Philip🦎EcotrakNI
@ecotrakni.bsky.social
Nature lover and Common Lizard spotter
Reposted by Philip🦎EcotrakNI
Did you notice that it felt more like July than October this afternoon?
Temperatures were widely several degrees Celsius above average today, particularly in the south. Here are today's provisional top temperatures 🌡️👇
Temperatures were widely several degrees Celsius above average today, particularly in the south. Here are today's provisional top temperatures 🌡️👇
October 4, 2026 at 6:25 PM
Did you notice that it felt more like July than October this afternoon?
Temperatures were widely several degrees Celsius above average today, particularly in the south. Here are today's provisional top temperatures 🌡️👇
Temperatures were widely several degrees Celsius above average today, particularly in the south. Here are today's provisional top temperatures 🌡️👇
Wasps still active in this exposed nest along the Lagan Towpath, Belfast, this morning #ukwildlife
October 2, 2026 at 1:08 PM
Wasps still active in this exposed nest along the Lagan Towpath, Belfast, this morning #ukwildlife
Last day of September still a reasonable number of Common Lizards out at Slievenacloy in the Belfast Hills (4 adults & 5 juveniles seen). Most were keeping low in the vegetation but a couple did venture onto a fence post as the wind eased a little. @argroupsuk.bsky.social #ukwildlife #hsi #reptiles
September 30, 2026 at 8:38 PM
Last day of September still a reasonable number of Common Lizards out at Slievenacloy in the Belfast Hills (4 adults & 5 juveniles seen). Most were keeping low in the vegetation but a couple did venture onto a fence post as the wind eased a little. @argroupsuk.bsky.social #ukwildlife #hsi #reptiles
Comma butterflies have been moving North through Ireland in recent years and in July 2026 I had my first sighting of one in Belfast. Pleased to say that there is still at least 1 around at the end of September. #ukwildlife #butterflies #northernireland
September 26, 2026 at 7:12 PM
Comma butterflies have been moving North through Ireland in recent years and in July 2026 I had my first sighting of one in Belfast. Pleased to say that there is still at least 1 around at the end of September. #ukwildlife #butterflies #northernireland
Yesterday was the latest date that a temperature of 25°C or over was ever recorded in N Ireland. Helen's Bay, Co Down was the warmest place in the UK/Ireland and Stormont, Katesbridge and Dublin also appeared in the top 10 warmest locations.
Today's (21st September) maximum temperatures and anomalies (compared to '91-'20 average) from SYNOP observations.
#Southampton, Oceanography Centre, and #Helens Bay were the warmest spots with a max #temperature of 25.5C.
https://www.roostweather.com/ukobs/maxtemp_map.php?date=2026-09-21
#Southampton, Oceanography Centre, and #Helens Bay were the warmest spots with a max #temperature of 25.5C.
https://www.roostweather.com/ukobs/maxtemp_map.php?date=2026-09-21
September 22, 2026 at 12:16 PM
Yesterday was the latest date that a temperature of 25°C or over was ever recorded in N Ireland. Helen's Bay, Co Down was the warmest place in the UK/Ireland and Stormont, Katesbridge and Dublin also appeared in the top 10 warmest locations.
A shed Common Lizard skin, on the coastal path at Bloody Bridge near Newcastle, Co Down. A few adult and juvenile lizards seen along the path before it clouded over (16 Sept 2026) @argroupsuk.bsky.social #ukwildlife #HSI #reptiles #lizard #zootoca #ireland
September 17, 2026 at 9:37 PM
A shed Common Lizard skin, on the coastal path at Bloody Bridge near Newcastle, Co Down. A few adult and juvenile lizards seen along the path before it clouded over (16 Sept 2026) @argroupsuk.bsky.social #ukwildlife #HSI #reptiles #lizard #zootoca #ireland
A trio of Field Grasshoppers at Moor Road, Kilkeel, yesterday. I only ever see these in coastal areas of Northern Ireland #ukwildlife #Orthoptera #ireland #northernireland #Mourne
September 17, 2026 at 8:34 PM
A trio of Field Grasshoppers at Moor Road, Kilkeel, yesterday. I only ever see these in coastal areas of Northern Ireland #ukwildlife #Orthoptera #ireland #northernireland #Mourne
An unusual PINK (erythristic) grasshopper seen this afternoon at Moor Road, Kilkeel. #ukwildlife #Orthoptera #ireland #northernireland #Mourne
September 16, 2026 at 9:17 PM
An unusual PINK (erythristic) grasshopper seen this afternoon at Moor Road, Kilkeel. #ukwildlife #Orthoptera #ireland #northernireland #Mourne
A Common Lizard form the Dublin area for a change. This one was seen basking beside the Donabate to Portrane cliff walk yesterday (8 Sept 2026) @argroupsuk.bsky.social @irishwildlifetrust.bsky.social #HSI #reptiles #lizard #zootoca #ireland
September 9, 2026 at 8:23 PM
A Common Lizard form the Dublin area for a change. This one was seen basking beside the Donabate to Portrane cliff walk yesterday (8 Sept 2026) @argroupsuk.bsky.social @irishwildlifetrust.bsky.social #HSI #reptiles #lizard #zootoca #ireland
