Philip🦎EcotrakNI
@ecotrakni.bsky.social
Nature lover and Common Lizard spotter
Just in time for Halloween, the Devil's Fingers fungi are out at Murlough, Co Down. Some proving very attractive to flies (3rd pic) #fungi #mushrooms #autumn #naturephotography #nature #uknature #NTmurlough
October 31, 2025 at 5:09 PM
Just in time for Halloween, the Devil's Fingers fungi are out at Murlough, Co Down. Some proving very attractive to flies (3rd pic) #fungi #mushrooms #autumn #naturephotography #nature #uknature #NTmurlough
I was lucky to spot a ringtail Hen Harrier from the Blackhead Path, Co Antrim, this afternoon and even managed to get the camera out of the bag in time for a flypast! #birds #nibirds #belfast #northernireland #ireland #ukwildlife #nature #🪶
October 23, 2025 at 4:32 PM
I was lucky to spot a ringtail Hen Harrier from the Blackhead Path, Co Antrim, this afternoon and even managed to get the camera out of the bag in time for a flypast! #birds #nibirds #belfast #northernireland #ireland #ukwildlife #nature #🪶
Another chance to see Comet Lemmon C/2025 A6 last night (21 Oct 2025) from Belfast. This time I used a longer lens (300mm, cropped) and stacked 20 x 10sec exposures to get a better view.
October 22, 2025 at 8:52 AM
Another chance to see Comet Lemmon C/2025 A6 last night (21 Oct 2025) from Belfast. This time I used a longer lens (300mm, cropped) and stacked 20 x 10sec exposures to get a better view.
At last a clear evening to have a look for Comet Lemmon, C/2025 A6, here in light polluted Belfast. Still it was easily visible with binoculars although looking very small in the 100mm lens as it set over the rooftop. (19 Oct 2025)
October 19, 2025 at 9:27 PM
At last a clear evening to have a look for Comet Lemmon, C/2025 A6, here in light polluted Belfast. Still it was easily visible with binoculars although looking very small in the 100mm lens as it set over the rooftop. (19 Oct 2025)
Shaggy parasol (Chlorophyllum rhacodes) at Belvoir Park Forest, Belfast, this afternoon 🍄
October 18, 2025 at 6:39 PM
Shaggy parasol (Chlorophyllum rhacodes) at Belvoir Park Forest, Belfast, this afternoon 🍄
More fungi - from a wooded area of Lagan Meadows, Belfast. Identifications are educated guesses at best! Corrections welcomed! Weeping Widow fungi, Fairy Inkcaps?, Honey Fungus and Oysterlings (Latin names in 'ALT')
October 2, 2025 at 8:55 PM
More fungi - from a wooded area of Lagan Meadows, Belfast. Identifications are educated guesses at best! Corrections welcomed! Weeping Widow fungi, Fairy Inkcaps?, Honey Fungus and Oysterlings (Latin names in 'ALT')
Some fungi from a walk in Belvoir Park Forest, Belfast. Not my area of expertise but maybe Collared Earthstar, Shaggy Inkcaps, Rosy Bonnets and ???
October 2, 2025 at 4:59 PM
Some fungi from a walk in Belvoir Park Forest, Belfast. Not my area of expertise but maybe Collared Earthstar, Shaggy Inkcaps, Rosy Bonnets and ???
