Al
@valezina15.bsky.social
Gardener, birder and insect enthusiast. Happiest outdoors!
Pinned
Al
@valezina15.bsky.social
· Jan 1
Best wishes for 2026!
Here's a picture of my favourite butterfly, the valezina form of Silver-washed Fritillary, to welcome in the New Year 🦋.
Here's a picture of my favourite butterfly, the valezina form of Silver-washed Fritillary, to welcome in the New Year 🦋.
Reposted by Al
Cable Street 1936-2026: Not Then Not Now
roughtradebooks.com/products/cab...
roughtradebooks.com/products/cab...
October 4, 2026 at 1:58 PM
Cable Street 1936-2026: Not Then Not Now
roughtradebooks.com/products/cab...
roughtradebooks.com/products/cab...
Perfect autumn day @ldvnnr.bsky.social . 7 Jays, 2 Red Kites, 6 Buzzards, Cetti's Warbler, Sprawk, Kestrel, 3 Bullfinches between Bank Island & Wheldrake bridge, plus a flock of Pinkies overhead. Willow Emerald, Common Darter, Speckled Wood & Red Admiral too. @yorkbirding.bsky.social
October 3, 2026 at 1:21 PM
Perfect autumn day @ldvnnr.bsky.social . 7 Jays, 2 Red Kites, 6 Buzzards, Cetti's Warbler, Sprawk, Kestrel, 3 Bullfinches between Bank Island & Wheldrake bridge, plus a flock of Pinkies overhead. Willow Emerald, Common Darter, Speckled Wood & Red Admiral too. @yorkbirding.bsky.social
Reposted by Al
Entering the season of...
• Robert Frost •
• Robert Frost •
October 3, 2026 at 6:47 AM
Entering the season of...
• Robert Frost •
• Robert Frost •
Reposted by Al
October 3, 2026 at 7:45 AM
Reposted by Al
Moths matter! 📢 Which is why we're on a mission to create the first official Red List of Britain’s Macro-moths
Without this formal recognition, species risk being overlooked when national, regional and local decisions about conservation priorities and funding are made.
📷: Rob Blanken
Without this formal recognition, species risk being overlooked when national, regional and local decisions about conservation priorities and funding are made.
📷: Rob Blanken
October 2, 2026 at 5:21 PM
Moths matter! 📢 Which is why we're on a mission to create the first official Red List of Britain’s Macro-moths
Without this formal recognition, species risk being overlooked when national, regional and local decisions about conservation priorities and funding are made.
📷: Rob Blanken
Without this formal recognition, species risk being overlooked when national, regional and local decisions about conservation priorities and funding are made.
📷: Rob Blanken
Reposted by Al
Of the UK’s 24 bumblebee species, these four remain active in October 💛
Bumblebee nests come to their natural end in autumn. New queens seek undisturbed spaces to hibernate alone until spring 🍂🐝
🔎 Brush up on your bumblebee identification skills: https://ow.ly/LRS750ZNaOf
Bumblebee nests come to their natural end in autumn. New queens seek undisturbed spaces to hibernate alone until spring 🍂🐝
🔎 Brush up on your bumblebee identification skills: https://ow.ly/LRS750ZNaOf
October 1, 2026 at 6:50 AM
Of the UK’s 24 bumblebee species, these four remain active in October 💛
Bumblebee nests come to their natural end in autumn. New queens seek undisturbed spaces to hibernate alone until spring 🍂🐝
🔎 Brush up on your bumblebee identification skills: https://ow.ly/LRS750ZNaOf
Bumblebee nests come to their natural end in autumn. New queens seek undisturbed spaces to hibernate alone until spring 🍂🐝
🔎 Brush up on your bumblebee identification skills: https://ow.ly/LRS750ZNaOf
Reposted by Al
Hello October! Or should that be Moth-tober? 🎃🦋
With autumn well underway, keep an eye out for these butterflies and moths in your gardens and local green spaces.
With autumn well underway, keep an eye out for these butterflies and moths in your gardens and local green spaces.
October 1, 2026 at 7:00 AM
Hello October! Or should that be Moth-tober? 🎃🦋
With autumn well underway, keep an eye out for these butterflies and moths in your gardens and local green spaces.
With autumn well underway, keep an eye out for these butterflies and moths in your gardens and local green spaces.
Reposted by Al
Reports received of Swallowtail caterpillars feeding on Fennel. These are likely to be the Continental Swallowtail (gorganus), not the British one (britannicus) which is found only in the Norfolk Broads. We would be interested to hear of any sightings of the Continental form.#savebutterflies
September 28, 2026 at 7:04 AM
Reports received of Swallowtail caterpillars feeding on Fennel. These are likely to be the Continental Swallowtail (gorganus), not the British one (britannicus) which is found only in the Norfolk Broads. We would be interested to hear of any sightings of the Continental form.#savebutterflies
Reposted by Al
September 30, 2026 at 7:34 AM
Reposted by Al
Gall of the week is caused by the cynipid Neuroterus anthracinus f. agamic on oaks, Quercus spp. Plenty about now. The insect is of the sexual generation.
