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Annie Irving @sconzani.bsky.social · 18h

I saw them too - see my post and photos. Great to see. :-)

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Annie Irving @sconzani.bsky.social · 18h

It would be brilliant if they were expanding their range eastwards but maybe that's wishful thinking. :-)

Annie Irving @sconzani.bsky.social · 18h

Thanks, Tegwyn.

Annie Irving @sconzani.bsky.social · 21h

Thanks, Julia. It's ages since I've seen one so this was a wonderful surprise. :-)

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Annie Irving @sconzani.bsky.social · 23h

Chuffed/Choughed today to see this pair. Heard overhead at The Knap in Barry & seen flying west. Then, when I walked out to Friar's Point, I heard them again & they flew in, landing on the grass nearby. Soon got scared off by a couple of dogs but I was over the moon to see them! #BirdingWales

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Annie Irving @sconzani.bsky.social · 1d

So I went to B&M today, found lots of the webs & found a big spider - not in the black caps, couldn't get them off, between bags of compost - but now that I'm home I think I got the wrong spider. Mine looks like an Eratigena duellica, maybe?

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Reposted by Annie Irving

Welsh Ornithological Society @birdsinwales.bsky.social · 1d

🚨WOS’ response to the recent Senedd debated petition calling on the installation of Swift bricks in all new buildings in Wales.🚨

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Annie Irving @sconzani.bsky.social · 1d

There were 2 tiny ones close to the boardwalk 9 days ago. I guess your post doesn't bode well for the fate of the other one.

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Annie Irving @sconzani.bsky.social · 1d

A long walk searching for specific plants (found a few) & leafmines (none) but found other nice plants in wild places (Narrow-leaved ragwort, White melilot & White mignonette).
And this random Grey wagtail that blended well with its surroundings.

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Annie Irving @sconzani.bsky.social · 3d

Thanks. Really appreciate your help and advice! :-)

Annie Irving @sconzani.bsky.social · 3d

This seems to be National Ladybird Invasion Day!
I currently have a dozen clustered on blinds/curtains/window fittings around two of my windows - sadly, all look to be Harlequins.

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Annie Irving @sconzani.bsky.social · 3d

Were the Badumna longinqua in the plant section? And are the S. bavarica in that area too.

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Annie Irving @sconzani.bsky.social · 3d

Have just been googling this spider as I'd not heard of it before. There are a couple of Welsh sightings reported on this page on the Spider & Harvestman recording scheme website:
srs.britishspiders.org.uk/portal.php/p...

Notes on Badumna longinqua

srs.britishspiders.org.uk

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Annie Irving @sconzani.bsky.social · 3d

Congrats, Tegwyn, spider whisperer! :-)
I'd never heard of this so have just been googling. Might have to make a special trip to Barry B&M for a look.

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Annie Irving @sconzani.bsky.social · 4d

I think the word awesome is often overused but this really was awesome, Debbie! :-)

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Annie Irving @sconzani.bsky.social · 4d

Simply superb!

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Annie Irving @sconzani.bsky.social · 4d

Pete's incredible photos help me relive the experience of watching these magnificent birds!

Peter Howlett @cardiffbirder.bsky.social · 4d

Two juv Hobbies turned up on the River Ely last week while I was away, I really didn't expect them to still be there today in some lovely light and blue skies #birdingWales #ukbirding #birds #naturephotography

A Hobby clasps a headless dragonfly in its right talon, it has just bitten the head off and is chewing on it

A Hobby holds a dragonfly in its right talon and is pecking at it

A Hobby holds a dragonfly in its right talon and is about to take a bite of the body

A Hobby soars past the photographer, wings outstretched, against blue sky, showing off the dark eye masks, spotted underwings, striped underside and striped tail

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Annie Irving @sconzani.bsky.social · 4d

The bus stops right by the Ely trail so it's very doable, Andrew. :-)

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Annie Irving @sconzani.bsky.social · 4d

Imagine being able to fly like a Hobby. :-)

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Annie Irving @sconzani.bsky.social · 4d

Hobbies!! In recent days, birders & others have been treated to the incredible aerial displays of 2 juvenile Hobbies, expertly catching dragonflies along the River Ely. My photographic attempts are poor but my memories of watching them will remain. ⭐💚 #BirdingWales

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Annie Irving @sconzani.bsky.social · 5d

Incredible variety of birds and, as always, superb photos. :-)

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Annie Irving @sconzani.bsky.social · 5d

Wonderful shots, Graham, as usual. :-)

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Annie Irving @sconzani.bsky.social · 5d

If you're ever over this way, Cosmeston is good for them, especially in and around Cogan Wood.

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Annie Irving @sconzani.bsky.social · 5d

A few winged creatures from Cosmeston earlier: still a few Speckled woods (& a surprise 3rd brood Holly blue - no pic), a gorgeous European hornet (looking like it's contemplating snacking on the tiny white spider but didn't), a few Common darters & Migrant hawkers flying.

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Annie Irving @sconzani.bsky.social · 7d

It was and they are. There is a den on the edge of the property where I live so, since I moved here a few months ago, I've seen them quite often. 🦊💚

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