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Tim Cowley

@tc271.bsky.social
437 followers 376 following 118 posts

I’m an amateur naturalist who loves travelling and trying to photograph some of what I see. I started with birds and my interests have broadened. Photographs are copyrighted.

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Tim Cowley @tc271.bsky.social · 29/06/2026
A Rook sat amongst the pink flowers of Sea Thrift along the cliff top at Dunmore East, County Waterford in Ireland, May 2023. A common bird that doesn’t always get the attention it deserves.
Rook sat amongst the pink flowers of Sea Thrift along the cliffs at Dunmore East, County Waterford, Ireland, May 2023.
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Tim Cowley @tc271.bsky.social · 27/06/2026
Scorched Carpet (Ligdia adustata) spindle specialist moth at DST Leconfield, near Beverley on 17 May 2026. Earlier than the previous record. #UKMoths #YorkshireMoths #Lepidoptera #DSTLeconfield
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Tim Cowley @tc271.bsky.social · 27/06/2026
Banded General (Stratiomys potamida) found at DST Leconfield, near Beverley on 26 June 2026. Appropriate to find a Soldier Fly General at an MOD site. #SoldierFlies #Diptera #YorkshireDiptera #DSTLeconfield
A large Banded General Soldier Fly nectaring on flowers. A large Banded General Soldier Fly nectaring on flowers. A large Banded General Soldier Fly nectaring on flowers. A large Banded General Soldier Fly nectaring on flowers.
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Tim Cowley @tc271.bsky.social · 27/06/2026
A Six-belted Clearwing found amongst White and Biting Stonecrop while looking for Sawflies at DST Leconfield, near Beverley on 26 June 2026. No lures, just a bit of luck. #UKMoths #YorkshireMoths #Clearwing #Lepidoptera #DSTLeconfield
Male Six-belted Clearwing on gravel between White and Biting Stonecrop.
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Tim Cowley @tc271.bsky.social · 05/06/2026
Eurasian Hobby (Falco subbuteo) hunting dragonflies at Leconfield on 29 May 26. Normally I only get to see these flying through the area, but this one spent 10 minutes showing off its mastery of flight, at times hurtling past me within 3 metres.
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Tim Cowley @tc271.bsky.social · 17/04/2026
UPDATED CONTACT DETAILS. Defence School of Transport at Leconfield, East Yorkshire has been running BioBlitzes for local naturalists at this restricted MOD site for 4 years. The site is running more events in 2026, please see the attached poster for dates and information. #DSTLeconfield #BioBlitz
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Tim Cowley @tc271.bsky.social · 29/03/2026
@routledgesteve.bsky.social @suillia.bsky.social @birdingarash.bsky.social @owentatdraws.bsky.social @celastrina59.bsky.social @ynuorg.bsky.social @tophilllow.bsky.social @northcavewet.bsky.social DST Leconfield Conservation has landed at Bluesky Social.
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Tim Cowley @tc271.bsky.social · 19/03/2026
The Defence School of Transport at Leconfield, East Yorkshire has been running BioBlitzes for local naturalists at this restricted MOD site for 4 years. The site is running more events in 2026, please see the attached poster for dates and more information. #DSTLeconfield #BioBlitz
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Tim Cowley @tc271.bsky.social · 03/10/2025
On this day in 2012, a Pallas’ Grasshopper Warbler on Fair Isle. Fingers crossed some migrants closer to home this weekend.
Pallas’ Grasshopper Warbler perched on a fence, Fair Isle, Shetland 03 October 2012.