Illegal dumping still happens at Slievenacloy in the Belfast Hills but the warmth of this little patch of rubbish attracted a baby Common Lizard (right) and provides a useful size comparison with a grasshopper (left) @argroupsuk.bsky.social #ukwildlife #HSI #reptiles #lizard #zootoca #ireland
September 3, 2026 at 8:09 PM
Illegal dumping still happens at Slievenacloy in the Belfast Hills but the warmth of this little patch of rubbish attracted a baby Common Lizard (right) and provides a useful size comparison with a grasshopper (left) @argroupsuk.bsky.social #ukwildlife #HSI #reptiles #lizard #zootoca #ireland
Until today I'd only ever seen 1 (dead) Clouded Yellow butterfly but 5 living specimens today at Tyrella, Co Down! At least 20 Painted Ladies too and uncountable numbers of Silver Y moths. #ukwildlife #butterflies #northernireland
August 28, 2026 at 8:41 PM
Until today I'd only ever seen 1 (dead) Clouded Yellow butterfly but 5 living specimens today at Tyrella, Co Down! At least 20 Painted Ladies too and uncountable numbers of Silver Y moths. #ukwildlife #butterflies #northernireland
Reposted by Philip🦎EcotrakNI
The UK will experience a partial solar eclipse on Wednesday 12 August.
The extent of the Sun's coverage and the timing of maximum obscuration will differ across the country.
Never look directly at the sun; use a pinhole projector or certified eclipse glasses to view it.
The extent of the Sun's coverage and the timing of maximum obscuration will differ across the country.
Never look directly at the sun; use a pinhole projector or certified eclipse glasses to view it.
August 8, 2026 at 7:30 AM
The UK will experience a partial solar eclipse on Wednesday 12 August.
The extent of the Sun's coverage and the timing of maximum obscuration will differ across the country.
Never look directly at the sun; use a pinhole projector or certified eclipse glasses to view it.
The extent of the Sun's coverage and the timing of maximum obscuration will differ across the country.
Never look directly at the sun; use a pinhole projector or certified eclipse glasses to view it.
A good day yesterday (4 Aug) for searching for Common Lizards in the Belfast Hills. A mix of cloud/sunshine and warm, humid conditions produced 30 sightings in a 2-hour period. 12 being baby lizards - less than a month old. @argroupsuk.bsky.social #ukwildlife #HSI #reptiles #lizard #zootoca #ireland
August 5, 2026 at 12:48 PM
A good day yesterday (4 Aug) for searching for Common Lizards in the Belfast Hills. A mix of cloud/sunshine and warm, humid conditions produced 30 sightings in a 2-hour period. 12 being baby lizards - less than a month old. @argroupsuk.bsky.social #ukwildlife #HSI #reptiles #lizard #zootoca #ireland
It's been a few years since I came across one of these Elephant Hawk Moth caterpillars. Always amazed to see them, with those big fake eyes! (at Lough Money, Co Down) #ukwildlife #moth #butterfly
August 1, 2026 at 12:46 PM
It's been a few years since I came across one of these Elephant Hawk Moth caterpillars. Always amazed to see them, with those big fake eyes! (at Lough Money, Co Down) #ukwildlife #moth #butterfly
Common Lizard in mid-peel, in the Belfast Hills recently @argroupsuk.bsky.social #ukwildlife #HSI #reptiles #lizard #zootoca #ireland
July 29, 2026 at 3:44 PM
Common Lizard in mid-peel, in the Belfast Hills recently @argroupsuk.bsky.social #ukwildlife #HSI #reptiles #lizard #zootoca #ireland
It has taken me a while to revisit Deer's Meadow, Spelga (Mourne Mtns) where I failed to find any Common Lizards in 2017. Better luck this time with a sighting of a gravid female lizard despite mostly cloudy conditions. @argroupsuk.bsky.social #ukwildlife #HSI #reptiles #lizard #zootoca #ireland
July 26, 2026 at 9:21 PM
It has taken me a while to revisit Deer's Meadow, Spelga (Mourne Mtns) where I failed to find any Common Lizards in 2017. Better luck this time with a sighting of a gravid female lizard despite mostly cloudy conditions. @argroupsuk.bsky.social #ukwildlife #HSI #reptiles #lizard #zootoca #ireland
Having had time to look, I now think these fish seen in the River Lagan, Belfast, are probably Roach (rather than non-native Chub). Mainly because of the red eyes. (Previous post deleted) #fish #angling #ukwildlife
July 23, 2026 at 3:57 PM
Having had time to look, I now think these fish seen in the River Lagan, Belfast, are probably Roach (rather than non-native Chub). Mainly because of the red eyes. (Previous post deleted) #fish #angling #ukwildlife
First baby Common Lizard of 2026 at Whitehead, Northern Ireland (and the earliest I've seen ...by 1 day!) Adult lizards out in force today too 🦎 @argroupsuk.bsky.social #ukwildlife #HSI #reptiles #lizard #commonlizard #zootoca #northernireland #ireland #nature
July 6, 2026 at 7:54 PM
First baby Common Lizard of 2026 at Whitehead, Northern Ireland (and the earliest I've seen ...by 1 day!) Adult lizards out in force today too 🦎 @argroupsuk.bsky.social #ukwildlife #HSI #reptiles #lizard #commonlizard #zootoca #northernireland #ireland #nature
Reposted by Philip🦎EcotrakNI
Here are all the official SYNOP sites (03xxx group) which recorded their #warmestdayoftheyearsofar on 25th June 2026.