Gall photo photographer unknown, insect photo from Bladmineeders nl Plant Parasites of Europe.
Gall photo photographer unknown, insect photo from Bladmineeders nl Plant Parasites of Europe.
September 30, 2026 at 9:09 AM
Gall of the week is caused by the cynipid Neuroterus anthracinus f. agamic on oaks, Quercus spp. Plenty about now. The insect is of the sexual generation.
Gall photo photographer unknown, insect photo from Bladmineeders nl Plant Parasites of Europe.
Gall photo photographer unknown, insect photo from Bladmineeders nl Plant Parasites of Europe.
Reposted by Al
This former golf course has been turned into a nature reserve 💚
Sandilands is designed to help nature thrive. The reserve is expected to provide important habitat for birds and forms part of the internationally important East Coast Flyway, one of Europe's major migration routes.
Sandilands is designed to help nature thrive. The reserve is expected to provide important habitat for birds and forms part of the internationally important East Coast Flyway, one of Europe's major migration routes.
September 29, 2026 at 7:00 AM
This former golf course has been turned into a nature reserve 💚
Sandilands is designed to help nature thrive. The reserve is expected to provide important habitat for birds and forms part of the internationally important East Coast Flyway, one of Europe's major migration routes.
Sandilands is designed to help nature thrive. The reserve is expected to provide important habitat for birds and forms part of the internationally important East Coast Flyway, one of Europe's major migration routes.
Reposted by Al
Yorkshire is exceptionally important for British biodiversity, with around two-thirds of Britain’s species found in the county. However, this natural heritage is under increasing pressure. Nearly 2,000 species have been lost from Yorkshire over the last 200 years, while a further 3,000 are
September 28, 2026 at 2:37 PM
Yorkshire is exceptionally important for British biodiversity, with around two-thirds of Britain’s species found in the county. However, this natural heritage is under increasing pressure. Nearly 2,000 species have been lost from Yorkshire over the last 200 years, while a further 3,000 are
Reposted by Al
Starting off The Week with...
Kenneth C. Steven
Kenneth C. Steven
September 28, 2026 at 7:38 AM
Starting off The Week with...
Kenneth C. Steven
Kenneth C. Steven
Reposted by Al
From Poohsticks to Patterdale Terriers, our rivers have always sparked adventure, imagination and a deep love of the water. World Rivers Day is a chance to celebrate those blue spaces that shape our stories, our wildlife and our wellbeing.
www.durhamwt.com/blog/world-r...
#WorldRiversDay
www.durhamwt.com/blog/world-r...
#WorldRiversDay
September 27, 2026 at 8:00 AM
From Poohsticks to Patterdale Terriers, our rivers have always sparked adventure, imagination and a deep love of the water. World Rivers Day is a chance to celebrate those blue spaces that shape our stories, our wildlife and our wellbeing.
www.durhamwt.com/blog/world-r...
#WorldRiversDay
www.durhamwt.com/blog/world-r...
#WorldRiversDay
Lovely morning at Blacktoft. Some good birds; Little Stint, Water Rail, Marsh Harrier, Kestrel, Sparrowhawk, Dublin, Snipe, Spotshank, BlackT Godwit & flock of pinkies calling overhead. Grand chats with friendly folk too.
@nybirdnews.bsky.social
@nybirdnews.bsky.social
September 26, 2026 at 4:14 PM
Lovely morning at Blacktoft. Some good birds; Little Stint, Water Rail, Marsh Harrier, Kestrel, Sparrowhawk, Dublin, Snipe, Spotshank, BlackT Godwit & flock of pinkies calling overhead. Grand chats with friendly folk too.
@nybirdnews.bsky.social
@nybirdnews.bsky.social
Reposted by Al
"I never imagined that one day I would develop a chronic illness that would change my life ... I didn’t suddenly stop wanting to work, I didn’t stop contributing. My circumstances changed. There was no sudden transformation in which I became a different kind of person. I was still me."
None of us knows what is around the corner
A personal testimonial of the life-saving benefits of a social security system that supports the people, and the dangers of villainising those who find need of it
By John Heywood
A personal testimonial of the life-saving benefits of a social security system that supports the people, and the dangers of villainising those who find need of it
By John Heywood
None of us knows what is around the corner
A personal testimonial of the life-saving benefits of a social security system that supports the people, and the dangers of villainising those who find need of it
yorkshirebylines.co.uk
September 26, 2026 at 10:51 AM
"I never imagined that one day I would develop a chronic illness that would change my life ... I didn’t suddenly stop wanting to work, I didn’t stop contributing. My circumstances changed. There was no sudden transformation in which I became a different kind of person. I was still me."
Reposted by Al
Gall of the week is caused by an anthomyiid fly related to house flies, Chirosia betuleti, on ferns. First photo on lady-fern, Athyrium filix-femina, second photo on male fern, Dryopteris filix-mas.
Both photos by Mike Poulton.
Both photos by Mike Poulton.
September 24, 2026 at 8:13 AM
Gall of the week is caused by an anthomyiid fly related to house flies, Chirosia betuleti, on ferns. First photo on lady-fern, Athyrium filix-femina, second photo on male fern, Dryopteris filix-mas.
