iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Mandy Forde @mandyforde.bsky.social · 07/10/2026

Wonderful. Will you get to see the adult emerge before you come back to UK or does it take too long?

Mandy Forde @mandyforde.bsky.social · 13/09/2026

Can't believe it's the end of the #Wildflowerhour challenge season already. So here's Marsh Pennywort which I was thrilled to finally find in full bloom (though the flowers are tiny) this August after years of searching. #FavouritePlant #Anglesey @angleseyfloragroup.bsky.social

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Mandy Forde @mandyforde.bsky.social · 06/09/2026

Tutsan berries looking rather scrumptious, although they're NOT edible #Wildflowerhour #Fruits

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Mandy Forde @mandyforde.bsky.social · 06/09/2026

Couldn't resist my annual photo op for #Wildflowerhour #Fruits week, so here's Barley helping himself (as usual) to the local Blackberries

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Mandy Forde @mandyforde.bsky.social · 06/09/2026

Couldn't agree more. Each time I've moved house it's been a right hassle trying to contact the companies. There should just be one scheme.

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Mandy Forde @mandyforde.bsky.social · 03/09/2026

At least 30 Swallows flying around the house today. Looks like they're gathering ready to set off for Africa. Their chattering is glorious.

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Mandy Forde @mandyforde.bsky.social · 02/09/2026

Two colour forms of moth caterpillars Bright-line-brown-eye found a few inches away from each other, one on Knapweed the other on Wild Carrot #WildWebsWednesday #TeamMoth

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Mandy Forde @mandyforde.bsky.social · 30/08/2026

For this week's #Wildflowerhour challenge #Seedheads here's the fruits of Bog-myrtle doing a pretty good impersonation of tiny Pine cones

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Mandy Forde @mandyforde.bsky.social · 30/08/2026

A reminder of the joy of taking a closer look to see the beauty in nature. It was the symmetry that first caught my eye, but close-up the seeds of Wild Angelica are absolutely stunning. Zoom in to see 🕵️ #SeedHeads #Wildflowerhour

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Mandy Forde @mandyforde.bsky.social · 23/08/2026

Bending the rules slightly for this week's #Wildflowerhour challenge #WallPlants Here's Rock Samphire growing in a natural 'wall' on Traeth Mawr #Anglesey

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Mandy Forde @mandyforde.bsky.social · 23/08/2026

In previous years I've searched for Autumn Lady's-tresses but not found them. This year I wasn't looking but was so pleased to stumble across these most delicate beauties. #Wildflowerhour #Anglesey #Orchid

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Mandy Forde @mandyforde.bsky.social · 19/08/2026

Brilliant thanks 😃 Makes sense on Skullcap. So two new Sawfly caterpillars for me this week.

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Mandy Forde @mandyforde.bsky.social · 19/08/2026

Carried away by the moment, Leaf Beetles not on leaves but on a flower bud. Possibly Sphaeroderma testaceum on Soapwort #WildWebsWednesday

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Mandy Forde @mandyforde.bsky.social · 19/08/2026

A new species for me yesterday, Diprion pini, Pine Sawfly caterpillars, appropriately enough on Scots Pine #Wildwebswednesday #sawflies

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Mandy Forde @mandyforde.bsky.social · 18/08/2026

Ooh I don't feel so bad now seeing as I said 10

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Mandy Forde @mandyforde.bsky.social · 17/08/2026

They're most active late afternoon onwards, resting low on the stalks like in the photo earlier. Look for signs of the plants being nibbled, then look harder on those plants. Good luck 🤞

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Mandy Forde @mandyforde.bsky.social · 16/08/2026

Red Bartsia, Odontites vernus with #CommonNames Red Rattle and Red Eyebright. I think I'd call it Dainty Ladies Bonnets #Wildflowerhour

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Mandy Forde @mandyforde.bsky.social · 16/08/2026

Here's Soapwort, Saponia officinalis aka Bouncing Bet, Sweet Betty and many names related to it's use as an alternative to soap, including my favourite Crow Soap. #CommonNames #Wildflowerhour Apparently it's scent is attractive to Hawk-moths so guess where I'm going as soon as I've posted this...

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Mandy Forde @mandyforde.bsky.social · 15/08/2026

Use less power during the eclipse & get an hour's worth of free electric on Sunday said @octopus.energy What a disappointing reward. Free energy for an hour during the one hour when it's forecast to be sunny tomorrow. Hardly a viable reward for customers with solar 🙄 #OctopusPowerHour

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Mandy Forde @mandyforde.bsky.social · 15/08/2026

I had exactly the same spectacle in my garden two days ago with Swallows. Amazing to watch.

