James Hunter
@dartfordtrapper.bsky.social
Natural history including moths, butterflies, birds, plants, mammals etc
A stunning Rosy Underwing feeding on a wine rope in Dorset last night. With @beardybirder.bsky.social and @mammalmark.bsky.social
August 16, 2025 at 2:15 PM
A stunning Rosy Underwing feeding on a wine rope in Dorset last night. With @beardybirder.bsky.social and @mammalmark.bsky.social
Reposted by James Hunter
Then Wednesday night heading over the Channel to Holland for two days of some great, if a little foggy, birding with @gnhbirder66.bsky.social and @dartfordtrapper.bsky.social
January 18, 2025 at 2:09 PM
Then Wednesday night heading over the Channel to Holland for two days of some great, if a little foggy, birding with @gnhbirder66.bsky.social and @dartfordtrapper.bsky.social
Reposted by James Hunter
Watsonalla uncinula (Spiny Hook-tip) continuing to do well, albeit slowly on Quercus ilex (Holm Oak). This specimen ~21mm after ~5 weeks. I also have a specimen from the same batch about half the size of this one. @rlewington2.bsky.social #MothsMatter #TeamMoth
January 3, 2025 at 9:56 AM
Watsonalla uncinula (Spiny Hook-tip) continuing to do well, albeit slowly on Quercus ilex (Holm Oak). This specimen ~21mm after ~5 weeks. I also have a specimen from the same batch about half the size of this one. @rlewington2.bsky.social #MothsMatter #TeamMoth
...and a couple of record shots of Kent's first Yellow Warbler, a stone's throw away from 1989's Golden-Winged Warbler.
December 24, 2024 at 5:44 PM
...and a couple of record shots of Kent's first Yellow Warbler, a stone's throw away from 1989's Golden-Winged Warbler.
Nice afternoon at New Hythe....
December 24, 2024 at 2:25 PM
Nice afternoon at New Hythe....
Reposted by James Hunter
A rare opportunity in the gloom of Sunday morning to see three scarce Aythya species side by side at Tallington Lakes in South Lincs. One of those patch pinch-me moments! @lincsbirding.bsky.social
December 17, 2024 at 6:53 AM
A rare opportunity in the gloom of Sunday morning to see three scarce Aythya species side by side at Tallington Lakes in South Lincs. One of those patch pinch-me moments! @lincsbirding.bsky.social
Reposted by James Hunter
Managed 67 bird species in LBBromley Mon-Fri at Upper Cray Valley, Chapmans Lane, Watts Farms, Chelsfield, Pratts Bottom, Crystal Palace Park, Beaverwood & Chislehurst. 16 Firecrests, Mandarin, Shoveler, GC Grebe, Great White Egret, Fieldfare, Marsh Tit, 5 Raven, Redpoll, Bullfinch, Yellowhammer
December 6, 2024 at 8:08 PM
Managed 67 bird species in LBBromley Mon-Fri at Upper Cray Valley, Chapmans Lane, Watts Farms, Chelsfield, Pratts Bottom, Crystal Palace Park, Beaverwood & Chislehurst. 16 Firecrests, Mandarin, Shoveler, GC Grebe, Great White Egret, Fieldfare, Marsh Tit, 5 Raven, Redpoll, Bullfinch, Yellowhammer
Reposted by James Hunter
New for Norfolk 2024: 15
Black-spotted Chestnut (Conistra rubiginosa)
And finally… This one from last weekend…
Keep those records coming in folks, please record on the website :) norfolkmoths.co.uk #teammoth #norfolkmoths
Black-spotted Chestnut (Conistra rubiginosa)
And finally… This one from last weekend…
Keep those records coming in folks, please record on the website :) norfolkmoths.co.uk #teammoth #norfolkmoths
Well done to James Symonds at Weeting Heath - Black-spotted Chestnut (Conistra rubiginosa) New for Norfolk last night (30/11/24) #teammoth #norfolkmoths
December 5, 2024 at 8:13 AM
New for Norfolk 2024: 15
Black-spotted Chestnut (Conistra rubiginosa)
And finally… This one from last weekend…
Keep those records coming in folks, please record on the website :) norfolkmoths.co.uk #teammoth #norfolkmoths
Black-spotted Chestnut (Conistra rubiginosa)
And finally… This one from last weekend…
Keep those records coming in folks, please record on the website :) norfolkmoths.co.uk #teammoth #norfolkmoths
A great day out yesterday in and around Dungeness. Lots of highlights including Tree Sparrow, Brambling, Whooper swan, Hume's Warbler, Merlin, Dartford Warbler, BN grebes, Long-tailed duck and Cattle egret. With @gnhbirder66.bsky.social
December 5, 2024 at 7:15 AM
A great day out yesterday in and around Dungeness. Lots of highlights including Tree Sparrow, Brambling, Whooper swan, Hume's Warbler, Merlin, Dartford Warbler, BN grebes, Long-tailed duck and Cattle egret. With @gnhbirder66.bsky.social
25,000 steps and 62 species between Greenhithe and Dartford this morning. The highlights were Peregrine on the Amazon building and a day-flying Barn Owl hunting out on Dartford marsh.
