Mary-Beth 🐝
@birderbee.bsky.social
Personal account • Mostly bees, local birding & my experience of breast cancer in my 30s • Environmental Science mature student with the OU • Views & photos my own • Enthusiast, not expert! • Leeds, West Yorkshire 📷 instagram.com/birder_bee #WomenInSTEM
Pinned
Mary-Beth 🐝
@birderbee.bsky.social
· Nov 20
Replaced my cancerous 'bad boob' with a beautiful 'Great Tit' and I have to say: zero regrets ✊
Bohemian Waxwings (Bombycilla garrulus) in Leeds, UK. Dec 2023.
I've never shared this photo until now because the birds were in almost full silhouette. These days I'm feeling more confident with using Adobe, so here's the result of some relatively minor & very amateur editing. I hope you like it!
I've never shared this photo until now because the birds were in almost full silhouette. These days I'm feeling more confident with using Adobe, so here's the result of some relatively minor & very amateur editing. I hope you like it!
November 23, 2025 at 6:29 PM
Bohemian Waxwings (Bombycilla garrulus) in Leeds, UK. Dec 2023.
I've never shared this photo until now because the birds were in almost full silhouette. These days I'm feeling more confident with using Adobe, so here's the result of some relatively minor & very amateur editing. I hope you like it!
I've never shared this photo until now because the birds were in almost full silhouette. These days I'm feeling more confident with using Adobe, so here's the result of some relatively minor & very amateur editing. I hope you like it!
*Goodbye Horses by Q Lazzarus plays softly in the background*
November 18, 2025 at 9:50 PM
*Goodbye Horses by Q Lazzarus plays softly in the background*
It's been too long since I finished a #crossstitch project (waaaaah I am a slug 🫠) but I love receiving photos of my finished pieces in their new homes.
Here's one I stitched a couple of years ago for my sweet friend Dora, inspired by her very handsome boy, Plum 💛
Here's one I stitched a couple of years ago for my sweet friend Dora, inspired by her very handsome boy, Plum 💛
November 18, 2025 at 8:39 PM
It's been too long since I finished a #crossstitch project (waaaaah I am a slug 🫠) but I love receiving photos of my finished pieces in their new homes.
Here's one I stitched a couple of years ago for my sweet friend Dora, inspired by her very handsome boy, Plum 💛
Here's one I stitched a couple of years ago for my sweet friend Dora, inspired by her very handsome boy, Plum 💛
It's Friday night and I'm knocking back my antidepressant and cancer meds with a beer. Rock 'n' roll, etc.
November 14, 2025 at 8:42 PM
It's Friday night and I'm knocking back my antidepressant and cancer meds with a beer. Rock 'n' roll, etc.
URGH NOVEMBER. I MISS THE BEES 😭
Here's a beautiful Buff-tailed Bumblebee (Bombus terrestris, queen) having a good groom between feeding in my garden this summer 🐝❤️
Here's a beautiful Buff-tailed Bumblebee (Bombus terrestris, queen) having a good groom between feeding in my garden this summer 🐝❤️
November 11, 2025 at 10:43 PM
URGH NOVEMBER. I MISS THE BEES 😭
Here's a beautiful Buff-tailed Bumblebee (Bombus terrestris, queen) having a good groom between feeding in my garden this summer 🐝❤️
Here's a beautiful Buff-tailed Bumblebee (Bombus terrestris, queen) having a good groom between feeding in my garden this summer 🐝❤️
A mid-hibernation appearance for a quick snack 🦔
Sound on for lovely crunching! 🥰
#hedgehog #europeanhedgehog #Erinaceuseuropaeus #ukwildlife #wildhedgehog #hedgehogsofbluesky
Sound on for lovely crunching! 🥰
#hedgehog #europeanhedgehog #Erinaceuseuropaeus #ukwildlife #wildhedgehog #hedgehogsofbluesky
November 4, 2025 at 7:21 PM
A mid-hibernation appearance for a quick snack 🦔
Sound on for lovely crunching! 🥰
#hedgehog #europeanhedgehog #Erinaceuseuropaeus #ukwildlife #wildhedgehog #hedgehogsofbluesky
Sound on for lovely crunching! 🥰
#hedgehog #europeanhedgehog #Erinaceuseuropaeus #ukwildlife #wildhedgehog #hedgehogsofbluesky
🍂🍁 Autumn days on campus @universityofleeds.bsky.social 🍁🍂
October 23, 2025 at 11:21 AM
🍂🍁 Autumn days on campus @universityofleeds.bsky.social 🍁🍂
One of my favourite photos from this summer 🥰
Bullfinch (Pyrrhula pyrrhula, male) photographed from my hotel balcony in Oban, Scotland. July 2025.
A perfect Scottish peach! 🍑
#bullfinch #pyrrhulapyrrhula
Bullfinch (Pyrrhula pyrrhula, male) photographed from my hotel balcony in Oban, Scotland. July 2025.
