iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Margi Bryant @margibryant.bsky.social · 07/09/2026

My son and daughter-in-law proudly describe themselves with a new (new to me, anyway) acronym: they're DINKWADs (Double Income No Kids With A Dog)!

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Margi Bryant @margibryant.bsky.social · 21/07/2026

Mostly just fields but there's one property not too far away, formerly a derelict farmhouse now renovated. Maybe there are cultivated snowdrops there. Can't check because access to the property is all strictly private!

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Margi Bryant @margibryant.bsky.social · 12/07/2026

Thank you for this info! I didn't dare venture onto the RHS site because I know snowdrops are a vastly varied and complex field of study. But I'm bemused by a cultivated snowdrop growing beside a river in a field full of sheep, well away from the nearest garden!

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Margi Bryant @margibryant.bsky.social · 03/07/2026

Nice! I've been regularly snorting a line of lavender when walking past overhanging bushes in people's front gardens.

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Margi Bryant @margibryant.bsky.social · 05/06/2026

Mangroves also store incredible amounts of carbon, as the article also mentions, which has huge benefits globally. I once spent a fascinating (and very muddy) couple of weeks measuring mangrove root systems in Kenya for a project to assess the amount of carbon they held.

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Margi Bryant @margibryant.bsky.social · 03/06/2026

Rather thrilled to see this Wall butterfly basking in sunshine on the footpath just ahead of me. They're supposed to be coastal but this was beside an inland reservoir. According to britainsfavouritebutterfly.co.uk they're rare, flashy and fussy. Unfortunately I'd already voted for a different one!

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Margi Bryant @margibryant.bsky.social · 15/05/2026

One of them has gone for the Lulworth Skipper, which is very niche! But he did grow up in Dorset.

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Margi Bryant @margibryant.bsky.social · 15/05/2026

That's wonderful, thank you so much Nic! I joined Bluesky last year and I've just posted about my first published piece of nature writing (I did remember the tag that time!). And I've also now got everyone at the conservation NGO where I do freelance work voting for their favourite butterfly!

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Margi Bryant @margibryant.bsky.social · 15/05/2026

I deleted my post and did it again, this time with the tag! But I'd still love to know if I could go tag-less, because I often forget to add it and I'd be grateful for the extra 15 characters!

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Margi Bryant @margibryant.bsky.social · 15/05/2026

I voted for this one because I love the complex squiggles on their upper wings and because I've seen them so often as the silver (washed) lining gracing otherwise pesky bracken on the woodland floor. #naturewriting britainsfavouritebutterfly.co.uk/butterfly/si...

britainsfavouritebutterfly.co.uk

Silver-washed Fritillary - Britain’s Favourite Butterfly

The Silver-Washed Fritillary is one of the 60 beautiful butterflies found across the UK. Will it be Britain's Favourite Butterfly?

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Margi Bryant @margibryant.bsky.social · 15/05/2026

I've just shared my favourite butterfly vote but forgot to tag it #naturewriting! Is there any way that all my posts could default to this feed without my adding the tag? I've noticed that posts from a lot of regular contributors don't include the tag. My posts will always be about nature & writing!

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Margi Bryant @margibryant.bsky.social · 15/05/2026

Good luck, Erica! I took a similar plunge myself, not for the first time, six months ago. The paid work builds up slowly, while I keep my Bluesky posts for the fun stuff.

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Margi Bryant @margibryant.bsky.social · 14/05/2026

Delighted to share my first published nature writing, in SMP's Creatives strand. I love that they interpret mountaineering as anything inspired by Scotland’s landscape and nature. @scotrewilding.bsky.social @saveourwildcats.bsky.social #naturewriting scottishmountaineeringpress.com/creatives/pu...

scottishmountaineeringpress.com

Callie - Scottish Mountaineering Press

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Margi Bryant @margibryant.bsky.social · 13/05/2026

Looks like the Fair Folk have already been at work magicking up some lovely hedgerow flowers!

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Margi Bryant @margibryant.bsky.social · 01/04/2026

They could at least have got the number of eggs right!

