iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Layla Alexandra @part-time-nerd.bsky.social · 14/10/2026

Apparently my partner saw this and instantly thought of me 😆 Pokémon ecology! I had no idea this book existed 😅 Pokémon are a guilty little pleasure from the 90's 😉 #pokemon #ecology #book #gift

The front of the Pokémon ecology book, with several 'pocket monsters' on a pink-peach cover.

The back cover. Also pink-peach. A machamp and an old lady walking together with backs to reader! There is some blurb about the book and a statement that both the author and illustrator have doctorate degrees and have studied animal behaviour and ecology (in the real world).

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Layla Alexandra @part-time-nerd.bsky.social · 13/10/2026

Snail hunting as part of one of the activities 🐌 I found some adult and juvenile Brown lipped snails (Cepaea nemoralis). Not to be confused with the very similar looking white lipped (Cepaea hortensis)! #oustudent #biology #biologystudent #naturalsciences #wildlife #nature #student #university

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Layla Alexandra @part-time-nerd.bsky.social · 13/10/2026

Studying my first topic in this module: species and speciation. Basically how different animals came to be and how we go about classifying them 🤓 #oustudent #university #unilife #studentlife #biology #naturalsciences

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Layla Alexandra @part-time-nerd.bsky.social · 10/10/2026

Treated myself to a scope 😍 Will need to test it out soon 👍🏻 🦢🦆🐦‍⬛ #birding #birdingequipment #ornithology #scope

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Layla Alexandra @part-time-nerd.bsky.social · 08/10/2026

Today's offering is this meme I tripped over yesterday 😅 I used to have an idiot chicken pre-divorce 💕 Like a mixture of a puppy and a toddler, and yes, he chewed my furniture and made noise for attention 😆 #birds #meme #cockatoo #pigeon #memeoftheday #parrot #joke

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Layla Alexandra @part-time-nerd.bsky.social · 05/10/2026

Two different nights but two beautiful skies 😍 The first photo was this evening, I just caught the end of it (as I'd been driving). The second was 6-7days ago 💕 #sunset #sky #peaceful #pretty #colourful #autumn #evening

Photo taken over fence of back garden. And strong orange glow can be seen touching the horizon, blending upwards into plae blues. Thin ribbon like clouds are lit up in pastal pinks and navy.

Photo is of a sub-urban street with brick terraced houses each side. The sky is a clean pale blue with bright pink-even slightly peachy almost airbrushed whispy clouds.

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Layla Alexandra @part-time-nerd.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

Sometimes I feel like I don't do anything... 🥺 I busy with family. I still give more of my time if I think it's a good cause, but I rarely see results. The OU has really improved student experience the past 1-2yrs. When I logged in today, I reminded myself that I'VE been part of that! 🥂 #ou #proud

background is a grassy field and pale blue sky littered with small clouds. in the foreground is a blue box that states 'The open university studenthome'. After that is a pale blue-grey box with a love heart and 'personal links' as the header. Underneath are bullet pointed short cuts (links).

They are named:
Student Experience Research Panel
Curriculum design panel
Student Consultation Forum

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Layla Alexandra @part-time-nerd.bsky.social · 16/09/2026

Last week my (wonderful) boyfriend bought this pocket edition of Wingspan for me 🥰 I had no idea he was planning on it 🤓 We've glanced at the full sized game a few times but are hesitant to commit as we haven't tested it. Looking forward to our first game! 👍🏻 #wingspan #games #nerd #birds #fun

A cardboard box with cover image of a woven bird nest hanging from a branch. Chicks are poking their heads out with gaping mouths asking for food. Two adult birds are stationed on the branch, one each side. Wing span pocket edition is in big letters underneath.

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Layla Alexandra @part-time-nerd.bsky.social · 16/09/2026

Little egret in Derbyshire today showing us those beautiful yellow feet 😍 #egret #birds #wildlife #nature #ornithology #Derbyshire

little egret stood on a leafy branch, looking forwards.

