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Patrick Giles @ppg0104.bsky.social · 07/10/2026

For #WildWebsWednesday. A Moss Carder Bumblebee, clinging onto a Devil's-bit Scabious, on a windy day. Unst, Shetland.

Patrick Giles @ppg0104.bsky.social · 13/09/2026

A False Oxlip. For #WildflowerHour #FavouritePlant. (The hybrid of Primrose and Cowslip). Seen in early April at Sheerhatch Wood, Beds.

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Patrick Giles @ppg0104.bsky.social · 09/09/2026

For #WildWebsWednesday a Hoverfly wasp mimic - Chrysotoxum festivum - feeding on Bristly Oxtongue.

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Patrick Giles @ppg0104.bsky.social · 06/09/2026

For #WildflowerHour #fruits Buckthorn and below, for comparison, Dogwood. Buckthorn have larger fruit and toothed leave edges (amongst other differences). Bedford, Beds.

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Patrick Giles @ppg0104.bsky.social · 04/09/2026

A nice suprise today was a Red-backed Shrike. A first for the usual haunts. #patchgold #ukbirding Meadow Lane, Bedford, Beds.

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Patrick Giles @ppg0104.bsky.social · 30/08/2026

Tansy (aka Golden Buttons). For #WildflowerHour #Seedheads The seed heads contain many small seeds, that can disperse via wind or water. Bedford, Beds.

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Patrick Giles @ppg0104.bsky.social · 16/08/2026

Lady's Bedstraw Sweet smelling and dried, it was used in straw mattresses as thought to deter fleas etc. Several explanations of "Lady" found -used in the bedding of those about to give birth and in Christian folklore in the Virgin Mary's bedding (and Jesus's manger). #CommonNames #WildflowerHour

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Patrick Giles @ppg0104.bsky.social · 16/08/2026

For #WildflowerHour #CommonNames - Bristly Oxtongue. So called because the leaves resemble an Ox's tongue in shape and texture. Willington, Beds.

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Patrick Giles @ppg0104.bsky.social · 12/08/2026

A Syrphus ribesii on Bristly Oxtongue. Most species of adult Hoverfly feed on nectar and pollen - and most lack specialist mouth parts, so favour plants where the nectar and pollen are exposed. #WildWebsWednesday #Hoverflies Bedford, Beds.

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Patrick Giles @ppg0104.bsky.social · 09/08/2026

A few views of some Feverfew For #WildflowerHour #DaisyFamily (late entry). Old Warden, Beds

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Patrick Giles @ppg0104.bsky.social · 06/08/2026

Eristalis tenax. One of the commoner Hoverflies here abouts currently. A honey bee mimic (of sorts...). Willington, Beds. #InsectThursday #Hoverflies

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Patrick Giles @ppg0104.bsky.social · 29/07/2026

A Myathropea florea. The "Batman signal" marking on the thorax is distinctive. Frequently seen, as here, on Hogweed. For #WildWebsWednesday. #hoverfly Bedford, Beds.

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Patrick Giles @ppg0104.bsky.social · 12/07/2026

For #WildflowerHour #AquaticPlants: Arrowhead. Currently in their pomp here. Bedford, Beds.

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Patrick Giles @ppg0104.bsky.social · 21/06/2026

For #WildflowerHour #pollinatorpals. A Small Skipper on a Common Knapweed. A Marbled White on a Greater Knapweed. A Comma on a Creeping Thistle. Bedford, Beds.

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Patrick Giles @ppg0104.bsky.social · 11/06/2026

For a British birdwatcher the incongruous sight of a Green Sandpiper perched in a tree, in the middle of a conifer forest. Green Sandpipers nest in the old tree nest of other species e.g. Fieldfare. I'm told their Finnish name means Forest Sandpiper. Oulanka NP Finland @djsmith65.bsky.social

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Reposted by Patrick Giles

Henry Cook @hcbirding.bsky.social · 28/05/2026

Incredible views of a migrating Common Quail as it flew past the ship in the English Channel! @sophieshrike.bsky.social

Common Quail flies over the sea with wings outstretched. It is a small brown streaky gamebird.

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Patrick Giles @ppg0104.bsky.social · 17/05/2026

Some #tinyplants: A Common Storksbill and an Early Forget-me-not. For #WildflowerHour. Beds.

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Patrick Giles @ppg0104.bsky.social · 10/05/2026

Top right, a Twayblade with a nibbled leaf and bottom right the same plant 3 weeks ago. A Muntjac deer is the likely nibbler. Old Warden tunnel LNR. Beds #WildflowerHour

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Patrick Giles @ppg0104.bsky.social · 22/04/2026

A female Holly Blue on Dogwood flower buds; cleaning an antenna while sunbathing. #WildWebsWednesday Willington, Beds.

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Patrick Giles @ppg0104.bsky.social · 19/04/2026

For #WildflowerHour #CabbageFamily - Honesty. A native of southern Europe. Priory CP, Bedford, Beds.

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Patrick Giles @ppg0104.bsky.social · 12/04/2026

For #WildflowerHour - Some Garlic Mustard (aka Jack by the Hedge). These are newly appeared here as are Orange Tip butterflies, who lay their eggs upon it. Chapel End, Beds.

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Patrick Giles @ppg0104.bsky.social · 09/04/2026

I've not seen one of these before - a False Oxlip (left). A hybrid of Primrose (top right) and Cowslip (bottom right) both of which were nearby. Sheerhatch Wood, Beds.

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Patrick Giles @ppg0104.bsky.social · 29/03/2026

It was fun looking for #treeflowers this week, though at times a step ladder would have been useful 😊. Ash and Field Maple. Hornbeam and Wild Cherry. Willington, Beds. For #WildflowerHour.