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Margi Bryant @margibryant.bsky.social · 31/03/2026

Well if humans are part of nature, which we are, I guess cats are too! They like being outdoors as much as we do, but the trick is to keep them indoors at night. And to have them wear noisy bells on their collars. All the cats I've ever had have followed these guidelines and never killed anything.

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Margi Bryant @margibryant.bsky.social · 29/03/2026

Wonderful! I'll be in Scotland in late April and will try to get to Charlotte's exhibition. I love what I've seen of her work!

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Margi Bryant @margibryant.bsky.social · 29/03/2026

So sorry I'll miss this launch. I could normally get over to Glossop easily but I'll be on the Isle of Mull in late April. I'll definitely buy the book though!

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Reposted by Margi Bryant

Ian Rotherham @ianthewildside.bsky.social · 25/03/2026

Wilder Visions & the Urban Wild - Creating and Managing Meadows and Scrub Conference this May www.facebook.com/reel/2273715...

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Margi Bryant @margibryant.bsky.social · 28/03/2026

I've got one of those on my mantlepiece. A replica of course, bought from the British Museum. I love him to bits!

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Margi Bryant @margibryant.bsky.social · 28/03/2026

Delighted but a bit bemused to see this plant beside the River Derwent. I thought it was a snowdrop but it seems to have too many inner petals. There's another, not in flower, close by, but no others. Apart from trees fringing the river, the land here is open fields. Can anyone confirm what it is?

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Margi Bryant @margibryant.bsky.social · 26/03/2026

I so identify with your take on this! Awareness of possible risks must not stop us claiming our right to the outdoors. I'm sure you know Elizabeth Austen's wonderful poem and its defiant conclusion: "The girl who goes alone says with her body the world is worth the risk." vimeo.com/78439954

vimeo.com

Elizabeth Austen: The Girl Who Goes Alone

Elizabeth Austen performs her poem "The Girl Who Goes Alone" as part of Hedgebrook Rising! at Town Hall Seattle, April 9, 2013. Also performing that night:…

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Margi Bryant @margibryant.bsky.social · 26/03/2026

Hostelling Scotland, the equivalent of England & Wales' YHA, has the same system when you become a member. No GB or UK category, just Scotland, Wales, Ireland (Northern) or England. Really good to be able to put Wales. Must piss off the Ulster Unionists though!

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Margi Bryant @margibryant.bsky.social · 17/03/2026

Indeed! The Wildlife Trust are trying to find out who they belong to, but they can wreak a lot of havoc in the meantime!

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Margi Bryant @margibryant.bsky.social · 17/03/2026

Spotted this little gaggle of intruders in my local nature reserve! They saw me coming and shimmied off along the brook looking guiltily pleased with themselves, like a bunch of kids who've skipped school and headed for the park. (Yes I did dob them in to @wildsheffield.bsky.social). #naturewriting

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Margi Bryant @margibryant.bsky.social · 16/03/2026

Best of luck, Nic. I hope the garden vibes work their magic!

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Margi Bryant @margibryant.bsky.social · 16/03/2026

Thanks for this Nic! I've just signed up. I live opposite a small urban park so have easy access to a survey site, if this park isn't already covered. As it happens I'm also already booked on an online BTO course in bird sound ID, starting tomorrow, which should boost my usefulness for the survey!

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Margi Bryant @margibryant.bsky.social · 12/03/2026

Definitely good news! I'm a bit obsessed with wildcats and sponsor one for this project. It's worth also noting the huge amount of work they've done with www.cats.org.uk & local vets to trap, neuter, vaccinate & release local feral domestic cats, to avoid hybridisation undermining wildcat recovery.

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Margi Bryant @margibryant.bsky.social · 08/03/2026

Oh wow, could even be the same one, a few minutes later! Is that a frog that it's just caught? Poor frog - but herons have to eat.

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Margi Bryant @margibryant.bsky.social · 02/03/2026

I'm definitely a blurry birder too, with deteriorating eyesight and frequently-forgotten binoculars. The LBJs are especially hard to see!

