Andrew McGleish
@scotsguyinwales.bsky.social
Noticer of lifeforms but trying to focus on Hoverflies and Bees. Retired, so volunteering, enjoying being a papa, recording wildlife and learning. South Wales now. Lefty.
Music, books, art, nature.
Music, books, art, nature.
Reposted by Andrew McGleish
#RecordOfTheWeek today is the fabulously named Pantaloon Bee (Dasypoda hirtipes) spotted in Kenfig NNR by David Collins.
This Nationally Notable (Nb) species can be found on a few sandy sites along the south Wales coast.
Many thanks for the record & photo, submitted via www.sewbrecord.org.uk
This Nationally Notable (Nb) species can be found on a few sandy sites along the south Wales coast.
Many thanks for the record & photo, submitted via www.sewbrecord.org.uk
July 4, 2025 at 11:36 AM
#RecordOfTheWeek today is the fabulously named Pantaloon Bee (Dasypoda hirtipes) spotted in Kenfig NNR by David Collins.
This Nationally Notable (Nb) species can be found on a few sandy sites along the south Wales coast.
Many thanks for the record & photo, submitted via www.sewbrecord.org.uk
This Nationally Notable (Nb) species can be found on a few sandy sites along the south Wales coast.
Many thanks for the record & photo, submitted via www.sewbrecord.org.uk
Great day out at Kenfig NNR with the Entomology team from National Museum Wales Cardiff. The highlight for me was this Sand Bear Spider, Arctosa perita. You can see how well camouflaged it is against the sand.
@britishspiders.bsky.social #spiders #arachnids #invertebrates #wales #cymru #kenfig
@britishspiders.bsky.social #spiders #arachnids #invertebrates #wales #cymru #kenfig
June 9, 2025 at 9:46 PM
Great day out at Kenfig NNR with the Entomology team from National Museum Wales Cardiff. The highlight for me was this Sand Bear Spider, Arctosa perita. You can see how well camouflaged it is against the sand.
@britishspiders.bsky.social #spiders #arachnids #invertebrates #wales #cymru #kenfig
@britishspiders.bsky.social #spiders #arachnids #invertebrates #wales #cymru #kenfig
Reposted by Andrew McGleish
How a museum does #NoMowMay🌸
From boosting biodiversity, increasing insect diversity & letting native wildflowers bloom - just a few reasons why the National Museum of Scotland has been taking part in the No Mow Movement.
Watch the full story, told by @ashwhiffin.bsky.social, below 👇
From boosting biodiversity, increasing insect diversity & letting native wildflowers bloom - just a few reasons why the National Museum of Scotland has been taking part in the No Mow Movement.
Watch the full story, told by @ashwhiffin.bsky.social, below 👇
How a Museum does No Mow May
YouTube video by PlantlifeVideo
www.youtube.com
May 27, 2025 at 11:56 AM
How a museum does #NoMowMay🌸
From boosting biodiversity, increasing insect diversity & letting native wildflowers bloom - just a few reasons why the National Museum of Scotland has been taking part in the No Mow Movement.
Watch the full story, told by @ashwhiffin.bsky.social, below 👇
From boosting biodiversity, increasing insect diversity & letting native wildflowers bloom - just a few reasons why the National Museum of Scotland has been taking part in the No Mow Movement.
Watch the full story, told by @ashwhiffin.bsky.social, below 👇
Reposted by Andrew McGleish
@scotsguyinwales.bsky.social leading a hoverfly walk (hoping he finds some 😁)
May 24, 2025 at 11:23 AM
@scotsguyinwales.bsky.social leading a hoverfly walk (hoping he finds some 😁)
Reposted by Andrew McGleish
Labour promised to restore nature. ❌
Instead, their Planning Bill contains a licence to destroy it.
We offered solutions. We’re done waiting.
Part 3 of the Bill would gut the laws protecting our most precious habitats & species.
Without significant change, it must be scrapped.
Instead, their Planning Bill contains a licence to destroy it.
We offered solutions. We’re done waiting.
Part 3 of the Bill would gut the laws protecting our most precious habitats & species.
Without significant change, it must be scrapped.
May 23, 2025 at 7:14 AM
Labour promised to restore nature. ❌
Instead, their Planning Bill contains a licence to destroy it.
We offered solutions. We’re done waiting.
Part 3 of the Bill would gut the laws protecting our most precious habitats & species.
Without significant change, it must be scrapped.
Instead, their Planning Bill contains a licence to destroy it.
We offered solutions. We’re done waiting.
Part 3 of the Bill would gut the laws protecting our most precious habitats & species.
Without significant change, it must be scrapped.