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Tim Cowley @tc271.bsky.social · 14/09/2025
The small Agrothereutes abbreviatus parasitic wasp found at DST Leconfield, near Beverley, East Yorkshire on 22 Aug 25. Only 15 UK records of this wasp on the NBN Atlas. #Wasps #IchneumonidWasps #YorkshireWasps #YNU
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Tim Cowley @tc271.bsky.social · 24/08/2025
A first for me, a Clifden Nonpareil at DST Leconfield, near Beverley, E Yorks, caught by Mike Coverdale on 24 Aug 25. #YorkshireMoths #MothsUK #DSTLeconfield #Lepidoptera
Clifden Nonpareil moth on a poplar tree trunk.Clifden Nonpareil moth on a poplar tree trunkClifden Nonpareil moth on a poplar tree trunk. Clifden Nonpareil moth on a poplar tree trunk.
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Tim Cowley @tc271.bsky.social · 02/07/2025
The distinctive Two-lobed Deer Fly at DST Leconfield, near Beverley, East Yorkshire 28 Jun 25 #DSTLeconfield #YNU #Diptera
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Tim Cowley @tc271.bsky.social · 02/07/2025
Two-girdled Digger Wasp (Argogorytes mystaceus) at DST Leconfield, near Beverley, East Uorkshire 29 Jun 25 #DSTLeconfield #YNU #YorkshireWasps
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Tim Cowley @tc271.bsky.social · 02/07/2025
A few more beetles from DST Leconfield, near Beverley, East Yorkshire: Golden-bloomed Longhorn Spotted Longhorn Wasp Beetle #DSTLeconfield #YorkshireBeetles #YNU
Golden-bloomed Longhorn beetle. Spotted Longhorn beetleWasp Beetle
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Tim Cowley @tc271.bsky.social · 01/07/2025
A few recent beetle records from DST Leconfield, near Beverley, East Yorkshire: Silis ruficollis Malthinus flaveolus Malachius bipustulatus #DSTLeconfield #YorkshireBeetles #YNU
Silis ruficollis beetle. Malthinus flaveolus soldier beetleMalachius bipustulatus
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Tim Cowley @tc271.bsky.social · 31/05/2025
Pheasant-tailed Jacana seen walking across the water lily leaves in Sri Lanka, Jan 20. It’s a great country if you like to watch wildlife. #SriLanka #AsianBirds
Pheasant-tailed Jacana walking across water lilies in a Sri Lankan pond.
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Tim Cowley @tc271.bsky.social · 16/05/2025
I would be grateful for any help with this larvae, found on Whitebeam at DST Leconfield, near Beverley, East Yorkshire on 11 May 25. #Lepidoptera #Caterpillars
Lepidoptera larvae on a Whitebeam leaf.
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Tim Cowley @tc271.bsky.social · 06/05/2025
Dingy Skippers are having a good spring at DST Leconfield, near Beverley, East Yorkshire with 3 new areas found on site. #Yorkshire_Butterflies #Butterflies # Lepidoptera
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Tim Cowley @tc271.bsky.social · 06/05/2025
Thanks to Andreas Taeger on iNaturalist for identifying this sawfly found at DST Leconfield, near Beverley, East Yorkshire today, 06 May 25, the Flax Carver (Rhogogaster chambersi) #Sawflies #Symphyta
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Tim Cowley @tc271.bsky.social · 28/02/2025
Doing a bit of historical birding updates on eBird and it took me back to 27 Feb 05, when this Gyrfalcon was wintering in Kelowna, British Columbia.
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Tim Cowley @tc271.bsky.social · 28/01/2025
Eurasian Bittern and Great White Egret at DST Leconfield, near Beverley, E Yorks on 28 Jan 25. #DSTLeconfield
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Tim Cowley @tc271.bsky.social · 19/01/2025
Saturday morning was spent in Cornwall with @gt1366.bsky.social, watching the Booted Eagle from the A30 and higher around the Tregallast Well, between Crowlas and Whitecross.
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Tim Cowley @tc271.bsky.social · 10/01/2025
One for @everyheron.bsky.social Chinese Egret (above, right) and Little Egret (below, left)
Chinese Egret (above, right) and Little Egret (below, left)
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Tim Cowley @tc271.bsky.social · 07/01/2025
The Defence School of Transport at Leconfield, East Yorkshire has been running BioBlitzes for local naturalists at this restricted MOD site for 3 years. The site will be running more events in 2025, please see the attached poster with amended dates for more information. #DSTLeconfield #BioBlitz
DST Leconfield BioBlitz 2025 poster, with dates and contact details.
