John Martin
LightNews LightNews
banner
pilning.bsky.social
John Martin
@pilning.bsky.social
1K followers 650 following 540 posts
Birds, botany, insects and stuff mainly but not always in Shropshire and often Venus Pool
Posts Replies Media Videos
pilning.bsky.social
Wildlife Group on Weds in the heavy frost on Shelve Hill but things of interest to see as ever. #Bryophytes incl epiphytes such as Orthtrichum pulchellum, Metzgeria violacea. Jim's vac samples included Notiophilus biguttatus. Flock of 15 Coal Tit feeding on the ground under Larches etc #ukwildlife
Orthotrichum pulchellum fruiting. Delicate epiphyte with neat black tip and dots at base of calyptra I think this must be Metzgeria violacea as the gemmae clump at the tips of projections Notiophilus biguttatus. We often get these but they're fine little beetles
January 17, 2026 at 9:52 PM
pilning.bsky.social
After WeBS y'day a local twitch w @janettem34.bsky.social - unringed White Stork just into Wales at Llansantffraidd-ym-Mechain, sharing its muddy cattle field with L Egret and Grey Heron. Then Ellesmere - the f Lesser Scaup, 4 Pochard, 219 Wigeon, 8 Goldeneye etc #shropshirebirding #welshbirding🪶
White Stork in poached grassy field having just caught something. Showing quite well from the roadside but not the best place to view from on a fairly busy road with no path. Big birds in cattle field, White Stork, Little Egret and Grey Heron
January 17, 2026 at 12:53 PM
pilning.bsky.social
VP yesterday for early WeBS ( #ParkRun and entoday at w/e) m Pochard nfy, 6 Tufted, 127 Teal, 33 Mallard, 27 Shoveler, GCGrebe, 12 Gadwall, 520 Lapwing, 2 W Rail, 17 Snipe, Goosander etc. CF had 2 GWE, 2 L Egret, 64 Cormorant, 5 Goosander, 2 L Grebe, 1 GCGrebe, 2 Gadwall etc. #shropshirebirding 🪶
2 Great White Egret over the fishing pool. Chased each other around a lot, seeming to be in slow motion
January 17, 2026 at 8:22 AM
pilning.bsky.social
VP w G, dull & damp but good birding: 2ad Whooper Swan SW at 1157, 480+ Lapwing, 11 Snipe, 101 Teal, 15 Gadwall, 12 Shoveler, 6 Tufted, 21 Goosander, 2 GC & 3 L grebes, 44 Cormorant, GWE, L Egret (last 6 all CF), m Stonechat, 4 Corn, 15 Reed buntings, 8 Y'hammer, Chiffchaff etc #shopshirebirding 🪶
2 adult Whooper Swans flying to SE over VP in the murk late morning. Didn't get one here all last year! Snipe on the margin of VP blending well with the dead stems of rushes etc One of 4 Corn Buntings in very gloomy conditions
January 13, 2026 at 5:08 PM
pilning.bsky.social
Late post of last week's wildlife group trip: Harton Hollow. 1st pseud of '26, Neobisium carconoides; some fine Collared Earthstars (Geatrum triplex/michelianum - the later being possibly the new name?); the showy liverwort Plagiochila asplenioides & springtail Orchesella villosa. #ukwildlife #fungi
The pseudoscorpion Neobisium carcinoides head on looking quite menacing. Be afraid springtails Collared Earthstar, used to be Geastrum triplex but that might be the American taxon with ours now being michelianum according to some authorities. Slightly battered but still a fine fungus One of my favourite liverworts, possibly because it is distinctive, Plagiochila asplenioides Orchesella villosa as usually common in our vac samples
January 12, 2026 at 8:53 AM
Reposted by John Martin
wadertales.bsky.social
Dunlin now VULNERABLE on Iceland's RED LIST.
One of the waders most impacted by new forestry plantations:
wadertales.wordpress.com/2022/06/18/i...
