Masses of Sweet Violet (Viola odorata var. dumetorum) in flower at Mereside, Shrewsbury, during yesterday's WeBS count with @janettem34.bsky.social . Saw the regular var. odorata near here in flower on 1 Jan. Are these usually later, I wonder? 14 Shoveler remaining the best. #wildflowerhour

Wild Daffodils (Narcissus pseudonarcissus ssp. pseudonarcissus) at a woodland site we were surveying in N Herefordshire early this week. They had apparently increased since some Bracken management on the rides. #wildflowerhour

A recent study has examined whether non-native parrots in European cities compete directly with native birds or occupy ecological roles that are otherwise underrepresented in urban systems:

Yesterday in the garden #Shrewsbury both the first Dark-bordered Bee-fly (Bombylius major) of the year and a Hairy-footed Flower-bee (Anthophora plumipes) or two buzzing about the lungwort and comfrey flowers. Top critters #ukwildlife #diptera @dipteristsforum.bsky.social @teamdiptera.bsky.social

VP WeBS in 2 parts due to early mist. 2 f Pochard, 19 Tufted, 12 Shoveler incl mating pr, $ gadwall, 4 Shelduck, 105 Canadas, 4 Gadwall, LRP (at last), 12 Snipe, W Rail, Cetti's, 8 Chiff, 2 Blackcap, 2 Fieldfare, Redpoll. Sand Martins investigating the wall! #shropshirebirding 🪶

Yesterday, garden mothing in Shrewsbury produced 70/7 with Brindled Pug nfy. Mainly fresh looking Orthosias with this well marked Twin-spot Quaker one of four seen. #teammoth #ukwildlife

Wildlife group foray over the border into Wales at Block Wood on a glorious day on Wednesday produced a super pair of the Tachinid fly Tachina ursina, making the most of the high altitude warmth. Thanks for the shout @lancefly.bsky.social @dipteristsforum.bsky.social #ukwildlife #diptera

VP this a.m. in the sun was fairly quiet but 2 f Pochard, 29 Shoveler, 3 Gadwall, 11+ Teal, 2 Snipe, 2 Lapwing, 2 Oyst etc. Stonechat, Cetti's, 4 Chiffchaff, Siskin, 3 L Redpoll, Treecreeper but most odd was a bat over the pines in morning sun. Any suggested ID? #shropshirebirding 🪶 #bat #mammal

Another day another late trip for a Shropshire mega in fading light after a busy day 😊 Taiga Bean Goose near Isombridge, county first, thanks to Reevesy and @saloplarus.bsky.social #shropshirebirding 🪶

Late trip up to Ellesmere with @janettem34.bsky.social for @saloplarus.bsky.social 's cracking male Lesser Scaup, which showed ridiculously well. Like buses, wait 20 years for a 2nd Salop record and two appear here in one winter. Also 2nd summer Med in the early roost. #shropshirebirding 🪶

Also on Wednesday with the wildlife group on the edge of secondary woodland the vac sampling produced Pammene giganteana adult and larvae of Nemophora degeerella and Taleporia tubulosa in its case that was triangular in cross section. Thanks to Mike Shurmer for identifying the larvae. #treammoth

Common Whitlow-grass (Erophila verna) at its best this week with the wildlife group on an old airfield near Atcham on Wednesday. #wildflowerhour #whiteflowers

Wildlife group on Wednesday near Atcham produced sunshine but with a chilly wind. Sheltered spots produced 1st Bee-fly (Bombylius major) or the year, what I think should be Armadillidium depressum (not able to close up more than shown) and the cute spider Micaria pulicaria sensu lato #ukwildlife

Other signs of spring at VP this morning with G included male Meliscaeva auricollis, 1st hov of the year for me I think, and Norellia spinipes on their favourite clump of daffodils. #diptera #ukwildlife

VP w G this a.m.: 5 Sand Martin my first 'proper' migrants, (LRP left just before we arrived returned after we left!), 5 singing Chiffchaff, 2 W Rail, 5+ Pochard, 14 Tufted, 24 Shoveler, displaying Lapwings, 4 Snipe, 2 Oysterc, pair Stonechat, 2 Red Kite, 8 Stock Dove, 2 Siskin #shropshirebirding 🪶

A new report from wildlife charity Buglife reveals that pesticides from common flea and tick treatments are now widespread in rivers across Britain and may be contributing to major declines in freshwater invertebrates bit.ly/4b1Pu50

Venus Pool this morning w singing Chiffchaff (2), 12 Pochard, 15 Gadwall, 12 Fieldfare, 2 Redwing, 2 Oystercatcher and a nice flock of 40 Redpolls in the arable, nearly all Lesser but 1 pale male, surely a Mealy. #shropshirebirding 🪶

Yesterday morning the garden moth trap was busy for Feb with 14/7 including Satellite, Twin-spotted Quaker, Oak Beauty and an early Early Grey all NFY. #teammoth

