Ben Eaton
@benjeaton.bsky.social
Ladywalk & Sutton Park (Warks/West Mids) birder, moth-er and conservation volunteer. Gardener.
A Ladywalk mega Curlew Sandpiper coincided with my Webs count today. Possibly the first in my lifetime! Seemed settled in front of Bittern Hide but disappeared mid afternoon. Jack Snipe also briefly close by. #ladywalknr #warksbirds
October 14, 2025 at 4:27 PM
A Ladywalk mega Curlew Sandpiper coincided with my Webs count today. Possibly the first in my lifetime! Seemed settled in front of Bittern Hide but disappeared mid afternoon. Jack Snipe also briefly close by. #ladywalknr #warksbirds
Reposted by Ben Eaton
After 25+ miles walked in better conditions along the Norfolk coast this month it felt sort of ironic that the first bird I lifted my bins for on a family outing at Happisburgh this afternoon was this lovely 1w Isabelline (Daurian) Shrike.
September 30, 2025 at 8:23 PM
After 25+ miles walked in better conditions along the Norfolk coast this month it felt sort of ironic that the first bird I lifted my bins for on a family outing at Happisburgh this afternoon was this lovely 1w Isabelline (Daurian) Shrike.
Dried off and went back for more! Still present late afternoon. Shustoke Res. #warksbirding
September 4, 2025 at 4:03 PM
Dried off and went back for more! Still present late afternoon. Shustoke Res. #warksbirding
Lovely Spotted Redshank again at far end of Shustoke Res this am. 2+ Tree Pipits, 5 Yellow Wags, 6 Common & 1 Green Sand, juv Common Tern. Tons of hirundines #warksbirding @birdguides.bsky.social
September 4, 2025 at 8:00 AM
Lovely Spotted Redshank again at far end of Shustoke Res this am. 2+ Tree Pipits, 5 Yellow Wags, 6 Common & 1 Green Sand, juv Common Tern. Tons of hirundines #warksbirding @birdguides.bsky.social
Reposted by Ben Eaton
Reposted by Ben Eaton
Ladywalk Nature Reserve are holding a moth morning!
Come along on Saturday 6th September to find out what's been caught in the trap overnight!
Book your place by visiting our website: www.westmidlandbirdclub.org.uk/event-detail... or by emailing Geoff Adams (see details below).
Come along on Saturday 6th September to find out what's been caught in the trap overnight!
Book your place by visiting our website: www.westmidlandbirdclub.org.uk/event-detail... or by emailing Geoff Adams (see details below).
August 23, 2025 at 11:26 AM
Ladywalk Nature Reserve are holding a moth morning!
Come along on Saturday 6th September to find out what's been caught in the trap overnight!
Book your place by visiting our website: www.westmidlandbirdclub.org.uk/event-detail... or by emailing Geoff Adams (see details below).
Come along on Saturday 6th September to find out what's been caught in the trap overnight!
Book your place by visiting our website: www.westmidlandbirdclub.org.uk/event-detail... or by emailing Geoff Adams (see details below).
Warbler waves aplenty at #SuttonPark, West Mids early this am. 4+ Tree Pipits, Yellow Wag & 4 Snipe high south over Upper Crabs. 4 Redstarts, 2 Spot Fly, 4 Swallow, Swift. #ukbirding
August 22, 2025 at 9:40 AM
Warbler waves aplenty at #SuttonPark, West Mids early this am. 4+ Tree Pipits, Yellow Wag & 4 Snipe high south over Upper Crabs. 4 Redstarts, 2 Spot Fly, 4 Swallow, Swift. #ukbirding
Better urban mothing last night (Erdington, B’ham). A nice Dusky Thorn. Annoyingly, my second Tree-lichen Beauty of the year got away. 20 Vine’s Rustics maybe a record. #teammoth
August 19, 2025 at 9:06 AM
Better urban mothing last night (Erdington, B’ham). A nice Dusky Thorn. Annoyingly, my second Tree-lichen Beauty of the year got away. 20 Vine’s Rustics maybe a record. #teammoth
A PB of 10+ Tree Pipits over at #SuttonPark, West Mids this am. The first two Spot Flys of the autumn, Whinchat, 6 Redstarts, 2 Lesser Whites & Hobby. #westmidsbirding
August 15, 2025 at 2:41 PM
A PB of 10+ Tree Pipits over at #SuttonPark, West Mids this am. The first two Spot Flys of the autumn, Whinchat, 6 Redstarts, 2 Lesser Whites & Hobby. #westmidsbirding
I know nothing about spiders. What have I got here? Found him looking comfy in a plant pot inside my van. #ukspiders
August 13, 2025 at 6:10 PM
I know nothing about spiders. What have I got here? Found him looking comfy in a plant pot inside my van. #ukspiders
Fresh morning at #SuttonPark, West Mids. 1+ Crossbill roaming around Queen’s Coppice. 3 Tree Pipits buzzed south, Yellow Wag on flying field, just the single Redstart, Lesser White and a few Garden Warblers. #ukbirding
August 9, 2025 at 1:18 PM
Fresh morning at #SuttonPark, West Mids. 1+ Crossbill roaming around Queen’s Coppice. 3 Tree Pipits buzzed south, Yellow Wag on flying field, just the single Redstart, Lesser White and a few Garden Warblers. #ukbirding
A good turn out last night for the bat walk at #LadywalkNR, Warks. Soprano & Common Pips, Noctule, Brown Long-eared & Daubenton’s enjoyed. Tree-lichen Beauty in the morning was new for the reserve too.