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Tim Cowley @tc271.bsky.social · 05/01/2025
Seeing a Snow Bunting yesterday reminded me of time spent in the Cairngorms. Something I would like to repeat in 2025. #ScottishBirds #Cairngorms
Summer plumaged Rock Ptarmigan in the Cairngorms. Breeding plumaged male Snow Bunting on the Cairngorm Plateau, amongst the millions of boulders.
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Tim Cowley @tc271.bsky.social · 05/01/2025
Some great birds around the East Halton Skitter area on 04 Jan 25, with @routledgesteve.bsky.social and @jondrakes.bsky.social. Birds inc Bearded Reedling, 20+ Yellowhammer, Short-eared Owl, Water Pipit, Black-tailed and Bar-tailed Godwits, Avocets, Little Egret and this confiding Snow Bunting.
Snow BuntingSnow BuntingSnow BuntingSnow Bunting
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Tim Cowley @tc271.bsky.social · 03/01/2025
A Great White Egret still at DST Leconfield, near Beverley, East Yorkshire on 02 Jan 24, in icy conditions. #DSTLeconfield
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Tim Cowley @tc271.bsky.social · 01/01/2025
A New Year’s Day walk at DST Leconfield, near Beverley, E Yorks this afternoon produced the first site record of Goosander and the first record of Woodcock for some years, although generally quieter after yesterday’s storm. #DSTLeconfield
Female Goosander swimming at DST Leconfield.
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Tim Cowley @tc271.bsky.social · 29/12/2024
At least 2 Great White Egrets have been visiting DST Leconfield, near Beverley, E Yorks recently, along with up to 4 Short-eared Owls. #DSTLeconfield
Great White Egret with two Little Egrets flying behind, on a foggy day. Great White Egret stood in a field. Short-eared Owl perched on a post. Short-eared Owl hunting in flight.
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Tim Cowley @tc271.bsky.social · 21/12/2024
Egyptian Nightjar, Morocco in April 2013, found with the help of local guides. I wonder if the use of thermal imagers will have an impact on local guides in the future, who often help conserve birds?
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Reposted by Tim Cowley
Tim Cowley @tc271.bsky.social · 18/12/2024
The Defence School of Transport at Leconfield, East Yorkshire has been running BioBlitzes for local naturalists at this restricted MOD site for the past 3 years. The site will be running more events in 2025, please see the attached poster for more information. #DSTLeconfield #BioBlitz
The poster provides the dates of 12 weekend BioBlitzes at DST Leconfield and contact details for the organisers.
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Tim Cowley @tc271.bsky.social · 18/12/2024
The Defence School of Transport at Leconfield, East Yorkshire has been running BioBlitzes for local naturalists at this restricted MOD site for the past 3 years. The site will be running more events in 2025, please see the attached poster for more information. #DSTLeconfield #BioBlitz
The poster provides the dates of 12 weekend BioBlitzes at DST Leconfield and contact details for the organisers.
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Tim Cowley @tc271.bsky.social · 14/12/2024
Some of the more than 30 endemic bird species in the beautiful country of Sri Lanka that we saw with my friend and guide, Chandragupha Wickramasekara. #SriLanka # AsianBirds
Yellow-eared BulbulSri Lanka MagpieSerendib Scots OwlGreen-billed Coucal
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Tim Cowley @tc271.bsky.social · 08/12/2024
16 years of dreaming about seeing a particular bird on my patch came true to day, 08 Dec 24, with a Eurasian Bittern at DST Leconfield. Here’s a bit of ropey handheld video of a fantastic bird. #BioBlitz #HullValley #DSTLeconfield
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Tim Cowley @tc271.bsky.social · 28/11/2024
Rufescent Tiger Heron staring me out in the Pantanal, Brazil in June 2023.
