Author | Lightnews

Reposted by Sandy Hill

RSPB @rspb.bsky.social · 5d

Our #AutumnArrivalSpotlight is on the Whooper Swan.

These elegant swans fly in from Iceland, their trumpet-like calls echoing across UK wetlands as they gather for winter.

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Reposted by Sandy Hill

Our World in Data @ourworldindata.org · 5d

Humanity’s history is a continuous battle between us and the microbes. For most of our history, we were on the losing side. It wasn’t even close. We were losing very decisively.

Infectious diseases before and after a vaccine became available

Three stacked time-series charts comparing disease burden before and after vaccine introduction, showing steep declines after vaccines.

Top chart — Deaths caused by smallpox as a share of all deaths in London, 1700 to 1900.

Middle chart — Reported paralytic polio cases and deaths in the United States, 1910 to 2010

Bottom chart — Reported cases of measles in the United States, 1921 to 2015.

Data sources and credits, as listed in the footer:
- Smallpox: Our World in Data based on Guy (1882) and on publications of the Registrar General between 1848 and 1903.
- Polio: Our World in Data based on U.S. Public Health Service (1900 to 1951) and U.S. CDC (1960 to 2010).
- Measles: Our World in Data based on U.S. Public Health Reports, the Public Health Service, and the U.S. CDC
- Chart licensed under CC-BY by Our World in Data

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Sandy Hill @phoenixsandy.bsky.social · 8d

Look what came in the post? Great addition to #WildGuides range. Can't wait to start tackling #trees in my local area @bsbibotany.bsky.social

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Sandy Hill @phoenixsandy.bsky.social · 13d

Recent intro to Waxcaps at #PembrokeshireCoastNP centre at Llanion produced a multitude of spp within car park area. Hoping to find more this autumn #fungi

Oily waxcap, with characteristic salmon coloured gills

Fibrous waxcap, with distinct lines on cap & stem, hence Fibrous.

Blackening waxcap - blackens with age / damage

$Crazed cap, a related fungus of Dermolma genus. Cap can cracking with age to create these fractured patterns.$

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Sandy Hill @phoenixsandy.bsky.social · 13d

12 of 6 to garden actinic last night in vc45. Definitely quality over quantity, with this nfg, beautifully marked Green-brindled Crescent. @gardenmothscheme.bsky.social #TeamMoth

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Sandy Hill @phoenixsandy.bsky.social · 20d

Last night's garden actinic in vc45 produced 19 of 11, with Spruce Carpet & Beaded Chestnut being nfy. Unseasonal Brimstone moth was a surprise. @gardenmothscheme.bsky.social #teammoth

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Sandy Hill @phoenixsandy.bsky.social · 29d

Last night's moth trap lifted me out of doldrums since coming home from Menorca. 31 of 16, with P. vitrealis outshone by nfy, Black Rustic & Sallow. Never thought I'd say that 😱 #teammoth

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Sandy Hill @phoenixsandy.bsky.social · Sep 30

Farewell to #Menorca. Sunrise over Isle de L'aire, with Roosting family of Night Herons & Spotless Starling taking holiday bird list to 70spp. Great memories

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Sandy Hill @phoenixsandy.bsky.social · Sep 29

A little catch up during last day on #Menorca. Yesterday's trip to S'Albufera es Grau cemented it as a favoured birding spot. Notable were Gtr Flamingo, Black-necked Grebe, beautiful male Redstart, Spot Fly, BW stilt & Green Sandpiper

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Sandy Hill @phoenixsandy.bsky.social · Sep 29

Late entry for ##wildflowerhour From Menorca. I give you Sea squill, with v distinctive green anthers. @wildflowerhour.bsky.social @bsbibotany.bsky.social

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Rebecca R Helm @rebeccarhelm.bsky.social · Sep 25

OMG 😭

Huntington's is an inherited disease that's like Alzheimers + Parkinson's all in one. NOW: "once the gene therapy has been delivered into the brain... [it] injects a piece of DNA to reprogram the neuron to become a factory for its own cure."

