Andy Symes
@andysymes.bsky.social
Up the hill past 694
At the stone wall make a left.
At the stone wall make a left.
Enjoyed my first British Pallid Swift in a long while as it cruised over the streets of Cromer, then gave Blakeney Point a bash - barely a birder seen in 6 hrs but not many birds either. A November Whitethroat was unexpected, but I'd have preferred one of the more likely options (Pallas's or Dusky)!
November 9, 2025 at 11:24 AM
Enjoyed my first British Pallid Swift in a long while as it cruised over the streets of Cromer, then gave Blakeney Point a bash - barely a birder seen in 6 hrs but not many birds either. A November Whitethroat was unexpected, but I'd have preferred one of the more likely options (Pallas's or Dusky)!
Not exactly fighting off Death's-head Hawk-moths here, but Oak Rustic last night was a long-awaited new moth for me. Also Yellow-line Quaker and Sprawler this week. The wind has finally dropped to nothing so what will tonight bring? Royston, VC29 #TeamMoth
November 6, 2025 at 4:50 PM
Not exactly fighting off Death's-head Hawk-moths here, but Oak Rustic last night was a long-awaited new moth for me. Also Yellow-line Quaker and Sprawler this week. The wind has finally dropped to nothing so what will tonight bring? Royston, VC29 #TeamMoth
A very westerly Brown Shrike and a rather easterly Western Gorse at Upper Hollesley Common, Suffolk yesterday
November 2, 2025 at 7:58 AM
A very westerly Brown Shrike and a rather easterly Western Gorse at Upper Hollesley Common, Suffolk yesterday
A day of two halves yesterday, starting with the Suffolk Turkestan Shrike - which was attempting to shelter from winds strong enough to blow it back to Turkestan - followed by a trip to London for a glorious, tearful, joyful farewell show from the living legend that is Edwyn Collins.
October 5, 2025 at 2:47 PM
A day of two halves yesterday, starting with the Suffolk Turkestan Shrike - which was attempting to shelter from winds strong enough to blow it back to Turkestan - followed by a trip to London for a glorious, tearful, joyful farewell show from the living legend that is Edwyn Collins.
On the off-chance that there's anyone who's not tired of Clouded Yellow photos, here's a male from a north Hertfordshire clover field yesterday. Surely one of our hardest butterflies to photograph, this one was relatively docile in a cloudy spell @bc-hertsmiddx.bsky.social
August 15, 2025 at 9:10 AM
On the off-chance that there's anyone who's not tired of Clouded Yellow photos, here's a male from a north Hertfordshire clover field yesterday. Surely one of our hardest butterflies to photograph, this one was relatively docile in a cloudy spell @bc-hertsmiddx.bsky.social
Can anyone share any tips for seeing Pool Frogs at Thompson Common? Working nearby today and would like to take a look.
July 30, 2025 at 6:45 AM
Can anyone share any tips for seeing Pool Frogs at Thompson Common? Working nearby today and would like to take a look.
An unexpected and very friendly Purple Emperor at Marsham Heath, Norfolk this afternoon
July 8, 2025 at 8:47 PM
An unexpected and very friendly Purple Emperor at Marsham Heath, Norfolk this afternoon
A new Hertfordshire site for Lizard Orchid, with two spikes appearing at Therfield Heath this year making seven orchid species now extant here @ukorchids.bsky.social @bsbibotany.bsky.social
July 6, 2025 at 10:32 AM
A new Hertfordshire site for Lizard Orchid, with two spikes appearing at Therfield Heath this year making seven orchid species now extant here @ukorchids.bsky.social @bsbibotany.bsky.social
Festoon, Alder Kitten, Marbled Coronet and Wood Carpet from the Brecks on Thursday night... @wjrpb.bsky.social @dcousins85.bsky.social #TeamMoth
May 31, 2025 at 8:25 AM
Festoon, Alder Kitten, Marbled Coronet and Wood Carpet from the Brecks on Thursday night... @wjrpb.bsky.social @dcousins85.bsky.social #TeamMoth
I decided I should see some 100% legit Isle of Wight Glanville Fritillaries so hopped on the ferry. Loads between Freshwater and Compton - easy to do from Yarmouth by bus and on foot. Pearl-bordered (New Forest) and Marsh (Salisbury Plain) made for a nice fritillary trio.
May 18, 2025 at 7:40 PM
I decided I should see some 100% legit Isle of Wight Glanville Fritillaries so hopped on the ferry. Loads between Freshwater and Compton - easy to do from Yarmouth by bus and on foot. Pearl-bordered (New Forest) and Marsh (Salisbury Plain) made for a nice fritillary trio.
