Al
@valezina15.bsky.social
Gardener, birder and insect enthusiast. Happiest outdoors!
Pinned
Al
@valezina15.bsky.social
· Dec 31
New Year, new platform. All the best for 2025. Here's a picture of my favourite butterfly, the valezina form of Silver-washed Fritillary.
Reposted by Al
A round of applause for the French is in order! 👏👏👏
November 24, 2025 at 6:56 PM
A round of applause for the French is in order! 👏👏👏
Reposted by Al
• Edward Thomas •
November 23, 2025 at 9:26 AM
• Edward Thomas •
Glad I popped to South Gare this morning in the hope of seeing the long-staying Bluethroat. It gave good, if brief, views in the sunshine. Never still for a minute - an utterly charming & charismatic bird, like a Robin masquerading as a Redwing! @nybirdnews.bsky.social @teesbirds.bsky.social
November 22, 2025 at 4:29 PM
Glad I popped to South Gare this morning in the hope of seeing the long-staying Bluethroat. It gave good, if brief, views in the sunshine. Never still for a minute - an utterly charming & charismatic bird, like a Robin masquerading as a Redwing! @nybirdnews.bsky.social @teesbirds.bsky.social
Reposted by Al
This story is all Nigel Farage should be asked about by journalists for months
Ex-leader of Reform UK in Wales sentenced to 10-and-a-half years for taking pro-Russian bribes
The judge tells Nathan Gill his actions were a
www.bbc.co.uk
November 21, 2025 at 2:34 PM
This story is all Nigel Farage should be asked about by journalists for months
Crisp and lovely on the Clifton patch today. Single parakeet by the Dormouse, LTT flock, Wrens and Robins everywhere, 2 Fieldfare, 2 Reed Bunting, 2 Stock Dove, Sparrowhawk and Song Thrush. @yorkbirding.bsky.social @nybirdnews.bsky.social
November 21, 2025 at 1:26 PM
Crisp and lovely on the Clifton patch today. Single parakeet by the Dormouse, LTT flock, Wrens and Robins everywhere, 2 Fieldfare, 2 Reed Bunting, 2 Stock Dove, Sparrowhawk and Song Thrush. @yorkbirding.bsky.social @nybirdnews.bsky.social
Reposted by Al
If you use GMail, AI (Gemini) was turned on yesterday by default and now scans all of your content for machine learning. To turn off, go to Settings>General and scroll down. Uncheck the box for "Smart features."
There's other "Smart" add-ons as well, but that's the one that reads your content.
There's other "Smart" add-ons as well, but that's the one that reads your content.
November 20, 2025 at 5:32 PM
If you use GMail, AI (Gemini) was turned on yesterday by default and now scans all of your content for machine learning. To turn off, go to Settings>General and scroll down. Uncheck the box for "Smart features."
There's other "Smart" add-ons as well, but that's the one that reads your content.
There's other "Smart" add-ons as well, but that's the one that reads your content.
Disgusting behaviour by the Derwent Hunt. Hope #NorthYorkshirePolice take it seriously.
On the 15th November, the Derwent Hunt once again trespassed into our Chafer Wood nature reserve near Ebberston. We are absolutely outraged at their audacity and disrespect.
If you have evidence of the hunt or hounds accessing YWT land, please send to info@ywt.org.uk
Read our full statement below.
If you have evidence of the hunt or hounds accessing YWT land, please send to info@ywt.org.uk
Read our full statement below.
November 20, 2025 at 1:42 PM
Disgusting behaviour by the Derwent Hunt. Hope #NorthYorkshirePolice take it seriously.
Reposted by Al
"Life has its own hidden forces which you can only discover by living."
~ Søren Kierkegaard
🎨 James T. Watts (1892)
~ Søren Kierkegaard
🎨 James T. Watts (1892)
November 20, 2025 at 11:05 AM
"Life has its own hidden forces which you can only discover by living."
~ Søren Kierkegaard
🎨 James T. Watts (1892)
~ Søren Kierkegaard
🎨 James T. Watts (1892)
Reposted by Al
Such a tranquil place and a haven for wildlife. This should not be happening. Please repost :-)
www.ywt.org.uk/news/derwent...
www.ywt.org.uk/news/derwent...
Derwent Hunt trespasses again at Chafer Wood nature reserve | Yorkshire Wildlife Trust
On the 15th November, the Derwent Hunt once again trespassed into our Chafer Wood nature reserve near Ebberston.
www.ywt.org.uk
November 19, 2025 at 3:50 PM
Such a tranquil place and a haven for wildlife. This should not be happening. Please repost :-)
www.ywt.org.uk/news/derwent...
www.ywt.org.uk/news/derwent...
