John Martin
@pilning.bsky.social
Birds, botany, insects and stuff mainly but not always in Shropshire and often Venus Pool
Sunny and birdy day on Anglesey today with @janettem34.bsky.social - 4 Slavonian Grebe, GND, 35 Pale-bellied Brents Penrhos; Red-necked Grebe (my 1st for ages!),4 Black Guillemot, Chough etc Holyhead Harbour; Barnacle Goose and 8 Pink-feet Cors Dygda RSPB. #angleseybirding #ukbirding 🪶
November 25, 2025 at 7:44 PM
Sunny and birdy day on Anglesey today with @janettem34.bsky.social - 4 Slavonian Grebe, GND, 35 Pale-bellied Brents Penrhos; Red-necked Grebe (my 1st for ages!),4 Black Guillemot, Chough etc Holyhead Harbour; Barnacle Goose and 8 Pink-feet Cors Dygda RSPB. #angleseybirding #ukbirding 🪶
Borth y Gest plants in flower this week. Shaggy Soldier (Galinsoga quadriradiata) and Burnet Rose (Rosa spinosissima) #wildflowerhour
November 23, 2025 at 8:44 PM
Borth y Gest plants in flower this week. Shaggy Soldier (Galinsoga quadriradiata) and Burnet Rose (Rosa spinosissima) #wildflowerhour
Good day's birding in Porthmadog with 5+ Jack Snipe, 110 Snipe, 40 Knot & 37 Sanderling (briefly), 17 Dunlin, Barwit, 8 Blackwit, 6 Turnstone, 790 Oystercatcher, 8 R-b Merganser, 3 Goosander, Blackcap, 60 Shoveler, Shag, Rock Pipit and an annoying poss Little Stint with the Knot. #ukbirding 🪶
November 23, 2025 at 8:33 PM
Good day's birding in Porthmadog with 5+ Jack Snipe, 110 Snipe, 40 Knot & 37 Sanderling (briefly), 17 Dunlin, Barwit, 8 Blackwit, 6 Turnstone, 790 Oystercatcher, 8 R-b Merganser, 3 Goosander, Blackcap, 60 Shoveler, Shag, Rock Pipit and an annoying poss Little Stint with the Knot. #ukbirding 🪶
Senecio inaequidens (Narrow-leaved Ragwort) in flower at Porthmadog today. #wildflowerhour
November 23, 2025 at 8:22 PM
Senecio inaequidens (Narrow-leaved Ragwort) in flower at Porthmadog today. #wildflowerhour
VP - 2 Crossbill loudly over N hide, Marsh Tit, 38 Redwing, 25 Fieldfare, big push Woodpigeon to NW/N (I had 4700+ but was not there early - still going late pm!), 6+ Corn Bunting, 6 Yellowhammer, 20+ Reed B, Stonechat, Chiff, Red Kite, W Rails, Cetti's, 2 Kes. No Lapwing, 1 Glag. #shropshirebirding
November 18, 2025 at 6:31 PM
VP - 2 Crossbill loudly over N hide, Marsh Tit, 38 Redwing, 25 Fieldfare, big push Woodpigeon to NW/N (I had 4700+ but was not there early - still going late pm!), 6+ Corn Bunting, 6 Yellowhammer, 20+ Reed B, Stonechat, Chiff, Red Kite, W Rails, Cetti's, 2 Kes. No Lapwing, 1 Glag. #shropshirebirding
Teucrium hircanicum hanging on in Knighton, on the North ('Shropshire') side of the R Teme but apparently in Radnorshire due to some quirk of VC boundaries. Found by @johnlyden.bsky.social Not many records on DDb and all since 2009. With @janettem34.bsky.social #wildflowerhour
November 16, 2025 at 8:22 PM
Teucrium hircanicum hanging on in Knighton, on the North ('Shropshire') side of the R Teme but apparently in Radnorshire due to some quirk of VC boundaries. Found by @johnlyden.bsky.social Not many records on DDb and all since 2009. With @janettem34.bsky.social #wildflowerhour
VP with G colour ringed Curlew head started in 2018, 198 Lapwing, 12 Snipe, 24 Wigeon, 68 Teal, 20 Shoveler, GWE, 5 Shelduck, Chiffchaff, Kingfisher, 11 sinensis Cormorant, 6 Redwing, 2 Fieldfare, Cetti's, W Rails etc so quite birdy despite the murky SW breeze. #shropshirebirding 🪶
November 11, 2025 at 8:37 PM
VP with G colour ringed Curlew head started in 2018, 198 Lapwing, 12 Snipe, 24 Wigeon, 68 Teal, 20 Shoveler, GWE, 5 Shelduck, Chiffchaff, Kingfisher, 11 sinensis Cormorant, 6 Redwing, 2 Fieldfare, Cetti's, W Rails etc so quite birdy despite the murky SW breeze. #shropshirebirding 🪶
Shoo-fly update, it's now actually in flower. Likely bird seed alien, suspiciously near our bird feeder. #wildflowerhour Nicandra physalodes. Another bird seed plant on my #WeBS count at Mereside. Panicum miliaceum
November 9, 2025 at 8:47 PM
Shoo-fly update, it's now actually in flower. Likely bird seed alien, suspiciously near our bird feeder. #wildflowerhour Nicandra physalodes. Another bird seed plant on my #WeBS count at Mereside. Panicum miliaceum