Reposted by Andrew McGleish
Xanthogramma citrofasciatum ♂ today in Bengeo garden, beautiful hoverfly with very short flight period. Note narrow yellow bars on T2 distinguish species from much commoner Xanthogramma pedissequum.
May 18, 2025 at 6:59 PM
Xanthogramma citrofasciatum ♂ today in Bengeo garden, beautiful hoverfly with very short flight period. Note narrow yellow bars on T2 distinguish species from much commoner Xanthogramma pedissequum.
That was a weird one, I had absolutely no idea, thought it was some sort of Soldier Beetle. Snapped a few photos thinking of leafing through a book at home. Good job there were some adults aboutn
#RecordOfTheWeek today is Cosnard's Net-winged Beetle (Erotides cosnardi), found at our Recorder's Day at Piercefield Wood. This is one of very few sites for this rare beetle.
Thanks to Andrew McGleish for spotting the beetle, Amy Hicks for determining and Andy Karran for this photo. A team effort!
Thanks to Andrew McGleish for spotting the beetle, Amy Hicks for determining and Andy Karran for this photo. A team effort!
May 16, 2025 at 10:31 AM
That was a weird one, I had absolutely no idea, thought it was some sort of Soldier Beetle. Snapped a few photos thinking of leafing through a book at home. Good job there were some adults aboutn
This, I believe, is the proper way to regard the Fan-bristled Robberfly, Dysmachus trigonus, on a sunny day at Kenfig National Nature Reserve.
#Invertebrates #Diptera #Asilidae #Robberflies #Wales #Cymru #SandsOfLife
#Invertebrates #Diptera #Asilidae #Robberflies #Wales #Cymru #SandsOfLife
May 15, 2025 at 7:51 PM
This, I believe, is the proper way to regard the Fan-bristled Robberfly, Dysmachus trigonus, on a sunny day at Kenfig National Nature Reserve.
#Invertebrates #Diptera #Asilidae #Robberflies #Wales #Cymru #SandsOfLife
#Invertebrates #Diptera #Asilidae #Robberflies #Wales #Cymru #SandsOfLife
Reposted by Andrew McGleish
Enjoyable afternoon spent at Kenfig National Nature Reserve with @bennyhawksbee.bsky.social and @scotsguyinwales.bsky.social. The highlight was Black-headed Leafcutter Bee (Megachile circumcincta) - a pretty rare bee in Wales. We found at least two males patrolling patches of bird's-foot-trefoil.
April 27, 2025 at 5:09 PM
Enjoyable afternoon spent at Kenfig National Nature Reserve with @bennyhawksbee.bsky.social and @scotsguyinwales.bsky.social. The highlight was Black-headed Leafcutter Bee (Megachile circumcincta) - a pretty rare bee in Wales. We found at least two males patrolling patches of bird's-foot-trefoil.
Reposted by Andrew McGleish
Myathropa florea, female, aka the Batman Hoverfly. First of the year for me, but expect to see many more in the months ahead
Seen on the South Wales coast today.
One of my favourite Hoverflies, just don't ask how many favourites I have.
#Syrphidae #Hoverflies #Invertebrates #Diptera #Wales #Cymru
Seen on the South Wales coast today.
One of my favourite Hoverflies, just don't ask how many favourites I have.
#Syrphidae #Hoverflies #Invertebrates #Diptera #Wales #Cymru
April 23, 2025 at 9:01 PM
Myathropa florea, female, aka the Batman Hoverfly. First of the year for me, but expect to see many more in the months ahead
Seen on the South Wales coast today.
One of my favourite Hoverflies, just don't ask how many favourites I have.
#Syrphidae #Hoverflies #Invertebrates #Diptera #Wales #Cymru
Seen on the South Wales coast today.
One of my favourite Hoverflies, just don't ask how many favourites I have.
#Syrphidae #Hoverflies #Invertebrates #Diptera #Wales #Cymru
Reposted by Andrew McGleish
NEW PAPER, JUST OUT! 👀
Insects from the '70s and '80s were already collecting microplastic, decades before the term microplastic even existed. 🤯
A thread on the surprising history of this pollutant and the incredible insect larvae that helped us uncover it. 🐛
Let's dive in! 🧵👇 1/x
Insects from the '70s and '80s were already collecting microplastic, decades before the term microplastic even existed. 🤯
A thread on the surprising history of this pollutant and the incredible insect larvae that helped us uncover it. 🐛
Let's dive in! 🧵👇 1/x
April 9, 2025 at 10:07 AM
NEW PAPER, JUST OUT! 👀
Insects from the '70s and '80s were already collecting microplastic, decades before the term microplastic even existed. 🤯
A thread on the surprising history of this pollutant and the incredible insect larvae that helped us uncover it. 🐛
Let's dive in! 🧵👇 1/x
Insects from the '70s and '80s were already collecting microplastic, decades before the term microplastic even existed. 🤯
A thread on the surprising history of this pollutant and the incredible insect larvae that helped us uncover it. 🐛
Let's dive in! 🧵👇 1/x
Reposted by Andrew McGleish
Please take a moment to sign this petition: ‘Protect Disabled people who cannot work from planned cuts to benefits’. Thank you so much: tinyurl.com/5erjajtv #WelfareNotWarfare
Petition: Protect Disabled people who cannot work from planned cuts to benefits
We want the Government to halt all planned benefit cuts for disabled people unable to work. Instead of reducing benefits, we want them to rise in line with inflation. We want support, not hardship and...
