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CBWR this morning: a record shot of the distant female Pintail that's been at the wetlands since 24 September, & a close Moorhen in a tree that seems to think it has time for yet another brood of babies. Where do they get the energy?

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Annie Irving @sconzani.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

Some nice fungi from today's walk in north Cardiff, around Cefn Onn Park and down to Roath Park Lake: new-to-me Wood cauliflower (Sparassis crispa), an abundance of Porcelain fungus (Oudemansiella mucida), & Shaggy inkcap (Coprinus comatus). #fungi

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Annie Irving @sconzani.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

A wander around part of Cardiff Bay today: a Wheatear on the Barrage grass, & a couple of juvenile Greenfinches nibbling, messily, on Herb Robert seeds along the Ely embankment. #birdingWales

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Annie Irving @sconzani.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

Back home after an excellent week's birding in Weymouth & on Portland, with my best trip list so far at 85 species, including a lifer (those WT eagles!). Here's a small reminder why that area's so special: the Obs quarry Little owl having a preen (hand held so a bit jerky). Now where to go next?

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Annie Irving @sconzani.bsky.social · 27/09/2026

Walked to Lodmoor: no birds of note. It rained. Back to town, now dry, so Radipole: no birds of note. Rain forecast for noon didn't happen so walked to Lodmoor again. It rained. Soaked walking back to town. So, here's a lovely Dunnock, taken during a dry spell. Sadly, heading home tomorrow ...

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Annie Irving @sconzani.bsky.social · 26/09/2026

Also at Lodmoor this morning: I was standing watching 2 Stonechats when this pair of Sika deer appeared from behind some bushes. Not sure who was most surprised but, sadly, he bolted. Great to get close views of them though, & what lovely bottoms!

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Annie Irving @sconzani.bsky.social · 26/09/2026

Lodmoor early doors: female Marsh harrier on her lookout post; Woodpigeon fluffed up against the chill; Kingfisher mid flight; & a Little egret mid shake. #UKBirding #birds

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Annie Irving @sconzani.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

Late afternoon at Lodmoor: a Lapwing having a stretch. Annoyed I chopped the top of the wings when it was at full stretch but still happy to have got some reasonable shots of this beautiful bird.

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Annie Irving @sconzani.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

From this morning on the Isle of Portland ... More House martins than I've ever seen in one place before, in the fields around the Obs. I didn't pop in as I figured everyone, especially the ringers, were being kept very busy. @portlandbirdobs.bsky.social

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Annie Irving @sconzani.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

Timing is everything! My 7:45am arrival at Lodmoor was perfect for a Spoonbill feeding right in front of the viewing shelter, closest views I've ever had. And, on Portland this afternoon, I arrived at the Obs just after Martin had caught a Lesser emperor in the nets. @portlandbirdobs.bsky.social

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Annie Irving @sconzani.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

Portland this afternoon. Hamm Beach: 2 very handsome Brent geese & 2 of several Turnstones. And some of the gang at Ferrybridge: only spotted 1 Sanderling among the many Ringed plovers, & the single Knot with Ringed plover, Oystercatcher & Dunlin. @portlandbirdobs.bsky.social #UKBirding

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Annie Irving @sconzani.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

If there hadn't been 4 Glossy ibis at Lodmoor this morning this gorgeous Yellow wagtail would've been the absolute highlight. It popped up from the salt marsh into a tree above where I was chatting with 2 other birders. My closest encounter, my best photos. #UKBirding

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Annie Irving @sconzani.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

The highlight of this morning's birding at #Lodmoor was the arrival of 4 Glossy ibis. They were mostly distant & easily spooked, flying back & forth from the main waterways to the postbox pool. This was just my 4th time seeing these stunning birds & the 1st time seeing more than one. #UKBirding

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Annie Irving @sconzani.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

What a great start to my holiday back here in stunning Dorset! Two White-tailed eagles from the train = lifer! And a lovely walk around Lodmoor this afternoon - birds all a bit distant but 49 species for the day, Yellow wagtail NFY, & a lovely Wall butterfly, as well as several Clouded yellows.

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Annie Irving @sconzani.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

Just been looking at a map to more accurately place this sighting. It would've been just to the west of Wood Bar Looe, grid ref SY960908. Just wondering if this is a regular spot for them @harbourbirds.bsky.social ? SO wish I'd had time to get the camera or even my phone out!

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Annie Irving @sconzani.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

Almost unbelievable but I've just seen 2 eagles sitting on the shore of Poole Bay just after the train left Hamworthy heading towards Weymouth.

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Annie Irving @sconzani.bsky.social · 20/09/2026

What a stunning little bird, and a great photo from Rhos!