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Tim Cowley @tc271.bsky.social · 17/10/2024
Comet Tsuchinshan-ATLAS C2023 A3 visible at 19:20 looking west from Beverley. Photo using my phone on a 3 second shutter.
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Tim Cowley @tc271.bsky.social · 10/10/2024
I’ve been backing up old photographs and came across some of the Beacon Lane, Kilnsea Great Snipe from Sep 13. An incredible bird that walked amongst the birders.
An obliging Great Snipe, at the south end of Beacon Lane, Kilnsea from September 2013.
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Tim Cowley @tc271.bsky.social · 07/10/2024
Merveille de Jour at DST Leconfield, East Yorkshire on 05 Oct 24. @mothiduk.bsky.social #DSTLeconfield #UKMoths #YorkshireMoths
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Tim Cowley @tc271.bsky.social · 06/10/2024
Another stunning wasp for DST Leconfield, East Yorkshire on 06 Oct 24. #DSTLeconfield # Wasps
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Tim Cowley @tc271.bsky.social · 06/10/2024
Female Ichneumon Wasp ovipositing into Great Reedmace 06 Oct 24 at DST Leconfield, East Yorkshire #DSTLeconfield #Wasps
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Tim Cowley @tc271.bsky.social · 06/10/2024
Female Ichneumon Wasp ovipositing into Great Reedmace 06 Oct 24 at DST Leconfield, Esst Yorkshire #DSTLeconfield #Wasps
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Tim Cowley @tc271.bsky.social · 14/09/2024
I’m looking for help with this Rove Beetle identity. Is it Megalinus glabratus? I’m struggling to find info on aging and gender effects on colour. #UKBeetles
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Tim Cowley @tc271.bsky.social · 14/09/2024
A bit of excitement with a Swift over Beverley, East Yorkshire this evening. #Swifts
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Tim Cowley @tc271.bsky.social · 10/09/2024
A scan from a slide. The original slide was an image I took of a mosque in Timbuktu, Tombouctou or Timbutu, Mali in October 1988, whilst travelling overland from The Gambia to Kenya. #Timbuctu #Mali
Timbuktu Mosque, Mali October 1988.
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Tim Cowley @tc271.bsky.social · 08/09/2024
It was all about Galls yesterday during the rain at DST Leconfield. Here’s a few of those seen: Andricus grossulariae, Knopper Gall Wasp, Silk-button Spangled Gall Wasp, Cherry Gall Wasp. #UKGalls #Galls #DSTLeconfield
Andricus grossulariae wasp gall.Knopper Gall Wasp.Silk-button Spangle Gall Wasp.Cherry Gall Wasp
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Tim Cowley @tc271.bsky.social · 06/09/2024
A few more recent moths from DST Leconfield, Nr Beverley, East Yorkshire #teammoths #moth #DSTLeconfield #Yorkshire
Mother Shipton mothChimney Sweeper mothOrange SwiftSix-spot Burnet moth
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Tim Cowley @tc271.bsky.social · 06/09/2024
Some of the recent moth species recorded at DST Leconfield, Nr Beverley, East Yorkshire #moths #Yorkshire
Gold SpotSix-belted Clearwing pair mating.Burnished BrassChocolate-tip
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Tim Cowley @tc271.bsky.social · 06/09/2024
Some of the recent butterfly species recorded at DST Leconfield, Nr Beverley, East Yorkshire # Butterflies #Yorkshire
Dingy SkipperEssex SkipperBrown ArgusMarbled White
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Tim Cowley @tc271.bsky.social · 05/09/2024
Buff-tip, DST Leconfield BioBlitz, East Yorkshire August 2024 #Moths # Yorkshire
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Tim Cowley @tc271.bsky.social · 05/09/2024
Northern Damselfly, Scotland 2023, with @routledgesteve.bsky.social #Odonata #Dragonflies
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