iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

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.

050

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

Thanks Derek, a great trip and you made some great finds 🙂.

000

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.

0302

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

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

0383

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.

0191

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.

0120

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.

0223

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

070

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.

070

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.

0100

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

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

0223

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

050

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.

0142

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

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

0181

Patrick Giles @ppg0104.bsky.social · 25/06/2026

It's an immature female Blue-tailed Damselfly of a particular colour form - rufescens These mature to form infuscans obseleta with a pale brown thorax and brown segment 8.

110

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.

0313

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

130

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.

1262665

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

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

0202

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

092

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

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

0121

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

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

0100

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.

0142

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.

060

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.

0131

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.

0253

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.

0121

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

051

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.

0251

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.

060

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.

071

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

0172

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

080

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

090

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

It's a suprise they haven't been split 😉.

010

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

0120

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

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

0302

Patrick Giles @ppg0104.bsky.social · 14/08/2025

Hello Yes, yellow stripe on leg suggests a Common Darter (as opposed to Ruddy). Abdomen shape suggests a male (but immature).

110

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

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

030

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.

060

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.

0333

Patrick Giles @ppg0104.bsky.social · 18/07/2025

Am not seeing dark patches at hindwing base so am thinking Black-tailed Skimmer - a mature male. Darkish eyes also consistent - would be bluer in mature male Scarce Chaser.

120

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.

080

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.

040

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

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

071