Richard Swinbank

Reminds me of Jasper Fforde’s “Thursday Next” books…

We did well yesterday, even though it wasn’t officially an Osprey Cruise. Thanks very much.

Just adding one of my photos of the Wryneck at Turf Lock (Exminster) this afternoon - its second day, showing very well at times.

Rather them than me!

Amazing! Interesting to see the M/F size contrast.

Although I have many more photos from Switzerland, I'll finish with some views of the gorgeous mountain scenery. First, the Eiger, Mönch & Jungfrau. Second, the Jungfrau and Lauterbrunnen valley, from Männlichen. Third, the Wetterhorn and Grindelwald. Last, the Eiger, taken from my room in Mürren.

Another set of flower photos from my recent trip to Switzerland. This selection includes four flowers from the Buttercup family: Alpine Pasque-flower, Glacier Crowfoot, Narcissus-flowered Anemone and Alpine Buttercup.

As well as seeing all the beautiful flowers on my recent holiday in Switzerland, we also encountered some lovely butterflies. Here are just four, all photos taken on a walk from Mürren to Grütschalp: Mountain Ringlet, Pearl-bordered Fritillary, Mazarine Blue and Green Hairstreak.

Four more flower photos from my recent trip to Switzerland - this time four pretty Saxifrages. This selection comprises: Livelong Saxifrage; Scree Saxifrage; Mossy Saxifrage and Round-leaved Saxifrage.

Four more flowers from my recent holiday in the Swiss Alps. The first two are from Männlichen to Kleine Scheidegg: Snowdon Lily (nowhere near Snowdon!) and Spring Crocus. The other two from Mürren to Grütschalp: Bearded Bellflower and Mountain Houseleek.

Here is another set of photos from my recent trip to Switzerland - this time they're all species of Primula. These photos show Bird's Eye Primose, Auricula, Hairy Primrose and Oxlip. The first photo was taken at Allmendhubel, and the other three on a walk from Männlichen to Kleine Scheidegg.

A few more alpine flowers from my recent trip to Switzerland. The first two are from the Schilthorn: Round-leaved Pennycress and Swiss Rock-jasmine. While the other two were taken at Eigergletscher: Chamois Cress and Mt Cenis Pansy.

Here are a few more photos from my recent trip to Switzerland. This time, some orchids: Broad-leaved Marsh Orchid; Bird's Nest Orchid; Round-headed Orchid and Lady's Slipper Orchid. The latter isn't quite so rare in Switzerland as in Britain!

Nice to see you both this morning.

I recently returned from a lovely holiday in Switzerland, focusing on flowers, birds & butterflies. I'm sharing just a few of my bird photos here, though I will post some more later. Species shown here are Alpine Accentor, Crested Tit, Spotted Nutcracker, and Alpine Choughs.

Spotted Sandpiper

Egyptian Geese with goslings

A few pictures from Chew Valley Lake this morning: the Spotted Sandpiper that's been there for a few days now, and a pair of Egyptian Geese with their goslings.

…And why they got the credit from you.

I wonder which one of them were thinking it was a juvenile Dunlin after I suggested it could be a Temminck’s Stint.

'Prepare yourselves for a story of breath-taking perversity' This is Piles Copse, the largest remaining fragment of high-ground temperate rainforest on Dartmoor. It’s a tiny speck of green in a dismal, human-made desert. Prepare yourselves for a story of breath...

Here, @westcountryvoices.bsky.social have compiled my thread on the utterly bonkers mismanagement of Dartmoor into an easy-to-read article: westcountryvoices.co.uk/prepare-your...

Here are a few more pictures from last week's trip to Dorset - this time from the RSPB nature reserve at Arne: view of Corfe Castle across the heath; Sika Deer; Four-spotted Chaser; and Whimbrel.

You were up early! For mating, see the photo that I just posted. Keeping our fingers crossed...

A pair of Black-winged Stilts making themsleves at home at Seaton Wetlands this morning.

A few photos from my trip to Brownsea Island last week: a Red Squirrel, Sandwich Terns (behind wire netting protecting their nest site), Common Tern and a Little Gull (with a Black-headed Gull).

Any photo of the Forster’s Tern from this morning? Presumably it’s in summer plumage now, and v similar to the Common Terns currently at Brownsea.

Very good trip this morning, thank you!

Visiting #SeatonWetlands this morning, I was surprised by this flock of 14 Cranes that flew over Colyford Common, heading towards Seaton.

A second Early-purple Orchid has now started to flower in my meadow, to join the one that I discovered the other day. The Cowslips are also in flower at the moment. Photos show: the original orchid, the new one, orchid with cowslips, just some cowslips.

Early-purple(?) Orchid in flower

A new species of orchid has appeared in the meadow in my garden! Early-purple Orchid? The leaves of the Common Spotted Orchids are only just starting to appear.

I’m not sure that having someone off the TV to run the country is going too well in the USA!

It's wonderful to see the return of longstanding female Osprey CJ7 back at the nest site at Careys Secret Garden, having arrived yesterday evening. She has now ousted the prospecting female 1H1 and is enjoying her place back on the nest with male 022.