Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

JMLChartron @untitledgoose2.bsky.social · 12d

Garden snails are the most common snail species in the UK and usually live for between 2 and 5 years, however in captivity some have lived for up to 20 years!

#photography #snails #autumn

1 7

Reposted by JMLChartron

RSPB Science @rspbscience.bsky.social · 14d

Did you know? Plumicorns aren't for hearing

The long, pointy feathers on some owls' heads are neither horns not ears, but specialised feathers called plumicorns. Their function is not yet fully understood but could help with camouflage

#ScienceFactFriday

A Long-eared Owl stares through foliage at the camera. A label points to the long horn-like feathers on its head, labelling them as plumicorns.

2 8 25

JMLChartron @untitledgoose2.bsky.social · 14d

The American Mink was first introduced to the UK in 1929 by fur farmers, with populations later released from fur farms by activists in the 1950s. Currently various conservation projects are attempting to bring some species balance by reintroducing otters and water voles.

#photography #mink #nature

8

JMLChartron @untitledgoose2.bsky.social · 14d

Bees are such wonderful little creatures, sadly in the UK their numbers have declined by a third in the last decade. Without them we would have a much harder time producing food, also they are cute.

#bee #bees #photography #photo #insect #insects #wildlifephotography #nature #flower

2 20

Reposted by JMLChartron

RSPB Science @rspbscience.bsky.social · 16d

New technology may aid seabird monitoring in difficult to access populations but managing high volumes of data output is essential 🪶

Read the new paper here:
doi.org/10.1093/ices...

Opportunities and challenges for new technologies in seabird population monitoring

Abstract. Monitoring of seabird population size and demography has for decades relied on observer-based methods. While such methods have allowed the accumu

academic.oup.com

1 9 20

JMLChartron @untitledgoose2.bsky.social · 16d

Snail spotting, or snorting if you prefer, is best done after it rains. Sometimes overlooked, snails are immensely important as they break down decaying matter to recycle nutrients back into the soil.

#snail #snails #photography #photo #wildlifephotography #naturephotography📷 #nature

4 13 120

Reposted by JMLChartron

RSPB Science @rspbscience.bsky.social · 16d

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

3 34 43

JMLChartron @untitledgoose2.bsky.social · 17d

Red Squirrels have been in the UK for around 10,000 years but are now unfortunately one of, if not the most endangered species in the country. 75% of the population is found in Scotland, and many projects across the UK to restore them.

#photography #squirrel #nature

1 5

JMLChartron @untitledgoose2.bsky.social · 17d

Great Tits are one of the most common garden birds in the UK and Europe. In the winter they often join with Blue Tits in roaming flocks to scour for food.

📷: Canon R7 Mirrorless w/ RF 800mm Fixed Zoom Lens
🌍: RSPB Burton Mere Wetlands, See Estuary
🗓️: 12th September 2025

#photography #birds

1 2 18

JMLChartron @untitledgoose2.bsky.social · 21d

After many sightings without a camera to hand, I finally managed to get a semi-decent photo of a Bittern in flight 😄😄

📷: Canon R7 Mirrorless w/ RF 800mm fixed lens
🌍: RSPB Burton Mere Wetlands, Der Estuary
🗓️: 19th September 2025

#birds #bittern #photography #birdspotting

4

JMLChartron @untitledgoose2.bsky.social · 23d

Blue tits are one of the most common birds in the UK. An estimated 3 million breeding pairs across the country, and 20 to 40 million individuals across Europe!

📷: Canon R7 Mirrorless w/ RF 800mm fixed lens
🌏: RSPB Burton Mere Wetlands, Dee Estuary
🗓️: 12th September 2025

#birds #photography

8

JMLChartron @untitledgoose2.bsky.social · 27d

A beautiful juvenile Hobby spotted hunting above treetops. Amazing to watch them diving up to 100mph to catch dragonflies!

📷: Canon R7 Mirrorless w/ RF 800mm fixed lens
🌍: RSPB Burton Mere Wetlands, Dee Estuary
🗓️: 12th September 2025

#photography #birds #wildlife

6

JMLChartron @untitledgoose2.bsky.social · 28d

Kestrels are able to keep their heads incredibly still while hovering on hunts. Research has shown their heads don't move more than 2mm even in high winds!