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Annie Irving @sconzani.bsky.social · 20/09/2026

The Zebra Spider (Salticus scenicus) may look cute but it's an effective predator, and even smaller spiders make for a tasty lunch. #arachnid @britishspiders.bsky.social

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Annie Irving @sconzani.bsky.social · 18/09/2026

I must've walked past this bird when I first arrived at Forest Farm today, then walked up & down & round & round looking for him, before finding him as I headed for the train. Doh! He's a male Mandarin in eclipse plumage & he's a stunner! Thanks for your help @fraggenstein.bsky.social #birdingWales

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Reposted by Annie Irving

South East Wales Biodiversity Records Centre @sewbrec.org.uk · 18/09/2026

#RecordOfTheWeek today is a handsome (though unwelcome) Yellow-bellied Slider (Trachemys scripta subsp. scripta) seen at Roath Park Lake by Annie Irving. Many thanks for the record & photo, submitted via www.sewbrecord.org.uk.

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Annie Irving @sconzani.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

Found some nice fungi during today's walk: lovely chunky Dyer's mazegill growing out of a large tree stump, and a group of about 20 Ruby bolete, I think - red caps, yellow gills, staining blue when touched. #fungi

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Annie Irving @sconzani.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

Sometimes having very long toes comes in handy! This young Grey heron is very confiding at Roath Park Lake and is often close to the embankment dam, so lots of people can enjoy its antics.

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Annie Irving @sconzani.bsky.social · 16/09/2026

Wildlife at Roath Park Lake today: I've not seen a Little egret fishing from the lake edge before (unphased by passing people & catching fish), one of the larger 'Mutant Ninja Turtles' (Yellow-bellied terrapin, I think), a juvenile Moorhen on a fence, & Greylags posing nicely.

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Annie Irving @sconzani.bsky.social · 15/09/2026

Today was about leaf fossicking & tiny creatures: two new-to-me aphid species, both with very few UK records I now see. First, Aphis hederae on Ivy, the 6th Welsh record, &, second, Pterocallis maculata on Alder, the 3rd Welsh record. I'm guessing not a lot of people record aphids!

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Annie Irving @sconzani.bsky.social · 13/09/2026

This not-so-little chap came prancing across the carpet of my living room this afternoon. He may be a species of House spider but I live in a very small flat where there is definitely not room for the both of us so, unfortunately for him, he has been relocated to the garden. #arachnid

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Annie Irving @sconzani.bsky.social · 12/09/2026

A nice mooch around Grangemoor Park today that produced, amongst other things, my first Wasp spider in a few years & a tiny Phyllonorycter rajella moth newly emerged from its mine on an Alder leaf.

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Annie Irving @sconzani.bsky.social · 11/09/2026

A train trip up to Maesteg today to check the ponds for dragons. It very quickly clouded over but before it did I managed to see my first Black darter & Common hawker (terrible flight shot) for the year. Several Common darters the only other #odonata. 2 Clouded yellows a nice surprise.

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Annie Irving @sconzani.bsky.social · 10/09/2026

Have I finally found a mine of Chrysoesthia drurella on Chenopodium / Atriplex (I can't tell these plants apart) please, Rob @vc28nature.bsky.social ? Only one seen. Also, have you ever found rolled leaf edges with a tiny caterpillar-like larva inside on these plants? Found on this same plant today.

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Reposted by Annie Irving

Alice Roberts @profaliceroberts.bsky.social · 09/09/2026

I’ve reached the point - well actually, I reached it a while ago - where I’m militantly anti-AI. Fine - use it in bioscience labs and radiology where it might help analyse data more effectively. Use it sparingly for systems engineering. Everywhere else, it can fuck off.

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Annie Irving @sconzani.bsky.social · 09/09/2026

Excellent birding at Lisvane Reservoir & Nature Reserve today. Grey phalarope still, Wheatear on bank, Swift with martins overhead, Redstart on perimeter fence. In reserve later, likely same Redstart giving stunning fly-catching display with many Chiff/Willows & a Spot fly. #birdingWales

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Annie Irving @sconzani.bsky.social · 08/09/2026

My photos are rubbish as the bird was always too distant for my camera but this White-winged black tern was a lifer for me and it was super watching its agile flight. Excellent find by @garethstamp77.bsky.social

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Annie Irving @sconzani.bsky.social · 07/09/2026

Today I really did go birding but migrants were few and far between: a Tree pipit at Cosmeston, a Willow warbler along the coastal path, a female Blackcap in the garden when I got home. Two Stonechat also seen. #SouthWalesBirding

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Annie Irving @sconzani.bsky.social · 06/09/2026

I told myself 'Today, I'm going birding'. 😂 I did see a Spot fly, 4 Stonechats, several Willow warblers & Blackcaps but this weekend's southerlies seem to have brought even more Clouded yellows to our coast & I'm very conscious we may not see their like again. My bliss!

