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Mark Bridges

@mbridges.bsky.social
392 followers 903 following 141 posts

London again, after a spell (20+ years) in The United States.

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Mark Bridges @mbridges.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
#BirdOfTheDay #BestBeaks A Heron, Chiswick, London, U.K. @helenbennett.bsky.social
A Heron photographed in Chiswick, London, U.K. Beak, Head and neck fairly close-up.
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Mr and Mrs Trellis @thenorfolkcoast.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
Moths Matter. Will you help create a Red List for Britain’s macro-moths, give these overlooked species the recognition they deserve & help open doors to funding opportunities & inclusion in nature recovery projects for those most at risk of extinction? www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/moths-matter
crowdfunder.co.uk
Moths Matter - Let's give them their moment
Will you help create a Red List for Britain’s macro-moths and give these overlooked species the recognition they deserve?
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Sean Jones KC @seanjones.org · 29/09/2026
The rush to speculate that asylum seekers are responsible for every crime in the news is a sort of opportunistic informational terrorism. Until it’s disproved it stokes fear and hatred. When it is disproved there are no adverse consequences and they know that they only have to be lucky once.
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Alex Andreou @sturdyalex.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
If I never hear from Sharon Graham, ever again, it will be several months too soon. She is typical of the intellectual dishonesty plaguing this country, which demands radical change, but objects to anything actually changing.
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Financial Times @financialtimes.com · 27/09/2026
The Fix Uxbridge Road campaign argues that the stretch between Shepherd’s Bush and Acton Vale is one of the 'hollowed out' high streets that Andy Burnham targeted when he announced a crackdown on vape stores, betting shops and 'rogue businesses'. ft.trib.al/LtWGD4T
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Knepp Wilding @kneppwilding.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
taking advantage of the perfect conditions here, and giving rise to these amazing numbers. Providing the current spell of good weather continues, we should be expecting to see these butterflies until mid-October. Photo credit: Steve Norris
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martinswarren.bsky.social @martinswarren.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
This feels a bit like fiddling while Rome burns and may have some adverse unintended consequences. Its a shame that tried and tested ‘vintage’ conservation does not get similar investment www.theguardian.com/environment/...
theguardian.com
Tree vaccines and gene-edited butterflies among biotechnology projects funded by UK ‘invention agency’
Exclusive: The tax-funded brainchild of Dominic Cummings hopes to find ways to speed up wild species’ evolution
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James Bullock @jmbecologist.bsky.social · 19/09/2026
Oh FFS. Increases in a few species is not a positive from climate change It is a signal that communities & ecosystems are under threat from rapid change Please, BBC, don’t do this simplistic reporting, feeding complacency about climate breakdown www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
bbc.co.uk
Hummingbird hawk moths and ivy bees: The insects growing in number as temperatures rise
Hummingbird hawk moths - often mistaken for small birds - are being spotted in the West Midlands.
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Butterfly Conservation @savebutterflies.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
The results are in 🦋📢 A huge thank you to the 101,565 of you who took part in this year's #BigButterflyCount! While many widespread butterfly species had a good summer, drought and record heat could impact next year’s populations. Read the full results 👉 buff.ly/V75ZHi7
A Peacock butterfly feeding on buddleia. Text overlay reads 'The results are in' with Butterfly Conservation's Big Butterfly Count logo in the bottom right. Image by Gundula Vogal
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Eric Idle @ericidle.bsky.social · 15/09/2026
I will be at the Henley Book Festival tonight in conversation with Simon Williams about my book, my life in France and La vie en rosé. Still some room, so if you find yourself idle come and join me.
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David Bowie News @davidbowienews.bsky.social · 11/09/2026
Remembering all those who lost their lives 25 years ago today in New York City, September 11th, 2001. ❤️ David Bowie – America & “Heroes” (Concert for New York City, 2001) Video of the Day #NeverForget911
davidbowienews.com
David Bowie – America & “Heroes” (Concert for New York City, 2001)
The Concert for New York City October 20, 2001 at Madison Square Garden.
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Mark Bridges @mbridges.bsky.social · 09/09/2026
Thessaloniki, Greece, today. Have seen for a few days now, today finally rested just long enough to snap. Millet maybe? Any Greek butterfly id assistance most appreciated! #greekbutterflies #butterfliesofgreece #butterflies
A Skipper Butterfly on some lantana flowers, Greece. I’m not certain of exact I.d.