Reposted by Al
• Mary Oliver •
November 20, 2025 at 8:01 AM
• Mary Oliver •
Reposted by Al
The real BBC bias story, narrated by Anna Ford
November 19, 2025 at 12:12 PM
The real BBC bias story, narrated by Anna Ford
Reposted by Al
Take a moment, and read...
Kenneth C. Steven
Kenneth C. Steven
November 16, 2025 at 5:56 PM
Take a moment, and read...
Kenneth C. Steven
Kenneth C. Steven
Reposted by Al
This is what many of us have been saying. Part 3 of the Planning & Infrastructure Bill is based on a myth: that we don't have enough homes because wildlife and green spaces are protected. It will solve nothing, and inflict terrible harm on our remaining ecosystems
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
Nature not a blocker to housing growth, inquiry finds
Commons committee report challenges ‘lazy narrative’ used by ministers that scapegoats wildlife and the environment
www.theguardian.com
November 16, 2025 at 12:12 PM
This is what many of us have been saying. Part 3 of the Planning & Infrastructure Bill is based on a myth: that we don't have enough homes because wildlife and green spaces are protected. It will solve nothing, and inflict terrible harm on our remaining ecosystems
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
Productive walk round the Clifton patch today. Gold, Green & Bullfinches, 4 Goldcrests, 2 parakeets, large flock of Fieldfares over, Redwings in the hedges, PFGs heading south and 2 separate flocks of Whoopers, 11 high SE then 26 low over the ings. @yorkbirding.bsky.social @nybirdnews.bsky.social
November 16, 2025 at 1:07 PM
Productive walk round the Clifton patch today. Gold, Green & Bullfinches, 4 Goldcrests, 2 parakeets, large flock of Fieldfares over, Redwings in the hedges, PFGs heading south and 2 separate flocks of Whoopers, 11 high SE then 26 low over the ings. @yorkbirding.bsky.social @nybirdnews.bsky.social
Reposted by Al
Hen Harrier Susie, whose chicks were stamped to death on a Yorkshire Dales grouse moor in 2022, has been found dead on a N Pennines grouse moor with gunshot injuries.
18+ months of silence about this crime from the police & Natural England.
#RaptorResearch
raptorpersecutionuk.org/2025/11/14/h...
18+ months of silence about this crime from the police & Natural England.
#RaptorResearch
raptorpersecutionuk.org/2025/11/14/h...
Hen Harrier ‘Susie’, whose chicks were stamped to death in 2022, has been found dead on a North Pennines grouse moor with gunshot injuries
If ever there was an example demonstrating the high level of persecution faced by Hen Harriers on UK grouse moors, the lack of consequences for the offenders, and the lack of justice for the victim…
raptorpersecutionuk.org
November 14, 2025 at 7:48 AM
Hen Harrier Susie, whose chicks were stamped to death on a Yorkshire Dales grouse moor in 2022, has been found dead on a N Pennines grouse moor with gunshot injuries.
18+ months of silence about this crime from the police & Natural England.
#RaptorResearch
raptorpersecutionuk.org/2025/11/14/h...
18+ months of silence about this crime from the police & Natural England.
#RaptorResearch
raptorpersecutionuk.org/2025/11/14/h...
Reposted by Al
We are devastated to confirm that bio-bead pollution has reached Rye Harbour Nature Reserve. We're working to assess the damage to the precious saltmarsh habitat and plan the clean-up.
Full statement here: https://sussexwildlifetrust.org.uk/news/bio-bead-pollution-at-rye-harbour-nature-reserve
Full statement here: https://sussexwildlifetrust.org.uk/news/bio-bead-pollution-at-rye-harbour-nature-reserve
November 14, 2025 at 10:58 AM
We are devastated to confirm that bio-bead pollution has reached Rye Harbour Nature Reserve. We're working to assess the damage to the precious saltmarsh habitat and plan the clean-up.
Full statement here: https://sussexwildlifetrust.org.uk/news/bio-bead-pollution-at-rye-harbour-nature-reserve
Full statement here: https://sussexwildlifetrust.org.uk/news/bio-bead-pollution-at-rye-harbour-nature-reserve
Reposted by Al
Gall of the week is the nail gall of the mite Eriophyes tiliae on lime trees Tilia spp.
Photo by Mike Poulton.
Photo by Mike Poulton.
November 13, 2025 at 10:52 AM
Gall of the week is the nail gall of the mite Eriophyes tiliae on lime trees Tilia spp.