A perfect Scottish peach! 🍑
#bullfinch #pyrrhulapyrrhula
October 21, 2025 at 6:15 PM
One of my favourite photos from this summer 🥰
Bullfinch (Pyrrhula pyrrhula, male) photographed from my hotel balcony in Oban, Scotland. July 2025.
A perfect Scottish peach! 🍑
#bullfinch #pyrrhulapyrrhula
Bullfinch (Pyrrhula pyrrhula, male) photographed from my hotel balcony in Oban, Scotland. July 2025.
A perfect Scottish peach! 🍑
#bullfinch #pyrrhulapyrrhula
Seven minutes to rob the Louvre and I've spent longer panic-tapping my pockets for my "missing" phone while I'm on a call.
October 21, 2025 at 4:57 PM
Seven minutes to rob the Louvre and I've spent longer panic-tapping my pockets for my "missing" phone while I'm on a call.
Why am I, an almost 40-year-old, still having nightmares about arriving at sixth form college to discover I have a exam that day for a subject I haven't revised for OR even knew I was doing?! 😱
WHY. WHAT IS MY BRAIN UP TO?
WHY. WHAT IS MY BRAIN UP TO?
October 15, 2025 at 2:04 PM
Why am I, an almost 40-year-old, still having nightmares about arriving at sixth form college to discover I have a exam that day for a subject I haven't revised for OR even knew I was doing?! 😱
WHY. WHAT IS MY BRAIN UP TO?
WHY. WHAT IS MY BRAIN UP TO?
Reposted by Mary-Beth 🐝
Check out the news from this season in our latest Leeds Swifts newsletter, including some incredible rehabbing stories with 96 Swifts being flown after rescues across the region:
www.leedsswifts.com/post/leeds-s...
#swifts #ukbirds #birds #swiftconservation #yorkshirebirds #leeds
www.leedsswifts.com/post/leeds-s...
#swifts #ukbirds #birds #swiftconservation #yorkshirebirds #leeds
Leeds Swifts newsletter
September 2025Greetings Swift lovers!Wow, what a summer we’ve had! And a record-breaking one too - on two accounts.Firstly, our Gledhow colony celebrated its best ever year thanks to as near a perfect...
www.leedsswifts.com
September 23, 2025 at 11:52 AM
Check out the news from this season in our latest Leeds Swifts newsletter, including some incredible rehabbing stories with 96 Swifts being flown after rescues across the region:
www.leedsswifts.com/post/leeds-s...
#swifts #ukbirds #birds #swiftconservation #yorkshirebirds #leeds
www.leedsswifts.com/post/leeds-s...
#swifts #ukbirds #birds #swiftconservation #yorkshirebirds #leeds
Lovely morning at RSPB St Aidan's with @leedsbirder.bsky.social. This Hobby (Falco subbuteo) hawking for dragonflies and hirundines over our heads was certainly a highlight 🤩
September 21, 2025 at 6:27 PM
Lovely morning at RSPB St Aidan's with @leedsbirder.bsky.social. This Hobby (Falco subbuteo) hawking for dragonflies and hirundines over our heads was certainly a highlight 🤩
I have a HEDGEHOG living in my garden and I'm absolutely smitten 💖🦔
Please note: These photos was taken at nighttime in near darkness. It just appears quite bright because the security light on my patio had briefly come on... (1/2)
Please note: These photos was taken at nighttime in near darkness. It just appears quite bright because the security light on my patio had briefly come on... (1/2)
September 4, 2025 at 12:49 PM
I have a HEDGEHOG living in my garden and I'm absolutely smitten 💖🦔
Please note: These photos was taken at nighttime in near darkness. It just appears quite bright because the security light on my patio had briefly come on... (1/2)
Please note: These photos was taken at nighttime in near darkness. It just appears quite bright because the security light on my patio had briefly come on... (1/2)
Reposted by Mary-Beth 🐝
Juvenile Peregrine Falcon tiercel, 'ZA6' (Falco peregrinus) photographed just after he fledged earlier this month on University of Leeds campus.
#peregrinefalcon #falcoperegrinus #BirdsSeenIn2025 #birds @yorkswildlife.bsky.social @rspbengland.bsky.social 🪶
#peregrinefalcon #falcoperegrinus #BirdsSeenIn2025 #birds @yorkswildlife.bsky.social @rspbengland.bsky.social 🪶
June 23, 2025 at 12:30 PM
Juvenile Peregrine Falcon tiercel, 'ZA6' (Falco peregrinus) photographed just after he fledged earlier this month on University of Leeds campus.
#peregrinefalcon #falcoperegrinus #BirdsSeenIn2025 #birds @yorkswildlife.bsky.social @rspbengland.bsky.social 🪶
#peregrinefalcon #falcoperegrinus #BirdsSeenIn2025 #birds @yorkswildlife.bsky.social @rspbengland.bsky.social 🪶
My constant source of hair inspo is '90s Leonardo DiCaprio and I make no apologies for it.
June 25, 2025 at 9:09 PM
My constant source of hair inspo is '90s Leonardo DiCaprio and I make no apologies for it.
Reposted by Mary-Beth 🐝
Oh hi! Just had a pair of Osmia leaiana bees bangin' on my finger. How's your day been?
