Ron Lawie

Winter Aconite

Xanthoria parientina > Common Orange Lichen > on Horse chestnut Tree. X5 zoom.

Early bloom of Winter Aconite yesterday Angus Scotland and a bright common Orange Lichen on my stranding today.
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Interesting find on another WinBS survey with a colleague today
Join the fun at BTO BBS WinBS
Birds, wildlife exercise and health benefits @bbs-birds.bsky.social @btobirds.bsky.social @btoscotland.bsky.social

Winter bird Survey generates interesting comparisons of species and abundance using Spring Breeding bird habitat. @bbs-birds.bsky.social @btoscotland.bsky.social fewer birds differing species. Join in the fun at BTO WinBS.

Help Scotland's wildlife recover! This is a once in a generation chance to protect Swifts, Puffins and Red Squirrels. The Natural Environment Bill must drive real action to save Scotland's nature. Join us and call on MSPs to speak up...

I’ve spoken up for Scotland’s nature!

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action.rspb.org.uk/page/177329/...

Sadly found this dead Mole however look at those front feet. Large and powerful particularly compared the the rear set. @britishnatureguide.bsky.social @foragingecology.bsky.social

Well done David, the difficulty is significant for many, great your raising the profile and understanding. Happy birding.

Speckled Wood on my cycling cap.

Pararge aegeria

What I think is a Speckled Wood (Pararge aegeria) on my cycling cap near Steenwijk Netherlands. ?

Thank you, I was sure you would likely know. Once home I will check my book. I was hopeful the red was a common darter but may have been a variation.
The Emerald was stunning. Many thanks.

Can someone please advise ID if these damsel fly. Observed today at Steenwijk Netherlands. Thank you. @maryvanderes.bsky.social ?

It was a pleasure and is not unusual disturbance on that stretch of coast which maintains consistency. I do however often wonder how good it would be without 🤞 And when it is, it is usually appalling weather 🤷‍♂️

Sandwich terns and gulls lift as walkers approach. WeBS count.

Circa 300 Sandwich tern on yesterdays WeBS count. Walkers are a constant disturbance causing the birds to move around. @webs-gsmp.bsky.social @btoscotland.bsky.social

We set up an experimental ‘lure’ producing a pheromone hoping to attract Six Spot Burnet moth in a grassland habitat hosting a few Ragwort (Senecio Jacobaea) plants. Pleased that within ten minutes it had two. 😃
@savebutterflies.bsky.social @europebutterfly.bsky.social
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😂🤣🤣 you just have to love autocorrect 🙄

Sneezewort

Tormentil

Bog cotton

Bog Asphodel

Tormentil (Potentilla fruticosa) and Sneezewort (Achilles ptarmigan) from a grassland habitat and Bog Asphodel (Narthecium ossifragum) and Bog Cotton (Eriophorum angustifolium) from an upland habitat.
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A worn adult Northern Brown Argus

Searching for the food plant Rockrose

Three eggs on one leaf contrary to most guide books. The leaves are approx 10-15mm long and the eggs approx 1 mm diameter.

Searching for Northern Brown Argus eggs on their food plant Rockrose with reasonable success in east Perthshire.
A good day for several species, Meadow Brown, Common Blue, Grayling, Small Heath, Red Admiral, Ringlet and several damselflies.
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Interesting variation of habitat

Same trip around 150 Red Deer stags and Mountain Hare also

A few pics from my mountain foray yesterday

St John’s Wort

Nice clump of St John’s Wort as Ringlet flutter in the adjacent grasses on this fine morning.
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Red-tail bumblebee (female)

Healthy looking Red-tailed bumblebee (Bombus lapidarius) spotted in its search for nectar.

Nice very illusive birds, heard more often than seen.

Notice the bright tail-end membrane. Piezodorus lituratus

Gorse Shieldbug

Gorse Shieldbug (Piezodorus lituratus) located on a coastal path yesterday.
Interestingly adults change colour later in the season.

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Starry saxifrage

Upland plants: Starry saxifrage from Glen doll.

Starry saxifrage

Upland plants: Starry saxifrage from Glen doll.

Female Ptarmigan incubating. RSPB Montane Survey.

Rewards for effort. Female Ptarmigan incubating in a boulderfield. RSPB Montane Survey.
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Thyme (Creeping I think ? )

Wood Cranesbill

Alpine Bistort

Bell heather and Red tail bumblebee

A few plants from East Cairngorms. Thyme, Cranesbill and Bistort. Several Red tailed Bumblebees around on the Bell heather. @bsbiscotland.bsky.social

Small copper and a Speckled Wood from Morton Loch today. @savebutterflies.bsky.social

Sad to hear and hopefully they can recover next year.
Here in East Scotland our Peregrine numbers crashed last year due mainly to HOAI in diet with virtually zero nesting, it’s encouraging that we have around fifteen successful nests this year averaging broods of three pulli.
Fingers crossed for u

Dryads saddle on a Horse chestnut tree. Grown in the space of three days.
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