iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Richard T Taylor @richardttaylor.bsky.social · 18h

When on St Mary’s #IOS, there are three laws I abide by. Go birding, Eat wonderful cake and look for Stick Insects. 18 young at Rosemary Cottage this year were soon whittled down.

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Richard T Taylor @richardttaylor.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

Today, A grey rather pink Common Vestal on St Mary’s on the coastal path above Caen Lêh this afternoon with grey rather than pink markings. This points to a “home grown” individual in cooler temperatures. #IOS, a result of larval stage development in cooler climes? @migrantmothuk.bsky.social

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Richard T Taylor @richardttaylor.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

Ivy bee on Ivy. Chesterfield Rd Belper 160926 Good numbers again this year foraging on a mature bank of Ivy. A regular spot to see them over the last few years #WildBelper @derbysnottsentsoc.bsky.social @derbyswildlife.bsky.social @willowglass12.bsky.social

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Richard T Taylor @richardttaylor.bsky.social · 16/09/2026

#Belper Railway Station tonight #WHSDerwentValleyMills The Flying Scotsman making progress #SteamHeritage #Steamingandarolling ! The sounds & smells bringing history to life.

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Richard T Taylor @richardttaylor.bsky.social · 16/09/2026

An active Red Admiral in the garden today with Painted Lady both Southern and Migrant Hawkers hunting amongst the remaining Buddleia flowers @derbyswildlife.bsky.social @derbysnottsentsoc.bsky.social

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BirdGuides @birdguides.bsky.social · 15/09/2026

How to Count Birds: A Guide for Monitoring Avian Populations review Whether you are a full-time surveyor, a voluntary bird counter or simply someone who likes to play with their own notes, this book can only sharpen your analyses, writes David Callahan: f.mtr.cool/goyxaj0ofg

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Derbyshire Wildlife Trust @derbyswildlife.bsky.social · 15/09/2026

70 new swift boxes are up across Chesterfield 🏘️🪺 With UK swift numbers down 66%, safe nest sites are vital. These 3D-printed next boxes offer returning swifts (and bats) safe shelter. Help #swifts in your neighbourhood: derbyshirewildlifetrust.pulse.ly/k0… #WilderDerbyshire

Three smiling people pose in front of a red brick house with a ladder leaning against it.

On the left, a man in a straw hat and a yellow t-shirt reading "One of the wild ones" smiles at the camera. In the middle, a man wearing sunglasses and a reddish-brown jacket stands on the ladder, looking down and smiling. On the right, a woman in a light blue t-shirt and glasses smiles while holding a wooden bird box labeled "Peak Boxes" with the man on the ladder.

The ladder leans against the two-story brick house, reaching up to the roofline where a matching wooden bird box is already installed under the eaves.

A low-angle, full shot shows a man standing high up on a metal ladder leaning against a brick house. He is mounting a wooden box under the eaves of the roof. He looks toward the camera with a smile, giving a thumbs-up gesture. He wears a rust-colored long-sleeve shirt, grey pants, safety goggles on his forehead, and a tool belt with a yellow-and-black power drill hanging from his waist. The sky behind him is partly cloudy.

An upward-angled, close-up shot shows two beige, plastic swift nesting boxes mounted directly under the eaves of a red brick house. A white gutter runs along the top of the frame, with a downpipe visible on the right. The sky above is filled with white and grey clouds.

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gpcbirding.bsky.social @gpcbirding.bsky.social · 14/09/2026

On September 16th 1982 I estimated a total of 250,000 Swallows roosted at Barton on Humber with 70,000 still on 29th: tonight 44 years on there was not one! With Spurn Migfest lacking Mig it is obvious we are heading for the precipice like the proverbial lemmings but 99% of Britains don’t care:

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Richard T Taylor @richardttaylor.bsky.social · 14/09/2026

An enjoyable week with the St Ives birders. Thanks for letting me over the border to spend time on the Island Billy Adam & John et al @lobb66.bsky.social @liamlangley1.bsky.social Seawatchingfest was excellent Sabs, Skuas, Petrels, Sunfish & Dolphins + Ivy Bees,2 Pec Sand, Bairds & great company