August 2, 2025 at 8:29 AM
A good turn out last night for the bat walk at #LadywalkNR, Warks. Soprano & Common Pips, Noctule, Brown Long-eared & Daubenton’s enjoyed. Tree-lichen Beauty in the morning was new for the reserve too.
I’ve sneaked some ornamental weeds for #teammoth into a client’s garden. They’ve struggled with the drought but the ‘Album’ form of Rosebay Willowherb is useful as it spreads well but doesn’t self seed. And some interesting harvests this week…
July 25, 2025 at 8:02 PM
I’ve sneaked some ornamental weeds for #teammoth into a client’s garden. They’ve struggled with the drought but the ‘Album’ form of Rosebay Willowherb is useful as it spreads well but doesn’t self seed. And some interesting harvests this week…
Reposted by Ben Eaton
July 23, 2025 at 5:39 PM
Mothing at #LadywalkNR brought nothing unexpected. 4 Fen Wainscots are the most I’ve seen here. Slender Brindle & Box-tree Moth were gaps filled on the list. Down the road though in Chelmsley Wood (Birmingham), mom finds a Jersey Tiger whilst watering the garden! Colonised now locally? #teammoth
July 12, 2025 at 11:32 AM
Mothing at #LadywalkNR brought nothing unexpected. 4 Fen Wainscots are the most I’ve seen here. Slender Brindle & Box-tree Moth were gaps filled on the list. Down the road though in Chelmsley Wood (Birmingham), mom finds a Jersey Tiger whilst watering the garden! Colonised now locally? #teammoth
My iPhone 13’s macro is pretty poor. So my first crude attempt at macro with my Opticron hand lens attached! 3 new micros for the garden last night (Erdington, Birmingham) #teammoth
June 20, 2025 at 1:22 PM
My iPhone 13’s macro is pretty poor. So my first crude attempt at macro with my Opticron hand lens attached! 3 new micros for the garden last night (Erdington, Birmingham) #teammoth
Reposted by Ben Eaton
It’s hard not to feel a sense rising dread & impending disaster reading this.
The article shows the difference in #moth numbers to a light in 1984 & in 2019, the difference is scary. How many species have we already lost?
#mothsmatter #inverts #bugsky
🌿🐛🐝🦋🌾🪷🦎🐦⬛
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
The article shows the difference in #moth numbers to a light in 1984 & in 2019, the difference is scary. How many species have we already lost?
#mothsmatter #inverts #bugsky
🌿🐛🐝🦋🌾🪷🦎🐦⬛
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
‘Half the tree of life’: ecologists’ horror as nature reserves are emptied of insects
A new point in history has been reached, entomologists say, as climate-led species’ collapse moves up the food chain even in supposedly protected regions free of pesticides
www.theguardian.com
June 3, 2025 at 11:29 AM
It’s hard not to feel a sense rising dread & impending disaster reading this.
The article shows the difference in #moth numbers to a light in 1984 & in 2019, the difference is scary. How many species have we already lost?
#mothsmatter #inverts #bugsky
🌿🐛🐝🦋🌾🪷🦎🐦⬛
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
The article shows the difference in #moth numbers to a light in 1984 & in 2019, the difference is scary. How many species have we already lost?