Can now add Aughrim Hill, Attical (Mourne Mountains) to the Common Lizard map for N Ireland. First sign was a shed skin and then 2 juveniles spotted on a sunny bank 26 Sep 2025 @argroupsuk.bsky.social #woodlandtrust #ukwildlife #HSI #reptile #lizard #zootoca #northernireland #nature
September 26, 2025 at 8:02 PM
Can now add Aughrim Hill, Attical (Mourne Mountains) to the Common Lizard map for N Ireland. First sign was a shed skin and then 2 juveniles spotted on a sunny bank 26 Sep 2025 @argroupsuk.bsky.social #woodlandtrust #ukwildlife #HSI #reptile #lizard #zootoca #northernireland #nature
A few of today's Common Lizard sightings, during a couple of brighter spells, at Peatlands Park, Co Armagh @argroupsuk.bsky.social #ukwildlife #HSI #reptile #lizard #zootoca #northernireland #nature
September 19, 2025 at 7:36 PM
A few of today's Common Lizard sightings, during a couple of brighter spells, at Peatlands Park, Co Armagh @argroupsuk.bsky.social #ukwildlife #HSI #reptile #lizard #zootoca #northernireland #nature
Into Autumn and running out of time to find new Common Lizard locations, so was pleased today to find this one at Slieve Gallion, near Magherafelt (previous visits in June & July turned up nothing) @argroupsuk.bsky.social #ukwildlife #HSI #reptile #lizard #zootoca #northernireland #nature
September 17, 2025 at 4:14 PM
Into Autumn and running out of time to find new Common Lizard locations, so was pleased today to find this one at Slieve Gallion, near Magherafelt (previous visits in June & July turned up nothing) @argroupsuk.bsky.social #ukwildlife #HSI #reptile #lizard #zootoca #northernireland #nature
Reposted by Philip🦎EcotrakNI
Belfast Hills Partnership are delighted to be the recipients of a £1.1 million investment from @daera-ni.gov.uk for nature recovery. Read the full story on our website.
belfasthills.org/newsroom/one...
belfasthills.org/newsroom/one...
£1.1 Million Investment into the Belfast Hills - Belfast Hills
Belfast Hills Partnership are delighted to be the recipients of a £1.1 million investment for nature recovery.
belfasthills.org
September 15, 2025 at 12:51 PM
Belfast Hills Partnership are delighted to be the recipients of a £1.1 million investment from @daera-ni.gov.uk for nature recovery. Read the full story on our website.
belfasthills.org/newsroom/one...
belfasthills.org/newsroom/one...
The Rumble Hole waterfall, at Colin Glen/Glenside in the #BelfastHills, looking spectacular this afternoon (12 September 2025) Nice little rainbow at the bottom. @belfasthills.bsky.social #northernireland #ireland
September 12, 2025 at 6:46 PM
The Rumble Hole waterfall, at Colin Glen/Glenside in the #BelfastHills, looking spectacular this afternoon (12 September 2025) Nice little rainbow at the bottom. @belfasthills.bsky.social #northernireland #ireland
Cool today with sunshine & showers at Whitehead, Co Antrim but lots of common lizard sightings! My favourite pic was this trio of juvenile lizards in the grass beside the Blackhead Path @argroupsuk.bsky.social #ukwildlife #HSI #reptile #lizard #zootoca #northernireland #nature
September 11, 2025 at 9:37 PM
Cool today with sunshine & showers at Whitehead, Co Antrim but lots of common lizard sightings! My favourite pic was this trio of juvenile lizards in the grass beside the Blackhead Path @argroupsuk.bsky.social #ukwildlife #HSI #reptile #lizard #zootoca #northernireland #nature
September 5, 2025 at 9:00 AM
Visited the fantastic Botanic Gardens at Glasnevin, Dublin this afternoon but wasn't expecting any #reptile encounters. What a surprise then to see a terrapin (Yellow-bellied Slider?) at the edge of one of the ponds! Looks like it may be a long term resident (very tame). #HSI
September 2, 2025 at 9:51 PM
Great to find a new lizard site in the Belfast Hills at Glas-na-Bradan (acquired by the #WoodlandTrust in 2021). 3 juveniles seen this afternoon. @belfasthills.bsky.social @argroupsuk.bsky.social #woodlandtrust #ukwildlife #HSI #reptile #lizard #zootoca #northernireland #nature
August 19, 2025 at 6:25 PM
Great to find a new lizard site in the Belfast Hills at Glas-na-Bradan (acquired by the #WoodlandTrust in 2021). 3 juveniles seen this afternoon. @belfasthills.bsky.social @argroupsuk.bsky.social #woodlandtrust #ukwildlife #HSI #reptile #lizard #zootoca #northernireland #nature
Migrant Hawker dragonfly seen today at Ballyhornan coastal path, Co Down, N Ireland. Obligingly settled on a Gorse bush in front of me @britishdragonflies.bsky.social #dragonfly #ukwildlife