Two nights mothing where I was staying just inland of Milford on Sea, Hants, got me some great moths including an early Portland Ribbon Wave, Mocha and Blair's Mocha. Great Prominent was also a long-awaited new moth for me #teammoth
May 18, 2025 at 7:24 PM
Two nights mothing where I was staying just inland of Milford on Sea, Hants, got me some great moths including an early Portland Ribbon Wave, Mocha and Blair's Mocha. Great Prominent was also a long-awaited new moth for me #teammoth
Red-tipped Clearwing came to FOR lure yesterday evening. It was new for the garden (Royston VC29, now six clearwings on garden list) and was not one I was expecting to catch at home. I'd lost my previous photo of Red-tipped so this one enabled me to re-complete my clearwing collage! #TeamMoth
May 14, 2025 at 9:10 PM
Red-tipped Clearwing came to FOR lure yesterday evening. It was new for the garden (Royston VC29, now six clearwings on garden list) and was not one I was expecting to catch at home. I'd lost my previous photo of Red-tipped so this one enabled me to re-complete my clearwing collage! #TeamMoth
When you're up at an unholy hour for a breeding bird survey it would be rude not to pop down the road afterwards to get shouted at by a Great (Enormous?!) Reed Warbler
May 7, 2025 at 6:21 PM
When you're up at an unholy hour for a breeding bird survey it would be rude not to pop down the road afterwards to get shouted at by a Great (Enormous?!) Reed Warbler
Pancalia leuwenhoekella, a surprise (although questionable origin) Large Tortoiseshell, Duke of Burgundy and Grizzled Skipper at Hutchinson's Bank/Chapel Bank reserves (London/Surrey) last week
May 4, 2025 at 8:28 PM
Pancalia leuwenhoekella, a surprise (although questionable origin) Large Tortoiseshell, Duke of Burgundy and Grizzled Skipper at Hutchinson's Bank/Chapel Bank reserves (London/Surrey) last week
Went back for better views of the Spotted Sandpiper at Grafham Water today - it obliged after a little while!
May 4, 2025 at 8:10 PM
Went back for better views of the Spotted Sandpiper at Grafham Water today - it obliged after a little while!
Green Hound's-tongue and Bird's-nest Orchids on the Surrey North Downs last week #WildflowerHour
May 4, 2025 at 7:46 PM
Green Hound's-tongue and Bird's-nest Orchids on the Surrey North Downs last week #WildflowerHour
Back for another year, against the odds! Turtle Dove, south Cambridgeshire, 27th April 2025 #UKBirding
April 29, 2025 at 4:24 AM
Back for another year, against the odds! Turtle Dove, south Cambridgeshire, 27th April 2025 #UKBirding
Things that fly past you in northwest Norfolk: Barn Owl, Spoonbill and Mediterranean Gulls
April 21, 2025 at 7:27 AM
Things that fly past you in northwest Norfolk: Barn Owl, Spoonbill and Mediterranean Gulls
Found a non-camera-shy Grasshopper Warbler this morning - no I couldn't believe it either...
April 20, 2025 at 9:36 PM
Found a non-camera-shy Grasshopper Warbler this morning - no I couldn't believe it either...
Undoubtedly qualifying as a #TinyPlant: New Zealand Bittercress (Cardamine corymbosa) in a South Wootton, Norfolk garden #WildflowerHour
April 20, 2025 at 7:50 PM
Undoubtedly qualifying as a #TinyPlant: New Zealand Bittercress (Cardamine corymbosa) in a South Wootton, Norfolk garden #WildflowerHour
West Norfolk heaths do good #TinyPlants: Shepherd's Cress, Early Hair-grass, Field Wood-rush and Sheep's Sorrel #WildflowerHour
April 20, 2025 at 7:43 PM
West Norfolk heaths do good #TinyPlants: Shepherd's Cress, Early Hair-grass, Field Wood-rush and Sheep's Sorrel #WildflowerHour
Green Alkanet would very much like to take over my whole garden but it is allowed one big patch as the insects love it. Here are Jersey and Scarlet Tiger caterpillars munching away on it the other night #TeamMoth
April 19, 2025 at 6:13 AM
Green Alkanet would very much like to take over my whole garden but it is allowed one big patch as the insects love it. Here are Jersey and Scarlet Tiger caterpillars munching away on it the other night #TeamMoth
Enjoyable West Norfolk bimblings featuring Adders, Ring Ouzels, a very casual Roe Deer and a carpet of Field Mouse-ear
April 19, 2025 at 6:05 AM
Enjoyable West Norfolk bimblings featuring Adders, Ring Ouzels, a very casual Roe Deer and a carpet of Field Mouse-ear
A rarity with a view for #WildflowerHour - gorgeous Yellow Whitlowgrass (Draba aizoides) on the Gower today. One I've been hoping to see for a long time!
March 9, 2025 at 8:57 PM
A rarity with a view for #WildflowerHour - gorgeous Yellow Whitlowgrass (Draba aizoides) on the Gower today. One I've been hoping to see for a long time!
Hopefully a sign that spring migration is moving up Another Level (commiserations to anyone unfortunate enough to get that reference...)
March 8, 2025 at 8:45 AM
Hopefully a sign that spring migration is moving up Another Level (commiserations to anyone unfortunate enough to get that reference...)