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Saxicolaobs

@saxicolaobs.bsky.social
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Jonny @suffolkseawatcher.bsky.social · 03/10/2026
Can people help share this far and wide? Great blog detailing a proper injustice - that seems to go unchecked year on year! Meanwhile over the border - Norfolk are smashing it! ♠️ tringa24.wordpress.com/2026/10/03/a...
tringa24.wordpress.com
A Tale of Two Coastlines – Norfolk Delivers, Suffolk Dithers
Norfolk has just committed £384,000 of developer mitigation money to protect beach-nesting birds on its coast. Suffolk is sitting on £1.74 million collected for exactly the same purpose. On 2 Octob…
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BirdGuides @birdguides.bsky.social · 04/09/2026
Appreciating the avian world up close Millie Burdett reflects on her recent foray into the fascinating world of ringing and how it has brought her closer to birds:
f.mtr.cool
Bird ringing: appreciating the avian world up close
Millie Burdett reflects on her recent foray into the fascinating world of ringing and how it has brought her closer to birds.
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Lukas Large @lukaslarge.bsky.social · 04/09/2026
A new book on British Earthstars by Jonathan Revett is now available to preorder from @summerfieldbooks.com #MycoBookClub #fungi #FungiFriday #Mycology www.summerfieldbooks.com/product/brit...
British Earthstars by Jonathan Revett14. Geastrum rufescens Pers.

Rosy Earthstar

<<< rufescens = red, reddening >>>

Icons: Pegler et al. (1995) p103; Jeppson (2013) p168; Læssøe et al. (2019) p1249.

A medium to large sized species with thick fleshed pinkish-red non-hygroscopic rays, a fimbriate peristome and stalked spore sac

Unexpanded fruitbody: Subglobose, 30mm 40mm.

Expanded fruitbody: 50mm - 90mm with 5-8 non-hygroscopic rays, flattened or arching with age.

Mycelial layer: Persistent, encrusting debris.

Fibrous layer: Pale grey brown

Fleshy layer: Warm reddish pink, flesh up to 8mm thick when fresh, quickly cracking and falling apart, darker with age but normally with residual reddish tones.

Spore sac: Subglobose 10mm 30mm diameter, greyish buff or light brown, smooth or minutely hairy (hand lens needed!) and with a fimbriate peristome which is often ill-defined and a short stem.

Mature Spore Mass: Dark brown.

Spores: Globose, 3.8µm 4.3µm, covered in elongated warts up to 0.5µm high.

Capillitial hyphae: 4.0µm 8.0µm, thick walled, tapering, encrusted.

Habitat: Rich litter in both deciduous and coniferous woodland, parks, arboretums.

Distribution: An uncommon species but well represented across Britain.

Discussion:

Unmistakable when fresh, thick fleshed with some degree (often very intense) of pinkish red tones and a weakly defined fimbriate peristome. The spore sac often degrades very quickly, especially around the peristome and can end up with several tears and holes. The short stem is best seen in mature specimens when all the flesh has eroded.

Unlikely to be confused with other earthstars when fresh but old specimens can resemble Geastrum michelianum or even Geastrum fimbriatum however the rays normally have dark reddish tones and sometimes dried patches of the thick flesh. The spores are also larger than G fimbriatum & G michelianum.

Often found in and around rotting tree stumps or on big thick piles of needle litter.

European Distribution & Species:

Common and widespread a…
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Ewan Urquhart @pittasoma.bsky.social · 03/09/2026
#UKBirds A visit to Kingsbury Water Park did not disappoint. The juvenile Red necked Phalarope performed perfectly.Account of my visit plus many photos at blackaudibirding.blogspot.com
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Corinna Langebrake @co-la.bsky.social · 01/09/2026
To the birding community: one of our GPS-tagged redshanks was predated during its migration in France. We would be very greatful if we could have the GPS tag back and get as much information as possible from the bird! This is the last position: maps.app.goo.gl/jCWDXDfhnJPT... @genmig.bsky.social
@larsburnus
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RSPB Science @rspbscience.bsky.social · 01/09/2026
New job alert🪶 2.5yr fixed term Conservation Scientist role in our England and Wales team Project: Developing a trial management intervention for upland breeding Whinchat through a programme of new science Deadline: 23 Sept Full details here: app.vacancy-filler.co.uk/salescrm/Car... 📷Ben Andrew
A Whinchat perches atop a fern.
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Caring for God's Acre @caringforgodsacre.bsky.social · 29/08/2026
We're all so relieved the rain has come, just in time for Waxcap Watch run by Plantlife These are key indicators of ancient meadowland, visit www.plantlife.org.uk/waxcapwatch/ to take part in this important citizen science project from Sept to the first frosts. #waxcaps #plantlife #ancientmeadow
plantlife.org.uk
Waxcap Watch: Survey Britain's Grassland Fungi | Plantlife
Help find Britain's rarest grassland fungi this autumn. No ID skills needed, just download the free app and record waxcaps near you. Join Waxcap Watch.
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Dave Hutton @davehutton1969.bsky.social · 28/08/2026
Red-necked Phalarope at Kingsbury Water Park, Warks 28/8/26 #birds
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Chris Knox @budlebirder.bsky.social · 27/08/2026
Thanks to Birdwatch magazine for their favourable review of my publication the Birds of Budle Bay. Copies are still available for anyone who would like to purchase one #NEbirding #BudleBay @alantilmouth.bsky.social @birdguides.bsky.social
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Dave Hutton @davehutton1969.bsky.social · 11/08/2026
Hummingbird Hawkmoth Nuneaton VC38 still getting them regularly in garden... #teammoth
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Chris Knox @budlebirder.bsky.social · 25/07/2026
At least ten Mediterranean Gulls were present today, including six juveniles. A particular highlight was this individual, which was ringed at Scolt Head Island, Norfolk, on 18 June 2026 #BudleBay #NEBIRDING
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RSPB Science @rspbscience.bsky.social · 23/07/2026
New research reveals a substantial decline in the number of European Storm-petrels caught by researchers over the course of a 27-year study Read on for a summary Full paper: doi.org/10.1080/0006... @one-cardiffuni.bsky.social @robthomasbirds.bsky.social @kirstyfranklin.bsky.social #seabird 🪶🧪
A small dark seabird with white at the top of its tail (European Storm-petrel) cupped in a person’s hand against a black background.
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Dave Hutton @davehutton1969.bsky.social · 24/07/2026
Gorse Shieldbug (Nuneaton,Warks 24/7/26) Great to find 20+ in the garden today on the broom bush #shieldbugs #bugs
Gorse Shieldbug adultGorse Shieldbug mid instarGorse Shieldbug late instarGorse Shieldbug early instar
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Stewart @stewchat.bsky.social · 24/07/2026
All day #BBCNews has been reporting on fires in France, with no mention of the devastation taking place in the Cairngorms. It's disgraceful. #wildfires
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Julian Hughes @penrhynbirder.bsky.social · 24/07/2026
Da iawn Scotland. The previous Welsh Government blew the chance to be first despite cross-party support in the Senedd. Can a new Government do better, @plaidcymru.bsky.social @llyrgruffydd.bsky.social?
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West Midlands Ringing Group @westmidlandsrg.bsky.social · 20/07/2026
Another frustrating breeding season, with several reports of cats killing our ringed Blackbirds. One breeding male was killed by a cat just two weeks after being ringed, likely leaving dependent chicks without a parent. The impact of free-roaming cats on wildlife is significant