August 9, 2025 at 8:03 PM
Migrant Hawker dragonfly seen today at Ballyhornan coastal path, Co Down, N Ireland. Obligingly settled on a Gorse bush in front of me @britishdragonflies.bsky.social #dragonfly #ukwildlife
Still had time yesterday for one more potential Common Lizard site - Hen Mountain trail in the Mournes. This turned out to be the best of the 3 sites visited with a total of 17 lizards seen on the lower path. @argroupsuk.bsky.social #ukwildlife #HSI #reptile #lizard #zootoca #northernireland #nature
August 7, 2025 at 7:42 PM
Still had time yesterday for one more potential Common Lizard site - Hen Mountain trail in the Mournes. This turned out to be the best of the 3 sites visited with a total of 17 lizards seen on the lower path. @argroupsuk.bsky.social #ukwildlife #HSI #reptile #lizard #zootoca #northernireland #nature
Two more new Common Lizard sites yesterday (6th Aug). An old quarry at Spelga in the Mournes (after several visits in recent years) and along the road verges at Kinnahalla Road. #ukwildlife #HSI #reptile #lizard #zootoca #northernireland #ireland #nature
August 7, 2025 at 8:31 AM
Two more new Common Lizard sites yesterday (6th Aug). An old quarry at Spelga in the Mournes (after several visits in recent years) and along the road verges at Kinnahalla Road. #ukwildlife #HSI #reptile #lizard #zootoca #northernireland #ireland #nature
At the end of the Ballykinler Path you reach the dunes & beach - accessible when the military firing range is not active! Here, again, Common Lizards are plentiful but you can't wander too far into the dunes. @argroupsuk.bsky.social #ukwildlife #HSI #reptile #lizard #zootoca #northernireland #nature
August 2, 2025 at 8:37 PM
At the end of the Ballykinler Path you reach the dunes & beach - accessible when the military firing range is not active! Here, again, Common Lizards are plentiful but you can't wander too far into the dunes. @argroupsuk.bsky.social #ukwildlife #HSI #reptile #lizard #zootoca #northernireland #nature
Yet another new site for Common Lizards in N Ireland - Ballykinler Coastal Path (1 Aug). Not the most exciting or well known path but a perfect lizard corridor (even if not intended) on the left. @argroupsuk.bsky.social #ukwildlife #HSI #reptile #lizard #zootoca #northernireland #ireland #nature
August 2, 2025 at 8:06 PM
Yet another new site for Common Lizards in N Ireland - Ballykinler Coastal Path (1 Aug). Not the most exciting or well known path but a perfect lizard corridor (even if not intended) on the left. @argroupsuk.bsky.social #ukwildlife #HSI #reptile #lizard #zootoca #northernireland #ireland #nature
Not the most comfortable basking spot but this old broken fence post was just high enough to catch the late afternoon sun at Slievenacloy, Co Antrim today. @argroupsuk.bsky.social #ukwildlife #HSI #reptile #lizard #zootoca #northernireland #ireland #nature
July 28, 2025 at 9:11 PM
Not the most comfortable basking spot but this old broken fence post was just high enough to catch the late afternoon sun at Slievenacloy, Co Antrim today. @argroupsuk.bsky.social #ukwildlife #HSI #reptile #lizard #zootoca #northernireland #ireland #nature
A bit of a break from the lizards, today I visited the RSPB reserve at Belfast Harbour and was delighted to see a Spoonbill. It has been there for 7 weeks and I'm only getting to see it now (heavily cropped/distant photo) #birds #nibirds #belfast #northernireland #ireland #ukwildlife #nature #🪶
July 24, 2025 at 10:11 PM
A bit of a break from the lizards, today I visited the RSPB reserve at Belfast Harbour and was delighted to see a Spoonbill. It has been there for 7 weeks and I'm only getting to see it now (heavily cropped/distant photo) #birds #nibirds #belfast #northernireland #ireland #ukwildlife #nature #🪶
Two more new Common Lizard locations today in Co Antrim. Collin Road verge - a shed skin on a fence was the first sign. Then more sightings at Wolf Bog Windfarm. 9 adult and 16 neonates in total. @argroupsuk.bsky.social #ukwildlife #HSI #reptile #lizard #zootoca #northernireland #ireland #nature
July 19, 2025 at 9:03 PM
Two more new Common Lizard locations today in Co Antrim. Collin Road verge - a shed skin on a fence was the first sign. Then more sightings at Wolf Bog Windfarm. 9 adult and 16 neonates in total. @argroupsuk.bsky.social #ukwildlife #HSI #reptile #lizard #zootoca #northernireland #ireland #nature