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Margi Bryant @margibryant.bsky.social · 02/03/2026

Signed! I've read about the devastation caused by avian flu to the Bass Rock colony and the hopeful signs of recovery, but I didn't realise this hunt was still going on. Gannets are indeed fabulous. I used to be very familiar with the colony on Grassholm (Pembrokeshire), looked after by the RSPB.

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Margi Bryant @margibryant.bsky.social · 02/03/2026

Definitely buzzard, arcing gracefully on a thermal, as they do.

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Margi Bryant @margibryant.bsky.social · 01/03/2026

Hours of harmless fun can be had imagining scenarios for the bizarre word combinations of What3Words! I prefer an old fashioned grid ref, myself.

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Margi Bryant @margibryant.bsky.social · 28/02/2026

Thanks Jen. I'm looking forward to the next one!

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Margi Bryant @margibryant.bsky.social · 26/02/2026

Fascinating and inspiring discussion with Amy Jane Beer - thank you so much for organising and hosting it so brilliantly!

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Margi Bryant @margibryant.bsky.social · 20/02/2026

Well, for me the correlation was more with working myself into the ground! As well as some "colleagues" consistently making it clear I didn't belong. Yes, great relief to be out of it, albeit on less than half previous income, but happily freelance and able to do more writing. 😊

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Margi Bryant @margibryant.bsky.social · 20/02/2026

Exactly how I felt, until I quit last year! But workloads have also escalated crazily, with redundancies, recruitment freezes & ever-increasing demands on teaching, research, pastoral responsibilities, admin etc. Also in my case, impostor syndrome contributing massively to internalised expectations!

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Margi Bryant @margibryant.bsky.social · 09/02/2026

Oh but I think Kermit would have to be Heathcliff, because he's also othered ("It's not easy being green...")

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Margi Bryant @margibryant.bsky.social · 09/02/2026

I would so love to see "Muppets Wuthering Heights"! It would be a worthy successor to "Muppets Christmas Carol", one of my fave films of all time!

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Margi Bryant @margibryant.bsky.social · 05/02/2026

So sorry to hear this! Look after yourself and get well, that's the most important thing. No hurry to air podcast from my point of view.

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Margi Bryant @margibryant.bsky.social · 05/02/2026

I hope this turned out OK despite my verbal (as well as literal) rambling! Looking forward to hearing it!

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Margi Bryant @margibryant.bsky.social · 30/01/2026

Best of luck David! If it's for the thing that closes tomorrow, then I'm also about to submit mine - just doing my Nth hunt for typos and verbal infelicities. I don't think I have any chance of success but I'm pleased I've written it!

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Margi Bryant @margibryant.bsky.social · 30/01/2026

Ah. that's lovely! I was obliged to knit one when I was at school. It was not a success. My mother cut holes in it and used it as a tea-cosy (if anyone remembers tea-cosies, they pre-dated tea-bags and warm houses, and kept the teapot warm).

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Margi Bryant @margibryant.bsky.social · 30/01/2026

Happy birthday Annie! Lovely to see and hear you on Wild Women yesterday evening, such an inspiring conversation.

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Margi Bryant @margibryant.bsky.social · 30/01/2026

Skomer was my happy place when I worked for Pembrokeshire Coast National Park. You can also stay a few nights as a paying guest. The accommodation is much smarter now than in my time (understandably but regrettably). It's magical when day visitors leave and you almost have the island to yourself.

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Margi Bryant @margibryant.bsky.social · 29/01/2026

It's also possible to volunteer on Skomer for just one week, as long as you apply early and are lucky enough to be accepted. They're always over-subscribed but it's worth a try - it's the most amazing place. Applications for 2027 open on 1 September 2026. www.welshwildlife.org/volunteer-skomer

welshwildlife.org

Volunteer on Skomer | The Wildlife Trust of South and West Wales

Skomer is an amazing island - but it couldn't run without our volunteers! We have short-term and long-term opportunities available, please see below for details.

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Margi Bryant @margibryant.bsky.social · 25/01/2026

Yes, I only got 6 birds in my tiny urban garden, but at least there were 4 species! And it included 2 bluetits, who I don't see that often and are of course a delight.

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