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Layla Alexandra @part-time-nerd.bsky.social · 13/09/2026

Took these quick snaps with my mobile at a food festival this weekend. Fucsias are one of my favourites 🥰 and this 'common' colour variation is still very striking 👀✨ #nofilter #nature #wildlife #flowers #plants

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Layla Alexandra @part-time-nerd.bsky.social · 10/09/2026

With the next Atlas survey starting in 2027, I finally got my hands on my own copy of the 2007-2011 version so that I don't have to borrow my friends 😂 Opened to one of my favourites 😍 #birds #books #ornithology #birdatlas #atlassurvey #conservation #environment #wildlife #nature #monitoring #BTO

Bird atkas 2007-2011 open on ringed plover

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Layla Alexandra @part-time-nerd.bsky.social · 04/09/2026

It's back to University studies after a gap year 🫣 Stage 3 genetics- it's been a 3year gap since stage 2! I seem to like giving myself a challenge 😆 The resources arrived today and the module page opens in 5days. It's getting real! #openuniversity #student #maturestudent #biology #biologystudent

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Layla Alexandra @part-time-nerd.bsky.social · 04/09/2026

It's priority core count season again! 🤩 The more volunteers we have recording local sites, the more we can understand the bigger picture of what's happening with our wetland birds. We review the data gathered with the RSPB, WWT and JNCC to help improve conservation efforts and polices 💪❤️ #birds

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Layla Alexandra @part-time-nerd.bsky.social · 26/08/2026

Photos of the Rainbow Lorikeets (Trichoglossus moluccanus) at @twycrosszoo.bsky.social taken earlier this week when we popped in with the littlest before school starts again. Found in the wild in Australia, in rainforest, coastal bush, and woodland. #birds #parrot #lorikeet #birdphotography #zoo

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Layla Alexandra @part-time-nerd.bsky.social · 19/08/2026

A rough edit from my August Wetland Bird Survey visit 🙂🦆 I'm going to plan ahead and take my tripod next time 🤞🏻 #BTO #WeBS #birds #wetlands #nature #wildlife #ducks #gulls #conservation #science #nerd #girlnerd #survey #outdoors

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Layla Alexandra @part-time-nerd.bsky.social · 18/08/2026

Earlier this month I was trying to watch the new Spider man movie with my family. As we stopped for snacks we noticed this Mum & her 12 fuzzy kids. Trying repeatedly to cross this VERY busy round about! Managed to squeeze duck relocation in during the adverts! 😮‍💨 #ducks #birds #wildlife #Tamworth

A female mallard and her 12 very small and 'fuzzy' ducklings sheltering by a wall after being encouraged away from the road.

A Google map screen grab showing the area involved and how the ducks needs to cross the round about and then option A) a car park or option B) a very busy bridge, to get to the river. This was the direction Mum kept trying.

A female mallard and her 12 very small and 'fuzzy' ducklings spotted walking alongside the railings at a very busy round about.

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Layla Alexandra @part-time-nerd.bsky.social · 19/07/2026

Beautiful view on route, beautiful morning for the start of the WeBS year 🥰 #volunteer #volunteerlife #birds #conservation #nature

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Layla Alexandra @part-time-nerd.bsky.social · 17/07/2026

My little haul from @globalbirdfair.bsky.social 2026 🥰 Several free bits from holiday stands but I'm in love with my books & pin badges ✨ The Hawke tag is holding the place of the free baseball cap I got but left at another house before I took the picture 😂 #birds #conservation #events #nature

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Layla Alexandra @part-time-nerd.bsky.social · 17/07/2026

My OU internship finished today. The project will be sent to those higher up to look over & make any necessary edits. It's been really nice working as part of a team on something different. Getting paid's a nice bonus 😂🤘🏻 Papillon snoot for you all to enjoy as I chill on sofa 💕 #OU #Intern #biology

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Layla Alexandra @part-time-nerd.bsky.social · 01/07/2026

