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Tom Hibbert

@wildlifetom.bsky.social

Obsessed with wildlife, particularly birds, bugs and beetles! Lucky enough to write about nature for The Wildlife Trusts.

147 Followers  |  54 Following  |  146 Posts  |  Joined: 21.04.2025
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Posts by Tom Hibbert (@wildlifetom.bsky.social)

Strophosoma capitatum, a pale brown weevil with a short, broad rostrum an a small bare patch at the front of the elytra.

Strophosoma capitatum, a pale brown weevil with a short, broad rostrum an a small bare patch at the front of the elytra.

Found this slightly bedraggled Strophosoma capitatum in a clump of moss. A few scales missing, but still a charming little weevil.

#Coleoptera #Beetle

28.02.2026 17:59 β€” πŸ‘ 70    πŸ” 3    πŸ’¬ 4    πŸ“Œ 1
Common Quaker (Orthosia cerasi).

Common Quaker (Orthosia cerasi).

A recent Common Quaker for #MothFaceFriday. This moth played dead so convincingly that I thought it was dead.

#teammoth #dramaqueenmoth #moths

27.02.2026 08:47 β€” πŸ‘ 298    πŸ” 18    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0

Thanks, it was a very hit and miss process!

25.02.2026 22:14 β€” πŸ‘ 1    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0

He was certainly feeding well yesterday.

25.02.2026 20:31 β€” πŸ‘ 0    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0
The silhouette of a bag against a cloudy blue sky

The silhouette of a bag against a cloudy blue sky

The silhouette of a bat against a cloudy blue sky

The silhouette of a bat against a cloudy blue sky

The silhouette of a bat against a darkening blue sky

The silhouette of a bat against a darkening blue sky

Yesterday, I saw my first bat of the year! I’m guessing one of the pipistrelles, from the erratic flight. It was zipping around above the canal outside my flat at 5:30pm.

#Bat #Mammal

25.02.2026 19:01 β€” πŸ‘ 12    πŸ” 1    πŸ’¬ 2    πŸ“Œ 0
A robin standing on a wooden fencepost, its beak open as it sings

A robin standing on a wooden fencepost, its beak open as it sings

There was so much birdsong to enjoy this weekend, not just the Robins - though they were the most approachable!

24.02.2026 19:35 β€” πŸ‘ 0    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0

That’s one of their antennae sticking out

22.02.2026 20:33 β€” πŸ‘ 2    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0
Kleidocerys resedae, a rust-coloured bug, standing on a lichen-clad fence.

Kleidocerys resedae, a rust-coloured bug, standing on a lichen-clad fence.

There were plenty of Birch Catkin Bugs (Kleidocerys resedae) emerging from their winter hiding places this weekend.

#Hemiptera #Bugs

22.02.2026 18:28 β€” πŸ‘ 34    πŸ” 1    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0
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My first flightless moth! A female Dotted Border on a fence in Sherwood Forest

#Lepidoptera #TeamMoth

21.02.2026 18:24 β€” πŸ‘ 37    πŸ” 3    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
A Pintail and a Shelduck upending, their tails in the air as they forage for food underwater

A Pintail and a Shelduck upending, their tails in the air as they forage for food underwater

Bottom’s up! Pintail are dazzling dabbling ducks, even when you can only see their rear half.

18.02.2026 20:30 β€” πŸ‘ 14    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
A Bewick’s Swan on a rippling pool. It has a black beak with a short yellow block at the base.

A Bewick’s Swan on a rippling pool. It has a black beak with a short yellow block at the base.

A Bewick’s Swan on a rippling pool. It has a black beak with a short yellow block at the base.

A Bewick’s Swan on a rippling pool. It has a black beak with a short yellow block at the base.

A visit to Slimbridge wouldn’t be complete without spending some time with the beautiful Bewick’s Swans.