Nettle-leaved Bellflower (Campanula trachelium) still blooming at Buildwas Abbey this week with the wildlife group for #wildflowerhour also Common Polypody (Polypodium vulgare) on the walls and Small Teasel (Dipsacus pilosus) nearby
November 9, 2025 at 8:29 PM
Nettle-leaved Bellflower (Campanula trachelium) still blooming at Buildwas Abbey this week with the wildlife group for #wildflowerhour also Common Polypody (Polypodium vulgare) on the walls and Small Teasel (Dipsacus pilosus) nearby
Venus Pool WeBS early morning 660 Canadas, Canlag, 21 Greylag, 12 Egyptian, 61 Teal, 21 Shoveler, 15 Wigeon (influx), 3 GWE, L Egret, 2 W Rail, 210 Lapwing, 5 Snipe. 2 L Grebe & GCG on CF. Influx of 22 Corn Bunting with 4 Y'hammer, 35 Linnet, 35 Greenfinch, 15 Reed B, 2 Chiffs. #shropshirebirding 🪶
November 9, 2025 at 5:56 PM
Venus Pool WeBS early morning 660 Canadas, Canlag, 21 Greylag, 12 Egyptian, 61 Teal, 21 Shoveler, 15 Wigeon (influx), 3 GWE, L Egret, 2 W Rail, 210 Lapwing, 5 Snipe. 2 L Grebe & GCG on CF. Influx of 22 Corn Bunting with 4 Y'hammer, 35 Linnet, 35 Greenfinch, 15 Reed B, 2 Chiffs. #shropshirebirding 🪶
Startled to find a Streak in the trap this morning in #Shrewsbury - only ever seen one before in a show home leaflet dispenser in Bradley Stoke (the obvious place to look) a very long time ago! #teammoth #Boogityboogity 14/8 with Clepsis consimilana also unexpected in Nov
November 7, 2025 at 3:57 PM
Startled to find a Streak in the trap this morning in #Shrewsbury - only ever seen one before in a show home leaflet dispenser in Bradley Stoke (the obvious place to look) a very long time ago! #teammoth #Boogityboogity 14/8 with Clepsis consimilana also unexpected in Nov
Reposted by John Martin
The new European Butterfly Red List is published today, with worrying findings. Over 1/4 (28%) of Europe’s 442 species are threatened with extinction or are close to being so. The situation is far worse for our 148 endemic species, 40% are now threatened or nearly so www.bc-europe.eu/webpage.php?...
October 11, 2025 at 9:17 AM
The new European Butterfly Red List is published today, with worrying findings. Over 1/4 (28%) of Europe’s 442 species are threatened with extinction or are close to being so. The situation is far worse for our 148 endemic species, 40% are now threatened or nearly so www.bc-europe.eu/webpage.php?...
A splendid Merv, a small flock of Figures of 8, a late Setaceous Hebrew Character, Feathered Thorn and Eudonia angustea here in #Shrewsbury #teammoth not bad for November
November 4, 2025 at 9:17 AM
A splendid Merv, a small flock of Figures of 8, a late Setaceous Hebrew Character, Feathered Thorn and Eudonia angustea here in #Shrewsbury #teammoth not bad for November
Oxford Ragwort (Senecio squalidus) by the river in Shrewsbury this afternoon. With @janettem34.bsky.social #wildflowerhour
November 2, 2025 at 8:20 PM
Oxford Ragwort (Senecio squalidus) by the river in Shrewsbury this afternoon. With @janettem34.bsky.social #wildflowerhour
On the same pelagic out of St Mary's on 6 Oct a bunch of Cory's Shearwaters close to the Bishop Rock. #ukbirding 🪶
November 2, 2025 at 4:01 PM
On the same pelagic out of St Mary's on 6 Oct a bunch of Cory's Shearwaters close to the Bishop Rock. #ukbirding 🪶
Some more Scilly pics from way back on 6 Oct pelagic. Great Shearwater (awesome as ever) and Garfish fleeing the Blue-fin Tuna that we saw but was too quick for a pic. #ukbirding #psl #fish
November 1, 2025 at 9:23 PM
Some more Scilly pics from way back on 6 Oct pelagic. Great Shearwater (awesome as ever) and Garfish fleeing the Blue-fin Tuna that we saw but was too quick for a pic. #ukbirding #psl #fish
VP with G this morning, the highlight this Curlew, a patch yearly for me. Unringed and I reckon an adult. Otherwise GWE, L Egret, 10 Egyptian Goose, Snipe, 158 Lapwing, 2 Wigeon, 25+ Shoveler, 6 Tufted. Tail end of Woodpigeon movement, Raven, Kestrel, Chiffchaff etc #shropshirebirding
October 28, 2025 at 3:45 PM
VP with G this morning, the highlight this Curlew, a patch yearly for me. Unringed and I reckon an adult. Otherwise GWE, L Egret, 10 Egyptian Goose, Snipe, 158 Lapwing, 2 Wigeon, 25+ Shoveler, 6 Tufted. Tail end of Woodpigeon movement, Raven, Kestrel, Chiffchaff etc #shropshirebirding
