Matt Bruce
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mattjbruce.bsky.social
Matt Bruce
@mattjbruce.bsky.social
1.2K followers 160 following 54 posts
Birder working on wild bird crime in the UK, mainly raptor persecution. Also running, Shetland wildlife and boardgames!
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mattjbruce.bsky.social
Matt Bruce @mattjbruce.bsky.social · Apr 20
So many photos to go through from my time in Pine Marten heaven - Ardnamurchan, West coast of Scotland. Such wonderful characters, I watched them for hours climbing over rocks and trees behind the hours.

#BritishMammals #PineMarten #Wildlife #Nature #Ardnamurchan
Pine Marten Pine Marten Pine Marten
Reposted by Matt Bruce
shetrockpoolsafari.bsky.social
Polycera quadrilineata or Four-lined Polycera.

A small but relatively common nudibranch found in rockpools and along piers and pontoons, if you have the patience to sift through the wracks.

#Nudibranch #MarineLife #Polycera #Rockpool #Tidepools #Shetland #VisitShetland #SeaLife #Wildlife #Nature
Four-lined Polycera - Polycera quadrilineata, a common but tiny nudibranch found in Shetland Four-lined Polycera - Polycera quadrilineata, a common but tiny nudibranch found in Shetland Four-lined Polycera - Polycera quadrilineata, a common but tiny nudibranch found in Shetland Four-lined Polycera - Polycera quadrilineata, a common but tiny nudibranch found in Shetland
August 14, 2025 at 9:55 AM
Reposted by Matt Bruce
zachinch92.bsky.social
Moulting adult Sanderling, 28 Black-tailed Godwit and 9 Ringed Plover on the River Mersey east of the Gateway and south of Moss Bank this afternoon #SankeyValley #PatchBirding
August 5, 2025 at 6:06 PM
Reposted by Matt Bruce
shetrockpoolsafari.bsky.social
Solar-powered Sea Slug - Elysia viridis, from a Rockpool in Shetland.

Flashing part of its "solar panel" that is filled with chlorophyll harvested from the algae it grazes on.

#Rockpool #Tidepool #Nature #Shetland #Wildlife #SeaSlug #Nudibranch #MarineLife
July 30, 2025 at 9:33 AM
Reposted by Matt Bruce
shetrockpoolsafari.bsky.social
A lovely evening Safari with 7 entrepid rockpool explorers. We found some of the largest Sea Lemons I've ever seen, and a great selection of other intertidal beasties from Sea Stars to Squat Lobsters.

#SeaLemon #Nudibranch #Rockpool #Tidepool #MarineLife #Nature #Wildlife
Our group checking out the finds in a tray. Our group checking out the finds in a tray. Sea Lemon selection Common and Brittle Sea Stars
July 26, 2025 at 8:01 PM
Reposted by Matt Bruce
shetrockpoolsafari.bsky.social
European Cowrie or Groatie Buckie in Shetland dialect. So much more interesting like this than the dead shells you might find on the beach!

#Cowrie #MarineLife #SeaSide #Rockpool #Tidepool #Nature
July 25, 2025 at 8:42 PM
Reposted by Matt Bruce
shetrockpoolsafari.bsky.social
I recently posted this as Cadlina laevis (White Sea Slug) but on review think it might be Jorunna tomentosa.

If anyone on here knows and can talk me through the ID I'd really appreciate it!

#Nudibranch #Shetland #MarineLife #Rockpool #Tidepool #Nature #Wildlife
A nudibranch on Corallina officinalis, ID to be confirmed. A nudibranch free floating just off a piece of kelp, ID to be confirmed.
July 20, 2025 at 1:34 PM
Reposted by Matt Bruce
shetrockpoolsafari.bsky.social
Elysia viridis - Solar-powered Sea Slug

This fascinating little creature ingests chloroplasts from its food algae, then uses them for photosynthesis to supplement its food supply. The folds on its back fan out to increase surface area to aid this process.

#SeaSlug #Shetland #Rockpool #MarineLife
Elysia viridis, a nudibranch like sea slug (or perhaps more accurately a sea snail?) from a Rockpool in Shetland, UK.
July 19, 2025 at 11:12 AM
Reposted by Matt Bruce
shetrockpoolsafari.bsky.social
Fancy learning about what lies just beneath the surface of Shetlands wonderful shores? All ages welcome! Check out our website and book your tour. If you aren't visiting soon, enjoy the gallery of some of our favourite finds!