November 29, 2024 at 1:25 PM
25,000 steps and 62 species between Greenhithe and Dartford this morning. The highlights were Peregrine on the Amazon building and a day-flying Barn Owl hunting out on Dartford marsh.
Reposted by James Hunter
3+hr session at Collard’s viewpoint this morning produced 58 species inc Black-n Grebe, drake Scaup, 2 Goldeneye & Cattle Egret. As ever everything well out of camera range
November 28, 2024 at 8:50 PM
3+hr session at Collard’s viewpoint this morning produced 58 species inc Black-n Grebe, drake Scaup, 2 Goldeneye & Cattle Egret. As ever everything well out of camera range
Reposted by James Hunter
Dungeness: A super Black-headed Gull x Mediterranean Gull that flew past the fishing boats yesterday morning along with 1,000s of other Gulls. #UKBirding #Kentbirding #Birds
November 28, 2024 at 7:36 PM
Dungeness: A super Black-headed Gull x Mediterranean Gull that flew past the fishing boats yesterday morning along with 1,000s of other Gulls. #UKBirding #Kentbirding #Birds
Reposted by James Hunter
Oh my days! Another Levant Blackneck trapped overnight along with a Euchromius ocellea, Small Mottled Willow, 3 noctuella, and singles of Dark Sword-grass and ferrugalis. #migrantmothuk @migrantmothuk.bsky.social
November 27, 2024 at 9:11 AM
Oh my days! Another Levant Blackneck trapped overnight along with a Euchromius ocellea, Small Mottled Willow, 3 noctuella, and singles of Dark Sword-grass and ferrugalis. #migrantmothuk @migrantmothuk.bsky.social
Around 100 species seen in North Kent in last few days including Merlin, Woodcock, Spotted Redshank, Greenshank, Green Sandpiper, Hawfinch, Firecrest, Marsh Tit and Red Kite. Non bird highlights included Common Darter and Bird's-nest fungus. With @birdingbazzer.bsky.social.
November 26, 2024 at 6:51 PM
Around 100 species seen in North Kent in last few days including Merlin, Woodcock, Spotted Redshank, Greenshank, Green Sandpiper, Hawfinch, Firecrest, Marsh Tit and Red Kite. Non bird highlights included Common Darter and Bird's-nest fungus. With @birdingbazzer.bsky.social.
Despite the high winds I managed 3 species in the garden trap last night - Red-green carpet, Black Rustic and LBAM. Dartford VC16.
November 24, 2024 at 6:09 AM
Despite the high winds I managed 3 species in the garden trap last night - Red-green carpet, Black Rustic and LBAM. Dartford VC16.
65 species walking from Greenhithe to Dartford included Avocet, Common sandpiper, Sparrowhawk and Rock pipit. Very cold first thing!
November 21, 2024 at 7:01 AM
65 species walking from Greenhithe to Dartford included Avocet, Common sandpiper, Sparrowhawk and Rock pipit. Very cold first thing!
Reposted by James Hunter
16/11/2024 - For my first post on BlueSky, I'll share what did this weekend - revisiting #Madeira for the thrill of finding Goodyera macrophylla again.