Hey #Derbyshire 😀 You can find us at Bakewell Country Festival on 12th July 2026. ✨ Pop it in you calendar 📅 It looks like it's going to be a good day out! 👍 *Link in comments* #festival #familydayout #summer #events #daytrip #birds #reptiles #BTO #DARG #Midlands #conservation #Bakewell

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Layla Alexandra @part-time-nerd.bsky.social · 01/07/2026

Derbyshire Garden BirdWatch are looking for more bird lovers to join this nation wide citizen science project 🤗 This one you can do from the comfort of your home 🏠 Not in Derbyshire? No problem! All regions of @bto-gbw.bsky.social will welcome new volunteers! #birds #nature #BTO #Survey

GBW Counters Needed in Derbyshire!
Love birds and wildlife? Join the Garden BirdWatch Survey!

We need volunteers who enjoy birdwatching and want to help monitor our garden visitors for citizen science

Ideal for both able-bodied birders and many with mobility or health issues as you can do it from the comfort of your own home!

Weekly log which is submitted online
Monitor your own garden (or a friend/relatives if you spend most of your time there)
No requirement to provide supplementary food
Can also record a small selection of other creatures (optional)
Contribute to an ongoing national monitoring project
Beginners and seasoned birders welcome!

Get in touch with the Local Organiser at alexandra.birdwatch@gmail.com

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Layla Alexandra @part-time-nerd.bsky.social · 01/07/2026

Sorry I was MIA. Jumping straight back in with some recruitment drives! 😁 Derbyshire WeBS have 100+ vacant sites, just waiting for birding volunteers. We can also add new sites if you have one you'd like to cover 🦆 Not local? No problem! WeBS is everywhere ✨ #birds #BTO #WeBS #surveys #nature

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Layla Alexandra @part-time-nerd.bsky.social · 25/04/2026

🥳🎂 40th Bday this week and was not disappointed 😍 My family gets me 😆

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Layla Alexandra @part-time-nerd.bsky.social · 11/04/2026

Taken earlier this week on my phone. Was just walking up the front garden path to my car to pick up my daughter 🐦‍⬛😍 Nice to see my gardens are providing even when I forget to fill the feeders 😅 #GBW #gardenbirdwatch #birds #nature #wildlife #BTO #blackbird #spring

A male blackbird with a mouthful in a garden with grass, dandelions and Spanish bluebells

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Layla Alexandra @part-time-nerd.bsky.social · 01/04/2026

I've never really been one for colouring 😆 but I have been saying I'll complete these beginner drawing courses online for 2years & never started 🫣 Figured I could at least learn about using colours 🤷🏻‍♀️ This is only about my 4th, still researching techniques 🥰 #colouring #alcoholmarkers #cozycuties

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Layla Alexandra @part-time-nerd.bsky.social · 01/04/2026

That's my local Derbyshire toad patrol done for the year 🐸 Toads are 🔴 red listed for conservation purposes. All newts saved were smooth newts (which are tiny!) Already can't wait for next year 😃 @argroupsuk.bsky.social #ARG #DARG #amphibians #toads #conservation #wildlife #nature

End of year list of animals saved on a single toad patrol patch in Derbyshire: 1595 toads, 730 frogs, 137 newts.

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Layla Alexandra @part-time-nerd.bsky.social · 30/03/2026

Photo uploads part 2 You can interact with us on bluesky @ @btobirds.bsky.social - main BTO feed @bto-gbw.bsky.social - Garden BirdWatch @webs-gsmp.bsky.social - Wetland Bird Survey @bbs-birds.bsky.social - Breeding Bird Survey #BTO #birds #nature #conservation #survey #wildlife #WeBS #GBW

grey wagtail sat on a rock looking out towards the water. tail to the camera and head facing away

Rook in a tree by it's nest in our local rookery

grey wagtail on a rock in the stream, body facing forwards, head tilted to the viewers right.

