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GrahamC75 @grahamc57.bsky.social · 5h

Eurasian Sparrowhawk Accipiter nisus, in the family Accipitridae, posing in the sunshine. I was idly sat in the Hide when it flew in to say hello...

#UKWildlife #Sparrowhawk #Bird #UKBirding

A photo of a female Eurasian Sparrowhawk.
Factoid: In the UK, Sparrowhawks living further north are bigger than their more southerly counterparts.

GrahamC75 @grahamc57.bsky.social · 1d

A Common Snipe Gallinago gallinago, of the family Scolopacidae, seen on one of my local Reserves.

#ukwildlife #Snipe #Birding #UKBirds

A photo of a Common Snipe, seen outside one of the Hides at RSPB Rye Meads. A lovely sight in the sunshine!

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GrahamC75 @grahamc57.bsky.social · 2d

Snake's Head Fritillary Fritillaria meleagris, of the family Liliaceae. One of my favourite plant species.

#Fritillary #Flora #Flower

A photo of a field of Snake's Head Fritillaries.
Fun Fact: It was also called a Leper Lily, because its shape resembled the bell once carried by lepers.

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GrahamC75 @grahamc57.bsky.social · 3d

Just caught up with
@bettanyhughes.bsky.social "Seven Wonders of the Ancient World"

A wonderful, informative series made magical by Ms. Hughes' enthusiastic and infectious knowledge.

More, please…!👍😀

GrahamC75 @grahamc57.bsky.social · 3d

Slow Worm Anguis fragilis of the family Anguidae.

#ukwildlife #Lizard #SlowWorm

A photo of a Common Slow Worm. It's a species of legless lizard. It's thought to be the longest-living lizard, living upto 30 years in the wild.

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GrahamC75 @grahamc57.bsky.social · 4d

A Sanderling Calidris alba, from the family Scolopacidae.

I love to see these guys attempting to evade the incoming tide as they feed.

#UKWildlife #UKBirds #Birding #Wader

A photo of a Sanderling, posing in the sunshine. They can be found mainly around coastal areas, usually in flocks.

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GrahamC75 @grahamc57.bsky.social · 5d

Ruddy Darter Sympetrum sanguineum from the family Libellulidae. Seen earlier in the summer.

It was one of those hot days, and this little guy was feeling the heat. It's in an obelisk position to try to cool down.

They could always find a shady area?

#UKWildlife #Dragonfly #Odonata

A photo of a male Ruddy Darter dragonfly, in an obelisk position. So called, because it's trying to lessen the area of sunlight covering its abdomen.

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GrahamC75 @grahamc57.bsky.social · 6d

Common Redshank Tringa totanus, from the family Scolopacidae.

#Redshank #ukwildlife #birding

A photo of a Common Redshank, stood atop a rock, calling out. Seen a few years ago, in the Norfolk area.

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GrahamC75 @grahamc57.bsky.social · 7d

A Flash Fiction story, entitled 'The Red Ribbon - A Tale of Love.'

#FlashFiction #WritingCommunity #writing #writers

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GrahamC75 @grahamc57.bsky.social · 7d

Red Scabious. Fabulous flower. Can't get enough of it, especially in its wine red colour.

#Flowers #Flora

A photo of a Red Scabious flower. Insects love it.

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GrahamC75 @grahamc57.bsky.social · 8d

A Raft Swamp Spider Dolomedes fimbriatus, of the family Dolomedidae, seen down in Dorset.

Not usually found in bathrooms.😀

#ukwildlife #RaftSpider #Arachnid

A photo of a Raft Swamp Spider, seen at RSPB Arne, whilst on holiday to Dorset. Semi-aquatic, it typically hunts on the surface of the water.

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GrahamC75 @grahamc57.bsky.social · 9d

Puffin. What can I say? Cute? Adorable?🤷‍♂️

#UKWildlife #Puffin #UKBirds #Birding

A photo of a Puffin, amongst a few flowers, with nesting material in its beak. Seen whilst visiting the Shetland Islands.

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GrahamC75 @grahamc57.bsky.social · 9d

A Peacock butterfly in the sunshine. They had another good year, this year.

#ukwildlife #Lepidoptera #Butterfly

A photo of a Peacock butterfly, basking in the sunshine.