16.02.2026 19:29 β€” πŸ‘ 4    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
Two White-fronted Geese, one standing and one sitting, in a grassy field. They have a white blaze at the base of their dainty bill

Two White-fronted Geese, one standing and one sitting, in a grassy field. They have a white blaze at the base of their dainty bill

Enjoyed a swan and goose extravaganza at Slimbridge yesterday. All three swans and seven species of goose. A few dainty White-fronted Geese even came close enough for photos!

#birds #birdwatching #Slimbrige

15.02.2026 17:15 β€” πŸ‘ 4    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0

That’s an incredible shape!

15.02.2026 17:09 β€” πŸ‘ 1    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0
Two coal tits fighting as they cling to a branch. One is grabbing the leg of the other.

Two coal tits fighting as they cling to a branch. One is grabbing the leg of the other.

The Coal Tits are getting feisty! Spotted these two squabbling in Sherwood Forest.

12.02.2026 19:59 β€” πŸ‘ 54    πŸ” 2    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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I went out to Crates Wood near Shaftesbury to see if I could find this, the Winter Scorpion Fly or Snow Flea. This is a winter specialist, when I see them I always think of the Greeks and Trojans with bronze armour. Only a single male today, Boreus hyemalis

12.02.2026 00:25 β€” πŸ‘ 15    πŸ” 3    πŸ’¬ 3    πŸ“Œ 0
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I know I am biased but Ravens have to be one of the most stunning and expressive of birds. Maybe that is why they occur so much in literature and mythology

12.02.2026 08:54 β€” πŸ‘ 54    πŸ” 6    πŸ’¬ 4    πŸ“Œ 0

That β€˜kronk’ is so evocative. An incredible sound.

12.02.2026 16:42 β€” πŸ‘ 2    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
Newington Cemetery; many species found under this Austrian pine tree.

Newington Cemetery; many species found under this Austrian pine tree.

Cream-streaked Ladybird.

Cream-streaked Ladybird.

Eyed Ladybird.

Eyed Ladybird.

Larch Ladybird.

Larch Ladybird.

10 species of #ladybirds found yesterday on gravestones in Newington Cemetery, #Edinburgh. Surprisingly good haul (best of 2026 so far) despite the dreich weather. Part 1: Cream-streaked, Eyed & Larch Ladybirds … #CemeteryWildlifeWatch recording activity on #iRecord.

12.02.2026 13:50 β€” πŸ‘ 37    πŸ” 7    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0
Two brownish-grey geese, the left-hand one facing front/right, the other with its head down & its back to us. Distinguishing features are the white  base to the pinkish beak, orange legs and prominent black barring on the underside.

Two brownish-grey geese, the left-hand one facing front/right, the other with its head down & its back to us. Distinguishing features are the white base to the pinkish beak, orange legs and prominent black barring on the underside.

Made a trip to the moors north of Telford this morning thanks to a tip-off from @pilning.bsky.social to see the White-fronted Geese which have fetched up on the floods. They were showing well despite the continued murky weather.

12.02.2026 13:52 β€” πŸ‘ 31    πŸ” 4    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0
Sitona lineatus standing on a wooden table. It’s a small, cigar-shaped weevil with a short broad snout and distinct dark and pale lines running the length of its body.

Sitona lineatus standing on a wooden table. It’s a small, cigar-shaped weevil with a short broad snout and distinct dark and pale lines running the length of its body.

Another day, another unexpected indoor beetle. I found this Sitona lineatus climbing up the inside of my window this evening.

#Beetle #Weevil #Coleoptera

09.02.2026 18:04 β€” πŸ‘ 3    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0

That is a gorgeous weevil! Love the zigzag pattern along the suture.

09.02.2026 07:48 β€” πŸ‘ 1    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0

I know! I think that’s comfortably more than all my previous sightings of the species combined.

04.02.2026 20:30 β€” πŸ‘ 1    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0
19 16-spot ladybirds huddle up on a wooden fence post. They are yellow ladybirds with a black line down the middle of their back and black spots.