#Rockpool #WildlifeTour #Nature #Shetland #Starfish #Crab #Nudibranch
A tour participant searching a seaweed covered Rockpool. Common Starfish Orange-clubbed Seaslug Hermit crab in the hand
July 15, 2025 at 1:48 PM
Reposted by Matt Bruce
shetrockpoolsafari.bsky.social
We've got spaces on tours in the last week of July:

Thu 24th @ 5:00pm
Sat 26th @ 6:00pm

If you are in Shetland, why not book on one and learn about some of the creatures below (Beadlet Anemone, common starfish, european cowrie, white sea slug)

#TidePool #RockPool #Wildlife #SeaLife #Shetland
Beadlet Anemone Common Starfish European Cowrie White Sea Slug
July 16, 2025 at 12:22 PM
Reposted by Matt Bruce
shetrockpoolsafari.bsky.social
Some recent Nudibranch finds whilst rockpooling around Shetland. Identifications in Alt text.

The variety, colour and alien-ness of Nudibranchs never ceased to amaze me!

#Shetland #Rockpool #Tidepool #SeaSlug #Nudibranch #Seashore #MarineLife #UkWildlife #ShetlandWildlife #Nature
Cadlina laevis - a Nudibranch found in Shetland. Aegires punctilucens - a nudibranch found in Shetland. Palio nothus, a Nudibranch found in Shetland Sea Lemon (Doris pseudoargus) in front of a Green Sea Urchin in a sample tray, found in a Rockpool in Shetland.
July 18, 2025 at 9:12 AM
Reposted by Matt Bruce
shetrockpoolsafari.bsky.social
Come rockpooling with us!
We love rockpooling and are excited to be starting a new venture - offering guided rockpool safaris here in Shetland.
Check out our website for more details and dates of sessions!

#Rockpool #Rockpooling #Shetland #Tidepool #Wildlife #Seaside
Shetland Rockpool Safaris
Shetland Rockpool Safaris - offering guided rockpool tours in Shetland, UK. Come and take a look at the fantastic wildlife beneath the waves with us.
www.shetlandrockpoolsafaris.co.uk
July 15, 2025 at 1:33 PM
mattjbruce.bsky.social
The stunning breeding plumage female Grey (Red) Phalarope at Spiggie, Shetland, this afternoon. What an incredible looking bird! Not often seen looking like this in the UK. My only other sighting was about a decade ago at Brandon Marsh, Warks! #Phalarope #Waders #Wildlife #UkBirding
Grey (Red) Phalarope in Shetland Grey (Red) Phalarope in Shetland Grey (Red) Phalarope in Shetland
June 4, 2025 at 2:17 PM
mattjbruce.bsky.social
So many photos to go through from my time in Pine Marten heaven - Ardnamurchan, West coast of Scotland. Such wonderful characters, I watched them for hours climbing over rocks and trees behind the hours.

#BritishMammals #PineMarten #Wildlife #Nature #Ardnamurchan
Pine Marten Pine Marten Pine Marten
April 20, 2025 at 6:38 PM
mattjbruce.bsky.social
A week long holiday on the Ardnamurchan peninsula provided some incredible Pine Marten encounters from the comfort of our accommodation. Amongst Atlantic rainforest, these mustelids evoke strong feelings of wilder times gone by.