Only a small number of these #orchids flower each year. They're restricted to steep slopes in largely inaccessible parts of the laurelsilva forests
Only a small number of these #orchids flower each year. They're restricted to steep slopes in largely inaccessible parts of the laurelsilva forests
November 17, 2024 at 2:13 PM
Reposted by James Hunter
For #MushroomMonday, some wonderful grassland fungi found on our field meeting at Knole Park, Sevenoaks, yesterday. Thanks to Phil Ambler for the photos. Names included in the alt text. #fungus #fungi #KentNature #woodpasture
November 18, 2024 at 10:58 AM
For #MushroomMonday, some wonderful grassland fungi found on our field meeting at Knole Park, Sevenoaks, yesterday. Thanks to Phil Ambler for the photos. Names included in the alt text. #fungus #fungi #KentNature #woodpasture
Reposted by James Hunter
Diplopseustis perieresalis (Palm Tabby - and a great example of why I encourage the use of common names!) 1st for VC28 (West Norfolk) and 5th for Norfolk, 9th Aug 2024 in my Dereham garden. Presumed adventive but occurred during a peak period of migration #norfolkmoths #teammoth #migrantmothsuk
November 18, 2024 at 2:18 PM
Diplopseustis perieresalis (Palm Tabby - and a great example of why I encourage the use of common names!) 1st for VC28 (West Norfolk) and 5th for Norfolk, 9th Aug 2024 in my Dereham garden. Presumed adventive but occurred during a peak period of migration #norfolkmoths #teammoth #migrantmothsuk
Reposted by James Hunter
A pleasant day birding Northward Hill and out to the breach and Egypt Bay . 74 sp of Bird including Redpoll, Sparrowhawk, a surprise House Martin south, Beardies, 150+ Redwing, 3 Stonechats and some squealing Water Rails. Other than Will n Max at NH, never saw another person #kentbirding #ukbirding
November 18, 2024 at 3:02 PM
A pleasant day birding Northward Hill and out to the breach and Egypt Bay . 74 sp of Bird including Redpoll, Sparrowhawk, a surprise House Martin south, Beardies, 150+ Redwing, 3 Stonechats and some squealing Water Rails. Other than Will n Max at NH, never saw another person #kentbirding #ukbirding
Reposted by James Hunter
A bit disconcerting when one of the world's largest moth species is attracted to your headlamp! Found this beautiful Hercules Moth in far north Queensland.
#wildoz #wildlife #nature #biodiversity #insects
#wildoz #wildlife #nature #biodiversity #insects
November 18, 2024 at 9:15 AM
A bit disconcerting when one of the world's largest moth species is attracted to your headlamp! Found this beautiful Hercules Moth in far north Queensland.
#wildoz #wildlife #nature #biodiversity #insects
#wildoz #wildlife #nature #biodiversity #insects
Saturday was spent in the Dungeness area and was surprisingly good - 3 BN grebes, Slavonian grebe, Avocet, GWE, RT diver, Goldeneye, 2 Caspian gulls, Sandwich tern, 11 WF geese, 25 Cattle egrets and 10+ Yellowhammers.
November 18, 2024 at 10:38 AM
Saturday was spent in the Dungeness area and was surprisingly good - 3 BN grebes, Slavonian grebe, Avocet, GWE, RT diver, Goldeneye, 2 Caspian gulls, Sandwich tern, 11 WF geese, 25 Cattle egrets and 10+ Yellowhammers.
A few recent moth highlights, all from West Kent VC16. Merveille Du Jour, Figure of Eight, Dewick's Plusia and December moth.
November 18, 2024 at 10:06 AM
A few recent moth highlights, all from West Kent VC16. Merveille Du Jour, Figure of Eight, Dewick's Plusia and December moth.
A few recent bird highlights from the UK: Desert and Pied Wheatears, Lapland Bunting and Amur Stonechat.
November 18, 2024 at 10:01 AM
A few recent bird highlights from the UK: Desert and Pied Wheatears, Lapland Bunting and Amur Stonechat.
A different view of this week's Desert Wheatear at Beachy Head.
November 2, 2024 at 12:55 PM
A different view of this week's Desert Wheatear at Beachy Head.