Ooh, first garden record this year for Scaeva pyrastri, Pied Hoverfly, enjoying TMS and a cheeky G and T with me #Shrewsbury #Shropshire

Look at those six black legs - a Ruddy Darter Symphytum sanguineum and a first garden record - hurrah!

I’m Salticus… No, I’m Salticus Repeat until sleep ensues. Cute little Zebra Spider.

Oh hello Merodon equestris - Greater Bulb-fly, Narcissus Fly, or little daffodil-eating bastard as it’s known in this house. They are cute though…

The first time I’ve ever managed to pot a Silverfish, Lepisma saccharinum. I usually get a glimpse at 3am when they scurry across the kitchen floor.

Shining Cranesbill, Geranium lucidum earning its place in the garden!

A lovely Banded Demoiselle in the garden today. 🤩

Ok clever moth people - is this a Copper Underwing caterpillar? It’s on Lonicera. @pilning.bsky.social @pickeletto.bsky.social

Hey biological recorders - last day to nominate wonderful people for an award - get in there!

If anyone wants to listen to me wibbling about a book I may have written, do listen in to the lovely @batability.bsky.social Neil Middleton. It was a real pleasure being interviewed by Neil 💚🪲🌱🪲💚

Mystery plant (Blupeurum?) growing near the @nfbr.bsky.social conference location. Lots of pan-species listers eagerly awaiting an ID @bsbibotany.bsky.social @graemelyons.bsky.social

Laurence Livermore From Local Records to Global Infrastructure. Join #NFBRConference2026 7 May to explore how millions of specimens are digitised & connected turning local collections into national & global data for conservation & policy. bit.ly/4sZO4iz #BiologicalRecording @nhm-london.bsky.social

Drinking a good gin Next to a Ginkgo will go Down well with the sun

Is someone you know new to #WildlifeRecording but already making their mark? Are they making a difference and increasing our understanding of nature in the UK? If so, why not nominate them for the NBN Newcomer Award? bit.ly/NBNawards26n... Deadline - 18 May #NBNawards26 @nbntrust.bsky.social

It’s not rocket science… a bit of urban recording in #Shrewsbury yields Eruca sativa, Rocket #pavementplants #urbanbotany

Hey, have you booked yet? The 40th anniversary of NFBR. Get in there! Some great speakers (er, and me)…

Glorious Spring day in Montgomery, with Scarlet Tiger caterpillars munching on Green Alkanet, Dark-edged Beeflies, Rustyback fern, plus Red Kites, Buzzards, and a million Chiffchaffs

Ok, I might just be convinced by this Spring malarkey. Bombylius major, Dark-edged Beefly, Primroses, and a Chiffchaff!

Oh squeak! It’s official publication day!

Yesterday’s gardening session produced the first Seven-spot Ladybird (actually about twenty) of the year, and Eristalis tenax sunning itself.

Wow, thanks Bill!

Well, I’m bound to agree with h what Sue says!

Ooh, first county record for #Shropshire for Geranium maderense, Giant Herb Robert! Pavement plants are the best 💚🌱💚

📢#JobOpportunity #WeAreSeeking a Land Management Biodiversity Adviser We're looking for someone with knowledge of conservation and environmental issues and policy Based in Peterborough or Aberdeen but with hybrid working Closing date: 1 March 2026 bit.ly/3Ob2H3H

Flatworm Friday! My first ever terrestrial flatworm which I think may be Caenoplana variegata but waiting for confirmation. It’s a INNS, brought in on the cat’s fur.

On a rainy grey February, a splendid parcel has arrived. What a relief… @pelagic.bsky.social @nfbr.bsky.social @nbntrust.bsky.social

Stunning Aurora in #shrewsbury Shropshire. Taken from the bedroom window, and the red was visible with the naked eye!

Final stretch of the #NewYearPlantHunt in #Shrewsbury @bsbibotany.bsky.social with Red Campion and some snow!

#NewYearPlantHunt in #Shrewsbury - 28 species so far, from delicate Hazel catkins to Fumaria bastardii, Tall Ramping Fumitory

The deed is done…

Am I allowed a bit more shameless self-publicity? Available for pre-order! 💚 @pelagic.bsky.social pelagicpublishing.com/products/the...

@sarahwhild.bsky.social @earthwormuk.bsky.social @peskypb.bsky.social @rockwolf74.bsky.social @pickeletto.bsky.social @lancefly.bsky.social @flygirlnhm.bsky.social @beetlequeen.bsky.social Please share widely

Would you accept chocolate from this woman?

Sunrise over the Wrekin, from my bedroom window in #Shrewsbury

All #Shrewsbury folk please sign this petition to end the complete and utter arsery imposed on us by Gove’s bloody ‘levelling up’. It seems a small issue but it’s meant hold-ups for emergency vehicles ☹️ c.org/NHRqbQFz8S

Awesome! Be Green! 💚💚💚

The Green Party has hit 70k members! We've got more MPs, more councillors, and now more members than EVER before The country is crying out for a positive alternative – and you can help us build it There's never been a better time to join our movement: join.greenparty.org.uk

I seem to have acquired a new friend, following me round the garden, and waiting for bits of cheese…

Finally seen Baccha elongata in the garden this year! Hoverflies in #Shrewsbury

Rainbow over Castlefields skies in #Shrewsbury

Some pavement plants in #Shrewsbury on the way home from the folk festival. A lovely Corn Marigold, and a dodgy little petunia-jobby…

The first garden records are coming in thick and fast - Elbow-veined Grass-veneer is lovely!

Oh you little green star! Abseiling down off the roses and onto my lap (then quickly potted by The Monkey Butler). First garden record for Nigma walckenaeri 💚 🕷️

Oh you beauty! First garden record of a Red Underwing. And I didn’t get to see it but hooray for the Monkey Butler snapping a photo

How much excitement can biological recorders cope with? Save the date! It’s @nfbr.bsky.social 40th anniversary conference next year - woohoo! Get it in your diaries… @nbntrust.bsky.social @kitenet.bsky.social @elaineeepoos.bsky.social @teamneyedc.bsky.social

A Green-veined White enjoying TMS in the garden… not sure I’m enjoying it… 🤦‍♀️

Ah - Episyrphus balteatus, Marmalade Hoverfly on Aster divaricatus. Glad to know another species of Hoverfly likes TMS in the garden #shrewsbury #shropshire

Sun rise in #Shrewsbury

Eupeodes luniger hanging around in the garden listening to TMS with me this evening…

Earlier this year I rescued Mr Stick from a moribund Box tree, and attempted to raise him. @kitenet.bsky.social Martin suggested a Willow Beauty and today you were proven correct! Hooray! First garden record