Over 50% of Europe's Dunlin nest in Iceland so recent declines are of concern to whole East Atlantic Flyway.
#ConservationScience🌍
January 9, 2026 at 6:11 AM
pilning.bsky.social
VP w G. Pool frozen so arable and CF: GC & 5 LGrebe, 18 Goosander, 21 Tufted, 105 Teal. 70 Mallard, 25 Wigeon, 30 Shoveler, 18 Gadwall, GWE, L Egret, 18 Coot, Red Kite, 1w Common Gull (SW), Sprawk, f Blackcap, 20 Corn Bunting, 5 Y'ham, 5 Skylark, 40 Linnet, 20 Greenfinch etc #Shropshirebirding 🪶
Female Blackcap with its stash of Ivy berries. Quite unusual in my experience to see them wintering in the wider countryside 1w Common Gull flew through to SW. Not common here!
January 6, 2026 at 2:23 PM
pilning.bsky.social
Fumaria officinalis (Common Fumitory) flowering in the snow this morning near Moele Brace in #Shrewsbury with @janettem34.bsky.social We didn't get that on the NYPH this year. #wildflowerhour
Fumaria officinalis (Common Fumitory) flowering, with a snowflake on it.
January 4, 2026 at 8:20 PM
pilning.bsky.social
Cracking Larid flock at Battlefield late pm thanks to @saloplarus.bsky.social for the heads up. A fine 3w Caspian Gull the best I could see with nice flight views thanks to Maitre renard. At least 2 YLG too. #shopshirebirding #larid 🪶
Fox running across snowy stubble field with gulls taking off in the background 3w Caspian Gull in flight with other big gulls, mainly Lessers with fewer Herring Gulls
January 4, 2026 at 5:44 PM
pilning.bsky.social
Both local ParkRuns cancelled due to the ice so tried VP where the Kestrel caught a small mammal, 10+ Corn Bunting, 5+ Yellowhammer, 80+ Chaffinch, Siskin, Marsh Tit, 18 Snipe including one over the arable etc. Duck numbers slightly down. Handful of yearlies in the cold. #shropshirebirding 🪶
The regular Kestrel caught something from the arable field. No feathers were falling down from his perch so a small mammal
January 3, 2026 at 9:46 PM
pilning.bsky.social
1sr VP visits of yr early and late, 1st WFG dip of yr! 340 Canadas, 47 Greylag, Canlag, 2+ Goosander. 17 Gadwall, 47 Shoveler, 140 Teal, Shelduck, 3 Egyptian Goose, 12 Wigeon, 15+ Snipe, 135 Lapwing, Red Kite, 3 Corn Bunting, 3 Y'ham, 25 Redpoll, Chiffchaff, W Rail etc 56spp #shropshirebirding 🪶
One of c25 Reed Bunting around the arable field. Just 3 Yellowhammer seen but 3 Corn Bunting nice to get, although we have got used to more in the last couple of winters Snow on the Mynd viewed from the top bench. Apparently also snow in Telford's dizzy heights too The regular Kestrel by its Mistletoe
January 2, 2026 at 9:28 PM
pilning.bsky.social
Traditional NYD #ParkRun (but Telford this year) with A then #NYPH locally with @janettem34.bsky.social @amanda-bug-girl.bsky.social & G. 31 spp (13 less than '25) with Stachys arvensis (found by G), Fumaria bastardii and purpurea the best. Usual patch of Viola odorata out. #wildflowerhour
Stachys arvensis (Field Woundwort) from above on the allotments. Not seen it here before. Fumaria bastardii on G&A's allotments (not their plot). Not the best time of year to identify these but I have seen it there before and it looks right. F purpurea is in our front garden where it spread unassisted from.next door, where it is a frequent plant. Flowers on it very stunted and small at the moment Viola odorata (Sweet Violet). This particular patch is reliably in flower on 1 Jan!