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GrahamC75 @grahamc57.bsky.social · 11d

A lovely day in the sunshine was had with a visit to Mistley Walls. Lots of waders on show...

#ukwildlife #waders #birds

A photo of a Black-tailed Godwit, one of scores around the area.

A photo of a Redshank, one of dozens on show.

A photo of a Turnstone, one of only three. I think they were crowded out the other waders...

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GrahamC75 @grahamc57.bsky.social · 12d

Is it worth having Home Contents Insurance? In the few times I've tried claiming, I've been refused. Is it just another tax?

GrahamC75 @grahamc57.bsky.social · 12d

A Parent Bug Elasmucha grisea. A species of shield bug or stink bug belonging to the family Acanthosomatidae.

Sadly, I've not seen one for ages...

#UKWildlife #ShieldBug #StinkBug #Invertebrate #Bug

A photo of a Parent Bug. A species of shield bug/stink bug. It possesses metathoracic and abdominal glands, which discharge a foul smelling secretion. This secretion is used to deter potential enemies and is sometimes released when the bug is disturbed.

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GrahamC75 @grahamc57.bsky.social · 13d

Um, thanks for the compliment, Mr. P. I've taken lots of Fox photos, but alas, this wasn't one of them.🤷‍♂️

I also seem to have acquired three new followers because of it...🫣

I wonder if the original poster has noticed…?

GrahamC75 @grahamc57.bsky.social · 13d

A male Kingfisher helpfully flew in and landed a few yards away. Seen at one of my local Reserves.

#UKWildlife #Kingfisher #Bird #RSPB

Photo of a male Kingfisher perched on a stick, showing off his electric turquoise and orange colours...

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GrahamC75 @grahamc57.bsky.social · 14d

Hummingbird Hawk moth.
I took dozens of photos, but this was the only one that wasn't a blur!

#UKWildlife #Lepidoptera #Moth

A photo of a Hummingbird Hawk moth, nectoring. Such a difficult subject to photograph. It wouldn't keep still for a second...

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GrahamC75 @grahamc57.bsky.social · 15d

King Penguins Aptenodytes patagonicus
Slightly smaller than but somewhat similar in appearance to the Emperor Penguin.

I was lucky enough to visit Antarctica a few years ago, and found these guys on South Georgia.

It was a fantastic trip.

#Penguins #Antarctica #SouthGeorgia

A photo showing a small group of King Penguins Aptenodytes patagonicus. They are second in size only to their cousins the Emperor Penguin.

I came across these guys whilst visiting South Georgia. There were thousands of them. It wasn't just the sight, it was the sounds and the smells. Spectacular!

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GrahamC75 @grahamc57.bsky.social · 16d

An Elephant Hawk moth, seen in one of my local Reserves.

#ukwildlife #Lepidoptera #Moths

Photo of an Elephant Hawk moth, seen in HMWT's Balls Wood wildlife reserve. Stunning colour on a cloudy day.

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GrahamC75 @grahamc57.bsky.social · 17d

A Corncrake, singing in the sunshine.

#UKWildlife #Bird

A photo of a Corncrake, a very elusive bird. This one popped up singing out its familiar rasping call.

GrahamC75 @grahamc57.bsky.social · 17d

I'd guessed 'most beautiful', but I'll go with greatest...

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Reposted by GrahamC75

RSPB @rspb.bsky.social · 18d

The latest stats tell a too-familiar story: from the birds in our fields and hedgerows to iconic seabird colonies along our coasts... decline continues. 🚨📉

Bolder action is needed now if we are to halt the loss of species from our landscapes.

More from RSPB Science 👇

RSPB Science @rspbscience.bsky.social · 18d

Latest government stats show a continued decline in many bird species across the UK 🪶🧪

www.gov.uk/government/s...

These data are made possible by the dedication of expert volunteers, allowing us to track common bird populations for >50 years

Wild bird populations in the UK and England, 1970 to 2024

www.gov.uk

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GrahamC75 @grahamc57.bsky.social · 18d

A Brambling, a bird I rarely see. It was fantastic to see this one whilst visiting Sculthorpe Moor...

#UKNature #Brambling #Bird #Birding

A photo of a male Brambling, seen on a visit to Sculthorpe Moor.