Venus Pool now looking more floral as the Cherry Plum (Prunus cerasifera) is in bloom. Seen during this morning's WeBS count visit. #wildflowerhour

VP WeBS: 25 Canadas, 9 Greylag (from 1st light - no roost to speak of), 2 Mute Swan, 37 Shoveler, 12 Pochard, 15 Tufted, L Egret (CF), 2 Little & 3 GC Grebe, 6 Goosander, 550 Lapwing, 4 Oysterc, 4 Snipe, 14 Teal. V mild. Also Red Kite, Cetti's, Redwing, Fieldfare, Redpoll etc #shropshirebirding 🪶

The best I could manage of the Hoopoe at Isombridge this afternoon. First I have seen in the county. We get about one a year on average but usually seen only by non birder finders. #Shropshirebirding 🪶

Delighted that this arrived today. Christmas (2024, or was it 2023?) present from my sister! Love a late Christmas present! #Diptera

Mild overnight so ran the trap here in #Shrewsbury. 9/6 with Tortricodes alternella and Common Quaker nfy, Hebrew Character, Dotted Border, 3 Chestnut (having a good year here) and Pale Brindled Beauty. #teammoth #ukwildflife

Wildlife Group at VP on Wednesday part 2. A suspiciously long lunch break in the shelter of the memorial hide warming up & eating lunch, some of us trying to tog passing ducks in the gloom. 4 Pochard, 15 Tufted, 51 Shoveler, 6 Gadwall, 450 Lapwing, 2 Oystercatcher. 5 Snipe etc #shropshirebirding 🪶

Wildlife Group at VP on Wednesday part 1. Arable field & margins a.m. for #bryophytes (Bryum rubens, Tortula truncata, Phascium cupidatum etc found) and inverts, trying to stay warm (3C and breezy). Callitula pyrrhogaster aka the boy, Yellow Dung Fly and Paradromius linearis here. #ukwildlife

Dry and bright for a change so a trip N of Shrewsbury with @janettem34.bsky.social - 190+ Herring & 60+ LBBG Battlefield; 7 Goosander, 2 Goldeneye, Jack Snipe etc Cole Mere; 4 Shelduck Wood Lane; 16 Goldeneye, 34 Tufted, 3 Wigeon Ellesmere; v little Noneley. #shropshirebirding #nonebyname 🪶

Not much seen in flower this damp and murky week but some rare sunshine on Saturday morning, albeit 0c at 0900. Crocus tommasinianus near the bandstand for #wildflowerhour before #ParkRun

A few from Wednesday with the wildlife group in a limestone quarry near Pant. Grey Shoulder-knot found on a rock face, the striking #bryophyte Neckera crispa and possible Trichia meylanii, a slime-mould on a rotting log. #teammoth

Best night of the year so far, with 2 Dotted Border, 3 Hebrew Character and what I think is Dark Chestnut all nfy plus 4 'The' Chestnut. #teammoth 7 species so far from 6 nights of trapping including a single Wogan at the end of Jan. #ukwildlife #shrewsbury

Another look at the White-fronted Geese at Crudgington this drizzly murky morning with G. At least 249 plus 5 GWE, 13 Shelduck, 250 Golden Plover etc. 5 Barnacles still at Buildwas end of Leighton Bends. 14 Pochard, 13 Tufted, 515+ Lapwing etc VP. We missed Otter as always. #shropshirebirding 🪶

MORE commentary on the sentencing of Yorkshire Dales gamekeeper Racster Dingwall ⚖️ Pertinent points made by the Northern England Raptor Forum (NERF), representing raptor fieldworkers. #RaptorResearch #WildlifeCrime 🌍 raptorpersecutionuk.org/2026/02/10/m...

Wildlife group pics from Bucknell Wood on 4 Feb. Eyed Ladybird, Land Caddis (head on - they kept inside their cases until warmed up on a hand or even a hand warmer!), Dicranum majus (seemed suitably robust and curvy leaved) and the rove Othius punctulatus (det Caroline). #ukwildlife #bryophytes

Bit of a Shropshire goose fest underway. Yesterday with @janettem34.bsky.social in wretched light late pm with new camera, some of the flock of at least 261 White-fronts (305 counted later) at Crudgington. 5 Barnacles today near Leighton (phone scoped in the distance). #shropshirebirding 🪶

Some top #bryophytes around Shropshire in last 2 days with @mattrjones.bsky.social including Rose Moss, Rhodobryum roseum today at Earl's Hill (thanks Dan Wrench et al) and lots on the Mynd yesterday, mainly found by Matt, including Varnished Hook-moss, Hamatocaulis vernicosus.

