Simon Phelps
@simonphelps.bsky.social
Conservationist, naturalist, wildlife photographer and writer. https://wildlifephelps.wixsite.com/wildlifephelps
The birds are back! Great @webs-gsmp.bsky.social count today at @wwtworldwide.bsky.social Steart Marshes. Dunlin, Wigeon, Teal, Pintail, Shelduck, Peregrine, Red Kite, Marsh Harrier. The mesmerising Dunlin murmuration is always a joy to see.
November 9, 2025 at 11:44 AM
The birds are back! Great @webs-gsmp.bsky.social count today at @wwtworldwide.bsky.social Steart Marshes. Dunlin, Wigeon, Teal, Pintail, Shelduck, Peregrine, Red Kite, Marsh Harrier. The mesmerising Dunlin murmuration is always a joy to see.
A great campaign. I saw this scene earlier this year. Children playing in the river. Denied access to the river bank. You only get access if you have the money to buy it. Seems wrong to me.
October 29, 2025 at 8:35 AM
A great campaign. I saw this scene earlier this year. Children playing in the river. Denied access to the river bank. You only get access if you have the money to buy it. Seems wrong to me.
One of the most amazing things about Corfu was the swifts. They screeched across the sky in the old town, screaming over the rooftops and through the squares. It was a raw and thrilling spectacle. Two different photos here, one black and white and the other colour. Which do you prefer?
October 18, 2025 at 12:42 PM
One of the most amazing things about Corfu was the swifts. They screeched across the sky in the old town, screaming over the rooftops and through the squares. It was a raw and thrilling spectacle. Two different photos here, one black and white and the other colour. Which do you prefer?
Another amazing insect from Corfu. This glittering beetle is a Cerocoma species, maybe schreberi. I found it in the sand dunes at Korission Lagoon. It had wacky looking antennae, orange and twisted looking!
October 4, 2025 at 10:56 AM
Another amazing insect from Corfu. This glittering beetle is a Cerocoma species, maybe schreberi. I found it in the sand dunes at Korission Lagoon. It had wacky looking antennae, orange and twisted looking!
We've lost most of our orchards and no longer eat the majority of our British apple varieties. It was therefore wonderful to visit @nationaltrust.org.uk Cotehele to see their amazing orchards. Rightly celebrating the incredible diversity of British apple varieties. We need to value them more.
October 1, 2025 at 8:21 AM
We've lost most of our orchards and no longer eat the majority of our British apple varieties. It was therefore wonderful to visit @nationaltrust.org.uk Cotehele to see their amazing orchards. Rightly celebrating the incredible diversity of British apple varieties. We need to value them more.
Many people are afraid of spiders. However it would be hard to be scared of this one. This is Aelurillus v-insignitus, which I found on the dune heaths in Dorset last year. A lovely little jumping spider, very charming! Thanks to @tylanberry.bsky.social for the ID! @dorsetwildlife.bsky.social
September 27, 2025 at 1:02 PM
Many people are afraid of spiders. However it would be hard to be scared of this one. This is Aelurillus v-insignitus, which I found on the dune heaths in Dorset last year. A lovely little jumping spider, very charming! Thanks to @tylanberry.bsky.social for the ID! @dorsetwildlife.bsky.social
Two more photos of the stunning Comma butterfly that I saw recently at @nationaltrust.org.uk Cotehele. It was so fresh! I loved the lichen green spots on the underside of the wing. @savebutterflies.bsky.social
September 19, 2025 at 8:31 AM
Two more photos of the stunning Comma butterfly that I saw recently at @nationaltrust.org.uk Cotehele. It was so fresh! I loved the lichen green spots on the underside of the wing. @savebutterflies.bsky.social
Surprisingly poor catch in my Somerset garden moth trap this morning. Only 14 species. Box tree moth was the most numerous with 5 caught. Expected more due to warm temperatures. #teammoth
September 18, 2025 at 6:10 AM
Surprisingly poor catch in my Somerset garden moth trap this morning. Only 14 species. Box tree moth was the most numerous with 5 caught. Expected more due to warm temperatures. #teammoth
One of my favourite birds from Corfu was the Black-winged Stilt. Comically long red legs, looking gangly and un-elegant when in flight. Much more graceful when delicately wading through the water. Stunning birds to see up close.