Even closer to home, in the garden in fact, this Nicandra physalodes (Apple-of-Peru/Shoo-fly) popped up unexpectedly, maybe via compost. Always liked it since first seeing it on Tresco 40 years ago and love its English names. #wildflowerhour #ukwildlife
October 26, 2025 at 9:08 PM
Even closer to home, in the garden in fact, this Nicandra physalodes (Apple-of-Peru/Shoo-fly) popped up unexpectedly, maybe via compost. Always liked it since first seeing it on Tresco 40 years ago and love its English names. #wildflowerhour #ukwildlife
In the same area in Melverley there were several Buckthorns (Rhamnus catharticus) in fruit, which is not something I see at all often in Shropshire. #wildflowerhour #ukwildlife
October 26, 2025 at 8:58 PM
In the same area in Melverley there were several Buckthorns (Rhamnus catharticus) in fruit, which is not something I see at all often in Shropshire. #wildflowerhour #ukwildlife
Wildlife Group trip to site in Severn flood plain near Melverley with nice pond that had abundant Fine-leaved Water-dropwort (Oenanthe aquatica), still in flower, plus Water-violet (Hottonia palustris) and Trifid Bur-marigold (Bidens tripartita). #wildflowerhour #ukwildlife
October 26, 2025 at 8:44 PM
Wildlife Group trip to site in Severn flood plain near Melverley with nice pond that had abundant Fine-leaved Water-dropwort (Oenanthe aquatica), still in flower, plus Water-violet (Hottonia palustris) and Trifid Bur-marigold (Bidens tripartita). #wildflowerhour #ukwildlife
Reposted by John Martin
Much digging about in a compost / horse dung / straw heap in All Stretton on Weds produced several fab inverts including many of these 1.9mm long Compost Chernes/Chelifer pseudoscorpions (Pselaphochernes scorpioides) incl two females carrying eggs.
October 18, 2025 at 9:23 AM
Much digging about in a compost / horse dung / straw heap in All Stretton on Weds produced several fab inverts including many of these 1.9mm long Compost Chernes/Chelifer pseudoscorpions (Pselaphochernes scorpioides) incl two females carrying eggs.
White-point in #Shrewsbury last night was a new one for the garden and still has few VC40 records. Having a good year down south. So is Figure-of-Eight, including locally, so good to finally get it for the year (three) as well. #teammoth @bc-westmids.bsky.social
October 19, 2025 at 2:05 PM
White-point in #Shrewsbury last night was a new one for the garden and still has few VC40 records. Having a good year down south. So is Figure-of-Eight, including locally, so good to finally get it for the year (three) as well. #teammoth @bc-westmids.bsky.social
Top compost heap nurdling by @vc40orthops.bsky.social at Bagbatch on Weds w JoW producing my 1st Lesser Earwig for yonks, lots of Ostearius melanopygius (Compost Money-spiders) and some super Compost Chelifers (Psleaphochernes scorpioides) including females with eggs. #pseudscorner #compostcorner
October 17, 2025 at 9:12 AM
Top compost heap nurdling by @vc40orthops.bsky.social at Bagbatch on Weds w JoW producing my 1st Lesser Earwig for yonks, lots of Ostearius melanopygius (Compost Money-spiders) and some super Compost Chelifers (Psleaphochernes scorpioides) including females with eggs. #pseudscorner #compostcorner
I was really pleased to have my pic of the Sand Leek (Allium scorodoprasum), found new for Shropshire at Clun Castle in June, on the cover of BSBI News! #wildflowerhour
October 17, 2025 at 7:52 AM
I was really pleased to have my pic of the Sand Leek (Allium scorodoprasum), found new for Shropshire at Clun Castle in June, on the cover of BSBI News! #wildflowerhour
Just to remind me it was warmer and summer-like only last week, in some places, here are a couple of pics from St Agnes. Hoopoe and Clouded Yellow, neither of which I am likely to see again this year! #ukbirding #mybutterflyyear
October 15, 2025 at 8:36 PM
Just to remind me it was warmer and summer-like only last week, in some places, here are a couple of pics from St Agnes. Hoopoe and Clouded Yellow, neither of which I am likely to see again this year! #ukbirding #mybutterflyyear