Photo by Mike Poulton.
Photo by Mike Poulton.
Reposted by Al
"This entire saga has a smell hanging over it. The people of Teesside, Hartlepool and Darlington are no fools. That smell will not go away until there is a full, transparent and independent inquiry."
Teesworks scandal: a dark tale of public wealth lost and private gain
Teesworks - a story that reads like a screenplay for a dark political drama
northeastbylines.co.uk
November 11, 2025 at 10:07 AM
"This entire saga has a smell hanging over it. The people of Teesside, Hartlepool and Darlington are no fools. That smell will not go away until there is a full, transparent and independent inquiry."
Peak autumn vibes @ldvnnr.bsky.social today. Hedges full of chattering Fieldfares & Redwings, Pinkies calling overhead, Goldcrests, Goldfinches feeding on seedheads, Bullfinch x 5. Also Kestrel, Marsh Harrier, Buzzard x 2, Lapwings & Golden Plovers. @nybirdnews.bsky.social @yorkbirding.bsky.social
November 9, 2025 at 2:19 PM
Peak autumn vibes @ldvnnr.bsky.social today. Hedges full of chattering Fieldfares & Redwings, Pinkies calling overhead, Goldcrests, Goldfinches feeding on seedheads, Bullfinch x 5. Also Kestrel, Marsh Harrier, Buzzard x 2, Lapwings & Golden Plovers. @nybirdnews.bsky.social @yorkbirding.bsky.social
Today was a classic case of right place, wrong time. Started at Bempton, then headed to @flamboroughbird.bsky.social thus missing Pallid Swift, Pallas's Warbler, Firecrests and Snow Buntings 😭. Some consolation in YBW, Black Redstart and enjoyable conversations! @nybirdnews.bsky.social
November 8, 2025 at 9:25 PM
Today was a classic case of right place, wrong time. Started at Bempton, then headed to @flamboroughbird.bsky.social thus missing Pallid Swift, Pallas's Warbler, Firecrests and Snow Buntings 😭. Some consolation in YBW, Black Redstart and enjoyable conversations! @nybirdnews.bsky.social
Reposted by Al
"The days are getting shorter and colder, but I ask you to remember: even as the Winter comes in, there is Hope and there is Light."
~ Seamus Heaney
~ Seamus Heaney
November 3, 2025 at 3:39 PM
"The days are getting shorter and colder, but I ask you to remember: even as the Winter comes in, there is Hope and there is Light."
~ Seamus Heaney
~ Seamus Heaney
Reposted by Al
Unexpected 3rd brood Holly Blue in the garden this morning.
November 2, 2025 at 2:25 PM
Unexpected 3rd brood Holly Blue in the garden this morning.
Reposted by Al
Trevesia burckii produces otherworldly leaves the shape of snowflakes. This formation may be an adaptation to help sunlight filter down to lower leaves, helping the plant photosynthesize in shaded forests.
October 30, 2025 at 11:55 AM
Trevesia burckii produces otherworldly leaves the shape of snowflakes. This formation may be an adaptation to help sunlight filter down to lower leaves, helping the plant photosynthesize in shaded forests.
Reposted by Al
I sketch skies with watercolour often. I’ll be showing this and many other sketchbooks at this weekend’s North Yorkshire Winter Open Studios 1st/2nd November 11am-4pm.
Many watercolours, prints and cards for sale. See how I work, do come and chat birds and watercolours!
www.jonathanpomroy.co.uk
Many watercolours, prints and cards for sale. See how I work, do come and chat birds and watercolours!
www.jonathanpomroy.co.uk
October 30, 2025 at 4:02 PM
I sketch skies with watercolour often. I’ll be showing this and many other sketchbooks at this weekend’s North Yorkshire Winter Open Studios 1st/2nd November 11am-4pm.
Many watercolours, prints and cards for sale. See how I work, do come and chat birds and watercolours!
www.jonathanpomroy.co.uk
Many watercolours, prints and cards for sale. See how I work, do come and chat birds and watercolours!
www.jonathanpomroy.co.uk
Reposted by Al
"If people were always kind and obedient to those who are cruel and unjust, the wicked people would have it all their own way; they would never feel afraid, and so they would never alter, but would grow worse and worse."
~ Charlotte Brontë
~ Charlotte Brontë
October 28, 2025 at 9:38 PM
"If people were always kind and obedient to those who are cruel and unjust, the wicked people would have it all their own way; they would never feel afraid, and so they would never alter, but would grow worse and worse."
~ Charlotte Brontë
~ Charlotte Brontë