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Mandy Forde @mandyforde.bsky.social · 14/08/2026

You'd be most welcome to stay at Cerrig Cottages 🙂 We're hosting the BSBI Wales AGM next June on Anglesey.

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Mandy Forde @mandyforde.bsky.social · 14/08/2026

We were doing a survey for Juncus capitatus so were luckily in macro mode. I'd previously searched in my meadow but the growth there is so dense, here the plants were well spaced out in the sand & thankfully no grass obscuring the flowers.

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Reposted by Mandy Forde

The Species Recovery Trust @speciesrecovery.bsky.social · 13/08/2026

Our very own @trevorthebotanist.bsky.social has been out surveying Field Gentians in north Wales - and had a bit of a surprise!

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Mandy Forde @mandyforde.bsky.social · 12/08/2026

Is it April 1st? No sign of any eclipse on the Isle of Anglesey 🤷 #Octoeclipse

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Mandy Forde @mandyforde.bsky.social · 12/08/2026

Not been able to stop talking photos of insects this week, for which I offer no apology. I grow Rosebay Willowherb in the hope of seeing these fantastic creatures, Elephant Hawk-moth caterpillars. Plant it and they will come #WildWebsWednesday #TeamMoth @cofnod.org.uk @savebutterflies.bsky.social

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Mandy Forde @mandyforde.bsky.social · 12/08/2026

Dolycoris baccarum, Hairy Sheildbug on the hairy stem of Devil's-bit Scabious #WildWebsWednesday

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Mandy Forde @mandyforde.bsky.social · 12/08/2026

Rose Chafer not especially camouflaged on Knapweed #WildWebsWednesday

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Mandy Forde @mandyforde.bsky.social · 12/08/2026

I'm invariably wrong with my spider id 🙄 but I'm thinking these might be male & female Four-spotted Orb Weavers, Araneus quadratus. Spotted just now in my #Anglesey meadow for #WildWebsWednesday @cofnod.org.uk

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Mandy Forde @mandyforde.bsky.social · 09/08/2026

So pleased to finally find Marsh Pennywort flowers this week. Flowers nestled below the leaves like little jewels. How cute are they 😍 #Wildflowerhour

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Mandy Forde @mandyforde.bsky.social · 09/08/2026

For this week's #Wildflowerhour challenge #DaisyFamily here's Common Fleabane looking like it's disc floret is made of honeycomb 😋

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Mandy Forde @mandyforde.bsky.social · 05/08/2026

Blimey Jim, that'll make me spend all day out in the garden looking for them 😆

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Mandy Forde @mandyforde.bsky.social · 04/08/2026

Thanks Donna. We saw one earlier in the day but didn't manage a photo. Then just before we got back to the car we saw another 4. So pleased to get the photo 😃

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Mandy Forde @mandyforde.bsky.social · 04/08/2026

After flitting around like a demented mosquito desperately following the butterfly determined to get a photo, so pleased when it finally landed. My first Clouded Yellow sighting in 9 years. #Aberffraw #Anglesey #WildWebsWednesday @savebutterflies.bsky.social @cofnod.org.uk

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Mandy Forde @mandyforde.bsky.social · 02/08/2026

A close up of the almost alien looking flowers of Portland Spurge, Euphorbia portlandica photographed on the dunes at Aberffraw #Anglesey #Wildflowerhour #ByTheSea

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Mandy Forde @mandyforde.bsky.social · 02/08/2026

Grass-of-Parnassus in the dunes at Aberffraw #Anglesey Just a few minutes walk to the beach so I'm including it #ByTheSea #Wildflowerhour

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Mandy Forde @mandyforde.bsky.social · 02/08/2026

Spotted just now on the edge of my meadow Painted Lady caterpillar on Creeping Thistle. First ever sighting of the caterpillar so a little dance of excitement ensued. #Anglesey @savebutterflies.bsky.social @cofnod.org.uk

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Mandy Forde @mandyforde.bsky.social · 31/07/2026

I had the same issue yesterday when I saw Wall and Clouded Yellow. I'm sure there used to be an 'other' section or 'notes' a few years ago.

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Mandy Forde @mandyforde.bsky.social · 26/07/2026

Can't recall ever seeing Carline Thistle in it's flowering stage before, always see the dried plants in Autumn and Winter. Here it is in all it's stunning glory, seen on Aberffraw dunes today #Anglesey #Wildflowerhour

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