Fraser Simpson
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fssbirding.bsky.social
Fraser Simpson
@fssbirding.bsky.social
44 followers 28 following 14 posts
Birding, Orthoptera, Nature, Sound Recording, Ayrshire SOC Recorder
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fssbirding.bsky.social
Third generation Holly Blue on ivy in Purfleet this morning in 16°C sunshine with a few Ivy Bees (Colletes hederae) still around too 13/11/25.
November 13, 2025 at 10:37 AM
Reposted by Fraser Simpson
bug-gwen.bsky.social
Let's start Monday with some whimsy. These delightful grasshoppers (possibly also katydids?) are from a water jar created by Makuzu Kōzan in 1870. To see full size images: www.metmuseum.org/art/collecti...
Detail of the water pot decoration. Grasshoppers carrying flowers are also accompanying a palanquin, used to carry... presumably high ranking lady grasshoppers. A couple might also be katydids based on antennae length, but let's not get uptight about imaginary anthropomorphized bugs, eh? The little freshwater pot, with a wooden top. This side shows more grasshoppers (possibly a katydid) carrying fruit and flowers as they march along on their hind legs.
October 27, 2025 at 1:26 PM
Reposted by Fraser Simpson
mothyblackburn.bsky.social
The Sorcerer from Kenfig last night. Finally got up the courage to remove it from the pot (after some others had seen it). As far as I know, fourth British record and first for Wales. Thanks to everyone for moral support during my meltdown. But, what a moth! #TeamMoth
October 18, 2025 at 4:58 PM
fssbirding.bsky.social
Well, it looks like the Corydoras have bred in my community aquarium without me knowing! 😀🐟
September 27, 2025 at 4:19 PM
fssbirding.bsky.social
Vote for your New Zealand Bird of the Year #Wrybill

www.birdoftheyear.org.nz
Bird of the Year ‹ Forest & Bird
Forest & Bird’s Bird of the Year recognises our unique birds and with each vote you give them a voice.
www.birdoftheyear.org.nz
September 17, 2025 at 3:53 PM
Reposted by Fraser Simpson
rarebirder.bsky.social
Why Do Some Birds Sing Louder Than Others? A Global Study Has Answers www.rarebirdalert.co.uk/v2/Content/W...
Why Do Some Birds Sing Louder Than Others? A Global Study Has Answers
Global comparative analysis finds song amplitude varies between and within species, shedding light on avian communication and evolutionary trade-offs
www.rarebirdalert.co.uk
August 1, 2025 at 6:48 AM
Reposted by Fraser Simpson
zookeys.pensoft.net
"In this article, we reassess the taxonomic status of all species of the grasshopper genus Oropodisma and describe two narrow-endemic species from the Pindus Mountains in Greece" doi.org/10.3897/zook...

In the image: Oropodisma tzoumerkae sp. nov. (♂ top; ♀ bottom)
Two close-up photographs of a small grasshopper perched on rocks. In the top image, the grasshopper is seen from behind, showcasing its dark, almost black body with reddish-orange hind legs and antennae pointing upward. The insect is standing on a white, jagged rock in a sunlit setting. In the bottom image, the grasshopper is viewed from the side, revealing more of its greenish-brown body and textured hind legs, with hints of red under the wings. It rests on a light-colored rock with some grass blades in the background.
June 10, 2025 at 5:37 PM
fssbirding.bsky.social
Unusual Chiffchaff song @fscblencathra.bsky.social with a regular triple-element phrase.
#biol0007 #FieldCourseFortnight #birdsong #UKBirding
June 13, 2025 at 9:55 PM
Reposted by Fraser Simpson
mothyblackburn.bsky.social
An excellent night in the Lakes last night, mains traps @fscblencathra.bsky.social and a bit of field trapping on the moors. The highlight was a long awaited lifer in Beautiful Snout, followed closely by another in Mompha conturbatella. 13 NFY included a worn Sallow Kitten and Dot Moth. #TeamMoth
June 12, 2025 at 11:17 AM
fssbirding.bsky.social
The sound of summer...
Common Green Grasshopper (Omocestus viridulus), Blencathra, Cumbria
#biol0007 #FieldCourseFortnight
#Orthoptera
June 11, 2025 at 4:50 PM
Reposted by Fraser Simpson
mothyblackburn.bsky.social
A few of the birds @fscblencathra.bsky.social this week. Maintaining our record of finding a Tawny Owl every visit; a brood of Chiffchaffs; European Goldfinch; and singing Barn Swallow. #UKBirding
A Tawny Owl hiding in the leaves A brood of 5 Chiffchaff fledglings in a hawthorn tree. A Goldfinch on a leafy stem This Barn Swallow has decided to nest on the automatic closing arm of one of the doors at the Field Centre. The door is in use. Dubious decision making.
June 11, 2025 at 1:48 PM
fssbirding.bsky.social
Up with the lark...
Dawn chorus chronology @fscblencathra.bsky.social from the Skylark at 02:58 to the Cuckoo at 04:21
#biol0007 #FieldCourseFortnight #birdsong #UKBirding
Timeline of bird song during the dawn chorus at Blencathra FSC field centre in The Lake District, England, 11 June 2025.
June 11, 2025 at 4:29 AM
Reposted by Fraser Simpson
mothyblackburn.bsky.social
Mothing @fscblencathra.bsky.social this morning with @ucllifesciences.bsky.social undergraduates. A total of 94:39 across 6 actinic traps. Photos: Devon Carpet, moth of the night, well identified by the students; view from one of the traps; and the next generation of moth-ers pupating. #TeamMoth
June 7, 2025 at 12:26 PM
fssbirding.bsky.social
Interesting orthopterans from Cadiz provence: Earthling Stone Grasshopper (Euryparyphes terrulentus), Iberian Wingless Groundhopper (Tetrix nodulosa), Shady Grasshopper (Morphacris fasciata), Raymond's Grasshopper (Omocestus raymondi) #biol0028 #uclecolgen #orthoptera
April 20, 2025 at 7:52 AM
fssbirding.bsky.social
Spanish Festoon (Zerynthia rumina) butterflies active after this morning's rain in the Valle de Ojén, Parque Natural de los Alcornocales, Andalucía #biol0028 field course #uclecolgen
April 17, 2025 at 6:32 PM
fssbirding.bsky.social
An Iberian Grass Snake (Natrix astreptophora) in the Valle de Ojén, Parque Natural de los Alcornocales, Andalucía #biol0028 field course #uclecolgen
April 16, 2025 at 6:30 PM
fssbirding.bsky.social
Interesting orthopterans from Cadiz provence: Common Stick Grasshopper (Pyrgomorpha conica), Common Digging Grasshopper (Acrotylus insubricus), Earthling Stone Grasshopper (Euryparyphes terrulentus), Garden Locust (Acanthacris ruficornis) biol0028 #uclecolgen #orthoptera
April 15, 2025 at 6:07 PM
fssbirding.bsky.social
Several Crimson Speckled (Utetheisa pulchella) moths flying in the dunes at Atlanterra on the Costa de la Luz today.
#biol0028 field course #uclecolgen #Andalucía #TeamMoth
April 13, 2025 at 10:01 PM