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John Martin @pilning.bsky.social · 04/10/2026

Big day out with @andymus.bsky.social who did nearly all the driving. My old colleague Simon Leach rediscovered Atriplex pedunculata (Pedunculate Sea-purslane) near Shoeburyness in 1987 after no records for c50 years. Site owner kindly gave us permission to look for it. #wildflowerhour

Quite subtle but a rather fine thing with almost Shepherd's-purse like fruits. Good to see it being monitored in relation to management (horse grazing seems to create good conditions) by NE while we were there

Site owner said there were thousands of plants this year but very small perhaps because of the summer heat and drought.

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John Martin @pilning.bsky.social · 04/10/2026

New plant for me during a mostly sunny autumn week in Norfolk. Asarina procumbens (Trailing Snapdragon) on a church near Cromer, looking splendid. I have failed to find it a few times before e.g. Llandudno. Thanks @bramblebotanist.bsky.social for gen #wildflowerhour

Asarina procumbens looking very happy and flowering well having come through the summer heat and drought on a church wall

Asarina procumbens closer view of the flowers

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John Martin @pilning.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

Likewise great to bump into you and @linnetincley.bsky.social with top Vestal skills and some very peachy coloured ones.

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John Martin @pilning.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

Oh so they were. Didn't actually see those two and knew you'd found the Least 👌

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John Martin @pilning.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

Well how about Mega Long-billed Murrelet Or is that Bird of the decade, must be🤔 Gyr at Berry Head (mega), Least Sand/King Eider duo and hmmm, Issy Shrike Wembury. Devon's good!

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John Martin @pilning.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

Indeed, haven't had mobile trapping ability since moving from Bristol area where I had a third share in a generator. Looking forward to trying it abroad too.

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John Martin @pilning.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

The ALS one Paul. Wasn't cheap but seems good, net under the funnel doesn't want to be getting wet too often.

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John Martin @pilning.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

Trying the new mobile LED trap out in Cley last night. It works! 15/11 including 2 Mallow, Feathered Thorn, Black Rustic, Green-brindled Crescent, Sallow etc. Never had the Mallow in Shrewsbury. #teammoth

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John Martin @pilning.bsky.social · 26/09/2026

Seems like the orange veins through the dark at the wing tip is a good Spiny feature (which both of yours have). Some of the Bristol moth folk are familiar with this puzzle. I have not knowingly seen Spiny though so am far from being an expert here.

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John Martin @pilning.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

They apparently have a fondness for Ivy leaves. @exmoormothman.bsky.social found one in our garden quite quickly on Ivy on a visit last year

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John Martin @pilning.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

Yes, I should have remembered, but something to look forward to seeing one day. 4th time I have seen it, Bamff (Beaver place), Shropshire, Wilts and now Monts.

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John Martin @pilning.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

Nice one Steve! Yet to see on in the Midlands

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John Martin @pilning.bsky.social · 20/09/2026

The inspiring Wern Farm in adjacent Monts with the wildlife groups on Weds produced several of the fine Calliphorid Cynomya mortuorum, Small Copper and fleeting views of Barn Owl amongst others. #diptera @dipteristsforum.bsky.social #mybutterflyyear #ukwildlife

Several sightings of the fine, indeed spectacular, blowfly Cynomya mortuorum, which we don't often find. A big Calliphorid with a yellow face

Rubbish pic of the brief Barn Owl sighting. Always a treat to see

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John Martin @pilning.bsky.social · 20/09/2026

After the BSBI England meeting, a diversion 'on the way home' this afternoon via Burleydam to see the Baird's Sandpiper. An adult, apparently about 200m outside Shropshire where we have never had this American wader, with a Ringed Plover. #cheshirebirding #ukbirding

Adult Baird's Sandpiper on mud of pool edge crouching low and showing the very long wings. Adult winter scaps with a few more worn dark centred summer lower ones left.

Adult Baird's Sandpiper feeding on soft mud on edge of pool

Bair's Sandpiper and Ringed Plover. Slightly deceptive as the Baird's was obviously smaller with a better comparison but my pics of that were v poor

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John Martin @pilning.bsky.social · 18/09/2026

Thanks for the heads up there Steve. Found these presumed P comparella in Shrewsbury this morning in Rea Brook Valley. Turns out there are several records in town although it's a new 1km square.