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Layla Alexandra @part-time-nerd.bsky.social · 30/03/2026

Sorry I'm late posting photos from my last WeBS count! It's been a very busy! Just a few of the usual suspects 😊 The weather is starting to pick up now. Why not get involved with bird surveys at the BTO including our Garden BirdWatch project 🐦‍⬛

Grey heron stood on a branch in the water, looking like a crisp early spring morning

Grey lag goose stood on the bank, water behind it, beak open honking

Great crested Grebe looking down into it's reflection in the water

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Layla Alexandra @part-time-nerd.bsky.social · 28/02/2026

A wonderful conference as usual @btobirds.bsky.social 🥳 Thanks for having us 🤗 and thanks so much to everyone who took the time to give talks ⭐✨ I manage to JUST stick within my limit for purchasing books and stickers 😅 #birds #conservation #science #ornithology #wildlife #BTO #nature

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Layla Alexandra @part-time-nerd.bsky.social · 31/12/2025

Happy new year everyone! 🥳 And a massive thank you to all our volunteers who put their time into aiding conservation via citizen science ❤️🏆 #BTO #WeBS #birds #science #conservation #wildlife #nature #Derbyshire #newyear #wetlands #citizenscience

A picture of gulls sat on a frozen pond. Most are black-headed gulls in winter plumage, one is a young herring gull.

They are stood normally except for one.

Writing in a black font laid over the bottom of the image says "Jonathan decided to see the new year in 'on the right foot'. Unfortunately, Jonathan is a gull. He doesn't know his left from his right." Followed by "Wishing you all the best for 2026" which stands out on a lighter background and teal coloured font, a bauble image at each end.

The gull in question is stood on his left leg...

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Layla Alexandra @part-time-nerd.bsky.social · 25/12/2025

🎄🎁 Merry Christmas everyone! I hope you all have a nice day, whatever your plans are 💕

Selfie in front of light up Christmas tree. Wearing hat, scarf and coat because it's cold outside. Sticker of a bow added and the words 'Merry Christmas'.

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Layla Alexandra @part-time-nerd.bsky.social · 25/12/2025

Saw this twist for the first time this year 😅 #joke #meme #birds #christmas

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Layla Alexandra @part-time-nerd.bsky.social · 20/11/2025

I came across this on FB and felt moved to share it. This is just one rescue. It is happening all over. If you can, please support a rescue local to you 💌 #nature #birdflu #HPAI #avianinfluenza #conservation #support #birds #wildlife #ornithology #rescue #swanrescue #help

Post taken from a facebook post made by MK Swan Rescue in Milton Keynes. Highlights that rescuers are heart broken walking away from ill or injured birds they are not permitted to aid due to the laws about not risking further spread of avain influenza.

Second part of the post, asking to be kind to rescuers in the field if they appear to be doing very little. Also asking for donations to the charity.

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Layla Alexandra @part-time-nerd.bsky.social · 06/11/2025

My study buddies for my Academic Integrity session online with the OU tonight 🙂💕📝 #dogs #study #student #science #openuniversity

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Layla Alexandra @part-time-nerd.bsky.social · 31/10/2025

Wildlife rescue Linjoy, based in Burton upon Trent & sanctuary at Etwal Derby are often the first to shout out if anything is off with Swans in the local area & surrounding areas. Today they are once again alerting coming across many cases of avian influenza 💔😞 Screenshot taken from their FB #news

Screenshot advises that Alvaston Park, Elvaston Castle, Albert Village Lake, Straws Bridge Nature Reserve and private lakes in both Long Eaton and Spondon have been affected.

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Layla Alexandra @part-time-nerd.bsky.social · 27/10/2025

You can make it to the end of Monday, I believe in you 🤗 *Author of image unknown #meme #duck #joke #funny #monday #bird #nature #wildlife

Picture of a mallard looking into an aeroplane via one of the windows by the seats.

Text says: induction, the act of inserting ducks. Deduction, the act of removing ducks. Reduction, replacing a worn out duck with a replacement duck.

