Annie Irving
@sconzani.bsky.social
Walker, birder, butterflier, leaf-fossicker, knitter, genealogist
Daily nature blogger : earthstar.blog
Daily nature blogger : earthstar.blog
A selection of locals from a lovely wander around Forest Farm in sunshine: a pair of Stock doves; a pair of Dippers, my first of the year, on the Taff by Radyr Weir; a Little egret on the feeder canal; & you all know what the last one is, even though you can only see its back. #birdingWales
February 4, 2026 at 5:24 PM
A selection of locals from a lovely wander around Forest Farm in sunshine: a pair of Stock doves; a pair of Dippers, my first of the year, on the Taff by Radyr Weir; a Little egret on the feeder canal; & you all know what the last one is, even though you can only see its back. #birdingWales
A bitter easterly rather spoilt this morning's walk to Cardiff Bay wetlands & back but it was nice to watch this Med gull bathing &, best, I inadvertently flushed a Jack snipe, which did the usual short flight before dropping back into the reeds but it was calling, which was new to me. #birdingWales
February 2, 2026 at 4:43 PM
A bitter easterly rather spoilt this morning's walk to Cardiff Bay wetlands & back but it was nice to watch this Med gull bathing &, best, I inadvertently flushed a Jack snipe, which did the usual short flight before dropping back into the reeds but it was calling, which was new to me. #birdingWales
Finally, finally, finally nabbed a Firecrest today and not just one but four in total, two with the help of some local birders who were also looking, and then later two more on the other side of the park. Rubbish photos but still chuffed! #birdingWales
January 31, 2026 at 5:02 PM
Finally, finally, finally nabbed a Firecrest today and not just one but four in total, two with the help of some local birders who were also looking, and then later two more on the other side of the park. Rubbish photos but still chuffed! #birdingWales
Today's birding finds: a female Blackcap just a street from home; a Great black-backed gull keeping an eye on me; 1 of the local Redshanks scratching an itch; 4 of maybe 12 Goosander flying down the Ely after all the birds were disturbed by a paddleboarder. #birdingWales
January 30, 2026 at 5:19 PM
Today's birding finds: a female Blackcap just a street from home; a Great black-backed gull keeping an eye on me; 1 of the local Redshanks scratching an itch; 4 of maybe 12 Goosander flying down the Ely after all the birds were disturbed by a paddleboarder. #birdingWales
Had to stop in for a delivery so only managed a local meander late on. Spent 45 mins looking & listening for (& cheating by playing a song recording) the 2 Firecrests that are apparently lingering along the stream in a local park. Dipped for the 4th time but this handsome Robin entertained me. 💚
January 29, 2026 at 6:05 PM
Had to stop in for a delivery so only managed a local meander late on. Spent 45 mins looking & listening for (& cheating by playing a song recording) the 2 Firecrests that are apparently lingering along the stream in a local park. Dipped for the 4th time but this handsome Robin entertained me. 💚
How wonderful the rare sunshine during my Cardiff Bay circuit (until it rained), though I feel I peaked too early with my bird sightings. At Penarth Head beach, the male Black redstart came out to play; I saw my first Sparrowhawk of the year, & I couldn't resist an image of this Wren. #BirdingWales
January 28, 2026 at 4:42 PM
How wonderful the rare sunshine during my Cardiff Bay circuit (until it rained), though I feel I peaked too early with my bird sightings. At Penarth Head beach, the male Black redstart came out to play; I saw my first Sparrowhawk of the year, & I couldn't resist an image of this Wren. #BirdingWales
Fantastic news from Scotland and huge congratulations to Hannah & all who worked for this!!!
Certainly puts the Welsh Government to shame for not doing the same when @senedd.wales members voted on
@juliabarrell.bsky.social's petition last year.
Certainly puts the Welsh Government to shame for not doing the same when @senedd.wales members voted on
@juliabarrell.bsky.social's petition last year.
Tears of joy! SCOTLAND HAS JUST PASSED SWIFT BRICKS INTO LAW unanimously!
4 years of asking England & Scotland sorts it in a month led by ACE MARK RUSKELL MSP ♥️The RELIEF is unreal! Tell England to follow 🏴by emailing PlanningPolicyConsultation@communities.gov.uk now!WOOP!
