Rn'S lite
@peter-law.bsky.social
Diary and occasional travelog of a wildlife enthusiast and horticulturalist living in Oxford, England. Supplement to the Wordpress blog Ramblings and Scribblings.
A wet day out in Hampshire yesterday for a highly opportune Killdeer, plus the Great-tailed Grackle, boosted my British bird list to 389 and WestPal list to 528. Yes, I counted both of them. Full report is on the Rn's main site here ramblingsnscribblings.com/2026/01/23/a...
January 23, 2026 at 1:33 PM
A wet day out in Hampshire yesterday for a highly opportune Killdeer, plus the Great-tailed Grackle, boosted my British bird list to 389 and WestPal list to 528. Yes, I counted both of them. Full report is on the Rn's main site here ramblingsnscribblings.com/2026/01/23/a...
My career target of recording 400 bird species in Great Britain has edged a little closer with the addition of Eurasian Scops Owl in Swansea, and Lesser Crested Tern on Devon's Exe estuary over the past two days. Full report here
ramblingsnscribblings.com/2025/12/13/e...
ramblingsnscribblings.com/2025/12/13/e...
December 13, 2025 at 9:14 AM
My career target of recording 400 bird species in Great Britain has edged a little closer with the addition of Eurasian Scops Owl in Swansea, and Lesser Crested Tern on Devon's Exe estuary over the past two days. Full report here
ramblingsnscribblings.com/2025/12/13/e...
ramblingsnscribblings.com/2025/12/13/e...
As the autumn fungi season winds down for another year, my coverage on parent blog Rn'S presents some mainly dark, often purple and always mysterious mushrooms from two Chiltern Beechwoods.
ramblingsnscribblings.com/2025/11/18/h...
ramblingsnscribblings.com/2025/11/18/h...
November 18, 2025 at 8:43 AM
As the autumn fungi season winds down for another year, my coverage on parent blog Rn'S presents some mainly dark, often purple and always mysterious mushrooms from two Chiltern Beechwoods.
ramblingsnscribblings.com/2025/11/18/h...
ramblingsnscribblings.com/2025/11/18/h...
After two previous Oxon county bird list additions earlier this autumn, I was out again at first light this morning to reach the landmark 250 species career total. That was two Twite found yesterday afternoon at Farmoor Reservoir. Picture courtesy of Ewan Urquhart.
October 24, 2025 at 10:38 AM
After two previous Oxon county bird list additions earlier this autumn, I was out again at first light this morning to reach the landmark 250 species career total. That was two Twite found yesterday afternoon at Farmoor Reservoir. Picture courtesy of Ewan Urquhart.
I always get a special buzz when fungi hunting if I find something that is ID'd as deadly. Today I located the quite scarce but highly toxic stump rotter Funeral Bell (Gallerina marginata) for a second consecutive season in Moussels Wood, Bucks. The name tells all that needs to be known.
October 21, 2025 at 1:57 PM
I always get a special buzz when fungi hunting if I find something that is ID'd as deadly. Today I located the quite scarce but highly toxic stump rotter Funeral Bell (Gallerina marginata) for a second consecutive season in Moussels Wood, Bucks. The name tells all that needs to be known.
As the annual autumn fungi enthusiasm continues to grow in me for another season, these beautiful Bay Boletes were Friday' s highlight, the most presentable of any of their genus I have ever encountered. They are considered to be choice edible items, but to gather them would have seemed a crime.
October 19, 2025 at 5:58 AM
As the annual autumn fungi enthusiasm continues to grow in me for another season, these beautiful Bay Boletes were Friday' s highlight, the most presentable of any of their genus I have ever encountered. They are considered to be choice edible items, but to gather them would have seemed a crime.
These are possibly my most satisfying pictures so far of a quite prolific autumn fungi season. The delicate beauty of Porcelain Fungus adorning a fallen log in an Oxon Chilterns beechwood.
October 17, 2025 at 6:56 AM
These are possibly my most satisfying pictures so far of a quite prolific autumn fungi season. The delicate beauty of Porcelain Fungus adorning a fallen log in an Oxon Chilterns beechwood.
What is life without Abutilons after all? So to guard against winter losses to frost I have sourced three more at KCP BG. The now well-grown Ventnor Gold and Estella from the summer intake have moved indoors to over-winter, and these three will join them. All from @paddockplants.bsky.social as usual
October 2, 2025 at 11:50 AM
What is life without Abutilons after all? So to guard against winter losses to frost I have sourced three more at KCP BG. The now well-grown Ventnor Gold and Estella from the summer intake have moved indoors to over-winter, and these three will join them. All from @paddockplants.bsky.social as usual
Only my 4th ever and 2nd national Bluethroat got me out of the door again early today for my 2nd Oxon county tick this autumn at RSPB Otmoor. I am now just one record away from 250 county birds, which I will regard as a landmark when it comes. Picture from Oxon Birding, courtesy of Gareth Casburn.
