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Robin Pettitt

@robinwildlife.bsky.social

130 followers 130 following 87 posts

Natural world enthusiast and wildlife photographer (especially Epping Forest, UK), making a mid-life career change into nature conservation. Also on Insta as: https://www.instagram.com/robinwildlife/

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Robin Pettitt @robinwildlife.bsky.social · Jun 6

Hi David, hope all is well in UCD.

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Robin Pettitt @robinwildlife.bsky.social · Jun 6

As an expert in the field you'll no doubt appreciate one student's call for "electrical system reform" in the UK.

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Robin Pettitt @robinwildlife.bsky.social · Apr 16

Today I spent a very enjoyable 5 hours getting familiar with the areas of #EppingForest where I will be doing ecological monitoring this summer. The 2 main points of focus this year are butterflies and reptiles, and to my delight I had my first encounter with a Slow Worm! Beautiful thing. #slowworm

Close up of the head of a slow worm in Epping Forest

Robin Pettitt @robinwildlife.bsky.social · Apr 6

Whilst taking a new lens out for a spin a few days ago I had a very “Spring-is-Here” encounter: a Buff Tailed (I think) bumble bee extracting nectar from an English bluebell. I love this time of year with its longer days and reawakening fauna and flora #bumblebee #spring #bluebell

A picture of a buff tailed bumble bee extracting nectar from a English blue bell.

Robin Pettitt @robinwildlife.bsky.social · Mar 20

They are gorgeous alright! Upper plumage often looks quite dark, until the light hits it just so, and then *bling*!!

Robin Pettitt @robinwildlife.bsky.social · Mar 20

Thank you!

Robin Pettitt @robinwildlife.bsky.social · Mar 20

Thank you!

Robin Pettitt @robinwildlife.bsky.social · Mar 20

Yeah, it really is!

Robin Pettitt @robinwildlife.bsky.social · Mar 20

Today in Tarup-Davinde in central Denmark, I had my closest ever encounter with a Lapwing. It was confidently foraging next to one of the big lakes and only took flight when called by one of its fellow Lapwings. I love the iridescent plumage and the bold crest. #lapwing #birding #birdphotography

A lapwing standing on green grass with a blurry lake in the background

A lapwing with an earthworm in its beak.

A lapwing with a caterpillar in its beak.

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Robin Pettitt @robinwildlife.bsky.social · Mar 19

Just two days ago I had never seen a Skylark singing perched – now I have seen it twice in three days 34km (as the… eh…Skylark flies) apart.
Also, despite being all browns and greys, I do find the Skylark’s plumage very beautiful. #birding #denmark #fyn #skylark

Robin Pettitt @robinwildlife.bsky.social · Mar 19

That's a fantastic shot!!

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Robin Pettitt @robinwildlife.bsky.social · Mar 18

I guess we have two options: net zero by 2050, which is still going to be pretty bad climate change wise; or net zero by, guesstimate, 2150 through the complete collapse of modern civilization under the pressure of extreme climate chaos.

Reposted by Robin Pettitt

Jack Wallington @jackwallington.com · Mar 18

This is a lie - net zero is perfectly possible, in fact it's easy, if only politicians would do their jobs instead of lying on behalf of fossil fuel lobbyists that fund them www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

Net Zero by 2050 'impossible' for UK, says Kemi Badenoch

The Conservative leader says the target is impossible

www.bbc.co.uk

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Robin Pettitt @robinwildlife.bsky.social · Mar 10

My first butterfly shot of 2025! I have seen brimstones a few times, but the little blighters won't sit still! So, I was very pleased when this comma agreed to pose on some beautiful cherry plum blossom.
#commabutterfly #butterfly

A comma butterfly on cherry plum blossom

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Robin Pettitt @robinwildlife.bsky.social · Mar 9

On a recent walk I saw this Kestrel hunting. Judging by her behaviour a small mammal was a split second away from going through what might be described as a 'significant emotional event'. As the she emerged empty taloned, said small mammal seems to have avoided becoming 1 with the Kestrel #ukbirding

A female kestrel diving head first down towards then ground, out of focus trees in the background.

Robin Pettitt @robinwildlife.bsky.social · Mar 3

I personally think “Rail-y good…” would have been a strong choice! 😄

Robin Pettitt @robinwildlife.bsky.social · Mar 3

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Now that we finally have some sunshine, I am again trying to photograph birds in flight. I staked out the garden birdfeeder and let loose with the Canon R7 ‘s 15/s frame rate. The light was good so I went all the way to 1/8000th/s shutter speed. Of the 2671 shots, this is the one I kept!

A blue tit in mid flight, wings stretched out, on a green background.

Robin Pettitt @robinwildlife.bsky.social · Feb 27

Another rare encounter with a Water Rail at Connaught Water, #EppingForest. This 1 sidled along the edge of the lake before disappearing into thick vegetation. I spent the next 45mins catching glimpses of it. Water Rails are hyper elusive, so getting even one clear shot was amazing! #ukbirding

A waterrail standing on the edge of a lake staring intensely into the water.

Reposted by Robin Pettitt

Will George @willgeorge.bsky.social · Feb 26

The first UK Naturalist starter park is now officially full go.bsky.app/DeyPecR - with spring just around the corner it seems like a good time to start a second one, so hit me up with suggestions. Anyone who posts primarily about UK (non-birdy) nature is welcome.

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Robin Pettitt @robinwildlife.bsky.social · Feb 24

My encounter with a Socorro dove at @zslofficial.bsky.social London Zoo today. One of only about 150 left in the world, the species is regarded as extinct in the wild.

A Socorro dove perched on a railing at London Zoo.

A Socorro dove standing on a rock at London zoo

Robin Pettitt @robinwildlife.bsky.social · Feb 19

Wow, that's an amazing shot!

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Robin Pettitt @robinwildlife.bsky.social · Feb 17

A, for me, unusual encounter with a Nuthatch *not* in a tree. This one was searching for scraps around "The Original Tea Hut" in Epping Forest. I do love a Nuthatch, with its blues and gold, and rakish eye stripe.
#nuthatch #ukbirding #eppingforest

A nuthatch head at a 45 degree angle up, perched on the surface of a log.

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Robin Pettitt @robinwildlife.bsky.social · Feb 16

A rare and delightful visitor to the garden – a male Green Woodpecker. It is so rare we get one in the garden, so it is always a joy when one does come by. #ukbirding #birds #eppingforest #greenwoodpecker

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Robin Pettitt @robinwildlife.bsky.social · Feb 12

After a productive conservation session in #EppingForest my fellow volunteers and I were joined by a very inquisitive fox. At certain points it came so close my lens could no longer focus (less than 1.8 meters). It’s close approach meant I could get some really close up shots, of which this is one.

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Robin Pettitt @robinwildlife.bsky.social · Feb 10

Bull finches are amazing - and a nice shot too. Never had the privilege of having them in our garden. Lucky you!