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Patrick Giles @ppg0104.bsky.social · 22/03/2026

For #WildflowerHour #Storyplants. Google gives many reasons why Yews are so often near Churches - historical, practical and symbolic. Considered sacred before the arrival of Christianity, being evergreen and long lived, in Christian symbolism they represent eternal life. St Leonard’s, Old Warden.

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Patrick Giles @ppg0104.bsky.social · 15/03/2026

Between about 1.25 and 1.5 m above the ground, the leaves on this Holly went from having many spines, to some, then none - presumably reflecting the height of the local Roe Deer. #Wildflowerhour Thetford Forest.

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Patrick Giles @ppg0104.bsky.social · 15/03/2026

A large area in the Thetford forest with the top soil removed (one of several). Is this to create habitat for Woodlarks, I wonder? And a Crossbill at a drinking pool. Thetford Forest Yesterday. #UKBirding

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Patrick Giles @ppg0104.bsky.social · 16/02/2026

A Cherry Plum in bloom was a welcome reminder that spring is just round the corner 😊. A late entry for #WildflowerHour Willington, Beds.

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Patrick Giles @ppg0104.bsky.social · 04/02/2026

For #WildWebWednesday A Wood Pigeon on ivy looking for berries and (second picture) mid gulp. Titchwell RSPB, Norfolk.

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Patrick Giles @ppg0104.bsky.social · 23/01/2026

And unusual sight from the usual haunts today of a flying Bittern, which after landing in water that was I suspect deeper than hoped, dried off at the edge of a reed bed. #recordshot #bedsbirding Causeway Lake, Willington, Beds.

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Patrick Giles @ppg0104.bsky.social · 30/11/2025

At some point each winter Thrushes eat the fruit of this Rowan. The bird gets a meal and with the seeds passing undigested through their gut, the plant gets its seeds dispersed. Priory CP, Bedford, Beds. #WildflowerHour

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Patrick Giles @ppg0104.bsky.social · 21/11/2025

Separated from myself by a river, this Cormorant (a wary species) allowed a closer than normal approach. #bedsbirding #ukbirding

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Patrick Giles @ppg0104.bsky.social · 03/11/2025

A typical view of some very noisy (calls and dropping cones) but hard to see Crossbill at Warden Warren yesterday. #ukbirding #bedsbirding

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Patrick Giles @ppg0104.bsky.social · 31/08/2025

1 of 3 Spotted Flycatchers seen today, pausing to feed on their journey south. Their broad bill bases (2nd pic) help to catch flying insects. #ukbirding #bedsbirding

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Patrick Giles @ppg0104.bsky.social · 31/08/2025

For #WildflowerHour #fruits Some dew covered Dewberry. Willington, Beds.

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Patrick Giles @ppg0104.bsky.social · 13/08/2025

A White Water-lily, looking like a painting. Weerribbeen-Weiden NP Netherlands.

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Patrick Giles @ppg0104.bsky.social · 27/07/2025

Wayfaring Tree berries, with (to my mind) an autumnal feel to the mix of colours. #WildflowerHour Priory CP Bedford, Beds.

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Patrick Giles @ppg0104.bsky.social · 27/07/2025

For #WildflowerHour #Deadnettlefamily The lovely Wild Clary. Most at this site (in the background) had gone over. Castle Mills Lock, Beds.

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Patrick Giles @ppg0104.bsky.social · 14/07/2025

Having left the nest but still being feed by its parents, this Common Buzzard was making a begging call. #ukbirding #bedsbirding Willington, Beds.

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Patrick Giles @ppg0104.bsky.social · 09/07/2025

The over ripe fruit of a Wild Cherry was providing a butterfly breakfast. For #wildwebwednesday Bedford, Beds.

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Patrick Giles @ppg0104.bsky.social · 06/07/2025

Some Docks for #WildflowerHour. Curled Dock (top) and Clustered Dock (bottom). Willington, Beds.

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Patrick Giles @ppg0104.bsky.social · 06/07/2025

These seed pods with the morning sun behind them caught the eye. (Field Pennycress?). For #WildflowerHour Cople, Beds.

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Patrick Giles @ppg0104.bsky.social · 27/06/2025

A Southern Hawker allowed a close approach this morning. A male, its slightly muted colours presumably due to it not being quite mature (?). Bedford, Beds. #Dragonfly

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Patrick Giles @ppg0104.bsky.social · 22/06/2025

Bathed in sunlight, Common Centaury. For #WildflowerHour Willington, Beds.

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Patrick Giles @ppg0104.bsky.social · 22/06/2025

Some #AquaticPlants for #WildflowerHour (clockwise from top left): Flowering Rush, Yellow Waterlily, Water-plantain and Branched Bur-reed. Bedford, Beds.

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Patrick Giles @ppg0104.bsky.social · 18/06/2025

For #WildWebWednesday A Common Centaury, with and without a pollinator. Willington, Beds.

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Patrick Giles @ppg0104.bsky.social · 14/06/2025

The aptly named Green-eyed Hawker (aka Norfolk Hawker). Here, in the past few years, these have gone from rarely to commonly seen. Willington, Beds. #dragonfly

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Patrick Giles @ppg0104.bsky.social · 08/06/2025

For #WildflowerHour #Peafamily, a Grass Vetchling. The "floating" flower really catches the eye, unlike the grass-like leaves! Willington, Beds.

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Reposted by Patrick Giles

Matt Bruce @mattjbruce.bsky.social · 04/06/2025

The stunning breeding plumage female Grey (Red) Phalarope at Spiggie, Shetland, this afternoon. What an incredible looking bird! Not often seen looking like this in the UK. My only other sighting was about a decade ago at Brandon Marsh, Warks! #Phalarope #Waders #Wildlife #UkBirding

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