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Mark Bridges @mbridges.bsky.social · 09/09/2026
In Thessaloniki, Greece, this evening. A mantis I’m assuming? Very well camouflaged, cheeky faced.
In Thessaloniki, Greece,  a very well hidden green insect amongst green plants - I am guessing a Mantis of some type.In Thessaloniki, Greece,  a very well hidden green insect amongst green plants - I am guessing a Mantis of some type.In Thessaloniki, Greece,  a very well hidden green insect amongst green plants - I am guessing a Mantis of some type.
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archivetvmusings @archivetvmusings.bsky.social · 09/09/2026
Hector's House began airing in the UK on this day in 1968 (it was redubbed from the original French series La Maison de Toutou),
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Andrew Fusek Peters @andrewfusekpeters.bsky.social · 07/09/2026
Lovely to capture Clouded Yellow in flight at Venus Pool on Saturday Om1mk2 and 50-200f2.8 @shropshirewildlife.bsky.social @omsystem.bsky.social @savebutterflies.bsky.social
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Mark Bridges @mbridges.bsky.social · 05/09/2026
In Thessaloniki for a few days and always a Greek treat to be out dining with local cats
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Mark Bridges @mbridges.bsky.social · 05/09/2026
Thessaloniki Greece, a couple of butterflies yesterday - Short-tailed blue - abundance, Painted Lady- a fair few.
A Short-tailed blue butterfly, Thessaloniki, Greece, yesterday.A Painted Lady butterfly, Thessaloniki, Greece, yesterday
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WIRED @wired.com · 05/09/2026
The research could do more than help unlock the mystery of caterpillar hearing. It could also help make microphones better. www.wired.com/story/how-do...
wired.com
Scientists Put Caterpillars in an Ultraquiet Chamber to Learn How They Hear Without Ears
The research could do more than help unlock the mystery of caterpillar hearing. It could also help make microphones better.
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Paul Bernal @paulbernal.bsky.social · 04/09/2026
Nigel Farage resigns when he shouldn't, but doesn't resign when he should.
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Helen Bennett 🌿 @helenbennett.bsky.social · 01/09/2026
A little sleeping beauty glistening among the dewy grass, seemed like the perfect scene for the first day of meteorological autumn! 📷✨🧡 Happy Tuesday everyone, wishing you a great new month ahead. 🕊️ #Nature #Photography #Insects #MacroPhotography #Inverts #Butterflies #BugSky #UKWildlife #ECK
A close-up profile view of a small female Common Blue butterfly resting on a thin, delicate plant stem. Her wings are closed as she sleeps in a soft brownish-grey background adorned with numerous black spots, each tightly ringed in bright white, alongside a vibrant row of orange crescents tracing along the outer edges. Tiny glistening dew droplets cling to the fine hairs of her body, face, and antennae.The background is a soft, dreamlike blur of warm golden, cream, and muted brown tones of the dried grass that surround her. Above the butterfly, there are several large, perfectly formed raindrops. These hanging water droplets catch the morning light, acting like tiny crystal lenses that mirror the surrounding foliage. The overall lighting is warm and ethereal, filled with circular, glowing bokeh rings that create a peaceful, dewy morning atmosphere.
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Otto English @ottoenglish.bsky.social · 31/08/2026
Amidst all the terrible tragedy one story of everyday heroism which saved 900 children www.theguardian.com/world/2026/a...
theguardian.com
Headteacher saves 900 children from deadly flash flood in Nepal
Rajendra Dawadi ordered students to higher ground with moments to spare after receiving warnings from upstream
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Butterfly Conservation Norfolk @norfolkbutterflies.bsky.social · 27/08/2026
Peacock caterpillars normal food plant is Common Nettle so one of our transect walkers was surprised to see them feeding on Marsh Thistle. Anyone else noticed this change of behavior? 📷️ Tessa Needham
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Mark Bridges @mbridges.bsky.social · 27/08/2026
www.theguardian.com/science/2026... Amazing project and effort to preserve both specimens and such a beautiful structure.
theguardian.com
‘Sad moments ahead’: Kew Gardens to fell rare trees in race to save Victorian greenhouse
Horticulturalists begin moving and propagating plants before the rusty and warped Palm House begins renovation – but some are too tall to save
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Eric Idle @ericidle.bsky.social · 27/08/2026
So cute.