19 16-spot ladybirds huddle up on a wooden fence post. They are yellow ladybirds with a black line down the middle of their back and black spots.

A number of 16-spot ladybirds huddled up in a crack in a wooden fence post. They are yellow ladybirds with a black line down the middle of their back and black spots.

A number of 16-spot ladybirds huddled up in a crack in a wooden fence post. They are yellow ladybirds with a black line down the middle of their back and black spots.

I won the ladybird lottery at the weekend, with 338 16-spot Ladybirds huddled up on a series of fence posts!

#beetle #Coleoptera

04.02.2026 19:42 β€” πŸ‘ 27    πŸ” 6    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0
Dicyrtomina saundersi, a mottled brown springtail with bi-coloured antennae and long white hairs protruding from its bulbous abdomen, walking across a wooden fence

Dicyrtomina saundersi, a mottled brown springtail with bi-coloured antennae and long white hairs protruding from its bulbous abdomen, walking across a wooden fence

Orchesella cincta, a long, thin dark springtail with yellow bands and striped antennae, resting on a wooden fence post

Orchesella cincta, a long, thin dark springtail with yellow bands and striped antennae, resting on a wooden fence post

It’s a shame springtails are so easily overlooked. I think people would love them if they could see them β€” they’re like little cartoon characters!

Dicyrtomina saundersi and Orchesella cincta from Sherwood Forest last weekend. #springtail

03.02.2026 18:23 β€” πŸ‘ 11    πŸ” 2    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0
A male Spring Usher moth resting on a fence. Its wings are mottled brown with pale bands running across them.

A male Spring Usher moth resting on a fence. Its wings are mottled brown with pale bands running across them.

A male Spring Usher moth resting on a fence. Its wings are mottled, sandy brown with paler bands running across them.

A male Spring Usher moth resting on a fence. Its wings are mottled, sandy brown with paler bands running across them.

A male Spring Usher moth resting on a fence. Its wings are mottled grey with pale bands running across them.

A male Spring Usher moth resting on a fence. Its wings are mottled grey with pale bands running across them.

A particularly dark Spring Usher moth resting on a fence, with trees viable in the background.

A particularly dark Spring Usher moth resting on a fence, with trees viable in the background.

I found 7 male Spring Ushers on a short stretch of fence in Sherwood Forest, yesterday - no two were alike! Sadly couldn’t spot a female nearby.

#Moth #TeamMoth #Lepidoptera

02.02.2026 19:15 β€” πŸ‘ 32    πŸ” 2    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
Rhyzobius chrysomeloides, a tiny ladybird with a dark red body and darker markings on the wing cases

Rhyzobius chrysomeloides, a tiny ladybird with a dark red body and darker markings on the wing cases

One of my strangest beetle sightings yet - Rhyzobius chrysomeloides crawling across my bed last night!

#ladybird #beetle

29.01.2026 17:42 β€” πŸ‘ 8    πŸ” 2    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0
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Saturday brought my first moth of the year, a Pale Brindled Beauty clinging to the wall of my flat.

25.01.2026 14:59 β€” πŸ‘ 3    πŸ” 1    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
A beetle on a green background, looking to the right. It is mostly black but with a strong metallic green sheen. Its wing-cases have large red areas on the 'shoulders'. Legs & antennae are yellowish at their bases, becoming black towards their ends.

A beetle on a green background, looking to the right. It is mostly black but with a strong metallic green sheen. Its wing-cases have large red areas on the 'shoulders'. Legs & antennae are yellowish at their bases, becoming black towards their ends.

Wildlife group's trip to Morville yesterday was very wet indeed but we soldiered on... for a while. Finds included this splendid ground beetle, Anchomenus dorsalis.

22.01.2026 18:22 β€” πŸ‘ 37    πŸ” 3    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0

Those eyes never fail to amaze me

14.01.2026 20:49 β€” πŸ‘ 1    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0

Looks to me like it could possibly be Epistrophe eligans?

13.01.2026 20:15 β€” πŸ‘ 2    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0