tinyurl.com
April 9, 2025 at 8:50 PM
Please take a moment to sign this petition: ‘Protect Disabled people who cannot work from planned cuts to benefits’. Thank you so much: tinyurl.com/5erjajtv #WelfareNotWarfare
Good week for flying things on my fingers. My first ever Bombylius discolor, Dotted Bee-Fly. Then a male Andrena nitida, Grey Patched Mining Bee, part of a huge nesting aggregation of Mining Bees in the middle of Cardiff.
#Invertebrate #Bees #Bee-Flies #Andrena #Bombylius #Cymru #Wales #Caerdydd
#Invertebrate #Bees #Bee-Flies #Andrena #Bombylius #Cymru #Wales #Caerdydd
April 9, 2025 at 8:50 PM
Good week for flying things on my fingers. My first ever Bombylius discolor, Dotted Bee-Fly. Then a male Andrena nitida, Grey Patched Mining Bee, part of a huge nesting aggregation of Mining Bees in the middle of Cardiff.
#Invertebrate #Bees #Bee-Flies #Andrena #Bombylius #Cymru #Wales #Caerdydd
#Invertebrate #Bees #Bee-Flies #Andrena #Bombylius #Cymru #Wales #Caerdydd
Reposted by Andrew McGleish
Lords of the flies: the unsurpassed level of ecological diversity within dipteran migrants.
Read about it here news.exeter.ac.uk/faculty-of-e... and in Biological Reviews here doi.org/10.1111/brv..... New research from @uniexecec.bsky.social with @willleohawkes.bsky.social & Myles Menz
Read about it here news.exeter.ac.uk/faculty-of-e... and in Biological Reviews here doi.org/10.1111/brv..... New research from @uniexecec.bsky.social with @willleohawkes.bsky.social & Myles Menz
Migrating flies vital for people and nature
Buzzing insects may be seen as pests – but globally, hundreds of fly species migrate over long distances, with major benefits for people and nature, new research shows. Bugs such as houseflies, fruitf...
news.exeter.ac.uk
April 2, 2025 at 1:52 PM
Lords of the flies: the unsurpassed level of ecological diversity within dipteran migrants.
Read about it here news.exeter.ac.uk/faculty-of-e... and in Biological Reviews here doi.org/10.1111/brv..... New research from @uniexecec.bsky.social with @willleohawkes.bsky.social & Myles Menz
Read about it here news.exeter.ac.uk/faculty-of-e... and in Biological Reviews here doi.org/10.1111/brv..... New research from @uniexecec.bsky.social with @willleohawkes.bsky.social & Myles Menz
Reposted by Andrew McGleish
99% of insect species lack conservation data. A major study led by @ukceh.bsky.social and @zslofficial.bsky.social, with contributions from Professor Iwan Jones and Dr John Murphy of @qmulrivercomms.bsky.social, highlights urgent gaps in our understanding of global insect populations.
New study reveals critical gaps in insect biodiversity research
www.qmul.ac.uk
April 4, 2025 at 10:03 AM
99% of insect species lack conservation data. A major study led by @ukceh.bsky.social and @zslofficial.bsky.social, with contributions from Professor Iwan Jones and Dr John Murphy of @qmulrivercomms.bsky.social, highlights urgent gaps in our understanding of global insect populations.
A lovely little Sandpit Mining Bee, Andrena barbilabris posing on my finger at Kenfig National Nature Reserve yesterday. Plenty of males like him in evidence patrolling low along the paths.
#Kenfig #Cymru #Wales #Invertebrates #Bees
#Kenfig #Cymru #Wales #Invertebrates #Bees
April 4, 2025 at 10:21 AM
A lovely little Sandpit Mining Bee, Andrena barbilabris posing on my finger at Kenfig National Nature Reserve yesterday. Plenty of males like him in evidence patrolling low along the paths.