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Ewan Urquhart @pittasoma.bsky.social · 09/07/2026
#UKBirds My take on the Long tailed Shrike in Fife. Pic by Adrian Webb blackaudibirding.blogspot.com
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West Midlands Ringing Group @westmidlandsrg.bsky.social · 09/07/2026
UPDATE: Male has been identified and details passed to the police. Thank you all for sharing.
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Richard K Broughton @richardkbroughton.bsky.social · 26/06/2026
New in #BirdStudy and the media today: Swifts are very faithful to nest sites, partners & colonies. Providing nest sites could help maintain populations. High fidelity to nest sites and partners in the Common Swift Apus apus: doi.org/10.1080/0006... www.theguardian.com/environment/... #ornithology
theguardian.com
Migrating swifts loyally return every year to nests in buildings, study finds
Conservationists emphasise importance of protecting nesting sites used by ‘strongly faithful’ red-listed species
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RSPB @rspb.bsky.social · 30/06/2026
Imagine travelling thousands of miles just to spend your evenings doing zoomies over the same few houses... It's hard not to be impressed 👇 #SwiftAwarenessWeek
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Bill Aspin 🇺🇦 @billaspin.bsky.social · 23/06/2026
Can’t remember the last time I actually saw a Quail. You can hear it with the volume up. #UKBirding
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Rod Jones @rodshelf.bsky.social · 11/06/2026
Great to see juvenile Twite in the Pennines. These lovely finches are just about clinging on here, so fledglings are precious. #ThePhotoHour #birds #birding #wildlife #nature #photography #PhotographersOfBluesky @j-dunning.net @rspb.bsky.social @yorkswildlife.bsky.social
Juvenile Twite being fed by a parent.Juvenile twite standing on the grassy ground and looking into the lens.Side view of a juvenile Twite.Two juvenile Twite standing next to a parent bird.
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Countryside Jobs Service @countrysidejobs.bsky.social · 11/06/2026
Race against time to save Endangered native crayfish As invasive American Signal Crayfish numbers surge at a Derbyshire site, a bold rescue mission gives the UK’s White-clawed Crayfish a fighting chance – thanks to a new “Ark site” in Staffordshire. c-js.co.uk/3PVwC17
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Blithfieldblue. @blithfieldblue.bsky.social · 11/06/2026
I`ve always wanted to find a Caspian Tern at Blithfield and I always thought it would be on the mud in Blithe Bay and at 07.30 this morning it came true. "The Beast"
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Matthew Pollock @mattp1975.bsky.social · 11/06/2026
Just having a first look at this superb publication which arrived today. As site guides/reports go, this is top drawer quality. I'll be studying this over the next few months, ahead of my next visit to "The Bay" in the autumn. Do your self a favour and pick up a copy from @budlebirder.bsky.social
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RSPB Scotland @rspbscotland.bsky.social · 09/06/2026
BIG NEWS for some of Scotland's most iconic seabird islands 📣 Bass Rock and Craigleith are now part of our nature reserve network! Together with @seabirdcentre.bsky.social we’re taking an exciting step forward to deliver a more secure future for seabirds. youtube.com/watch?v=WHxVpCh5E-Q
youtube.com
Amazing news as RSPB adds iconic seabird islands to its reserves
YouTube video by RSPB
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Gary Woodburn @gary-woodburn.bsky.social · 08/06/2026
This excellent new book just arrived ! It's a cracking read, packed with local knowledge, useful data & capturing decades of dedicated patch birding. Message @budlebirder.bsky.social to get your copy. #NEbirding #BirdsofBudle #Lowcarbonbirding #Patchbirding
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Birmingham Open Spaces Forum @bosfonline.bsky.social · 09/06/2026
Are you a Friends Group member? The British Trust for Ornithology want to hear from you. Your knowledge could help shape decisions that benefit both birds and the people who use and help care for their local green spaces. Please take 5 minutes to complete this quick survey: docs.google.com/form...
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Stuart Griffiths @sgriffiths1302.bsky.social · 10/06/2026
