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Annie Irving

@sconzani.bsky.social

900 followers 170 following 1.3K posts

Walker, birder, butterflier, leaf-fossicker, knitter, genealogist Daily nature blogger : earthstar.blog

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Annie Irving @sconzani.bsky.social · 1h

Thanks, Ian. I think Chough have been seen around that area a few times in the past but it's a bit random. I was just lucky! :-)

Annie Irving @sconzani.bsky.social · 2h

This morning I revisited the site where I found the Date Waxcaps (Hygrocybe spadicea) to take a better look and get more photos. There are more than I thought - they're well camouflaged - perhaps a dozen, some still just emerging brown bumps. Still buzzing from the find. 😍💚 #fungi @sewbrec.org.uk

Annie Irving @sconzani.bsky.social · 19h

Thanks. Yes it's now been recorded.

Annie Irving @sconzani.bsky.social · 20h

Thanks, Ian. :-)

Annie Irving @sconzani.bsky.social · 21h

Done. I record with my local environmental records centre. Thanks again. :-)

Annie Irving @sconzani.bsky.social · 21h

Thanks! Very chuffed! I've just recorded it with my local environmental records office @sewbrec.org.uk

Annie Irving @sconzani.bsky.social · 21h

Yes!!! Thanks, Lukas. Didn't want to let myself believe it. :-)

Annie Irving @sconzani.bsky.social · 21h

That's exactly what I was thinking, Jeremy, but couldn't really believe it. There were several, on a road verge. Might have to go back for better pics before they all get eaten / mown.

Annie Irving @sconzani.bsky.social · 21h

Thanks for your advice, Jaswinder. I don't have a microscope & this thing is tiny but I'll give it a go. :-)

Annie Irving @sconzani.bsky.social · 21h

I know I said I wasn't going to attempt fungi IDs but I'm just going through pics taken on Sunday & suddenly thought this might actually be something rather good (or not!). Cap like dark chocolate, lemon yellow stipe & gills. Any thoughts @lukaslarge.bsky.social @jeremybartlett.bsky.social ?

Annie Irving @sconzani.bsky.social · 23h

Thanks for your help with this. :-)

Annie Irving @sconzani.bsky.social · 23h

Much appreciated, Derek, thank you. :-)

Annie Irving @sconzani.bsky.social · 1d

Two months ago I brought home a couple of Poplar leaves with Stigmella trimaculella larvae in them. Today I emptied the jar & found this (no moths) but is it a parasitic wasp or was it on a leaf unnoticed? Under 2mm long. @arnoldtortoise.bsky.social Derek, do you recognise this please?

Annie Irving @sconzani.bsky.social · 1d

A walk along the coast for a few miles this morning, with the sight and sounds of almost constant migration overhead - Goldfinches, Chaffinches, Siskin, a few Crossbills & wagtails, Skylarks - but the largest mover was this Grey heron heading for England. #BirdingWales

Annie Irving @sconzani.bsky.social · 1d

The heron family was well represented today at Roath Park Lake with 2 Grey herons & 2, possibly 3 Little egrets.
The second Grey heron kept looking at the sky so I checked - a possible Goshawk (too big for Sparrowhawk) determinedly chasing a flock of pigeons. #BirdingWales

Annie Irving @sconzani.bsky.social · 2d

Lots of lovely fungi found today & this is one species I'm fairly sure about: Brown roll-rim (Paxillus involutus). They develop from flattish buttons with rolled over rims in to deep cups, many of which were covered in mould. They appear at this site every year. Such a rich colour! #fungi

Annie Irving @sconzani.bsky.social · 2d

During today's meander, I spent quite a lot of time watching the small birds going about their business: a trio of House sparrows, a Chiffchaff, a Coal tit and a Dunnock. #BirdingWales

Annie Irving @sconzani.bsky.social · 3d

Email sent, and I've shared your post. Thanks for all you're doing, Graham. :-)

Annie Irving @sconzani.bsky.social · 3d

Fellow local birders: I know many of you visit Radipole & Lodmoor for the amazing wildlife these reserves support & the rarities they attract. The RSPB is failing these reserves & Graham is trying to get something done about it.
I've just emailed Kate Wheller - I hope you will too. 🙏💚

Graham jaggard @graham-jaggard.bsky.social · 3d

Downgrading of Radipole Lake and Lodmoor RSPB reserves. The deputy leader of Weymouth Council has taken on board all the info I published before. She has asked me to let everyone I know to let her know their views. Her email address is: [email protected]

Annie Irving @sconzani.bsky.social · 3d

Thanks. Hornets won't harm you as long as you respect their space, and they're beautiful creatures. :-)

Annie Irving @sconzani.bsky.social · 3d

I don't use apps to identify things, partly because I find I don't learn that way and also, especially when it comes to fungi, I wouldn't trust them to get it right. A lot of fungi require microscope work to ID them, not something an app can do. :-)

Annie Irving @sconzani.bsky.social · 3d

My thoughts exactly, Vanna. :-)

Annie Irving @sconzani.bsky.social · 3d

The recent rains have encouraged lots of gorgeous fungi to grow in the woodlands and I am reminded, as I am every year, of how difficult fungi are to identify. So, I just try to take pretty photos instead of taxing my brain to put names to them. #Fungi

Annie Irving @sconzani.bsky.social · 4d

I saw them too - see my post and photos. Great to see. :-)

Annie Irving @sconzani.bsky.social · 4d

It would be brilliant if they were expanding their range eastwards but maybe that's wishful thinking. :-)