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John Martin @pilning.bsky.social · 15/09/2026

Garden moths in #Shrewsbury this morning. Pristine Small Mottled Willow (it's been their year but this is the first for a while), Gold Triangle (Hypsopygia costalis) also as fresh as a Badger/Daisy. Autumnal feel w 1st Lunar Underwings (five) of the year and a 2nd Black Rustic. #teammoth #ukwildlife

A fresh looking Small Mottled Willow on an egg box

Lunar Underwing in the black inside of the moth trap

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John Martin @pilning.bsky.social · 15/09/2026

VP w G today the juv Ruff from y'day remained and showed well. Also lingering 1CY LRP, 2 Greenshank, 4 Green Sand, W Rail, 25+ Shoveler, 395+ Greylag etc. Lots of big Larid (140+) dropped in (v few usually) but all Lessers. 10 Clouded Yellow the commonest butterfly, V. zonaria. #shropshirebirding 🪶

Juvenile Ruff, a female on size ('Reeve'), striding across Crassula helmsii around VP this morning

The same juv Ruff with piece of wood of unknown size for scale.

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John Martin @pilning.bsky.social · 14/09/2026

😅ditch was too deep anyway, Gus

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John Martin @pilning.bsky.social · 13/09/2026

Late picking #favouriteplant of the year for #wildflowerhour but this is right up there. I believe it is Utricularia australis with that flat lip that turns up a little at the edges. In ditches at Canada Farm on Somerset Levels during the excellent Dipterists Forum week in July. Native plant✅!

Utricularia australis, a bladderwort, flowering in a ditch on the Somerset levels. A

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John Martin @pilning.bsky.social · 10/09/2026

Excellent to have it thus commemorated Ben😊

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John Martin @pilning.bsky.social · 10/09/2026

VP wader fest continues with 2 juv Little Stints this pm, big thanks to Mike J for posting pic/news. They were flighty and may have dropped in after rain shower. Full on patch and Shropshire✅ for me. Also 6+ Sand Martin, 9 Shoveler, Greenshank, Green Sand. 3+ Yellow Wag etc #shropshirebirding 🪶

One of two juvenile Little Stints in shallows at Venus Pool this afternoon. Not sure how long they had been there but seemed nervous and easily spooked by wagtails and other imagined threats.

Another view of the same juv Little Stint along the edge of muddy shoreline with dark water behind. White Vs more visible at this angle

Both the juv Little Stints at the edge of the pool against the light. Proof of two, at least.

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John Martin @pilning.bsky.social · 09/09/2026

Cracking read, really enjoyed it. Even saw Buphthalmum salicifolium at Llandudno Junction back in June 😄

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John Martin @pilning.bsky.social · 06/09/2026

Sorbus intermedia (Swedish Whitebeam) from the Bog Mine on a rather wet Wednesday with the wildlife group. 2 big ones and three smaller ones, including one across the lane. Also #fruits #wildflowerhour

Phone pic of a fruiting twigs from a Swedish Whitebeam on a very damp day

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John Martin @pilning.bsky.social · 05/09/2026

Tricky here too until October passage, sometimes a handful roost.

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John Martin @pilning.bsky.social · 05/09/2026

Early shift for #westmidsalldayer at VP. 2 Green Sand, LRP, Water Rail, Starling (no honestly) and best of all 2 Spotted Flycatcher in the car park as I was leaving for #ParkRun volling. Less than annual for me on patch. #Shropshirebirding

1w Spotted Flycatcher on wire. Back of camera

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John Martin @pilning.bsky.social · 04/09/2026

I assume so Steve, no other migrant🤷‍♂️. Lots of very fresh looking Clouded Yellow locally earlier this week, presumably home grown

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John Martin @pilning.bsky.social · 04/09/2026

Just been out to check and it had moved... but not far and it's now potted. You're welcome to come round and have a look of course.

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John Martin @pilning.bsky.social · 04/09/2026

I know! When I first saw it I thought it must be something else.

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John Martin @pilning.bsky.social · 04/09/2026

Garden moth trap star this morning was this stonkingly nicely marked Small Marbled (3rd garden record and 2nd this year). Also Frosted Orange nfy, Red Underwing, 9 Centre-barred Sallow, 120 LYUW, Rosy Rustic, Dusky Thorn, Box Tree etc 192/22 #teammoth #migrantmothuk #Shrewsbury #ukwildlife

Small Marbled, a very nicely marked example of a small formerly rare migrant macro, resting on the trap

Frosted Orange in an egg box with a Vine's Rustic trying to get in on the act. An autumn moth and a real stunner

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John Martin @pilning.bsky.social · 03/09/2026

Less of the same at VP this morning, a Greenshank the only wader seen. Also 7 Shoveler, 35 Teal, juv Shelduck, big jump to 520+ Canadas, 6 Egyptian Goose, Green and GS woodpeckers, 12 Chiffs, Reed Bunting etc. Diversity plummeting as the all dayer looms 😅 #shropshirebirding 🪶

Snoozing Greenshank this morning in the shallows was the only remaining wader I could see this morning

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John Martin @pilning.bsky.social · 01/09/2026

VP with G, less of the same after a clear night, no sign of Curlew Sand. Greenshank, Green & Common Sand, Snipe, 3 Lapwing, juv Shelduck, 31 Shoveler. 8+ new brood Clouded Yellow round arable w Brown Argus, Common Blue, Sm Copper etc. #shropshirebirding 🪶 #mybutterflyyear @ukbutterflies.bsky.social

Clouded Yellow nectaring on Lucerne in the flowery margins. All those seen today were very fresh and thought likely to be newly emerged from eggs laid here this year.