Just received this wonderful book recording the avifauna of Budle Bay. Well written and illustrated with great photos. Well done Chris Knox! Highly recommended @budlebirder.bsky.social
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RSPB @rspb.bsky.social · 08/06/2026
The Government is considering planning loopholes that could strip nature from England’s most deprived communities. ❌
THE
GOVERNMENT
WANTS TO 
STRIP NATURE
FROM ENGLAND’S 
MOST DEPRIVED
COMMUNITIES.
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BTO | British Trust for Ornithology @btobirds.bsky.social · 06/06/2026
Take part in our brand new Birds in Greenspaces survey for a day➡️ www.bto.org/greenspaces 🐦 We’re encouraging everyone to sign up, download the app and give it a go. 🌳 Just explore your local greenspace, which could be a park, football pitch or cemetery & record the birds that you see or hear.
An illustrated artwork of the head of a Starling features on a pale background alongside the wording: Take part in Birds in Greenspaces Day! Saturday 13 June.
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Matt Hall @matthall95.bsky.social · 04/06/2026
Seabirds galore at Severn Beach! 250+ Manx Shearwater, Great Northern Diver, Bonxie, Arctic Skua, Fulmar, 2 Storm Petrel, 2 Common Scoter and 4 Kittiwake this morning. Dark phase Arctic Skua, 2 Guillemot, 5 Common Tern and 2 Kitts last night @andy-1963.bsky.social @severnsidebirds.bsky.social
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Shaun Robson @narwhalsh.bsky.social · 05/06/2026
Perspective from Vancouver.....
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Chris Knox @budlebirder.bsky.social · 01/06/2026
226-pages with colour photos maps graphs & info from one of Northumbs most impt birding areas. 💷 Special price for NTBC/NNBC members: £15 + £3 postage 📩 Non-member price avail on enquiry. PLS REPOST To order send a Direct message to @budlebirder.bsky.social #NEbirding #BirdingScotland #UKbirding
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BTO | British Trust for Ornithology @btobirds.bsky.social · 04/06/2026
Volunteers are at the heart of BTO. 🐦 We couldn't achieve what we do for birds, science & people without you. Thank you! Here's a snapshot of what some of our survey volunteers have achieved 🙌 From Regional Reps to BTO Youth, there's a variety of volunteer roles at BTO➡️ www.bto.org/volunteer
An infographic showing volunteer statistics. The title reads: Thank you to BTO Volunteers. White cut out images of birds feature on a green background. A Swallow raises its wings near the wording 100k users on BirdTrack. Below, a Starling perches near the words 2,500+ signed up to the Birds in Greenspaces survey. At the bottom of the image a Stonechat perches on top of a gorse bush next to the wording 2,800+ volunteers achieved the greatest number of sites ever monitored for the 2025 Breeding Bird Survey. Above, the head of a Curlew appears on the left of the image alongside the wording 3,435 sites covered for the latest Wetland Bird Survey report. Above this a Chaffinch flies with wings outstretched by the wording 10.9+ million submissions to date to Garden BirdWatch.
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Lukas Large @lukaslarge.bsky.social · 29/05/2026
The scale of bad behaviour by dog owners is insane. Only around 5% actually treat nature with respect: "Most (always: 85%; always or occasionally: 95%) dogs were walked off the lead even when signs were present requesting that dogs were kept on a lead." link.springer.com/article/10.1...
link.springer.com
Unleashed: walking dogs off the lead greatly increases habitat disturbance in UK lowland heathlands - Urban Ecosystems
Human population growth is associated with increased disturbance to wildlife. This effect is particularly acute in urban and periurban areas, where the area of effective disturbance extends beyond tha...
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Chasing__birds 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿🇬🇧🇺🇦🇨🇦🇬🇱🇺🇳 @carlhowe.bsky.social · 31/05/2026
I never expected this leveret to come hoping towards me. @bbcspringwatch.bsky.social #hares #wildlife #nature #wildlifephotography
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UK Seabird Monitoring Programme @smp-seabirds.bsky.social · 29/05/2026
The 2026 SMP Newsletter is here! Read it (and sign up to receive future editions) here: www.bto.org/our-work/sci... to find out about the SMP's 40th anniversary, latest developments, the science of seabird poo, and more! #birds #seabirds @btobirds.bsky.social @jncc.bsky.social @rspb.bsky.social
