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John Smyth

@johnsmyth.bsky.social

120 followers 120 following 250 posts

From Rahugh, living in Galway city. Part of Mountain Meitheal West and Galway Walking Club . Hiking, photography, nature, cooking- it’s all good. Starting a new nature project in 2025

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John Smyth @johnsmyth.bsky.social · Sep 6

I finally got around to posting a video update on my back garden pond in Galway - youtu.be/4iekeGqwZec. (I also mention my new nature project, which is very exciting for me). And there are STILL a couple of tadpoles in the garden pond, yet to transform. #GardenPond #Nature #biodiversity #Galway

Garden Pond September 2025 Update - we're gonna need a bigger pond!

YouTube video by John Smyth

youtu.be

John Smyth @johnsmyth.bsky.social · 2h

I repaired the high perch in the meadow this week after it fell down, and look who came back first. @birdwatchireland.bsky.social #BarnOwl #Rahugh #Westmeath #Ireland #trailcam

John Smyth @johnsmyth.bsky.social · 2d

On a late August evening three years ago, I watched Emperor dragonflies aggressively defend their territories and hunt on the wing over a Burren lake. However, they too were being hunted by a nearby kestrel. #Burren #dragonfly #anaximperator #emperor #Ireland #nature #kestrel

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John Smyth @johnsmyth.bsky.social · 3d

I've was clearing the overgrowth from the lawn yesterday (due to the construction work earlier this year) and spent half the time uncovering frogs which I then returned to the wildlife pond (and yes, there are STILL tadpoles swimming in the pond) #frog #tadpole #Galway #wildlife #pond

John Smyth @johnsmyth.bsky.social · 10d

There are STILL tadpoles in the wildlife pond in my back garden. These ones really don't want to leave home.... #tadpole #wildlifepond #backgarden #Galway #Ireland

John Smyth @johnsmyth.bsky.social · 10d

Saw my first Whoopers of the season on the outskirts of Galway city this morning, along with a Marsh Harrier (first time this year too). #WhooperSwans #birdmigration #MarshHarrier #Galway

John Smyth @johnsmyth.bsky.social · 19d

I recorded this earlier today - there are still a small number of tadpoles in the garden wildlife pond , and they look like they have a while to go before they transform into frogs. At least it will help keep the algae in check ! #tadpoles #wildlifepond #Galway #Ireland #biodiversity

John Smyth @johnsmyth.bsky.social · 20d

Lots of bats hunting over the Eglinton Canal in Galway this morning #bats #Galway #Ireland

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John Smyth @johnsmyth.bsky.social · 20d

Stephen, you’ll need to pace yourself- Comrade Catherine is going to provide a LOT of commentary material before the election is over

John Smyth @johnsmyth.bsky.social · 22d

The equinox has passed and the first frost of the season has appeared at the meadow #Rahugh #Westmeath #Ireland #wildmeadow #equinox #frost #seasons #autumn

A hand holding a piece of ice from a puddle in front of a meadow and a blue sky

John Smyth @johnsmyth.bsky.social · 26d

Nice hiking weather in Connemara today #TwelveBens #Derryclare #Galway #Ireland

John Smyth @johnsmyth.bsky.social · Sep 15

Me, taking a pic in Connemara - 5 years ago this week #Connemara #Galway #KillaryFjord #hiking #Ireland

John Smyth @johnsmyth.bsky.social · Sep 10

Spuds!

John Smyth @johnsmyth.bsky.social · Sep 9

A juvenile bullfinch wondering when it will be fed next (recorded back in June) #juvenile #fledgling #bullfinch #bird #Rahugh #Westmeath #Ireland @birdwatchireland.bsky.social

John Smyth @johnsmyth.bsky.social · Sep 6

Garden Pond September 2025 Update - we're gonna need a bigger pond!

YouTube video by John Smyth

youtu.be

John Smyth @johnsmyth.bsky.social · Sep 5

The wren did all the hard work!

John Smyth @johnsmyth.bsky.social · Sep 4

Make yourself heard! A wren giving it everything in the garden during the week. @birdwatchireland.bsky.social #wren #galway #ireland

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John Smyth @johnsmyth.bsky.social · Sep 4

Someone has finally discovered the perch I built for them (and has used it all week) ! A Common Buzzard surveying the meadow below, on Monday afternoon. #CommonBuzzard #Rahugh #Westmeath @birdwatchireland.bsky.social

John Smyth @johnsmyth.bsky.social · Aug 31

Looking like an inside day today... #weather #aimsir #fliuch #rain #Galway #Ireland

John Smyth @johnsmyth.bsky.social · Aug 29

A pair of willow warblers in the meadow a couple of weeks ago (video slowed to 50%) #WillowWarbler #bird #Rahugh #Westmeath #Ireland #meadow @birdwatchireland.bsky.social

John Smyth @johnsmyth.bsky.social · Aug 26

The rowan tree on my street is already nearly stripped of berries, probably by birds like this blackbird feeding its 2nd brood (ignore the incorrect timestamp). I wonder if there will be enough food to forage in the hungry winter months ahead ? #blackbird #rowan #Galway #Ireland

John Smyth @johnsmyth.bsky.social · Aug 25

They are just about hanging on. There were a couple of curlews calling nearby- another endangered species

John Smyth @johnsmyth.bsky.social · Aug 24

A juvenile hen harrier hunting over marshland at the edge of Galway city this morning #henharrier #Galway #Ireland @birdwatchireland.bsky.social

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John Smyth @johnsmyth.bsky.social · Aug 21

Sunday was a great day for hiking in Connemara. #Maumturks #mountains #hiking #Galway #GalwayWalkingClub #Ireland #wildatlanticway #TwelveBens

John Smyth @johnsmyth.bsky.social · Aug 19

You wait all year to see a 22-spot ladybird and then 17 of them show up all at once! I have a small , raised bed at the meadow to grow peas and a colony of Psyllora vigintiduopunctata seem to have made it their home. #22-spotladybird #rahugh #westmeath #ireland

John Smyth @johnsmyth.bsky.social · Aug 15

There's only room for one wren on this perch!
#wren #troglodytestroglodytes #dreoilín #rahugh #westmeath #ireland #biodiversity #birding #ireland #nature