Sandy Hill

Our #AutumnArrivalSpotlight is on the Whooper Swan.

These elegant swans fly in from Iceland, their trumpet-like calls echoing across UK wetlands as they gather for winter.

Infectious diseases before and after a vaccine became available Three stacked time-series charts comparing disease burden before and after vaccine introduction, showing steep declines after vaccines. Top chart — Deaths caused by smallpox as a share of all deaths in London, 1700 to 1900. Middle chart — Reported paralytic polio cases and deaths in the United States, 1910 to 2010 Bottom chart — Reported cases of measles in the United States, 1921 to 2015. Data sources and credits, as listed in the footer: - Smallpox: Our World in Data based on Guy (1882) and on publications of the Registrar General between 1848 and 1903. - Polio: Our World in Data based on U.S. Public Health Service (1900 to 1951) and U.S. CDC (1960 to 2010). - Measles: Our World in Data based on U.S. Public Health Reports, the Public Health Service, and the U.S. CDC - Chart licensed under CC-BY by Our World in Data

Humanity’s history is a continuous battle between us and the microbes. For most of our history, we were on the losing side. It wasn’t even close. We were losing very decisively.

Look what came in the post? Great addition to #WildGuides range. Can't wait to start tackling #trees in my local area @bsbibotany.bsky.social

Oily waxcap, with characteristic salmon coloured gills

Fibrous waxcap, with distinct lines on cap & stem, hence Fibrous.

Blackening waxcap - blackens with age / damage

Crazed cap, a related fungus of Dermolma genus. Cap can cracking with age to create these fractured patterns.

Recent intro to Waxcaps at #PembrokeshireCoastNP centre at Llanion produced a multitude of spp within car park area. Hoping to find more this autumn #fungi

Green-Brindled Crescent

12 of 6 to garden actinic last night in vc45. Definitely quality over quantity, with this nfg, beautifully marked Green-brindled Crescent. @gardenmothscheme.bsky.social #TeamMoth

Beaded Chestnut

Last night's garden actinic in vc45 produced 19 of 11, with Spruce Carpet & Beaded Chestnut being nfy. Unseasonal Brimstone moth was a surprise. @gardenmothscheme.bsky.social #teammoth

Black Rustic

Sallow

Last night's moth trap lifted me out of doldrums since coming home from Menorca. 31 of 16, with P. vitrealis outshone by nfy, Black Rustic & Sallow. Never thought I'd say that 😱 #teammoth

Farewell to #Menorca. Sunrise over Isle de L'aire, with Roosting family of Night Herons & Spotless Starling taking holiday bird list to 70spp. Great memories

A little catch up during last day on #Menorca. Yesterday's trip to S'Albufera es Grau cemented it as a favoured birding spot. Notable were Gtr Flamingo, Black-necked Grebe, beautiful male Redstart, Spot Fly, BW stilt & Green Sandpiper

Late entry for ##wildflowerhour From Menorca. I give you Sea squill, with v distinctive green anthers. @wildflowerhour.bsky.social @bsbibotany.bsky.social

YouTube video by BBC News Huntington's disease successfully treated for first time | BBC News

OMG 😭

Huntington's is an inherited disease that's like Alzheimers + Parkinson's all in one. NOW: "once the gene therapy has been delivered into the brain... [it] injects a piece of DNA to reprogram the neuron to become a factory for its own cure."

LIFE SAVING!

www.youtube.com/watch?v=bhEx...

Tech meets nature: how Spain’s parks are using AI to protect raptors, bats and mountain wetlands From tracking Bonelli’s eagles and bats in Catalonia to monitoring fragile high-mountain wetlands in Sierra Nevada, the technology reveals how human activity affects ecosystems.

Tech meets nature: how Spain’s parks are using AI to protect raptors, bats and mountain wetlands

iucn.org/story/202509...

Vestal

Crimson Speckled

Whilst out & about birding in #Menorca, stumbled into Vestal at Ferreries & Crimson Speckled being seen each day #teammoth

Hermann's Tortoise on the Cami de Cavalls, Menorca today #herpetology #balearics

Good morning beautiful souls! I'm off to do my turn at the library today, anybody need a good book to read? Have a spectacular Thursday 😊🌞☕📚

Box tree moth was a lifer last night, but being invasive tempered any joy. The Tortrix has me perplexed mind. Forefinger length c10mm #teammoth @mothiduk.bsky.social

It may look great to travel with a clean windshield but the decline of insects, besides being a tragedy in itself, affects all earthly ecosystems, such as the diet of birds, reptiles and amphibians, and pollination of plants, etc.
#bugs #insects #decline #pollinator #pollinators #bug #insect

Beautiful picnic and wild swimming spot on the river Ouse. The finishing touch: a #turdinabag. Why would anyone do this? WTF?

4am on 25/8

4pm on 25/8

11pm on 25/8

A couple of interesting nights on the way as our weather is influenced by ex-hurricane Elin. Tonight, we could see the 1st arrivals in S. Ireland, SW Britain & perhaps along the south coast. Monday will be very warm with air from N. Africa, and perhaps the most likely night for migrants. #teammoth

Palpita vitrealis

Scarce Bordered Straw

Garden actinic in vc45 dominated by Setaceous Hebrew Ch, but 2 stars were Olive-tree Pearl & Scarce Bordered Straw. Absolutely buzzin @migrantmothuk.bsky.social #teammoth

Afternoon dog walk produced lone Swift after almost a fortnight's absence over Pembroke middle Millpond @birdsinwales.bsky.social #birdingwales

Fab. Thanks for all the info. Fingers crossed 🤞

Female Scaly Cricket on a stone.

Side on view of a female Scaly Cricket on a stone.

Side on view of a male Scaly Cricket on a stone.

Male Scaly Cricket on my fingers.

It was pure joy to see the Scaly Crickets (Pseudomogoplistes vicentae) with @vc40orthops.bsky.social a couple of weeks ago at Marloes Sands! #Orthoptera #ScalyCrickets

I've wanted to see these 4 ages. Any tips on where/when to look at Marloes Sands?

Peach Blossom

My moth of the week here in Pembroke; Peach Blossom. New for garden & what a belter? @britishnatureguide.bsky.social #teammoth

Thanks. Just been thru Nick Asher's book & thought this might be the beast, so more confident now

Thank you. It all helps as I scramble out of ignorance; so many Micro's!

Beautiful botanical illustration by W Keble Martin from The Concise British Flora in Colour showing some of the members of the diverse daisy family. Can you find a member of the Asteraceae for #WildflowerHour this Sunday?

It’s late summer and the Asteraceae or daisy family are looking just splendid. Perfect for this week’s #WildflowerHour! See if you can find one & share your pics this Sunday evening 8-9pm using the hashtag #DaisyFamily. Happy Asteraceae hunting!

Working thru some Microsoft & need help. First two are a Knothorn, but which one? 3rd image has me stumped. @mothiduk.bsky.social #teammoth

Thanks for the confirmation. Much appreciated.