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Annie Irving @sconzani.bsky.social · 05/09/2026

Still plenty of Clouded yellows about ... maybe with this weekend's southerlies, they'll still arriving? These two were at Grangemoor Park today, the second a stunning f. helice. #SouthWalesButterflies

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Annie Irving @sconzani.bsky.social · 05/09/2026

Spot the odd one out! This Shag appeared on the Taff yesterday, joined the locals coming to bread. There's some suggestion it can't fly but I don't know how it would've got there otherwise. Looks healthy, was preening a lot ... just confused about how it should be living. #birdingWales

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Annie Irving @sconzani.bsky.social · 04/09/2026

It was wonderful to watch the Grey phalarope at Cardiff's Llanishen Reservoir this morning, though the little tyke stayed out in the centre of the water, unlike the more confiding phalaropes I've seen before. (Record shots only.) #BirdingWales

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Annie Irving @sconzani.bsky.social · 04/09/2026

Stunning display of autumn crocus at Roath park lake

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Annie Irving @sconzani.bsky.social · 04/09/2026

Misumena vatia: how effective is your camouflage? 1) 5/10 try harder 2) 8/10 good colour, maybe relocate to the petals 3) 10/10 nailed it! @britishspiders.bsky.social

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Annie Irving @sconzani.bsky.social · 03/09/2026

The Naturespot website's looking very flash after its makeover @ajcann.bsky.social. Well done to all involved!

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Annie Irving @sconzani.bsky.social · 03/09/2026

Turns out the islands of vegetation that have been building up over the summer on the River Ely in Cardiff are the highly invasive Water-primrose (Ludwigia grandiflora) & a team from Defra is coming next week to remove it all. Nasty! [1st Welsh record to Peter Sturgess 19/8] @sewbrec.org.uk

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Annie Irving @sconzani.bsky.social · 01/09/2026

A superb walk today! I've never seen so many Spotted flycatchers in one day before: 10 in total over 3 locations (a pair, then 4 together, then 4 more). Wonderful to watch! Also large numbers of Willow warblers, several Whitethroat & Blackcaps, & a skulking Sedge warbler. #birdingWales

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Annie Irving @sconzani.bsky.social · 30/08/2026

It happened in August 2025, & again in May this year so, whenever I've been home lately, I've been keeping a keen eye on the garden. And today it happened again, not 1 but 2 hungry Spotted flycatchers feeding very actively along the woodland edge. Pure magic!! #BirdingWales

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Annie Irving @sconzani.bsky.social · 26/08/2026

At Lavernock NR the lush Devil's-bit scabious is feeding lots of insects including Clouded yellow & a Box-tree moth (not seen them feeding before). Small copper was just perching; they prefer yellow flowers. I hoped the Brown argus pair would mate but she just flounced about. #SouthWalesButterflies

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Annie Irving @sconzani.bsky.social · 26/08/2026

Terrible photos of a terrific bird: my first Whinchat of the year at Lavernock NR this morning. And then a brief heart-thumping couple of minutes when I spotted this very pale Buzzard floating along the coast with 4 other Buzzards, until I realised it was just a very pale Buzzard. #BirdingWales

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Annie Irving @sconzani.bsky.social · 25/08/2026

Juvenile Black tern present for a second day at Cardiff's Llanishen Reservoir. Alternating between 10 minutes preening on the shore in front of the visitor centre and 15 minutes fishing over the reservoir. Stunning little bird! #BirdingWales

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Annie Irving @sconzani.bsky.social · 24/08/2026

I found another of these Torymus sp. wasps today at a different location, though also probing fleabane flowers. The combination of metallic green body with vibrant red eyes is just stunning!

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Annie Irving @sconzani.bsky.social · 24/08/2026

This stunning little parasitic wasp was another find from my favourite fleabane field yesterday, a Torymus species I think. She was probing the flowerheads, searching for gall-fly larvae to parasitise.

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Annie Irving @sconzani.bsky.social · 23/08/2026

Revisited the field full of Common fleabane where I found last Sunday's creatures, spent another wonderful hour mooching, found more of Nature's bounty, including another Coleophora conyzae case, & two tiny moths, which seem to be Ptocheuusa paupella. #TeamMoth

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Annie Irving @sconzani.bsky.social · 21/08/2026

While today's bird action was about migrants leaving Wales, the lepidoptera action was about the incomers: Clouded yellows & Painted ladies, but also Silver Ys & hundreds of Rush veneers - every step through the fields at Lavernock flushed another one. #SouthWalesButterflies #TeamMoth

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Annie Irving @sconzani.bsky.social · 21/08/2026

A little bit of migrant action this morning nothing exciting but at Lavernock nice to see & hear my first Tree pipits of the year, & in the coastal fields several Stonechats & Whitethroats feeding up. #BirdingWales

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