January 1, 2026 at 9:38 PM
pilning.bsky.social
Also at VP today this Collared Earthstar was still in reasonable condition despite the frost Geastrum michelianum seems to be the name used for the British ones (used to be triplex, I think), at least on iNaturalist. #fungi #ukwildlife
Collared Earthstar in the leaf litter at Venus Pool. They were found a week or so ago by Kate Long
December 31, 2025 at 9:57 PM
pilning.bsky.social
VP early doors w Dave C. No White-fronts in roost but cracking little hutchinsii Cackling Goose that flew out to N at 0740 and was relocated at Atcham by @saloplarus.bsky.social who confirmed no rings. 'Wrong' carrier species (inevitably) here so unlikely to find favour w BBRC. #shropshirebirding 🪶
Cackling Goose at VP with Canada Geese early morning. Dave C spotted it 1st and it hung around a while before heading out to N but hadn't returned by dusk (quite likely it did though as more Canadas in when it was dark) hutchinsii Cackling Goose on its own wing flapping. Small bill and short neck obvious. There hasn't been one at large locally for quite a few years but many wild geese currently on the move so you never know, it could be ok hutchinsii (presumed - looks like typical one I would say) Cackling Goose with Canadas
December 31, 2025 at 6:13 PM
pilning.bsky.social
Ellesmere with @janettem34.bsky.social late a.m. successful with the f Lesser Scaup quite active in NE corner. c108 Pink-feet (tricky even from pic) flew to NW calling, 2 Pintail, 80 Wigeon, 7 Shoveler, 12 Goldeneye, 55 Tufted, 2 Pochard, 3 Little & 3 GCGrebe, Siskins, Redpoll. #shropshirebirding 🪶
Female Lesser Scaup Ellesmere. It wing flapped shortly after I located it but I was too slow with the camera and didn't do so again while I was watching, but has been nicely captured by others Lesser Scaup. 2nd for Shropshire. Found by John R on 28th as I left for S Wales etc Pink-footed Geese over Ellesmere at c1055 heading to NW
December 30, 2025 at 6:30 PM
pilning.bsky.social
Slimbridge yesterday pm was good with 8 (new in, we thought) Tundra Bean Geese at far end of Dumbles then a super fly-by past Holden, calling. Also L Stint Tack Piece, 34 Cattle Egret roosting, 40 Avocet & m Green-winged Teal S Lake, saw 53 Bewick's with only 1 1w! #Gloucesterbirding #ukbirding 🪶
Tundra Bean Geese in flight. Regular local birder (?John) picked them up on the deck miles away, them having just flown in. They soon flew again, heading towards and past us in the Holden Tower giving lovely deep calls as they went by. All 8 are there but hard to make out in a group like this. Tundra Beans in flight About as close as they came, three of the group of Tundra Beans. Male Green-winged Teal (front) flew out into view last thing when a Red Kite flushed the birds on S Lake
December 29, 2025 at 9:38 PM
pilning.bsky.social
Festive diversion between friends/family visiting yesterday to old local patch of Westport Lake with @janettem34.bsky.social The Yellow-browed Warbler showed really well after a bit of a wait. Also 22 Pochard. #staffsbirding 🪶 #ukwildlife
Yellow-browed Warbler in wet scrub near remaining sunny patches yesterday lunchtime. Old patch tick, Staffs tick, year tick! Yellow-browed Warbler in flight at Westport yesterday showing wing bars, bold supercilia, hint of diffuse crown stripe etc. Top birds and a belated yearly for me
December 27, 2025 at 5:55 PM
pilning.bsky.social
False Oxlip (Primula × polyantha) already flowering in the garden in Shrewsbury. Both parent species (Cowslip and Primrose) were planted here but this arose spontaneously. Late and slightly dubious for #wildflowerhour #ukwildlife