Image of the 2026 SMP Newsletter front cover
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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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Neil @uk-wildlife.bsky.social · 24/05/2026
Them: "Go outside in Nature, it is great for relieving stress" Me, who is stressed because when working in Nature (reserves) I'm seeing the rubbish everywhere, dogs off lead scaring wildlife, dog poo, cats hunting lizards, areas set on fire, ponds destroyed by constant dog activity..: "Ok, thanks"
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Wild Horizons @wildhorizons.bsky.social · 10/05/2026
With a 77% decline in Willow Tit across the UK between 2024-2025 (BBS), every nest counts. Wherever possible, we protect Willow Tit nest cavities from GSW attack with mesh guards. On public sites we add additional camouflage to keep the nest discreet and blending in with the natural surroundings.
An image of a Willow Tit perched on the front of its nest cavity in a willow snag on the edge of a woodland. The Willow Tit has a caterpillar in its bill to feed the nestlings inside. The nest cavity has been covered with a mesh guard to protect from Great Spotted Woodpecker attack, and a layer of mossy bark has been secured over the top to camouflage the nest.
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Richard Harbird @mortonbagotbirder.bsky.social · 21/05/2026
Wow, What a morning. Twitched patchgold Sanderling at Earlswood, and jammed in on Spotted Sandpiper found by John Oates as he was leaving #PWC2026
SanderlingSpotted Sandpiper
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Chasing__birds 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿🇬🇧🇺🇦🇨🇦🇬🇱🇺🇳 @carlhowe.bsky.social · 20/05/2026
The Hurley Warwickshire Yellow Browed Warbler showed really well back in early January. Taken with a Nikon Z9 180-600 mm lens. #westmidlandsbirdclub #birdwatching #birding #birdphotography #wildlife #wildlifephotography
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BTO | British Trust for Ornithology @btobirds.bsky.social · 20/05/2026
1/ The latest Winter Gull Survey revealed that over the two decades since the last count, the total number of gulls wintering in the UK has decreased from 3.9 million to just under 2.5 million! 📉 #Ornithology #Seabirds 📖 Read the report www.bto.org/WinGSReport
A greyscale image features a Common Gull flying with its wings outstretched which fill the screen. Wording alongside reads: 1.4 Million Gulls Vanished.
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Wild Horizons @wildhorizons.bsky.social · 03/05/2026
Blue Tits are a problem for Willow Tits, often taking over WT nest cavities by aggressive eviction. With 6 WT eggs inside, these BTs spent an entire day removing nesting material! The second day was full on warfare, ending in successful WTs. Now a full clutch of 8 eggs safely under incubation. Phew!
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🌱 Emma Marsh @emmamarsh5.bsky.social · 01/05/2026
🦉Birdwatching is now the second fastest growing hobby for Gen Z! Among millennials it has risen by 216% alongside a 66% increase in gen X birders. Welcome to a world of wonder! www.theguardian.com/environment/... #nature #birds
theguardian.com
Gen Z leads birdwatching boom as more Britons reach for the binoculars
Birdwatching no longer niche, old-fashioned pastime, says RSPB as research shows 47% increase in hobby since 2018
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Plantlife @plantlifeuk.bsky.social · 01/05/2026
No Mow May is here! 🌼 The #NoMowMovement can look different for everyone. Here are some of the places you can let it grow! 🏡 Gardens 🪴 Plant pots or window boxes 🛣️ Verges 🏫 Schools 🎓 Campuses 🏘️ Community spaces How are you taking part? Not signed up? Join us! 👉 loom.ly/RW0t-fw
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Plantlife @plantlifeuk.bsky.social · 30/04/2026
The lawnmower is out of office. The grass can grow!🌱 Add your name to the No Mow Movement and pledge to give the mower a holiday - loom.ly/XjkGVRE Who’s put the mower away already?✋ #NoMowMay #NoMowMovement #NoMowMay2026
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RSPB @rspb.bsky.social · 24/04/2026
Shocking footage, captured by a covert RSPB camera, shows gamekeeper Russell Mason brutally killing a Goshawk in a crow cage trap in Perthshire.   After pleading guilty, today he was given a 200-hour Community Payback Order for killing the Goshawk and fined £890 for firearm offences.
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