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Layla Alexandra @part-time-nerd.bsky.social · 26/10/2025

A reminder from Our Blue Planet, for those thinking of using fake webs as decorations this year 😕 #safety #birds #halloween #decorations #nature #traps #wildlife #spooky #october #dangerous

Image shows a bird trapped in a fake cobweb Halloween decoration on a bush. Warning message advises not to use them as birds don't see them and can get stuck. Credit is 'our blue planet'

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Layla Alexandra @part-time-nerd.bsky.social · 26/10/2025

Author is birdandmoon 👍🏻 Gave me a giggle 😁 #birds #halloween #meme #funny

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Layla Alexandra @part-time-nerd.bsky.social · 17/10/2025

A peek at Indie's set up. Custom made with additional viewing panels (partially obscured so she feels safer). 4ft long, 2ft tall & just shy 2ft wide. Low wattage UV tube at hot end. Lots of clutter to wriggle through & feel safe. She also gets a night-time temp drop. #snake #python #viv #royal

A 4ft wooden vivarium with ceramic heater, low wattage UV tube, climbing log, fake trailing plants, rocks and water bowl.

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Layla Alexandra @part-time-nerd.bsky.social · 17/10/2025

*Added warning label hoping it will help those with a snake phobia - 1st time so not sure if it'll work. Wanted to share Indie breaking the 'pet rock' myth (for once!) today & showing off her semi-arboreal skills 💕 She needs to muscle up after a 5month fast 🤦🏻‍♀️ #snake #royalpython #python #pets

An adult female royal python who has chosen to climb up an indoor plant in an archway and has reached the ceiling.

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Layla Alexandra @part-time-nerd.bsky.social · 11/10/2025

The audacity 😆 I'm always saying one of the perks of working with Black-headed gulls is they bite but they don't hurt 😱 Had some grumpy ones this morning 😅 #conservation #birds #gulls #birdringing #colourringing #nature #science

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Layla Alexandra @part-time-nerd.bsky.social · 10/10/2025

Yuk! I really got used to those summer holiday lie-ins! Looks like I'm out tomorrow 😆 Black-Headed Gull colouring ringing season is back! 💕 And on that note, I'm going to sleep 💤 #gull #ringing #colourringing #conservation #birds #science #biology

Alarm schedule on a phone set to 4.10am, 4.15am and 4.40am

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Layla Alexandra @part-time-nerd.bsky.social · 06/10/2025

👩‍🔬🧬 UNIVERSITY HAS STARTED❗..again 😅 My 1st level 3 module with #TheOpenUniveristy , S317 Genes to Species started this weekend! 🫣 It's been 2yrs since I did genetics, so this will be a bit of a crash course back into it 🤯 Wish me luck! 🤞📗 #Student #Study #Biology #OU #University #MatureStudent

An image taken from the website UnSplash, showing a desk with a tablet or iPad, keyboard to type, lots of pens and papers, and there are the arms of a person (probably a woman) wearing a mustard coloured long sleeve top. Nails are painted. Right hand holds a pencil hovering over notes, the left hand holds a phone, the screen clearly being viewed although the rest of the person is out of the image.

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Layla Alexandra @part-time-nerd.bsky.social · 29/09/2025

📢 Wanted: WeBS counters for Derbyshire! You can count a site all year round, but Sept-March is the core period with all the migrating winter birds 🦆🪿 It's free to join & only takes up 1 morning a month! 😁 Help wetland bird conservation 💕 ✨ National project ✨ #WeBS #bird #wildlife #survey #BTO

Poster recruiting new counters for wetland bird sites around Derbyshire. Contact the WeBS team to find out more. Hashtag #yourwebsjourney

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Layla Alexandra @part-time-nerd.bsky.social · 26/09/2025

Tonight was a remembrance event for Mikey. He ran the local community hub. It was for everyone, but particularly a safe haven for LGBTQ & neurodivergents. Coffee mornings with crafts, toddler play sessions, evening youth groups + more. The brightest flames burn out fastest 💔 #mentalhealthmatters

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