#mothsmatter #inverts #bugsky
🌿🐛🐝🦋🌾🪷🦎🐦⬛
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
First go of the year at #LadywalkNR, Warwickshire. Clear at first and a bit breezier than hoped. Orange Footman added to the reserve list and Dark Sword-grass unexpected. #teammoth #mothsmatter
May 17, 2025 at 8:01 AM
First go of the year at #LadywalkNR, Warwickshire. Clear at first and a bit breezier than hoped. Orange Footman added to the reserve list and Dark Sword-grass unexpected. #teammoth #mothsmatter
Reposted by Ben Eaton
What a morning at Clifford Hill! Was content with a fly over Whimbrel and heading back home came across this Red-footed Falcon! Lifer on the local patch, absolute gold.
#birds #ukbirding #northantsbirds
#birds #ukbirding #northantsbirds
May 7, 2025 at 8:52 AM
What a morning at Clifford Hill! Was content with a fly over Whimbrel and heading back home came across this Red-footed Falcon! Lifer on the local patch, absolute gold.
#birds #ukbirding #northantsbirds
#birds #ukbirding #northantsbirds
Reposted by Ben Eaton
#LadywalkNR @warksmammalgroup.bsky.social Our largest carnivore. They are however more omnivorous. Earthworms make up a massive part of their diet. They also eat nuts and berries. It’s rare to see a badger with a carcass. Scavenged or hunted I don’t know? She really doesn’t want to share it.
May 3, 2025 at 8:00 PM
#LadywalkNR @warksmammalgroup.bsky.social Our largest carnivore. They are however more omnivorous. Earthworms make up a massive part of their diet. They also eat nuts and berries. It’s rare to see a badger with a carcass. Scavenged or hunted I don’t know? She really doesn’t want to share it.
Reposted by Ben Eaton
Early start #LadywalkNR #Westmidsalldayer and a good start with @benjeaton.bsky.social picking up Glossy Ibis…
Good team effort from everyone and was on 99 when I left.
Also good start for May with also adding Hobby+Ringed plover for the 3k #PWC2025
Good team effort from everyone and was on 99 when I left.
Also good start for May with also adding Hobby+Ringed plover for the 3k #PWC2025
May 3, 2025 at 7:05 PM
Early start #LadywalkNR #Westmidsalldayer and a good start with @benjeaton.bsky.social picking up Glossy Ibis…
Good team effort from everyone and was on 99 when I left.
Also good start for May with also adding Hobby+Ringed plover for the 3k #PWC2025
Good team effort from everyone and was on 99 when I left.
Also good start for May with also adding Hobby+Ringed plover for the 3k #PWC2025
Glossy Ibis! @ladywalknr.bsky.social View from Hide A/Riverwalk @birdguides.bsky.social
May 3, 2025 at 7:28 AM
Glossy Ibis! @ladywalknr.bsky.social View from Hide A/Riverwalk @birdguides.bsky.social
Reposted by Ben Eaton
RING NECKED DUCK at #uptonwarren Moors Pool this morning. A first for the reserve. Not seen since 3 Otters swam through about 50 minutes ago! #WorcsBirds #ukbirding
March 29, 2025 at 8:22 AM
RING NECKED DUCK at #uptonwarren Moors Pool this morning. A first for the reserve. Not seen since 3 Otters swam through about 50 minutes ago! #WorcsBirds #ukbirding
Reposted by Ben Eaton
Kingsbury South - 08:30 - 10:30 this am:
Bodymoor Heath Water- Kittiwake briefly, 09:50 chased off by BHG
Hemlingford Water - 30x Sand Martin - Hemlingford Water, gone by 9am
#ukbirding #lowcarbonbirding
Bodymoor Heath Water- Kittiwake briefly, 09:50 chased off by BHG
Hemlingford Water - 30x Sand Martin - Hemlingford Water, gone by 9am
#ukbirding #lowcarbonbirding
March 24, 2025 at 12:23 PM
Kingsbury South - 08:30 - 10:30 this am:
Bodymoor Heath Water- Kittiwake briefly, 09:50 chased off by BHG
Hemlingford Water - 30x Sand Martin - Hemlingford Water, gone by 9am
#ukbirding #lowcarbonbirding
Bodymoor Heath Water- Kittiwake briefly, 09:50 chased off by BHG
Hemlingford Water - 30x Sand Martin - Hemlingford Water, gone by 9am
#ukbirding #lowcarbonbirding
Reposted by Ben Eaton
UK friends! Tonight Birdsong makes its UK TV debut on BBC4 at 9pm. It will also be available on BBC Player thereafter. Please spread the word! Extract taken from The Times.
March 12, 2025 at 9:19 AM
UK friends! Tonight Birdsong makes its UK TV debut on BBC4 at 9pm. It will also be available on BBC Player thereafter. Please spread the word! Extract taken from The Times.