4 years of asking England & Scotland sorts it in a month led by ACE MARK RUSKELL MSP ♥️The RELIEF is unreal! Tell England to follow 🏴by emailing PlanningPolicyConsultation@communities.gov.uk now!WOOP!
January 28, 2026 at 7:45 AM
Fantastic news from Scotland and huge congratulations to Hannah & all who worked for this!!!
Certainly puts the Welsh Government to shame for not doing the same when @senedd.wales members voted on
@juliabarrell.bsky.social's petition last year.
Certainly puts the Welsh Government to shame for not doing the same when @senedd.wales members voted on
@juliabarrell.bsky.social's petition last year.
The wind & squally showers of Storm Chandra notwithstanding, I had a lovely walk from Sully to Penarth via Cosmeston today, with four new bird species along the way: Ringed plover & Dunlin on Sully Beach, Shelducks on Sully Island, & a lovely Kestrel at Cosmeston. (Record shots only) #birdingWales
January 27, 2026 at 5:35 PM
The wind & squally showers of Storm Chandra notwithstanding, I had a lovely walk from Sully to Penarth via Cosmeston today, with four new bird species along the way: Ringed plover & Dunlin on Sully Beach, Shelducks on Sully Island, & a lovely Kestrel at Cosmeston. (Record shots only) #birdingWales
As often happens with visiting ducks, the female Scaup, who began her visit at Cosmeston & then spent a few days in Cardiff Bay, has now returned to Cosmeston. She was snoozing close to the reed beds on the east lake. (Thanks to @graham7777777.bsky.social for pointing her out) #birdingWales
January 27, 2026 at 4:15 PM
As often happens with visiting ducks, the female Scaup, who began her visit at Cosmeston & then spent a few days in Cardiff Bay, has now returned to Cosmeston. She was snoozing close to the reed beds on the east lake. (Thanks to @graham7777777.bsky.social for pointing her out) #birdingWales
Today's two birding highlights were this Jimmy Wren, belting out his territorial female-attracting song, and the Marl's almost-resident Med gull, a bird so confident that it's always the closest amongst the flock of other gulls to any humans and the path around the park. #birdingWales
January 26, 2026 at 6:08 PM
Today's two birding highlights were this Jimmy Wren, belting out his territorial female-attracting song, and the Marl's almost-resident Med gull, a bird so confident that it's always the closest amongst the flock of other gulls to any humans and the path around the park. #birdingWales
At Penarth Marina earlier I finally saw both female Black redstarts on the same rooftop at the same time. And that's about all I saw today despite 2 walks out & about, though I did have some interesting chats to some interesting people. ☺️
January 25, 2026 at 5:22 PM
At Penarth Marina earlier I finally saw both female Black redstarts on the same rooftop at the same time. And that's about all I saw today despite 2 walks out & about, though I did have some interesting chats to some interesting people. ☺️
I was on the Barrage, being blasted by the fierce wind, when word came in (thanks, @cardiffbirder.bsky.social) that this stunning female Scaup was close in by the Norwegian Church. Luckily I had excellent views before the blue speed boat hurtling by scared the Tufty flock & Scaup off. #birdingWales
January 23, 2026 at 5:39 PM
I was on the Barrage, being blasted by the fierce wind, when word came in (thanks, @cardiffbirder.bsky.social) that this stunning female Scaup was close in by the Norwegian Church. Luckily I had excellent views before the blue speed boat hurtling by scared the Tufty flock & Scaup off. #birdingWales
It's another wild day here on the south-east Wales coast but the gulls seem to love it, soaring along high above the cliff tops.
January 23, 2026 at 8:48 AM
It's another wild day here on the south-east Wales coast but the gulls seem to love it, soaring along high above the cliff tops.