📷: Canon R7 Mirrorless w/ RF 800mm fixed lens
🌏: RSPB Parkgate, See Estuary
🗓️: 11th September 2025

#photography #birds #birdsofprey

3

JMLChartron @untitledgoose2.bsky.social · 29d

Blue tit in the autumn leaves, a sure sign that we're now in the best season of all. Soup season 🍲

📷: Canon R7 Mirrorless w RF 800mm fixed lens
🌏: RSPB Burton Mere Wetlands, See Estuary

#photography #birds #autumn

4

Reposted by JMLChartron

RSPB @rspb.bsky.social · Aug 29

Who else could claim today’s #FlyDay spotlight but the magnificent White-tailed Eagle? 🦅

Their breathtaking story of loss and recovery takes flight in RETURN, an RSPB film, released today.

Watch now on YouTube: brnw.ch/21wVi9V 👈

A White-tailed Eagle soars low over the water, vast dark wings spread and yellow talons poised, its pale head turned slightly as it glides with power and precision. Once lost from the UK, this giant of the skies is the focus of the new RSPB film RETURN.

1 48 270

JMLChartron @untitledgoose2.bsky.social · Aug 28

Great Egret in flight.

📷: Canon R7 Mirrorless w/ RF 800mm fixed lens
🌍: RSPB Burton Mere Wetlands, Dee Estuary
🗓️: 25/08/2025

#birds #photography

3 25

JMLChartron @untitledgoose2.bsky.social · Aug 23

Ever wondered why geese sometimes fly upside down? It's called whiffling. By turning upside down they slow down rapidly so it can be useful for a quick landing!

📷: Canon R7 Mirrorless w/ RF 800mm fixed lens
🌏:RSPB Burton Mere Wetlands, Dee Estuary
🗓️: 22/08/2025

#birds #photography #geese

4

JMLChartron @untitledgoose2.bsky.social · Aug 23

Your chances of being killed by a Great Egret are low... But never zero.

A very successful bird with more than 2 million individuals globally!

📷: Canon R7 Mirrorless w/ RF 800mm fixed lens
🌍: RSPB Burton Mere Wetlands, Dee Estuary
🗓️: 22/08/2025

#birds #photography #wildlife #conservation #nature

1

JMLChartron @untitledgoose2.bsky.social · Jul 23

More than 300,000 rabbit pairs in the UK, but they're not technically native! The Norman's introduced them here nearly 1000 years ago.

🌍: Heaton Park, Manchester
🗓️: 18/07/2025
📷: Canon R7 Mirrorless w/ RF 800mm fixed lens

#rabbit #photography

6

JMLChartron @untitledgoose2.bsky.social · Jul 18

Did you know that a baby spoonbill is called a teaspoon? Als they have only recently (2010) become stable in the UK; after being gone since 1668!

🌍: RSPB Burton Mere Wetlands, Dee Estuary
🗓️: 11/07/2025
📷: Canon R7 Mirrorless w/ RF 800mm fixed lens

#birds #photography #conservation

1 7

JMLChartron @untitledgoose2.bsky.social · Jul 15

Two juvenile Marsh Harriers enjoying the high winds.

🌍: RSPB Burton Mere Wetlands, Dee Estuary
🗓️: 15/07/2025
📷: Canon R7 Mirrorless w/ RF 800mm fixed lens

#birds #photography

2 9

JMLChartron @untitledgoose2.bsky.social · Jul 15

So encouraging to see so many more bees this year than last year, they are so important and so wonderful.

🌍: Calderstones Park, Liverpool
🗓️: 15/07/2025
📷: Canon R7 Mirrorless w/ EFS 18-135mm lens

#bees #photography

5

JMLChartron @untitledgoose2.bsky.social · Jul 14

Sedge Warbler singing its little heart out.

🌍: RSPB Burton Mere Wetlands, Dee Estuary
🗓️: 06/06/2025
📷: Canon R7 Mirrorless w/ RF 800mm Fixed Lens

#birds #photography

1 7

JMLChartron @untitledgoose2.bsky.social · Jul 13

Little Egret in Flight. Probably one of my favourite shots I've taken so far this year.

🌍: RSPB Burton Mere Wetlands, Dee Estuary
🗓️: 07/07/2025
📷: Canon R7 Mirrorless w/ RF 800mm fixed lens

#birds #photography

1 2 60

JMLChartron @untitledgoose2.bsky.social · Jul 11

It be Cygnet season

#photography #birds #cygnet