@Petagna @GregDewhurst @metoffice
@Petagna @GregDewhurst @metoffice
June 25, 2026 at 7:12 PM
Here are all the official SYNOP sites (03xxx group) which recorded their #warmestdayoftheyearsofar on 25th June 2026.
@Petagna @GregDewhurst @metoffice
@Petagna @GregDewhurst @metoffice
The Leafcutter Bees do appreciate you leaving a few soft leaved weeds 🐝 #ukwildlife #bees
June 24, 2026 at 3:21 PM
The Leafcutter Bees do appreciate you leaving a few soft leaved weeds 🐝 #ukwildlife #bees
Came across these eggs while walking at Whitepark Bay, Co Antrim yesterday - a very minimalist nest of a Ringed Plover. No birds in the vicinity although a few Ringed Plover had popped up and run ahead on me at other points on the beach. #ukwildlife #Springwatch #birds #NorthernIreland #🪶
May 30, 2026 at 10:53 AM
Came across these eggs while walking at Whitepark Bay, Co Antrim yesterday - a very minimalist nest of a Ringed Plover. No birds in the vicinity although a few Ringed Plover had popped up and run ahead on me at other points on the beach. #ukwildlife #Springwatch #birds #NorthernIreland #🪶
Several Irish stations joining mainland UK in smashing their May temperature records ... Shannon leading the way!
Here are all the official SYNOP sites (03xxx group) which recorded their #warmestdayoftheyearsofar on 26th May 2026.
@Petagna @GregDewhurst @metoffice
@Petagna @GregDewhurst @metoffice
May 26, 2026 at 9:21 PM
Several Irish stations joining mainland UK in smashing their May temperature records ... Shannon leading the way!
Reposted by Philip🦎EcotrakNI
Here are all the official SYNOP sites (03xxx group) which recorded their #warmestdayoftheyearsofar on 25th May 2026.
@Petagna @GregDewhurst @metoffice
@Petagna @GregDewhurst @metoffice
May 25, 2026 at 7:12 PM
Here are all the official SYNOP sites (03xxx group) which recorded their #warmestdayoftheyearsofar on 25th May 2026.
@Petagna @GregDewhurst @metoffice
@Petagna @GregDewhurst @metoffice
First signs of gravid female Common Lizards in the #BelfastHills today (21 May) and a few juveniles about too. @argroupsuk.bsky.social #ukwildlife #HSI #reptiles #lizard #commonlizard #zootoca #northernireland #ireland #nature
May 21, 2026 at 9:29 PM
First signs of gravid female Common Lizards in the #BelfastHills today (21 May) and a few juveniles about too. @argroupsuk.bsky.social #ukwildlife #HSI #reptiles #lizard #commonlizard #zootoca #northernireland #ireland #nature
At Peatlands Park, Co Armagh, this afternoon - Common Lizard on the boardwalk, Green Hairstreak butterfly and Bog Bean in flower. @argroupsuk.bsky.social #ukwildlife #HSI #butterflies #lizard #commonlizard #zootoca #northernireland #nature
May 7, 2026 at 8:27 PM
At Peatlands Park, Co Armagh, this afternoon - Common Lizard on the boardwalk, Green Hairstreak butterfly and Bog Bean in flower. @argroupsuk.bsky.social #ukwildlife #HSI #butterflies #lizard #commonlizard #zootoca #northernireland #nature