September 16, 2025 at 4:46 PM
One of my favourite birds from Corfu was the Black-winged Stilt. Comically long red legs, looking gangly and un-elegant when in flight. Much more graceful when delicately wading through the water. Stunning birds to see up close.
Fantastic camouflage on this Comma butterfly. Seen at @nationaltrust.org.uk Cotehele in its fabulous orchard at the weekend. @savebutterflies.bsky.social
September 16, 2025 at 8:44 AM
Fantastic camouflage on this Comma butterfly. Seen at @nationaltrust.org.uk Cotehele in its fabulous orchard at the weekend. @savebutterflies.bsky.social
A good example here. On the Isle of Skye earlier this year.
September 4, 2025 at 8:22 PM
A good example here. On the Isle of Skye earlier this year.
This is insane. A conservation charity telling people to use plastic to create 'homes' for insects. Complete nonsense and environmentally damaging. And apparently supported by the Lottery! Crazy. I hate this type of 'bug hotel' stuff too. @froglife.bsky.social
September 2, 2025 at 7:57 AM
This is insane. A conservation charity telling people to use plastic to create 'homes' for insects. Complete nonsense and environmentally damaging. And apparently supported by the Lottery! Crazy. I hate this type of 'bug hotel' stuff too. @froglife.bsky.social
One of the best things I did on the Isle of Skye was visit Claigan coral beach. Yes, a beach made of coral! I had never heard of such a thing. Every handful of 'sand' contained hundreds of unique pieces of maerl coral. It was wonderfully unique and intricate, very beautiful. A really special place.
September 1, 2025 at 4:45 PM
One of the best things I did on the Isle of Skye was visit Claigan coral beach. Yes, a beach made of coral! I had never heard of such a thing. Every handful of 'sand' contained hundreds of unique pieces of maerl coral. It was wonderfully unique and intricate, very beautiful. A really special place.
Beauty and the beast. The contrast between the natural beauty of a Peacock butterfly and the harshness of man made barbed wire. @savebutterflies.bsky.social
August 25, 2025 at 1:15 PM
Beauty and the beast. The contrast between the natural beauty of a Peacock butterfly and the harshness of man made barbed wire. @savebutterflies.bsky.social
Yesterday was one of my favourite days of the year. The day I pick the bullaces. We make gin from them every year. I always approach with trepidation as sometimes the crop is poor. This was a good harvest. My winter is safe now, I'll have the delicious gin to get me through.
August 22, 2025 at 8:10 PM
Yesterday was one of my favourite days of the year. The day I pick the bullaces. We make gin from them every year. I always approach with trepidation as sometimes the crop is poor. This was a good harvest. My winter is safe now, I'll have the delicious gin to get me through.
Another amazing insect that I saw in the sand dunes on Corfu was this large sand wasp. I think it is a Bembix species, perhaps bidentata. It rarely settled and it took me ages to get these shots. A fantastic looking thing!
August 16, 2025 at 3:59 PM
Another amazing insect that I saw in the sand dunes on Corfu was this large sand wasp. I think it is a Bembix species, perhaps bidentata. It rarely settled and it took me ages to get these shots. A fantastic looking thing!