False Oxlip combining the multi-flowered head of Cowslip with the more open paler yellow flowers more like Primrose
December 21, 2025 at 9:53 PM
pilning.bsky.social
Wildlife Group at Dingle Farm. Usual hospitality there. Birch Shieldbug landed on my bag #fieldcraft ; Orthotrichum diaphanum on Elder; vac samplers got Ypsolopha ustella; flushed a Woodcock (last ditch yearly!); Keith found Cream-spot Ladybird; Jim got new psyllid for VC40 etc #ukwildlife #teammoth
Orthotrichum diaphanum with capsules and white hair tipped leaves on Elder Birch Shieldbug on my bag One of a few Ypsolopha ustella from under and Oak found by the vac samplers Cream-spot Ladybird
December 20, 2025 at 6:29 PM
pilning.bsky.social
Melverley Floods with @janettem34.bsky.social this morning. At least 57 Whooper Swans (44 Cae Howell, 13+ Royal Oak), a high count for Shrops and a fine sight & sound, 3 Mutes, 320+ Pintail, 205+ Wigeon, 345 Greylag, 280 Canadas, Canlag, 6 Egyptian Goose, L Egret etc #shropshirebirding 🪶 #ukwildlife
Some of the Whoopers at Cae Howell. Small groups kept arriving with 44 at Cae Howell in the end but only 6 youngsters amongst them. Back at Royal Oak there were 12+ before this and 13+ after so at least 57 Some of the geese in flight, mainly Greylags and a Canada. Could only find one Canada x Greylag amongst them but it's easy to miss birds on these floods Mixed wildfowl at Cae Howell
December 19, 2025 at 5:07 PM
Reposted by John Martin
milueth.bsky.social
Lobaria amplissima is extremly rare in Germany. 2020 one of the old trees died and the bark with Lobaria fall on the ground. So I took it and fixed it with binding wire on another old tree near by (without the Lobaria). Yesterday I was there and pleasantly surprised, that it worked very good.
December 15, 2025 at 10:06 AM
Reposted by John Martin
ruthnewby.bsky.social
I’ve just been offered a bunch of historic publications about the Lepidoptera of Staffs, I’m not sure I have room to give a home to all of them but I wondered if any VC39 #teammoth were interested in taking some? @sj84turner.bsky.social @lesevanshill.bsky.social @dominiccollins.bsky.social
December 14, 2025 at 12:14 PM
pilning.bsky.social
Wandering around locally we were surprised to find Hieracium scotosticticum (Dappled Hawkweed) still in flower in Shrewsbury today at the bottom of a hedge on Wenlock Road. #wildflowerhour
Hieracium scotosticticum, I am pretty sure... Nicely dappled slightly glaucous leaves
December 14, 2025 at 8:27 PM
pilning.bsky.social
Acanthinula aculeata, Prickly Snail, from Colstey Wood in the Shropshire hills with the wildlife group as well as the pseudoscorpion Chthonius ischnocheles. Upland conifer wood with broadleaves and wet areas. Crossbills too but no Willow Tit this time. #ukwildlife #molluscalert #pseudscorner etc
Acanthinula aculeata, Prickly Snail, thanks to Mags Cousins for the id a Pseudoscorpion that isn't our usual Neobisium but seems to be Chthonius ischnocheles, which is one we find occasionally
December 14, 2025 at 6:21 PM
pilning.bsky.social
VP yesterday pm with HJG & G, 55spp. 2 Chiffchaff including presumed tristis (not H), Treecreeper, Marsh Tit, Goldcrest, Coal Tit, 15 LTT, 2 Stonechat, 3 Corn Bunting, Kes, L Redpoll, 5 Gadwall, 3 Shelduck, 2 L Grebe, 27 Wigeon, 2 Tufted, 105 Lapwing, 12 Snipe etc #shropshirebirding 🪶
Presumed tristis Chiffchaff with brown and buff tones and little or no yellow evident here (some around vent at some angles) The regular young male Kestrel with seasonal decoration
December 14, 2025 at 5:16 PM