Snowdrops, Galanthus nivalis, in flower today in local abundance on Lyth Hill. Always good to see such signs of spring. Very late once again for #wildflowerhour

Wildlife Group on Wednesday were at Morville, it might have been dull and wet but at least it was freezing cold. Winter Aconites (Eranthis hyemalis) did their best to brighten things up in the churchyard. Not very common in Shropshire. #wildflowerhour

Finally at nth attempt this winter caught up with local White-fronted Geese, 4ads and a 1w at Crudgington Moor, with @janettem34.bsky.social Also 8+ Pintail (18 yesterday), Green Sand, 65 Golden Plover, 750+ Lapwing, 5 Egyptian Goose, 195 Canadas, 140 Greylag, 23 Mute Swan etc #shropshirebirding 🪶

We're seeking at least two wardens to protect Cemlyn’s internationally important tern colony, protect biodiversity and engage with people. Find out more 👉 www.northwaleswildlifetrust.org.uk/jobs/cemlyn-warden Salary: £22,293 Closing date: Monday 2 February

VP on a windy morning with G when it felt colder than the apparent 9C. c500 Lapwing, 25 Snipe, 12 Wigeon, 110+ Teal, 31 Shoveler, 12 Gadwall, 5 Tufted, Red Kite etc. CF had a bunch of 7 Little Grebes riding the waves, 7 Goosander, 8 Coot, Gadwall etc. #shropshirebirding 🪶

Chased the winter sun yesterday with @janettem34.bsky.social to Llandanwg: 3 RTDiver, 14 C Scoter, 7 GCGrebe, 7 RBMerganser, m Goosander, 17 RP, 15 Dunlin, 95 Teal, 130 Wigeon etc. Porthmadog briefly too. #northwalesbirding 🪶evening run w Shropshire Shufflers & finally light show over the house

On yesterday's walk along the cycle path to do my local WeBS count with @janettem34.bsky.social there was a fine patch of Helleborus foetidus (Stinking Hellebore) in flower. Rather late for #wildflowerhour #Shrewsbury

Wildlife Group on Weds in the heavy frost on Shelve Hill but things of interest to see as ever. #Bryophytes incl epiphytes such as Orthtrichum pulchellum, Metzgeria violacea. Jim's vac samples included Notiophilus biguttatus. Flock of 15 Coal Tit feeding on the ground under Larches etc #ukwildlife

After WeBS y'day a local twitch w @janettem34.bsky.social - unringed White Stork just into Wales at Llansantffraidd-ym-Mechain, sharing its muddy cattle field with L Egret and Grey Heron. Then Ellesmere - the f Lesser Scaup, 4 Pochard, 219 Wigeon, 8 Goldeneye etc #shropshirebirding #welshbirding🪶

VP yesterday for early WeBS ( #ParkRun and entoday at w/e) m Pochard nfy, 6 Tufted, 127 Teal, 33 Mallard, 27 Shoveler, GCGrebe, 12 Gadwall, 520 Lapwing, 2 W Rail, 17 Snipe, Goosander etc. CF had 2 GWE, 2 L Egret, 64 Cormorant, 5 Goosander, 2 L Grebe, 1 GCGrebe, 2 Gadwall etc. #shropshirebirding 🪶

VP w G, dull & damp but good birding: 2ad Whooper Swan SW at 1157, 480+ Lapwing, 11 Snipe, 101 Teal, 15 Gadwall, 12 Shoveler, 6 Tufted, 21 Goosander, 2 GC & 3 L grebes, 44 Cormorant, GWE, L Egret (last 6 all CF), m Stonechat, 4 Corn, 15 Reed buntings, 8 Y'hammer, Chiffchaff etc #shopshirebirding 🪶

Late post of last week's wildlife group trip: Harton Hollow. 1st pseud of '26, Neobisium carconoides; some fine Collared Earthstars (Geatrum triplex/michelianum - the later being possibly the new name?); the showy liverwort Plagiochila asplenioides & springtail Orchesella villosa. #ukwildlife #fungi

Dunlin now VULNERABLE on Iceland's RED LIST. One of the waders most impacted by new forestry plantations: wadertales.wordpress.com/2022/06/18/i... Over 50% of Europe's Dunlin nest in Iceland so recent declines are of concern to whole East Atlantic Flyway. #ConservationScience🌍

VP w G. Pool frozen so arable and CF: GC & 5 LGrebe, 18 Goosander, 21 Tufted, 105 Teal. 70 Mallard, 25 Wigeon, 30 Shoveler, 18 Gadwall, GWE, L Egret, 18 Coot, Red Kite, 1w Common Gull (SW), Sprawk, f Blackcap, 20 Corn Bunting, 5 Y'ham, 5 Skylark, 40 Linnet, 20 Greenfinch etc #Shropshirebirding 🪶

Fumaria officinalis (Common Fumitory) flowering in the snow this morning near Moele Brace in #Shrewsbury with @janettem34.bsky.social We didn't get that on the NYPH this year. #wildflowerhour

Cracking Larid flock at Battlefield late pm thanks to @saloplarus.bsky.social for the heads up. A fine 3w Caspian Gull the best I could see with nice flight views thanks to Maitre renard. At least 2 YLG too. #shopshirebirding #larid 🪶