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Richard T Taylor @richardttaylor.bsky.social · 01/09/2026

Too quick for a photo, but a Clouded Yellow zipped by South nr Clark’s Bridge on the Grantham Canal near Melton Mowbray this dinner time. Speckled Woods,Peacock Painted Lady.Plenty of Common & Ruddy Darters with Southern & Migrant Hawkers too @dorsetbutterflies.bsky.social #EastmidlandsButterflies

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Richard T Taylor @richardttaylor.bsky.social · 28/08/2026

A misty end to the day, the wood picked out by the last of the sun’s rays. After the deluge still no sign of water in the main pool at Wyver.

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Richard T Taylor @richardttaylor.bsky.social · 27/08/2026

Rolling electrical storm for last 20 minutes over Belper coming from the S/SW now heavy rain joins the fray after today’s downpours @metoffice.gov.uk #Derbyshire #Weather

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Richard T Taylor @richardttaylor.bsky.social · 26/08/2026

This morning #WyverlaneNR checking the wandering band of mixed tit flocks with Goldcrest, Chiffchaffs & Whitethroat. Well done to the work of the @derbyswildlife.bsky.social volunteers on making inroads on the Purple Loosestrife meadow. With heavy rain this afternoon we may have some puddles soon.

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Reuters @reuters.com · 26/08/2026

GRAPHIC WARNING: This video contains sensitive footage that may disturb some viewers. A massive flash flood in the Himalayan border areas of Nepal and ‌China's Tibet washed away villages while damaging roads, bridges and power projects in a region bordering Tibet, authorities said

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Richard T Taylor @richardttaylor.bsky.social · 25/08/2026

A fun evening hosted by #CromfordMill #Derbyshire #Derwentworldheritagesite with #TheHandlebards & special guest Graham with an authentic Shakespearean outing of “As you like it “ #outdoortheatre always an enjoyable occasion.

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Richard T Taylor @richardttaylor.bsky.social · 24/08/2026

Record shots of Osprey at Ogston Reservoir #Derbyshirebirds 16:25 picked out by Doug Aston, which performed to 20 or so observers. A long wait for several birders who arrived after it was seen at 07:00am by Steve Mann @danmartinwildlife.bsky.social

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BirdGuides @birdguides.bsky.social · 22/08/2026

Southern England has been treated to a record-breaking influx of Queen of Spain Fritillary in recent weeks, sparking discussion that the butterfly could become established in Britain:

f.mtr.cool

Record Queen of Spain Fritillary influx to England

Southern England has been treated to a record-breaking arrival of Queen of Spain Fritillary butterflies in recent weeks, sparking hopes that the species could become established in Britain.

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Richard T Taylor @richardttaylor.bsky.social · 14/08/2026

Spotted Flycatcher briefly in the garden #SouthWillingham #AONBLincswolds @lincsbirding.bsky.social with Chiffchaffs & Blackcaps feeding along hedgerows today. 2 Buzzard families, Sparrowhawk with attendant Swallow flock of 29 escorting her through and lingering 18 Sand Martins. 6 Swift through.

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Birds of Poole Harbour @harbourbirds.bsky.social · 09/08/2026

Local birder Brian Edge has just found a Cicada species going bonkers in a suburban Swanage cul-de-sac !!! @dorsetbirdclub.bsky.social @birdguides.bsky.social

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Richard T Taylor @richardttaylor.bsky.social · 12/08/2026

2 for 1 #Solareclipse26 #AONBLincsWolds #lookup with protection. Swallows & Wood pigeons went to roost early most confused.

