John Smyth
@johnsmyth.bsky.social
From Rahugh, living in Galway city. Part of Mountain Meitheal West and Galway Walking Club . Hiking, photography, nature, cooking- it’s all good. Starting a new nature project in 2025
Full moon over Galway city - all calm for now
December 4, 2025 at 6:56 AM
Full moon over Galway city - all calm for now
Facebook memory reminds me that it is 6 years since @tg4.bsky.social did a story on our volunteer work on Mám Éan (and we’re still there!) #MountainMeithealWest #trailmaintenance #MámÉan #Galway #WesternWay #Ireland
December 3, 2025 at 11:56 AM
Facebook memory reminds me that it is 6 years since @tg4.bsky.social did a story on our volunteer work on Mám Éan (and we’re still there!) #MountainMeithealWest #trailmaintenance #MámÉan #Galway #WesternWay #Ireland
Keeping the trail dry (and encouraging hikers to stay on the trail) is an essential conservation measure, to protect the surrounding bog. And the task is a journey rather than a destination, because as soon as we clean out a drain, the bog starts growing back over it again. And so on.
December 2, 2025 at 10:12 PM
Keeping the trail dry (and encouraging hikers to stay on the trail) is an essential conservation measure, to protect the surrounding bog. And the task is a journey rather than a destination, because as soon as we clean out a drain, the bog starts growing back over it again. And so on.
When there are puddles on the trail, walkers tend to walk at the edge, creating a new path (visible on the left of the track). Since the 'new' path is on bog, it will quickly erode and become muddy, encouraging walkers to inadvertently create yet another path to avoid the mud. And so on
December 2, 2025 at 10:12 PM
When there are puddles on the trail, walkers tend to walk at the edge, creating a new path (visible on the left of the track). Since the 'new' path is on bog, it will quickly erode and become muddy, encouraging walkers to inadvertently create yet another path to avoid the mud. And so on
The last Mountain Meitheal West volunteer day of 2025 took place last Saturday, repairing drainage along a section of the Western Way near Letterbreckaun (Binn Bhriocáin) mountain, the 2nd highest of the Maumturks. The weather was kind, and we made good progress. #MountainMeithealWest
December 2, 2025 at 10:12 PM
The last Mountain Meitheal West volunteer day of 2025 took place last Saturday, repairing drainage along a section of the Western Way near Letterbreckaun (Binn Bhriocáin) mountain, the 2nd highest of the Maumturks. The weather was kind, and we made good progress. #MountainMeithealWest
I've a trailcam set up by a wet area in the meadow to record Common snipe but they haven't appeared yet. But it captured a thrush and a fieldfare - a winter migrant from Scandinavia. #fieldfare #thrush #westmeath #ireland #rahugh #wildmeadow
November 30, 2025 at 7:41 PM
I've a trailcam set up by a wet area in the meadow to record Common snipe but they haven't appeared yet. But it captured a thrush and a fieldfare - a winter migrant from Scandinavia. #fieldfare #thrush #westmeath #ireland #rahugh #wildmeadow
Half an hour before sunrise #UniversityofGalway
November 18, 2025 at 7:39 AM
Half an hour before sunrise #UniversityofGalway
The leaves on the apple trees in my back garden are still hanging on, and they provide excellent foraging for this Goldcrest, which can pick off tiny insects living on the leaves. I've slowed the video by 50% for ease of viewing. @birdwatchireland.bsky.social #goldcrest #backgarden #habitat #galway
November 16, 2025 at 8:53 PM
The leaves on the apple trees in my back garden are still hanging on, and they provide excellent foraging for this Goldcrest, which can pick off tiny insects living on the leaves. I've slowed the video by 50% for ease of viewing. @birdwatchireland.bsky.social #goldcrest #backgarden #habitat #galway
A new visitor to this perch in the meadow. It can see a faint reflection of itself in the trail cam, hence the bemusement. #trailcam #greycrow #Rahugh #Westmeath #Ireland
October 30, 2025 at 7:38 PM
A new visitor to this perch in the meadow. It can see a faint reflection of itself in the trail cam, hence the bemusement. #trailcam #greycrow #Rahugh #Westmeath #Ireland
Yep - I spotted these pheasants at the edge of Galway city, presumably released by the local gun club. As challenging to hunt as farmyard chickens.
October 30, 2025 at 6:11 PM
Yep - I spotted these pheasants at the edge of Galway city, presumably released by the local gun club. As challenging to hunt as farmyard chickens.
October 27, 2025 at 6:59 PM
October 25, 2025 at 3:22 PM
Me, after two days of my wife's birthday celebrations...
October 24, 2025 at 7:23 PM
Me, after two days of my wife's birthday celebrations...