October 1, 2025 at 5:06 PM
Only my 4th ever and 2nd national Bluethroat got me out of the door again early today for my 2nd Oxon county tick this autumn at RSPB Otmoor. I am now just one record away from 250 county birds, which I will regard as a landmark when it comes. Picture from Oxon Birding, courtesy of Gareth Casburn.
I've had a hunch recently that a Marsh Sandpiper (archive picture) might turn up in Oxon soon. When news indeed broke this morning, it was great to feel that old, "get out the door" buzz again, and just the same as ever. If it's new, different and accessible I still go. This is my 248th county bird
August 29, 2025 at 12:25 PM
I've had a hunch recently that a Marsh Sandpiper (archive picture) might turn up in Oxon soon. When news indeed broke this morning, it was great to feel that old, "get out the door" buzz again, and just the same as ever. If it's new, different and accessible I still go. This is my 248th county bird
An endearing trait of Cliviae is they can be neglected when dormant then one day a new bloom appears amongst the strap-like leaves. Our yellow one has flowered again for the first time (left), while outside at KCP BG a similarly-toned Mullein has assumed a quite interesting shape.
August 14, 2025 at 4:58 PM
An endearing trait of Cliviae is they can be neglected when dormant then one day a new bloom appears amongst the strap-like leaves. Our yellow one has flowered again for the first time (left), while outside at KCP BG a similarly-toned Mullein has assumed a quite interesting shape.
My first garden tick of any kind for 3 years has lifted my spirits and gladdened my heart after yesterday's unbearable heat. KCP BG remains a haven amidst slabs, gravel and habitat destruction, so this pristine Small Copper made the present effort of keeping things alive here feel so worthwhile.
August 13, 2025 at 4:09 PM
My first garden tick of any kind for 3 years has lifted my spirits and gladdened my heart after yesterday's unbearable heat. KCP BG remains a haven amidst slabs, gravel and habitat destruction, so this pristine Small Copper made the present effort of keeping things alive here feel so worthwhile.
It was good to locate some Willow Emerald damselflies in Oxon yesterday, as their new flight/ breeding season gets going. The Thames-side site near Shillingford has previous form but these were my own first records there since 2021.
August 7, 2025 at 9:08 AM
It was good to locate some Willow Emerald damselflies in Oxon yesterday, as their new flight/ breeding season gets going. The Thames-side site near Shillingford has previous form but these were my own first records there since 2021.
I'm thrilled to have taken delivery of 3 new Abutilons at KCP BG. These are a winter casualty replacement (centre) and two exciting new small-flowered cultivars. If our Scarlet Tigers do indeed survive I will hope to see them hovering around the one on the right. All from
@paddockplants.bsky.social
@paddockplants.bsky.social
July 9, 2025 at 1:07 PM
I'm thrilled to have taken delivery of 3 new Abutilons at KCP BG. These are a winter casualty replacement (centre) and two exciting new small-flowered cultivars. If our Scarlet Tigers do indeed survive I will hope to see them hovering around the one on the right. All from
@paddockplants.bsky.social
@paddockplants.bsky.social
Two more of our beloved Abutilon collection are now in full bloom at KCP BG. These are Giant Orange (left) and the enduringly excellent Leila Jackson (right). Both were sourced from @paddockplants.bsky.social
July 2, 2025 at 11:09 AM
Two more of our beloved Abutilon collection are now in full bloom at KCP BG. These are Giant Orange (left) and the enduringly excellent Leila Jackson (right). Both were sourced from @paddockplants.bsky.social
Early yesterday I tracked down my first ever Yellow-spotted Whiteface (or Large White-faced Darter) at Pinail NNR in France. This was the culmination of three years' effort, frustration and perseverance. The satisfaction may now take a while to sink in. Full report on ramblingsnscribblings.com
June 28, 2025 at 11:18 AM
Early yesterday I tracked down my first ever Yellow-spotted Whiteface (or Large White-faced Darter) at Pinail NNR in France. This was the culmination of three years' effort, frustration and perseverance. The satisfaction may now take a while to sink in. Full report on ramblingsnscribblings.com
The new "Toffee Bronze" Clivia at KCP BG is now in full bloom (left). And of the 12 Abutilons to have survived last winter, mostly sourced from the excellent
@paddockplants.bsky.social, my enduring favourite Sunny (right) is currently the showiest.
@paddockplants.bsky.social, my enduring favourite Sunny (right) is currently the showiest.
June 23, 2025 at 8:32 AM
The new "Toffee Bronze" Clivia at KCP BG is now in full bloom (left). And of the 12 Abutilons to have survived last winter, mostly sourced from the excellent
@paddockplants.bsky.social, my enduring favourite Sunny (right) is currently the showiest.
