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Annie Irving @sconzani.bsky.social · 4h

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

Annie Irving @sconzani.bsky.social · 5h

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 · 5h

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 · 5h

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 · 5h

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 · 2d

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

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Annie Irving @sconzani.bsky.social · 2d

Simply superb!

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Annie Irving @sconzani.bsky.social · 2d

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

Peter Howlett @cardiffbirder.bsky.social · 2d

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 · 2d

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

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Annie Irving @sconzani.bsky.social · 2d

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

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Annie Irving @sconzani.bsky.social · 2d

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 · 3d

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

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Annie Irving @sconzani.bsky.social · 3d

Wonderful shots, Graham, as usual. :-)

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Annie Irving @sconzani.bsky.social · 3d

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 · 3d

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 · 4d

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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Annie Irving @sconzani.bsky.social · 4d

The foxes were out for a race around the grass this morning & then some tender grooming & nuzzling between the adult male & female. In the first photo, I think that's dad & mum, left to right at the back, & one of this year's cubs in front - just look at the cub's magnificent brush! #foxes

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Annie Irving @sconzani.bsky.social · 5d

I didn't. Thanks for alerting me, Philip. :-)

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Annie Irving @sconzani.bsky.social · 5d

Thanks for the advice, Rob. Not sure if you know the story here - found new to Glamorgan this week, on the other side of Cardiff, so George alerted me to keep an eye out on my side of the city. Found C. sexgutella, new to me, yesterday when looking for C. drurella. :-)

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Annie Irving @sconzani.bsky.social · 5d

Cracking find, George. And distinctive - looks quite different to C. sexgutella.

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Annie Irving @sconzani.bsky.social · 6d

Thanks, George. Now to look for the other one ...

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Annie Irving @sconzani.bsky.social · 6d

Alerted by @gmtord.bsky.social to the finding of a rare leafminer yesterday in Cardiff, I went looking earlier. First the possible plants, either Goosefoot or Orache, which I didn't know but found. And I found mines, but not the right ones - I think this is Chrysoesthia sexguttella. #TeamMoth

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Annie Irving @sconzani.bsky.social · 6d

Cardiff Bay earlier: 2 Wheatears, flitting from place to place as they were constantly disturbed by people, dogs and boat traffic, first on the Barrage, across to the Ely embankment, then on top of a boat mast, from there back to the Barrage. #BirdingWales

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Annie Irving @sconzani.bsky.social · 6d

www.leafmines.co.uk/html/Lepidop...

Lep:Gelechiidae

www.leafmines.co.uk

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Annie Irving @sconzani.bsky.social · 6d

That's very kind. Thank you! 🦋💚

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