has just opened for our group's next event - a guided walk with entomologist Liam Olds and @gloinatur.bsky.social colleagues to explore the Wonderful World of Coal Spoil at Gorseinon, Swansea on Sunday May 31st. Join us! 😀 💚 www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/the-wonder...

eventbrite.co.uk

The Wonderful Wildlife of Coal Spoil

Join us for a guided walk with entomologist Liam Olds to explore the coal spoil habitats of Parc Melin Mynach, Gorseinon, Swansea.

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Liam Olds @liamolds.bsky.social · 09/05/2026

Lovely surprise when walking up the garden this morning - Green Tiger Beetle 💚 Garw Valley, Bridgend

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Liam Olds @liamolds.bsky.social · 09/05/2026

On Wednesday, myself and Christian 'Sparrow' Owen were out at Cefn Sidan Sands, Pembrey, searching for Dune Tiger Beetle (Cicindela maritima). We recorded around 87 adults, as well as several other notable invertebrates, such as the Nationally Rare clown beetle Hypocaccus crassipes.

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