June 19, 2025 at 5:44 PM
Oh hi! Just had a pair of Osmia leaiana bees bangin' on my finger. How's your day been?
Juvenile Peregrine Falcon tiercel, 'ZA6' (Falco peregrinus) photographed just after he fledged earlier this month on University of Leeds campus.
#peregrinefalcon #falcoperegrinus #BirdsSeenIn2025 #birds @yorkswildlife.bsky.social @rspbengland.bsky.social 🪶
#peregrinefalcon #falcoperegrinus #BirdsSeenIn2025 #birds @yorkswildlife.bsky.social @rspbengland.bsky.social 🪶
June 23, 2025 at 12:30 PM
Juvenile Peregrine Falcon tiercel, 'ZA6' (Falco peregrinus) photographed just after he fledged earlier this month on University of Leeds campus.
#peregrinefalcon #falcoperegrinus #BirdsSeenIn2025 #birds @yorkswildlife.bsky.social @rspbengland.bsky.social 🪶
#peregrinefalcon #falcoperegrinus #BirdsSeenIn2025 #birds @yorkswildlife.bsky.social @rspbengland.bsky.social 🪶
I just love holding them 🥹
June 19, 2025 at 6:06 PM
I just love holding them 🥹
Oh hi! Just had a pair of Osmia leaiana bees bangin' on my finger. How's your day been?
June 19, 2025 at 5:44 PM
Oh hi! Just had a pair of Osmia leaiana bees bangin' on my finger. How's your day been?
Emperor Dragonfly (Anax imperator), @yorkswildlife.bsky.social Brockadale Nature Reserve 💚
@britishdragonflies.bsky.social
@britishdragonflies.bsky.social
June 17, 2025 at 6:37 PM
Emperor Dragonfly (Anax imperator), @yorkswildlife.bsky.social Brockadale Nature Reserve 💚
@britishdragonflies.bsky.social
@britishdragonflies.bsky.social
Reposted by Mary-Beth 🐝
On Saturday @unsociable-lapwing.bsky.social and I had a great day out with @birderbee.bsky.social at @yorkswildlife.bsky.social Brockadale Nature Reserve looking at Marbled Whites.
Always a thrill seeing them!
@savebutterflies.bsky.social @bcyorkshire.bsky.social
#UKButterflies #YorkshireWildlife
Always a thrill seeing them!
@savebutterflies.bsky.social @bcyorkshire.bsky.social
#UKButterflies #YorkshireWildlife
June 17, 2025 at 5:39 PM
On Saturday @unsociable-lapwing.bsky.social and I had a great day out with @birderbee.bsky.social at @yorkswildlife.bsky.social Brockadale Nature Reserve looking at Marbled Whites.
Always a thrill seeing them!
@savebutterflies.bsky.social @bcyorkshire.bsky.social
#UKButterflies #YorkshireWildlife
Always a thrill seeing them!
@savebutterflies.bsky.social @bcyorkshire.bsky.social
#UKButterflies #YorkshireWildlife
Red Kite (Milvus milvus) at Brockadale Nature Reserve ❤️
#redkite #milvusmilvus #birds #birdphotography #birdsseenin2025
#redkite #milvusmilvus #birds #birdphotography #birdsseenin2025
June 16, 2025 at 12:32 AM
Red Kite (Milvus milvus) at Brockadale Nature Reserve ❤️
#redkite #milvusmilvus #birds #birdphotography #birdsseenin2025
#redkite #milvusmilvus #birds #birdphotography #birdsseenin2025
Golden-bloomed Grey Longhorn beetle (Agapanthia villosoviridescens).
A beauty! 💙
#goldenbloomedgreylonghornbeetle #agapanthiavillosoviridescens #longhornbeetle #beetles
A beauty! 💙
#goldenbloomedgreylonghornbeetle #agapanthiavillosoviridescens #longhornbeetle #beetles
June 14, 2025 at 8:34 PM
Golden-bloomed Grey Longhorn beetle (Agapanthia villosoviridescens).
A beauty! 💙
#goldenbloomedgreylonghornbeetle #agapanthiavillosoviridescens #longhornbeetle #beetles
A beauty! 💙
#goldenbloomedgreylonghornbeetle #agapanthiavillosoviridescens #longhornbeetle #beetles
When you're stuck in standstill traffic on your way to the nature reserve with @unsociable-lapwing.bsky.social so you may as well go look for mini-beasts in the motorway verge... 🔍😆
📷 by @wildfozzy.bsky.social
Thanks for a lovely day, you two! 💚
📷 by @wildfozzy.bsky.social
Thanks for a lovely day, you two! 💚
June 14, 2025 at 7:12 PM
When you're stuck in standstill traffic on your way to the nature reserve with @unsociable-lapwing.bsky.social so you may as well go look for mini-beasts in the motorway verge... 🔍😆
📷 by @wildfozzy.bsky.social
Thanks for a lovely day, you two! 💚
📷 by @wildfozzy.bsky.social
Thanks for a lovely day, you two! 💚