@thenaturalstone.bsky.social
Came across this delightful little #spider while having tea on a rooftop terrace near the harbour at Essaouira #morocco
Think it's Half-edged Wall Jumping Spider (Menemerus semilimbatus). Definitely new to me anyway.
#wildlife #wildlifeMorocco
December 14, 2025 at 3:24 PM
Still by the coast, now Essaouira, so another #shorebird for #birdoftheday today. The many Sanderling here were just fabulous to watch scurrying about dodging the waves.
#birds #birding #birdingmorocco
December 14, 2025 at 2:53 PM
I've chosen the Moroccan race of Great Cormorant, 'maroccanus', as #birdoftheday today. This one was taken in Rabat, where they all seemed to be of this form.
#birds #birding #birdingmorocco
December 13, 2025 at 4:45 PM
A Western Castle Egret showing off its nictitating membrane. You've got one too, but it's only a tiny vestigial affair I'm afraid 😉
#birds #wildlife
December 12, 2025 at 8:44 PM
Been by the sea in Rabat, so #birdoftheday is one of my favourites, Ruddy Turnstone. Attractive even in winter plumage. #birds #birding #birdingmorocco
December 12, 2025 at 9:07 AM
#birdoftheday isn't always common. #rarebirds turn up now and again, like this distant 1st cal year Glaucous Gull I found a couple of days ago at El Jadida. 26 previous reports for Morocco, although only 15 with enough evidence for acceptance.
#birds #birding #birdingmorocco
December 11, 2025 at 9:42 AM
Spotlight on Spotless Starling. #birdoftheday is this close relative of European Starling, confined to Iberia and parts of the Mediterranean and North Africa. As well as lacking spots, often have a shaggier look I think. Note the variation in bill colour.
#birds #birding #birdingmorocco
December 10, 2025 at 6:11 AM
Another one of the #commonbirds of #urbanbirding
Collared Dove is very comfortable with human habitation.
#birds #birding #birdingmorocco #birdoftheday
December 9, 2025 at 6:38 AM
#birdoftheday is another one of the #commonbirds of Marrakech, although perhaps needing a little more vegetation around than House Bunting. Common Bulbul here in the North of Africa lack the yellow undertail of southern populations.
#birds #birding #birdsatdawn #birdingmorocco
December 8, 2025 at 6:36 AM
#birdoftheday has to be House Bunting. Ubiquitous even in the most urban parts of central Marrakech. I haven't seen one for many years and it was great to reconnect with them on this, my ninth trip to Morocco.
#birds #birding #birdingmorocco #urbanbirding
December 7, 2025 at 6:27 PM
#birdoftheday today is the Eurasian Blue Tit. Hopefully tomorrow I'll be seeing African Blue Tit, but where?
#birds #birding #ukbirding #commonbirds
December 6, 2025 at 2:20 PM
A Eurasian Sparrowhawk stopped off in very dull, wet conditions. Likely a juvenile male. #birds #birding #birdoftheday
December 5, 2025 at 7:36 AM
A small herd of Whooper Swans in the South Lincolnshire fens. A few of these later flew in to roost at Willow Tree Fen along with 22 Common Cranes when it was almost dark.
#birds #birding #ukbirding
December 4, 2025 at 9:45 AM
Singing high in a lime tree, another under-appreciated #commonbird, a Common Starling. #birds #birding #ukbirding
December 3, 2025 at 5:38 PM
A pair of European Stonechats along the River Welland in beautiful sunshine. The male was unfortunately camera shy.
#birds #birding #birdoftheday #ukbirding
December 2, 2025 at 9:02 AM
Red Kites are so photogenic. Here's an adult and an immature in the glorious sunshine yesterday. #birds #birding #ukbirding #birdsinflight #birdoftheday
December 1, 2025 at 9:12 AM
One of our most underrated #commonbirds The humble Dunnock is full of character. #birds #birding #wildlife #ukbirding #birdoftheday
November 30, 2025 at 2:57 PM
Tricky to get any sort of photo of the Red-necked Grebe at Bowling Green Marsh @rspb.bsky.social, Topsham as it stayed distant, but managed this. #birdoftheday #birds #birding #ukbirding
November 27, 2025 at 4:11 PM
Jobs in the Exeter area a couple of weeks ago meant a chance to catch up with a Red-necked Grebe at Bowling Green Marsh @rspb.bsky.social Topsham. Here cruising distantly past some Wigeon and Pintail.
#birds #birding #birdoftheday #ukbirding
November 26, 2025 at 10:40 PM
Last in the sequence of common ducks. Drake Eurasian Teal.
#birding #ukbirding #wildlife #birds
November 24, 2025 at 8:56 AM
Another common bird perhaps not appreciated enough. Northern Shoveler
#birds #wildlife #birding #ukbirding #birdoftheday
November 23, 2025 at 2:37 PM
Main butterfly on the wing during my time in Valencia two weeks ago was Plain Tiger but there were a few whites and blues about including this Bath White (Pontia daplidice)
#wildlife #butterflies #wildlifeespaña
November 22, 2025 at 3:58 PM
#birdoftheday Eurasian Wigeon. Appreciating the common #birds
#birding #ukbirding
November 22, 2025 at 2:50 PM
Still getting the hang of #birdsinflight with the Sony RX10iv, but these Red-rumped Swallow shots aren't terrible.
#birds #birding #birdsatdawn #birdoftheday
November 20, 2025 at 3:52 PM
Another clip of Temminck's Stint for #waderswednesday They really are tiny, a little smaller than these White Wagtails. #birds #birding #videoscoping
November 19, 2025 at 11:16 AM