#PineMarten #BritishMammals #Nature #Wildlife #BritishWildlife
A Pine Marten on a moss covered rock in Ardnamurchan.
April 19, 2025 at 9:26 PM
mattjbruce.bsky.social
A Purple Heron this afternoon at Boddam Voe gave Shetland another slice of the recent spring migrant action after yesterday's elusive Black-crowned Night Heron. #UKBirding
Purple Heron in Boddam, Shetland Purple Heron coming in to land at Boddam, Shetland
April 6, 2025 at 3:18 PM
mattjbruce.bsky.social
The Killer Whale pod known as the 27s visited my local Shetland coastline today, or at least 4 of them did. 27 herself and Bull 34 put on a show. Lovely weather but still very cold in the wind 🥶
#KillerWhale #Orca #SeaLife #MarineMammals #Wildlife #Shetland
Killer Whale off Shetlands East Coast Killer Whale off Shetlands East Coast Killer Whale off Shetlands East Coast Killer Whale off Shetlands East Coast
March 14, 2025 at 5:26 PM
mattjbruce.bsky.social
The solo bull Orca hanging around near Voe in Shetland right now. Lots of long feeding dives, there must be some good fish down there, he's been here for days now!
#Shetland #Orca #KillerWhale
Male Killer Whale in Shetland Male Killer Whale in Shetland Male Killer Whale in Shetland Male Killer Whale in Shetland
March 2, 2025 at 9:06 PM
Reposted by Matt Bruce
raptorpersuk.bsky.social
Brilliant campaigning from @wwtworldwide.bsky.social ft Megan McCubbin in spoof video at the Duck & Cover restaurant.

The use of humour as a campaign tool shouldn't be underestimated.

#BanLead #Ornithology

raptorpersecutionuk.org/2025/02/11/t...
“The Toxic Restaurant” – spoof video highlighting toxic lead ammunition sends BASC into meltdown
In the build up to a forthcoming decision by the DEFRA Secretary of State (and his counterparts in the devolved governments) whether to accept the HSE’s recommendations to ban the use of toxi…
raptorpersecutionuk.org
February 11, 2025 at 10:41 PM
Reposted by Matt Bruce
markgurn.bsky.social
Feisty little dudes. I'm almost used to calling them Curruca instead of Sylvia now. Scratchy songs, angry fire eyes, good colour schemes, but lose a point for being a bit too skulking = 8/10 #birdart #birds
An illustration of twelve warblers. Each row has three similar species. The top three are grey with black heads and varying amounts of black below; the next row has three with long tails, two are all grey, one is wine-red below; then there are the three subalpine warblers, which are grey above and red or orange below; and the bottom row has three with white throats and brown backs, two have rusty wing panels and the other is rather different with dark legs and a rather cold tone. The birds are all facing left and in the same pose so it is easier to compare the differences between them.
February 9, 2025 at 3:15 PM
mattjbruce.bsky.social
Shetland has the highest density of European Otter in the world. I saw at least 7 today in 4 different encounters. This youngster was the first I saw, at a popular walk location. Being downwind, I was fortunate to watch it feed for some time from close range. #Otter #Draatsi #Shetland
A young otter on rocks in Shetland A young otter opening it's mouth mid-meal on the shore in Shetland. A young otter peeking out from a hole in the rocks, Shetland. A young otter moving through the rocks, Shetland.
February 9, 2025 at 7:43 PM
Reposted by Matt Bruce
evornithology.bsky.social
Your 2025 Le Creuset x bird color guide
January 20, 2025 at 11:21 PM
Reposted by Matt Bruce
niallmachin1.bsky.social
My son James caught up with booted eagle at Marazion this morning - nice pale phase
January 12, 2025 at 1:28 PM
Reposted by Matt Bruce
birdguides.bsky.social
New research has investigated the motivations for dog owners keeping their pet on a lead in natural areas, and suggested the creation of dedicated dog exercise space as a solution:
Fenced dog parks could help protect wildlife
A study in South Australia has investigated the values of dog owners and how social norms could be shifted to protect vulnerable wildlife from off-lead dogs.
bit.ly
January 8, 2025 at 12:47 PM
Reposted by Matt Bruce
cairngormsceo.bsky.social
@cairngormsnews.bsky.social statement on suspected illegal release of lynx in the Cairngorms National Park

cairngorms.co.uk/park-authori...
Park Authority statement on lynx - Cairngorms National Park Authority
The Park Authority have been notified about a suspected illegal release of two lynx in the Cairngorms National Park. Police Scotland have been informed
cairngorms.co.uk
January 8, 2025 at 8:10 PM
mattjbruce.bsky.social
Tailing off now but we nipped out beyond the garden for a few more photos and to just take it all in.
My wife and I in front of the camera with Mirrie Dancers over head. The Corona, heart of the Aurora
January 1, 2025 at 6:14 PM