Annie Irving

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The sun had gone by the time I got to the park railings today but their dark colour holds the heat, which was being enjoyed by two new-for-2026 shieldbugs: Hawthorn (Acanthosoma haemorrhoidale) & Hairy (Dolycoris baccarum), as well as one of the relatively large springtails Orchesella cincta.

A few more finds from this morning's walk: my first Colt's-foot flowers of the year; a lovely little Green shieldbug, still partly in its winter bronze colouration; & a Psychoides filicivora moth larva on Common polypody.

Thank you. Looking at my guidebook that does look right and it seems to be known in my area. :-)

For their sake, yes, but as they're protected under Schedule 1 of the Wildlife & Countryside Act 1981 & it's a criminal offence to intentionally or recklessly disturb them when nesting, which also means photography, no one should be going anywhere near them if they do.

Noted, and thanks for your help. :-)
These panels p[rovide good basking spots for all manner of little creatures so I always take a look when I'm passing.

A little spider fest this morning on these building site fence panels. I think these are Pisaura mirabilis, Xysticus cristatus and maybe one of the Lycosidae? #arachnids @britishspiders.bsky.social

Thanks for the info. I'm heading down again in a couple of weeks so will look then. :-)

Nice! I kept looking for Snipe at Lodmoor but never spotted any.

The dipping pond at Cosmeston this morning was full of Toads, slithering and sliding, mating and producing their thousands of long strings of eggs. No sign of any frogs yet though. #SpringHasSprung

Osprey Project Nest Platforms and Cameras After such a successful Osprey season in 2025 with 2 nesting Osprey pairs on the south coast and 6(!) chicks fledged, we're looking ahead to build new nesting platforms and installing remote cameras! ...

Thanks so much to everyone who has supported our fundraiser so far, allowing us to install cameras and maintain these nests:
www.justgiving.com/campaign/osp...

It's been a glorious day and my butterfly year has begun, with four Brimstone seen during today's circuit of Cardiff Bay, two at the wetlands and these two in Hamadryad Park. 🦋💚 #UKButterflies

I photographed a similar pairing in Bute Park in November 2024 so perhaps these are the same birds. Apparently, they are known to interbreed.

On the periphery of the Bay this morning, the Peregrines were pair bonding by practising their food-passing technique, and the male Black redstart popped up briefly on the rocks.

The weather was wild this morning and Cardiff Bay was full of gulls but I managed to pick out the Little gull (a minor miracle!) and got some slightly better images when it flew a bit closer to The Sails, rather than staying out in mid bay. #birdingWales

Down to Cardiff Bay today, partly to enjoy the sunshine (!), partly for another look at the Little gull found by local birder Mat yesterday. Ms Scaup had flown in from Cosmeston for a visit so got some pics of her & think the speck with black underwings in last pic is the Little gull. #birdingWales

Thanks, Graham. Already wishing I was back in Dorset and planning my return ... :-)

Thanks, Alun. Looking at the fine beak and the lack of yellow around the eye, I figured Shag but wanted to be sure. :-)

Dumb birder question, because I don't see Shags very often, but is this a juvenile Shag? Seen off Hamm beach, Portland yesterday.

Had to google Scaly cricket. Hope you managed to find it!

Thanks, Owen. I really appreciate you taking the time. Sadly I'm heading home tomorrow but I'll be back here again soon. 👍

Nice to see you too, Graham. :-)

Oh the joys of identifying distant birds! In Portland Harbour today, possible Black-throated diver (white flank patch), maybe one of the Black-necked grebes reported today, male & female Red-breasted merganser, & late afternoon drake Pintail at Lodmoor. #DorsetBirding

NFY: Dark-bellied Brent geese feeding on the flooded pools at Chesil Beach this morning. #DorsetBirding

Thanks!

The weather's been wild today, with huge roaring seas, but the heavy rain held off till afternoon so I walked around Lodmoor (1 Avocet, most birds hunkered down) & back along the beach - found egg cases that might be: Buccinum undatum, Scyliorhinus stellaris & Dipturus intermedius. #beachcombing

Oh I do love to be beside the seaside

A wonderful bird-filled day. Two Marsh harriers were new for the year & I lingered long to watch them & all the other birds, including this Shelduck pair & a large flock of Siskin. #DorsetBirding

RSPB Lodmoor this afternoon, with a chilly wind but sunshine!
NFY Lapwing & Wigeon - lots of both, & a single Avocet. Also lots of Med gulls - love to listen to their mewing. #BirdingDorset #birds #UKBirding

So nice to be back ...
Bird pics to follow. 💚