LIFE SAVING!

www.youtube.com/watch?v=bhEx...

Huntington's disease successfully treated for first time | BBC News

YouTube video by BBC News

www.youtube.com

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Reposted by Sandy Hill

Bat Conservation Trust @batconservation.bsky.social · Sep 26

Tech meets nature: how Spain’s parks are using AI to protect raptors, bats and mountain wetlands

iucn.org/story/202509...

Tech meets nature: how Spain’s parks are using AI to protect raptors, bats and mountain wetlands

From tracking Bonelli’s eagles and bats in Catalonia to monitoring fragile high-mountain wetlands in Sierra Nevada, the technology reveals how human activity affects ecosystems.

iucn.org

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Sandy Hill @phoenixsandy.bsky.social · Sep 23

Whilst out & about birding in #Menorca, stumbled into Vestal at Ferreries & Crimson Speckled being seen each day #teammoth

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Sandy Hill @phoenixsandy.bsky.social · Sep 22

Hermann's Tortoise on the Cami de Cavalls, Menorca today #herpetology #balearics

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The Vic @tdssister.bsky.social · Sep 4

Good morning beautiful souls! I'm off to do my turn at the library today, anybody need a good book to read? Have a spectacular Thursday 😊🌞☕📚

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Sandy Hill @phoenixsandy.bsky.social · Sep 4

Box tree moth was a lifer last night, but being invasive tempered any joy. The Tortrix has me perplexed mind. Forefinger length c10mm #teammoth @mothiduk.bsky.social

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Reposted by Sandy Hill

Wildlife @worldwildlife.bsky.social · Aug 27

It may look great to travel with a clean windshield but the decline of insects, besides being a tragedy in itself, affects all earthly ecosystems, such as the diet of birds, reptiles and amphibians, and pollination of plants, etc.
#bugs #insects #decline #pollinator #pollinators #bug #insect

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Reposted by Sandy Hill

Dave Goulson @davegoulson.bsky.social · Aug 26

Beautiful picnic and wild swimming spot on the river Ouse. The finishing touch: a #turdinabag. Why would anyone do this? WTF?

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Reposted by Sandy Hill

Migrant Lepidoptera (GB & Ireland) @migrantmothuk.bsky.social · Aug 24

A couple of interesting nights on the way as our weather is influenced by ex-hurricane Elin. Tonight, we could see the 1st arrivals in S. Ireland, SW Britain & perhaps along the south coast. Monday will be very warm with air from N. Africa, and perhaps the most likely night for migrants. #teammoth

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Sandy Hill @phoenixsandy.bsky.social · Aug 24

Garden actinic in vc45 dominated by Setaceous Hebrew Ch, but 2 stars were Olive-tree Pearl & Scarce Bordered Straw. Absolutely buzzin @migrantmothuk.bsky.social #teammoth

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Sandy Hill @phoenixsandy.bsky.social · Aug 18

Afternoon dog walk produced lone Swift after almost a fortnight's absence over Pembroke middle Millpond @birdsinwales.bsky.social #birdingwales

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Sandy Hill @phoenixsandy.bsky.social · Aug 18

Fab. Thanks for all the info. Fingers crossed 🤞

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Reposted by Sandy Hill

Rockwolf 🇪🇺 @rockwolf74.bsky.social · Aug 18

It was pure joy to see the Scaly Crickets (Pseudomogoplistes vicentae) with @vc40orthops.bsky.social a couple of weeks ago at Marloes Sands! #Orthoptera #ScalyCrickets

Side on view of a female Scaly Cricket on a stone.

Side on view of a male Scaly Cricket on a stone.

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Sandy Hill @phoenixsandy.bsky.social · Aug 18

I've wanted to see these 4 ages. Any tips on where/when to look at Marloes Sands?

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Sandy Hill @phoenixsandy.bsky.social · Aug 17

My moth of the week here in Pembroke; Peach Blossom. New for garden & what a belter? @britishnatureguide.bsky.social #teammoth

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