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John Martin @pilning.bsky.social · 31/08/2026

VP at lunchtime w @janettem34.bsky.social in heavy showers hoping they dropped something in. The juv Curlew Sandpiper continues to entertain, 3 Greenshank (one new in), 2 LRP, 2 Green and 2+ Common Sands, Snipe, 4 juv Shelduck, 1CY Water Rail, 25 Shoveler etc #shropshirebirding 🪶

Juvenile Curlew Sandpiper flying in heavy rain showing the white rump

Greenshank wading in the shallows, one of three, one of which apparently dropped in at the start of the rain

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John Martin @pilning.bsky.social · 31/08/2026

Sorry to hear about the concussion Graham - good to hear you're now recovered and back in the field

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John Martin @pilning.bsky.social · 30/08/2026

I never knew that, thanks Alan. I guess it's worth getting out of the nest, dangerous place for young, a bit quicker even at the energy expense of growing a new set of gc before the off. It needs to get a move on as it's got most of the set to replace.

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John Martin @pilning.bsky.social · 30/08/2026

Also at Buildwas Abbey on Wednesday with the wildlife group some Small Teasel, Dipsacus pilosus, where we saw it before in early November last year. Looking better this time with some on theme #seedheads and even a few flowers for #wildflowerhour Always a nice plant to see

Spikey heads of Small Teasel in open woodland near the River Severn.

Flowers and leaves of Small Teasel in Nettles and grasses

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John Martin @pilning.bsky.social · 30/08/2026

A fine show of Colchicum autumnale (Meadow Saffron) in grassland near the River Severn at Buildwas on Wednesday with the wildlife group, looking fresh in the parched sward. We weren't expecting it but it's been recorded nearby before. #wildflowerhour

Colchicum autumnale, Meadow Saffron, flowers in parched looking grassland

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John Martin @pilning.bsky.social · 30/08/2026

Pics of passerines from VP yesterday. Whitethroat, I thought juv/1w based on gape, dark iris etc, but why is it regrowing its gcs with an outer one in pin? Two of the 6+ Yellow Wags, one w very white super, throat and grey crown and ear covs, the other more typical 1w. #shropshirebirding 🪶

Why is this young Whitethroat replacing all its gc? Adventitious or something else? They should have full grown gcs when they're much younger looking than this, I think. Or have I aged it wrong? Even so why would it be moulting now? A second similar bird also had coverts in pin.

Young Yellow Wagtail on the mud at VP - a typically dull looking one.

Yellow Wag with pale grey crown, nape and ear coverts and white super and throat/upper breast. Makes you wonder about flava/Channel influence but can't be done at this age as they're too variable, I believe. Smart bird.

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John Martin @pilning.bsky.social · 29/08/2026

VP late pm w @janettem34.bsky.social continuing juv Curlew Sandpiper, new juv Turnstone (one of 2 in yesterday pm), juv LRP, juv Greenshank, 3 Green Sand, 1+ Common Sand, 4 Snipe, 18 Lapwing, 70 Teal, 28 Shoveler, L Egret, Red Kite, 6+ Yellow and 40 Pied Wag, juv Water Rail etc #shropshirebirding 🪶

Juvenile Curlew Sandpiper on the mud at VP looking as peachy as yesterday

New in yesterday, with another that had gone overnight making it seven this month at the pool, a juv Turnstone on the Carp of Destiny

Poor shot of a rather brief coming together of the Curlew Sandpiper and Turnstone double county rarity combination

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John Martin @pilning.bsky.social · 29/08/2026

Some recent #Shropshire moths that are not as rare as they used to be. Metalampra italica at Buildwas with w the wildlife group on Weds near a pile of logs; Small Ranunculus from 25th and another Vestal from 26th both in the garden. #teammoth #ukwildlife

Metalampra italica - dead wood feeding moth that has colonised from the south but still not common in Shropshire. Yet to get one in the garden for example. Found by a log pile by Nigel Cane-Honeysett

Small Ranunculus on the wall by the garden moth trap. One of several this year

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John Martin @pilning.bsky.social · 28/08/2026

VP from 0535 hoping last night's Curlew Sand had stayed - yes - a beautiful peachy juv! Patch gold and a county✅ for me! Also juv Peregrine, juv Greenshank, 2 Green & 2 Common Sand, Water Rail, 2 GWE, juv Shelduck, 2 Reed Warbler, 2 Whitethroat, 2 Redstart, 110 Goldfinch #shropshirebirding 🪶

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John Martin @pilning.bsky.social · 27/08/2026

Agree Steve, it's not lazy it's a function of birders' sites and practicalities of bird site use and mobility etc. It's why I don't record other taxa on BirdTrack, always use iRecord.