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CleySpy @cleyspy.bsky.social · 12/08/2026

All Kowa spotting scopes come with this little warning label - it’s never been more appropriate than on #eclipse day! 😎

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Richard T Taylor @richardttaylor.bsky.social · 12/08/2026

Swallows in training for the big journey south #SouthWillingham #LincsWoldsAONB #phonesnaps Red Kite , 60 Chaffinch 12 Greenfinch this morning @lincsbirding.bsky.social @lincswildlife.bsky.social

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Portland Bird Observatory @portlandbirdobs.bsky.social · 10/08/2026

Also, some better photos of the Verge Cricket Eumodicogryllus bordigalensis caught last night by Nigel Jones and Mark Edgeller whilst they were moth-trapping at Freshwater Bay

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Richard T Taylor @richardttaylor.bsky.social · 09/08/2026

Well yet another Hummingbird Hawk Moth gracing the garden this evening . Phone video snap. #DANES @willowglass12.bsky.social @derbyswildlife.bsky.social @stephbirdart.bsky.social

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Richard T Taylor @richardttaylor.bsky.social · 09/08/2026

My SiL is finding dead BLEs in her church in Lincolnshire,5 over the last few weeks. Are Bat workers @batconservation.bsky.social experiencing seemingly increased mortality during the drought over the last few months?Could this be as a result of heat, availability of open water or demands of life?

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Thomas Fortenberry @thomasfortenberry.bsky.social · 08/08/2026

Averaging over 104 F per day is not in any way normal.

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Richard T Taylor @richardttaylor.bsky.social · 07/08/2026

August 2011, 2022,2024 & 2026.The changing face of #WyverlaneNR @derbyswildlife.bsky.social @derbyshirebirds.bsky.social as wetland habitat in the Derwent Valley WHS changes over 15 years. From open flash to Purple Loosetrife meadow & developing willow carr #succession #nature never stands still.

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Richard T Taylor @richardttaylor.bsky.social · 04/08/2026

Removed from the house Mellinus arvensis, the field digger wasp, a species of solitary wasp. Commonly found from July to late September or October in sandy places. In hard soil however the female will often try to steal a nest from another member of the same species @willowglass12.bsky.social

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Richard T Taylor @richardttaylor.bsky.social · 31/07/2026

The moon was a Tangerine dream tonight with an Orange hue.Tonight's full moon is the July Buck Moon, which peaked at 3:36 pm BST in broad daylight. It’s orange as the sunlight light passes through a thick layer of air near the horizon, scattering blue light away leaving red & orange wavelengths.

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Richard T Taylor @richardttaylor.bsky.social · 27/07/2026

20:40 Hummingbird Hawk Moth feeding in the garden after another Hornet Mimic Hoverfly in the house today & mating Gatekeepers also Holly Blues. @willowglass12.bsky.social @danmartinwildlife.bsky.social @belperbirder.bsky.social #DANES @tg42birder.bsky.social

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Richard T Taylor @richardttaylor.bsky.social · 23/07/2026

Water in any form in the garden in these hot conditions becomes important to a variety of wildlife. If you have room. Even a saucer of water with pebbles for bees, to hoverfly lagoons , old washing up bowls to water features. #notjustponds Had a Common Darter egg laying this am in the square tank.

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Portland Bird Observatory @portlandbirdobs.bsky.social · 22/07/2026

Slightly diminished returns again on the moth front but still plenty of migrant interest in the Obs garden moth-traps overnight: 3 Striped Hawks and 2 Ni the best of the scarcities, with a Tufted Tortrix cristana the most infrequent of the 'rare here' dispersers (fewer than 10 Portland records ever)

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Portland Bird Observatory @portlandbirdobs.bsky.social · 20/07/2026

Two more nights of plenty in the Obs gdn moth-traps - probably nothing that's a great surprise these days but maxima of 210 Small Mottled Willow, 107 amplana, 10 Small Marbled and scares incl Big Snout, Vestal, Gem, Striped Hawk, Ni, Eastern Bordered Straw etc. The new normal!

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Richard T Taylor @richardttaylor.bsky.social · 15/07/2026

A busy garden today butterfly wise with fresh hatched Painted Lady,Red Admiral, Small Tortoiseshells ,Small Skippers Meadow Browns & 23 Gate Keepers Still no Clouded Yellows yet @derbyswildlife.bsky.social @willowglass12.bsky.social @savebutterflies.bsky.social busy Lavender, Marjoram Hemp Agrimony

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Richard T Taylor @richardttaylor.bsky.social · 03/07/2026

Had a good woodland butterfly wander yesterday on the old stomping ground, 16 species in the sunshine. Some snaps.

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