Both photos by Mike Poulton.
Both photos by Mike Poulton.
Reposted by Al
Here's today's column on the astonishing, ongoing mistreatment of people with #ME/CFS. Please spread it far and wide: the only thing which can break the media's wall of indifference is seeing an article about the issue go viral. Thank you. 1/2
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Abandoned, dismissed and gaslighted: there is no excuse for the way ME sufferers have been betrayed | George Monbiot
Changes in guidance and science seem to have little impact on millions of devastated lives. It’s a social crisis playing out behind closed doors, says Guardian columnist George Monbiot
www.theguardian.com
September 24, 2026 at 6:29 AM
Here's today's column on the astonishing, ongoing mistreatment of people with #ME/CFS. Please spread it far and wide: the only thing which can break the media's wall of indifference is seeing an article about the issue go viral. Thank you. 1/2
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Reposted by Al
In the last 120 years, we have lost over 50 species of native moths, and suspect many others are now at risk of extinction 🔴
This autumn, we're taking on a ‘moth-umental’ task to create the first-ever Red List for Britain’s macro-moths, and we need your help 👉 www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/moths-matter
This autumn, we're taking on a ‘moth-umental’ task to create the first-ever Red List for Britain’s macro-moths, and we need your help 👉 www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/moths-matter
September 24, 2026 at 1:49 PM
In the last 120 years, we have lost over 50 species of native moths, and suspect many others are now at risk of extinction 🔴
This autumn, we're taking on a ‘moth-umental’ task to create the first-ever Red List for Britain’s macro-moths, and we need your help 👉 www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/moths-matter
This autumn, we're taking on a ‘moth-umental’ task to create the first-ever Red List for Britain’s macro-moths, and we need your help 👉 www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/moths-matter
Reposted by Al
Pause for a moment, and read...
• Francis Ledwidge •
• Francis Ledwidge •
September 24, 2026 at 2:47 PM
Pause for a moment, and read...
• Francis Ledwidge •
• Francis Ledwidge •
Reposted by Al
History and heritage don’t belong to nations, political ideologies or people who claim to be more “authentically” English than others. They belong to everyone, whether your family has been here for a thousand years or ten minutes. You are part of the story.
September 23, 2026 at 7:59 AM
History and heritage don’t belong to nations, political ideologies or people who claim to be more “authentically” English than others. They belong to everyone, whether your family has been here for a thousand years or ten minutes. You are part of the story.
Reposted by Al
It's time to give moths their moment! 📢
A vital part of our planet's biodiversity, moths are important pollinators and provide an irreplaceable link in the food chain for species such as birds, hedgehogs and bats.
But they are facing a challenging future.
📷: Ethan Murphy
#MothsMatter #TeamMoth
A vital part of our planet's biodiversity, moths are important pollinators and provide an irreplaceable link in the food chain for species such as birds, hedgehogs and bats.
But they are facing a challenging future.
📷: Ethan Murphy
#MothsMatter #TeamMoth
September 22, 2026 at 11:37 AM
It's time to give moths their moment! 📢
A vital part of our planet's biodiversity, moths are important pollinators and provide an irreplaceable link in the food chain for species such as birds, hedgehogs and bats.
But they are facing a challenging future.
📷: Ethan Murphy
#MothsMatter #TeamMoth
A vital part of our planet's biodiversity, moths are important pollinators and provide an irreplaceable link in the food chain for species such as birds, hedgehogs and bats.
But they are facing a challenging future.
📷: Ethan Murphy
#MothsMatter #TeamMoth
Reposted by Al
There are many ways you can help dormice and one of them is by shopping our exclusive dormouse collection! 🐭
Find your new favourite tee and support our work at People's Trust for Endangered Species today 👇
link in bio 🔗ptesshopteemill.org.uk/collection/dormouse
#DormouseWeek 🐭
Find your new favourite tee and support our work at People's Trust for Endangered Species today 👇
link in bio 🔗ptesshopteemill.org.uk/collection/dormouse
#DormouseWeek 🐭
September 20, 2026 at 10:00 AM
There are many ways you can help dormice and one of them is by shopping our exclusive dormouse collection! 🐭
Find your new favourite tee and support our work at People's Trust for Endangered Species today 👇
link in bio 🔗ptesshopteemill.org.uk/collection/dormouse
#DormouseWeek 🐭
Find your new favourite tee and support our work at People's Trust for Endangered Species today 👇
link in bio 🔗ptesshopteemill.org.uk/collection/dormouse
#DormouseWeek 🐭
Reposted by Al
September 20, 2026 at 7:50 AM
Reposted by Al
This is a good time to search for Four-spotted Orbweavers, Araneus quadratus, now they're adult and before they disappear after producing their egg sacs. All the females pictured here were found within the past three days. Heaths and grassy meadows are good places to look for them.
September 19, 2026 at 7:51 PM
This is a good time to search for Four-spotted Orbweavers, Araneus quadratus, now they're adult and before they disappear after producing their egg sacs. All the females pictured here were found within the past three days. Heaths and grassy meadows are good places to look for them.