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Joan Armatrading @joanarmatrading.bsky.social · 27/08/2026
50 years on. Released today in 1976 — the Joan Armatrading album. Love and Affection. www.youtube.com/watch?v=sBo...
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Mark Bridges @mbridges.bsky.social · 26/08/2026
Hammersmith tonight. A great concert. A wonderful rendition of “Jolene” gracefully included.
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Otto English @ottoenglish.bsky.social · 25/08/2026
Heroic.
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kottke.org @kottke.org · 25/08/2026
In lieu of flowers, Dolly Parton’s family is asking for donations to her Imagination Library, which has distributed over 330 million books to kids. [imaginationlibrary.com]
imaginationlibrary.com
Home
Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library is a book gifting program that mails free books to children from birth until they begin school in participating areas.
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David Quantick @quantick.bsky.social · 25/08/2026
Judge: I order you to pay $10,000. Mario: Why? Judge: It’s a fine. Mario: (sad) No it's-a not. www.theguardian.com/world/2026/a...
theguardian.com
Distracted Italian pedestrians who cross road while on phone could be fined under new code
Updated draft highway code follows several court rulings assigning blame for road accidents to careless pedestrians
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Ray Padgett @raypadgett.bsky.social · 24/08/2026
My latest "Venue Spotlight" looks at every time Bob Dylan has played the iconic Royal Albert Hall—from 1965 all the way up to 2024. John Lennon tells Dylan, “Maybe they didn’t get it. It’s the price of being ahead of your time.” Dylan: “Maybe, but I’m only twenty minutes ahead, so I won’t get far.”
flaggingdown.com
Bob Dylan at the Royal Albert Hall, 1965-2024
George Harrison: "The people who walked out must have been idiots"
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Mark Bridges @mbridges.bsky.social · 24/08/2026
This Saturday, Oxon. (SU7581) My first trap deployment so no expert..25 moths total. Attempted Id's - Many, 1) Broard-boarded Yellow Underwing, 2)good few Large Yellow Underwing, 3) not sure, 4) Flounced Rustic (hope for name alone), 5) Straw Underwing? @mothiduk.bsky.social #mothsmatter #teammoth
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Mark Bridges @mbridges.bsky.social · 24/08/2026
This past Saturday, my first outing with my own moth trap - I was in Henley-On-Thames -so SU7581 I believe. I could only photograph underside before this flew off. I am guessing a Light or Small Emerald -probably not enough to id. #teammoth #mothsmatter @mothiduk.bsky.social ?
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Matt Owen @mjowen174.bsky.social · 19/08/2026
My far, far better half @gailmyerscough.co.uk is having an incredibly tough month business-wise. Her website is full of amazing, stylish designs and it’d be great if you could visit her website and who knows, maybe even purchase something www.gailmyerscough.co.uk - if you could plse share this 👍👍
gailmyerscough.co.uk
Gail Myerscough | Surface Pattern Designer & Illustrator | Manchester
Bold illustrated wall art, greeting cards and homewares designed in Manchester. Inspired by architecture, music and mid century design. Made in the UK.
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archivetvmusings @archivetvmusings.bsky.social · 18/08/2026
'The Daleks Take Over America'. Daily Record (18th August 1978)
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Otto English @ottoenglish.bsky.social · 18/08/2026
In 1987 the poet Benjamin Zephaniah was considered for a visiting fellowship at Cambridge. Here's how Rupert Murdoch's Sun newspaper approached that particular story.
Would You Let This Man Near Your Daughter On Friday, he is expected to
become a Cambridge don.
Just what are his qualities which
have appealed to Trinity College?
He is black. He is a Rastafarian.
He has tasted approved schools and
Borstals.
And, oh yes, he is a poet. Here is
PODI(SON


an example of the standard of his
work:
The day dat 1 met Lady Di 1,
What happy no I tell a lie.
I had a pain in my belly, I
Would not f..t near Royalty.
Is this "really the kind of man
parents would wish to have teaching
their sons and daughters?
Prefer
Our guess is that they would
prefer their offspring to start work
in a hairdresser's.