To Cosmeston today: Siskin, Gadwall & Fieldfare all NFY. A short break in the gloom saw Song thrushes singing. A Dunnock, often overlooked but really very handsome birds. Turns out Rats like berry flavoured suet & BH gulls like chasing Ring-necked parakeets (2 now seem resident). #birdingWales
January 22, 2026 at 7:04 PM
To Cosmeston today: Siskin, Gadwall & Fieldfare all NFY. A short break in the gloom saw Song thrushes singing. A Dunnock, often overlooked but really very handsome birds. Turns out Rats like berry flavoured suet & BH gulls like chasing Ring-necked parakeets (2 now seem resident). #birdingWales
A couple of moth larvae from today's walk: the first is, I think, Southern Wainscot (Mythimna straminea), typically spending the day hiding in the stem of a Reed (Phragmites sp.), & lots of tiny Firethorn Leafminers (Phyllonorycter leucographella) on Firethorn (Pyracantha sp.). #TeamMoth
January 21, 2026 at 6:57 PM
A couple of moth larvae from today's walk: the first is, I think, Southern Wainscot (Mythimna straminea), typically spending the day hiding in the stem of a Reed (Phragmites sp.), & lots of tiny Firethorn Leafminers (Phyllonorycter leucographella) on Firethorn (Pyracantha sp.). #TeamMoth
Though it doesn't look it in my photos, it was blowing a hooley in Cardiff Bay this morning, & still is. Along the Ely embankment a pair of Goosander were getting their feathers in order before the heavy rain; 2 Common sandpiper & 3 Redshank were feeding, & 15 Turnstone were huddling. #birdingWales
January 20, 2026 at 3:13 PM
Though it doesn't look it in my photos, it was blowing a hooley in Cardiff Bay this morning, & still is. Along the Ely embankment a pair of Goosander were getting their feathers in order before the heavy rain; 2 Common sandpiper & 3 Redshank were feeding, & 15 Turnstone were huddling. #birdingWales
Blowing the cobwebs away at a wild and windy seaside today
January 20, 2026 at 11:15 AM
Blowing the cobwebs away at a wild and windy seaside today
A real pea-souper in Cardiff Bay today, which disorientated some birds: a Redshank where they don't usually go; ditto a Skylark. 2 male Blackcaps & 3 Black redstarts now around the southern side of the Bay, though I only saw 1 female & the male B redstart (award-winning photo of it!). #birdingWales
January 19, 2026 at 5:47 PM
A real pea-souper in Cardiff Bay today, which disorientated some birds: a Redshank where they don't usually go; ditto a Skylark. 2 male Blackcaps & 3 Black redstarts now around the southern side of the Bay, though I only saw 1 female & the male B redstart (award-winning photo of it!). #birdingWales
It may be mid winter but it definitely felt like Spring was in the air today. And I wasn't the only one to think so. This pair of Mute swans were being very lovey dovey in Cardiff Bay this morning. #birdingWales
January 17, 2026 at 4:00 PM
It may be mid winter but it definitely felt like Spring was in the air today. And I wasn't the only one to think so. This pair of Mute swans were being very lovey dovey in Cardiff Bay this morning. #birdingWales
Forest Farm was a favourite destination for toggers today - they were everywhere. Stock dove & Reed buntings (2m) NFY. Little egret churning up mud in the feeder always nice to see. Distant Kingfisher fly past. No sign of Water rail or Dipper but a lovely wander in welcome sunshine. #birdingWales
January 16, 2026 at 5:43 PM
Forest Farm was a favourite destination for toggers today - they were everywhere. Stock dove & Reed buntings (2m) NFY. Little egret churning up mud in the feeder always nice to see. Distant Kingfisher fly past. No sign of Water rail or Dipper but a lovely wander in welcome sunshine. #birdingWales
Turns out that having to wait an extra 20 mins after my first train was cancelled this morning wasn't such a bad thing as a poke around the station's plants produced my first larvae of the Rosemary beetle (Chrysolina americana). And now I know where to look for adults later in the year.
January 14, 2026 at 7:42 PM
Turns out that having to wait an extra 20 mins after my first train was cancelled this morning wasn't such a bad thing as a poke around the station's plants produced my first larvae of the Rosemary beetle (Chrysolina americana). And now I know where to look for adults later in the year.
To Lamby Lake this morning but, according to locals, the resident Egyptian goose did a flit as soon as the lake froze. Nothing else of note. To Cosmeston this af'noon for the female Scaup & my first Shoveler of the year. Both distant in shite light. #birdingWales
January 14, 2026 at 6:47 PM
To Lamby Lake this morning but, according to locals, the resident Egyptian goose did a flit as soon as the lake froze. Nothing else of note. To Cosmeston this af'noon for the female Scaup & my first Shoveler of the year. Both distant in shite light. #birdingWales