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John Martin @pilning.bsky.social · 27/08/2026

VP early morning - great rarity of steady then heavy rain in SE murk but not much new apart from increase in Teal to 55 and Snipe to 12. 2 juv Greenshank, 2 Green and juv Common Sand, 14 Shoveler, Water Rail, 2 Reed Warbler, 175 BH, 4 LBB and juv Herring Gull, 40 Pied Wag etc. #shropshirebirding 🪶

See what I mean? - it was almost dark at times. Juv Greenshank in shallows with rain splashing around it

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John Martin @pilning.bsky.social · 25/08/2026

VP with G. Fewer birds but G picked up 4 juv Turnstone dropping in. They landed out of sight, emerged from behind island for 2 minutes & off to S calling. Total stay c5 min! Otherwise 2 Greenshank, 3 Green & 2 Common Sand, 3 Snipe, 10 Lapwing, 3 Y Wag, 4 Cl Yellow. #shropshirebirding 🪶 #ukwildlife

4 juvenile Turnstone along the shoreline at VP this morning, the right hand bird behind a dead Carp. Second record of the month here but it's a county rarity and this is the largest group ever recorded in Shropshire!

One of the 4 juv Turnstones came closer but very shortly after this was taken they all looked up, called and flew out to south.

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John Martin @pilning.bsky.social · 21/08/2026

VP a.m. no new waders despite rain at 1st. Greenshank, 7 Green & 2 Common sand, 3 Snipe, 3 juv LRP, 13 Lapwing, 245 BHGull (many 1w & much variation), 20 L & 2GWE, Gadwall, 3 Tufted, Kingf, Nuthatch, 2 M Thrush, Willow Warbler, 2 Whitethroat, Redstart, 3 Y Wag, 30 Goldfinch etc #shropshirebirding 🪶

Lovely fresh Willow Warbler in the Chicory

Very dark 1w Black-headed Gull with chocolate wing coverts and paler brown fringed next to a more standard 1w. In the early morning rain stood in the shallows

Black-headed Gull at the pale end of variation in the rain on the edge of the water

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John Martin @pilning.bsky.social · 21/08/2026

Excellent Phil, sure we can give it a go at VP although some old regulars will be missing. I am doing #ParkRun and volunteering for part of the morning so that's the time for the Osprey to go through.

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John Martin @pilning.bsky.social · 20/08/2026

VP this morning with 3 Greenshank the highlight, 2 of them in & out, calling beautifully etc. Also a record 24 Little Egret, 2 GWE, 6+ Green & 2 Common Sand, 3 j LRP, 7 Shoveler, Yellow Wag, 3 Canlag etc #shropshirebirding 🪶 #ukwildlife

3 Greenshank at VP against the light, fishing in the shallows

The 3 rather excitable and noisy Greenshank

One of the Greenshank coming in to land. One of my favourite birds and definitely one of my favourite calls

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John Martin @pilning.bsky.social · 18/08/2026

VP w G this a.m. Still 3 j LRP, 20 L Egret, 5 Green Sand, Y Wag, Common Sand etc. Main excitement in varying large white bird competency, almost missed 1+ juv Cattle Egret flying round and away over the hide 🤭. Good Mute Swan (and Canada Goose) rescue skills though. #shropshirebirding 🪶 no Turnstone

Good job I idly got a pic of 1 of 3 small egrets flying round then away. Chimping the image it appeared to be a juv Cattle Egret still with its grey bill that they quite quickly loose so I wonder where it is from. Doh, the first for the year here and only the third in the county, I think! Not seen again.

Canada stuck between fences between the pools, presumably too tired to fly but it could run. No match for me though (eventually!) #shropshireshufflers. Then put it over the fence to the fishery pool where there is more food and it's a bigger pool

G with Mute Swan wandering up and down the VP side of the fence line trying to get to the big pool but apparently unable to fly there. G passed it to me in a kind of Mute Swan relay then I put it into the field by the fishing pool. There's plenty of macrophyte growth in there in the much deeper water and the 3 Mute Swans didn't seem to take exception to it

Mute Swan heading for the fishery pool, but not at all grateful

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John Martin @pilning.bsky.social · 18/08/2026

It's that time of year again, almost exactly a year since the garden first, a bosting big Clifden Nonpareil in the garden trap! 18 Aug last year, 17th this. Otherwise quite busy but migrants just a Rush Veneer and a Small Mottled Willow. #teammoth #ukwildlife #shrewsbury

Clifden Nonpareil on an egg box in the moth trap. A very large licheny-grey patterned moth

Safely in the emergency jam jar (no pot large enough) showing the blue underwing

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