Three of the migrant highlights from my Somerset garden moth trap. A darkly coloured Vestal, not a hint of pink on it! A smart White-point, this species is said to potentially be resident but also a known migrant. Small Mottled Willow, showing some intricacy. @migrantmothuk.bsky.social #teammoth
August 14, 2025 at 4:20 PM
Three of the migrant highlights from my Somerset garden moth trap. A darkly coloured Vestal, not a hint of pink on it! A smart White-point, this species is said to potentially be resident but also a known migrant. Small Mottled Willow, showing some intricacy. @migrantmothuk.bsky.social #teammoth
Surprisingly poor catch in my Somerset garden moth trap this morning. Only 35 species. Little to get excited about but this nicely marked Catoptria falsella was good to see. Fewer migrants this time too, just: White-point, Rush Veneer and Rusty Dot Pearl. @migrantmothuk.bsky.social #teammoth
August 14, 2025 at 6:43 AM
Surprisingly poor catch in my Somerset garden moth trap this morning. Only 35 species. Little to get excited about but this nicely marked Catoptria falsella was good to see. Fewer migrants this time too, just: White-point, Rush Veneer and Rusty Dot Pearl. @migrantmothuk.bsky.social #teammoth
Fewer moths than I was hoping for considering the hot conditions. 51 species in my Somerset garden. Orange Swift & Shark nice to see. Signs of migration with White Point, Vestal, Small Mottled Willow, Rush Veneer and Rusty Dot Pearl. #teammoth @migrantmothuk.bsky.social @savebutterflies.bsky.social
August 12, 2025 at 6:54 AM
Fewer moths than I was hoping for considering the hot conditions. 51 species in my Somerset garden. Orange Swift & Shark nice to see. Signs of migration with White Point, Vestal, Small Mottled Willow, Rush Veneer and Rusty Dot Pearl. #teammoth @migrantmothuk.bsky.social @savebutterflies.bsky.social
One of the best places I visited in Corfu was the sand dunes at Korission lagoon. They were full of amazing insects. There were grasshoppers everywhere! Photos show: Acrotylus species (digging/banded), Omocestus rufipes (we call it Woodland), Eyprepocnemis plorans (Lamenting).
August 9, 2025 at 4:16 PM
One of the best places I visited in Corfu was the sand dunes at Korission lagoon. They were full of amazing insects. There were grasshoppers everywhere! Photos show: Acrotylus species (digging/banded), Omocestus rufipes (we call it Woodland), Eyprepocnemis plorans (Lamenting).
Only 34 species in my Somerset garden moth trap this morning. The 95 species night in June feels a long time ago now! Marbled Green, Straw Underwing, Buff Footman, Waved Umber the highlights. #teammoth @savebutterflies.bsky.social
August 7, 2025 at 6:12 AM
Only 34 species in my Somerset garden moth trap this morning. The 95 species night in June feels a long time ago now! Marbled Green, Straw Underwing, Buff Footman, Waved Umber the highlights. #teammoth @savebutterflies.bsky.social
Right to Roam isn't really about roaming. It's way more fundamental than that. It's a Right to Be. Be what? Be connected, be present, just existing on the land. It is one of the most basic things of all. Yet we're denied it. @righttoroam.bsky.social @amyjanebeer.bsky.social @guyshrubsole.bsky.social
August 4, 2025 at 5:14 PM
Right to Roam isn't really about roaming. It's way more fundamental than that. It's a Right to Be. Be what? Be connected, be present, just existing on the land. It is one of the most basic things of all. Yet we're denied it. @righttoroam.bsky.social @amyjanebeer.bsky.social @guyshrubsole.bsky.social
Completed the Mendip Way today. The highlight was Cranmore Tower and Great Gains Wood. The beech trees were amazing. Some of the biggest I've ever seen. A lovely varied route with lots of undulations!
August 3, 2025 at 5:37 PM
Completed the Mendip Way today. The highlight was Cranmore Tower and Great Gains Wood. The beech trees were amazing. Some of the biggest I've ever seen. A lovely varied route with lots of undulations!
Another enjoyable day on the Mendip Way. Cheddar to Shepton Mallet. Amazing views of the coast and Levels. Glastonbury Tor a prominent sight. Ebbor Gorge was lovely. Bloody-nosed Beetle above Wells. Nice to walk around the Bishops Palace. Final day tomorrow.
August 2, 2025 at 5:32 PM
Another enjoyable day on the Mendip Way. Cheddar to Shepton Mallet. Amazing views of the coast and Levels. Glastonbury Tor a prominent sight. Ebbor Gorge was lovely. Bloody-nosed Beetle above Wells. Nice to walk around the Bishops Palace. Final day tomorrow.
I'm walking the Mendip Way over the next few days. Today I went from Weston-super-Mare to Cheddar. Some fabulous views of the coastline and surrounding lowlands. Highlight was finally going up Crook Peak. Heading to Shepton Mallet tomorrow.
August 1, 2025 at 5:40 PM
I'm walking the Mendip Way over the next few days. Today I went from Weston-super-Mare to Cheddar. Some fabulous views of the coastline and surrounding lowlands. Highlight was finally going up Crook Peak. Heading to Shepton Mallet tomorrow.