We climbed Diamond Hill (which overlooks that Kylemore hike route) yesterday and finished up in Kylemore Abbey for lunch (as we did 20 years ago). The food was lovely and the portions were huge! #DiamondHill #KylemoreAbbey
October 24, 2025 at 10:41 AM
We climbed Diamond Hill (which overlooks that Kylemore hike route) yesterday and finished up in Kylemore Abbey for lunch (as we did 20 years ago). The food was lovely and the portions were huge! #DiamondHill #KylemoreAbbey
I got chatting to another member of the club on the hike, whom I hadn't met before. We talked for a lot of the hike (though my recollection is that she did most of the talking). Anyway, We're married 14 years now, and I'm still trying to get a word in edgeways.
October 24, 2025 at 10:41 AM
I got chatting to another member of the club on the hike, whom I hadn't met before. We talked for a lot of the hike (though my recollection is that she did most of the talking). Anyway, We're married 14 years now, and I'm still trying to get a word in edgeways.
20 years ago, I went for a hike over the mountain behind Kylemore Abbey with other members of the Galway Walking Club, which I had joined earlier that year. The route, which I don't think is accessible anymore, finished by passing the statue overlooking the abbey and down the path to the abbey.
October 24, 2025 at 10:41 AM
20 years ago, I went for a hike over the mountain behind Kylemore Abbey with other members of the Galway Walking Club, which I had joined earlier that year. The route, which I don't think is accessible anymore, finished by passing the statue overlooking the abbey and down the path to the abbey.
It's Presidential election day today in Ireland. Democracy is a precious thing, so going to vote is a good thing. When I was born, the Irish President (De Valera) was a survivor of the 1916 Rising and a key figure in the fight for anyone in this state to have a vote. #IrishPresidentialElection
October 24, 2025 at 8:33 AM
It's Presidential election day today in Ireland. Democracy is a precious thing, so going to vote is a good thing. When I was born, the Irish President (De Valera) was a survivor of the 1916 Rising and a key figure in the fight for anyone in this state to have a vote. #IrishPresidentialElection
I repaired the high perch in the meadow this week after it fell down, and look who came back first. @birdwatchireland.bsky.social #BarnOwl #Rahugh #Westmeath #Ireland #trailcam
October 15, 2025 at 9:28 PM
I repaired the high perch in the meadow this week after it fell down, and look who came back first. @birdwatchireland.bsky.social #BarnOwl #Rahugh #Westmeath #Ireland #trailcam
On a late August evening three years ago, I watched Emperor dragonflies aggressively defend their territories and hunt on the wing over a Burren lake. However, they too were being hunted by a nearby kestrel. #Burren #dragonfly #anaximperator #emperor #Ireland #nature #kestrel
October 13, 2025 at 8:45 PM
On a late August evening three years ago, I watched Emperor dragonflies aggressively defend their territories and hunt on the wing over a Burren lake. However, they too were being hunted by a nearby kestrel. #Burren #dragonfly #anaximperator #emperor #Ireland #nature #kestrel
I've was clearing the overgrowth from the lawn yesterday (due to the construction work earlier this year) and spent half the time uncovering frogs which I then returned to the wildlife pond (and yes, there are STILL tadpoles swimming in the pond) #frog #tadpole #Galway #wildlife #pond
October 12, 2025 at 9:30 PM
There are STILL tadpoles in the wildlife pond in my back garden. These ones really don't want to leave home.... #tadpole #wildlifepond #backgarden #Galway #Ireland
October 5, 2025 at 10:15 PM
There are STILL tadpoles in the wildlife pond in my back garden. These ones really don't want to leave home.... #tadpole #wildlifepond #backgarden #Galway #Ireland
Saw my first Whoopers of the season on the outskirts of Galway city this morning, along with a Marsh Harrier (first time this year too). #WhooperSwans #birdmigration #MarshHarrier #Galway
October 5, 2025 at 9:10 PM
Saw my first Whoopers of the season on the outskirts of Galway city this morning, along with a Marsh Harrier (first time this year too). #WhooperSwans #birdmigration #MarshHarrier #Galway
I recorded this earlier today - there are still a small number of tadpoles in the garden wildlife pond , and they look like they have a while to go before they transform into frogs. At least it will help keep the algae in check ! #tadpoles #wildlifepond #Galway #Ireland #biodiversity
September 26, 2025 at 11:57 AM
I recorded this earlier today - there are still a small number of tadpoles in the garden wildlife pond , and they look like they have a while to go before they transform into frogs. At least it will help keep the algae in check ! #tadpoles #wildlifepond #Galway #Ireland #biodiversity
September 25, 2025 at 8:03 PM