From his pleture, Mr Zephaniah
himself could do with a good
shampoo and set.
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Dave Vetter @davidrvetter.bsky.social · 18/08/2026
Reform politician Richard Tice suggested people should simply enjoy heatwaves. Not even the UK's media are having it.
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Henry Mance @henrymance.ft.com · 14/08/2026
It's not just that Farage stands accused of inventing the notion of a credible threat to save himself from embarrassment - it's that he linked it to the heroism of those who fought in world wars.
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Dave Vetter @davidrvetter.bsky.social · 13/08/2026
I've only just seen this Daily Mail headline and I am on the verge of committing a, uh, terms of service violation.
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Mark Bridges @mbridges.bsky.social · 12/08/2026
Interesting Data Protection/Reform Party analysis xzzsw.mjt.lu/nl3/GeE6GjQu...
xzzsw.mjt.lu
2040 Daily Email 12/8/26
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Mark Bridges @mbridges.bsky.social · 11/08/2026
White City, London.
Construction of tall buildings, White City, London
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Mark Bridges @mbridges.bsky.social · 11/08/2026
brokenbottleboy.substack.com/p/karen-carp...
brokenbottleboy.substack.com
Karen Carpenter, Ariana Grande, and the grim weight of celebrity
Should the media ignore what's in front of all of us? An interview from 1981 still holds lessons for the present day.
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Joan Armatrading @joanarmatrading.bsky.social · 07/08/2026
The sustained light is a gift.
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Paul Bernal @paulbernal.bsky.social · 07/08/2026
‘Listening’ to ‘legitimate concerns’ is what led us to violent riots in Thetford. Embracing flag-shagging is what inspires lynch mobs. These are the worst of people, and we should have said so clearly and loudly from the start. We should be saying it now.
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Marjo Slingerland-Boks @marjosl.eurosky.social · 06/08/2026
Good morning all, Rob have set the themes for #BirdOfTheDay to day on #LongLegs and #Borb This pigeon was all puffed up so he could fill the bird bath😅 #ECK #Birds
You see a lovely pigeon that is puffed up its feathers in the bird bath. Behind him are the yellow ftowers from the kokorade plant in full bloom.
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Mark Bridges @mbridges.bsky.social · 06/08/2026
I think, a female Brown Hairstreak, this morning at Godolphin Community Gardens, Shepherds Bush, London - photo by one of our volunteers with @hcgagardens.bsky.social. @bc-hertsmiddx.bsky.social @savebutterflies.bsky.social
A Hairstreak Butterfly, Shepherds Bush, London
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Otto English @ottoenglish.bsky.social · 06/08/2026
Once again @countbinface.bsky.social manages to make me feel more patriotic and proud to be British than 20 years of right wing whining and flag shagging ever managed.
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Andrew Fusek Peters @andrewfusekpeters.bsky.social · 06/08/2026
amateurphotographer.com/latest/photo... Nice to get a feature in Amateur Photographer with my beaver work @omsystem.bsky.social @mammalsociety.bsky.social
amateurphotographer.com
Look at these amazingly cute beavers – back in British waters for the first time in ages
Beavers are back in the UK and if you fancy photographing them, it's very possible - an experienced wildlife expert shares their secrets
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Climate News @climatenews.bsky.social · 06/08/2026
SUV buyers want to kill pedestrians. Literally.
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kottke.org @kottke.org · 05/08/2026
Lidar and other discoveries continue to show that the Amazon rainforest was home to a “sprawling ancient civilization much bigger than researchers expected” (possibly up to 3 million people around 100-300 CE). [smithsonianmag.com]
smithsonianmag.com
Mysterious Shapes Hidden Beneath the Amazon Canopy Reveal a Sprawling Ancient Civilization Much Bigger Than Researchers Expected
Scientists recently discovered hundreds of monumental, geometric earthworks known as "geoglyphs" in northern Brazil from the Aquiry civilization
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Mark Bridges @mbridges.bsky.social · 04/08/2026
Spotted on the pavement of the Uxbridge Road, walking to Shepherds Bush Market station, around 9.30 a.m. today. Managed to scoop up and place at foot of… a Lime tree with some lower growth. @savebutterflies.bsky.social @bc-hertsmiddx.bsky.social urban moth
A Lime Hawk Moth, on a pavement in Shepherds Bush
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