@paddockplants.bsky.social, my enduring favourite Sunny (right) is currently the showiest.
This "Toffee Bronze" Clivia is one of three less often seen varieties sourced at KCP BG from the national collection three years ago. Then I was surprised by the puniness of what was supplied at £10 a time, and two failed quite quickly. This one kept on growing and maturing and is now in bloom.
June 20, 2025 at 11:12 AM
This "Toffee Bronze" Clivia is one of three less often seen varieties sourced at KCP BG from the national collection three years ago. Then I was surprised by the puniness of what was supplied at £10 a time, and two failed quite quickly. This one kept on growing and maturing and is now in bloom.
I am hugely relieved to have taken the first of these pictures, even more the second here at KCP BG after "management" saw fit to strim the Alkanet I manage for these guests of 20 years or more, during last autumn's caterpillar season. I always kept faith that my beloved Scarlet Tigers would prevail
June 9, 2025 at 3:37 PM
I am hugely relieved to have taken the first of these pictures, even more the second here at KCP BG after "management" saw fit to strim the Alkanet I manage for these guests of 20 years or more, during last autumn's caterpillar season. I always kept faith that my beloved Scarlet Tigers would prevail
Quite apart from the scarcity of this colour form today in Hampshire, I seem to have developed a penchant for this Fly Orchid pollinator malarkey. Though I don't suppose the fly is serving the same function as the last post's wasp. That one has possibly prompted five minutes of fame for me.
June 4, 2025 at 1:53 PM
Quite apart from the scarcity of this colour form today in Hampshire, I seem to have developed a penchant for this Fly Orchid pollinator malarkey. Though I don't suppose the fly is serving the same function as the last post's wasp. That one has possibly prompted five minutes of fame for me.
This was a stand-out moment from yesterday's @mariposanature.bsky.social Kent orchids tour. The Sand Wasp is being tricked into attempting to mate with a Fly Orchid flower. Such pollination is rarely actually witnessed in the field, even by our guides previously.
June 2, 2025 at 5:19 AM
This was a stand-out moment from yesterday's @mariposanature.bsky.social Kent orchids tour. The Sand Wasp is being tricked into attempting to mate with a Fly Orchid flower. Such pollination is rarely actually witnessed in the field, even by our guides previously.
The last of my four blog posts on the birds of Lake Mývatn, Iceland covers the specialty duck Barrow's Goldeneye and other breeding wildfowl observed during my visit to that country two weeks ago. This trip ranked amongst my best ever birding experiences.
ramblingsnscribblings.com/2025/05/26/b...
ramblingsnscribblings.com/2025/05/26/b...
May 26, 2025 at 11:21 AM
The last of my four blog posts on the birds of Lake Mývatn, Iceland covers the specialty duck Barrow's Goldeneye and other breeding wildfowl observed during my visit to that country two weeks ago. This trip ranked amongst my best ever birding experiences.
ramblingsnscribblings.com/2025/05/26/b...
ramblingsnscribblings.com/2025/05/26/b...
Ptarmigan is now one less lifer I need to think about climbing Scottish mountains to see. I connected with several at Kálfaströnd, Lake Mývatn last Friday (16th) and this cock let me walk right up to it. Unforgettable!
ramblingsnscribblings.com/2025/05/20/t...
ramblingsnscribblings.com/2025/05/20/t...
May 20, 2025 at 7:10 AM
Ptarmigan is now one less lifer I need to think about climbing Scottish mountains to see. I connected with several at Kálfaströnd, Lake Mývatn last Friday (16th) and this cock let me walk right up to it. Unforgettable!
ramblingsnscribblings.com/2025/05/20/t...
ramblingsnscribblings.com/2025/05/20/t...
This is something I've wanted to see for a while: the ancient meadow indicator Adder's-tongue fern at BBOWT Bernwood Meadows. The sort of enigma that always appeals. Also caught up with three Early Marsh Orchids amongst the sea of peaking Green-winged there today.
May 9, 2025 at 3:50 PM
This is something I've wanted to see for a while: the ancient meadow indicator Adder's-tongue fern at BBOWT Bernwood Meadows. The sort of enigma that always appeals. Also caught up with three Early Marsh Orchids amongst the sea of peaking Green-winged there today.
Have just learned the sad news that fellow Oxon birder, butterfly and odo enthusiast Alan Dawson passed away suddenly on 23rd April. An all-round top bloke who will be sadly missed. Also the only man I knew who took a picture of an adult male Common Clubtail. So long mate.
May 5, 2025 at 4:29 PM
Have just learned the sad news that fellow Oxon birder, butterfly and odo enthusiast Alan Dawson passed away suddenly on 23rd April. An all-round top bloke who will be sadly missed. Also the only man I knew who took a picture of an adult male Common Clubtail. So long mate.