#Kenfig #Cymru #Wales #Invertebrates #Bees
#Kenfig #Cymru #Wales #Invertebrates #Bees
Reposted by Andrew McGleish
If any of my followers care about the environment, our flora and fauna, and the tranquility of our country parks, PLEASE sign this petition to stop the introduction of an aqua park at Cosmeston Lakes CP, a SSSI and nature reserve. THANKS!
chng.it/zvVYss5PDH
chng.it/zvVYss5PDH
Sign the Petition
Halt the Installation of the Aqua Park at Cosmeston Lakes Country Park, Penarth
chng.it
March 18, 2025 at 2:26 PM
If any of my followers care about the environment, our flora and fauna, and the tranquility of our country parks, PLEASE sign this petition to stop the introduction of an aqua park at Cosmeston Lakes CP, a SSSI and nature reserve. THANKS!
chng.it/zvVYss5PDH
chng.it/zvVYss5PDH
Reposted by Andrew McGleish
With spider activity increasing, we're looking at spider ID resources, starting today at the beginner's end of the spectrum with our 17 Factsheets on common and conspicuous species - freely available to read online or print from www.britishspiders.org.uk/factsheets. #spiders #arachnids #arachnology
March 11, 2025 at 10:26 AM
With spider activity increasing, we're looking at spider ID resources, starting today at the beginner's end of the spectrum with our 17 Factsheets on common and conspicuous species - freely available to read online or print from www.britishspiders.org.uk/factsheets. #spiders #arachnids #arachnology
This looks like it'll be a good webinar on two rare insects found in North Wales:
museum.wales/whatson/digi...
#invertebrates #entomology #Wales #Cymru #AmgueddfaCymru #MuseumWales #NationalMuseumCardiff #NaturAmByth #LargeMasonBee #ClubbedGeneralSoldierfly
museum.wales/whatson/digi...
#invertebrates #entomology #Wales #Cymru #AmgueddfaCymru #MuseumWales #NationalMuseumCardiff #NaturAmByth #LargeMasonBee #ClubbedGeneralSoldierfly
Natur am Byth Webinar 2: Distinct but Difficult: Rare Insects in North Wales
Join our natural history curators for a special, live webinar about some of Wales’ most rarely...
museum.wales
February 26, 2025 at 3:31 PM
This looks like it'll be a good webinar on two rare insects found in North Wales:
museum.wales/whatson/digi...
#invertebrates #entomology #Wales #Cymru #AmgueddfaCymru #MuseumWales #NationalMuseumCardiff #NaturAmByth #LargeMasonBee #ClubbedGeneralSoldierfly
museum.wales/whatson/digi...
#invertebrates #entomology #Wales #Cymru #AmgueddfaCymru #MuseumWales #NationalMuseumCardiff #NaturAmByth #LargeMasonBee #ClubbedGeneralSoldierfly
Reposted by Andrew McGleish
🤦♂️ So Labour are making ads boasting about deportations, with Reform-style branding.
Why are Labour trying to be like Farage and his mates?
If only the Government put as much effort into creating a fast, fair and dignified asylum system.
Why are Labour trying to be like Farage and his mates?
If only the Government put as much effort into creating a fast, fair and dignified asylum system.
February 7, 2025 at 12:27 PM
🤦♂️ So Labour are making ads boasting about deportations, with Reform-style branding.
Why are Labour trying to be like Farage and his mates?
If only the Government put as much effort into creating a fast, fair and dignified asylum system.
Why are Labour trying to be like Farage and his mates?
If only the Government put as much effort into creating a fast, fair and dignified asylum system.
This female Kestrel was very tolerant of me creeping towards her. I'm sure she's used to people walking the coastal path.
#birdingwales #ukbirding #naturephotography #birds #bluesky #ukwildlife #birdsofprey #wildlife #photography #Cymru #ValeOfGlamorgan #WalesCoastPath #LlwybrArfordirCymru
#birdingwales #ukbirding #naturephotography #birds #bluesky #ukwildlife #birdsofprey #wildlife #photography #Cymru #ValeOfGlamorgan #WalesCoastPath #LlwybrArfordirCymru
February 5, 2025 at 7:46 PM
This female Kestrel was very tolerant of me creeping towards her. I'm sure she's used to people walking the coastal path.
#birdingwales #ukbirding #naturephotography #birds #bluesky #ukwildlife #birdsofprey #wildlife #photography #Cymru #ValeOfGlamorgan #WalesCoastPath #LlwybrArfordirCymru
#birdingwales #ukbirding #naturephotography #birds #bluesky #ukwildlife #birdsofprey #wildlife #photography #Cymru #ValeOfGlamorgan #WalesCoastPath #LlwybrArfordirCymru
Reposted by Andrew McGleish
A few non-bird (well almost!) artworks. Another 'hidden gems' - hoverflies (Chrysotoxum bicinctum & Xanthogramma pedissequum), Woodland Wheel, otters & brown trout #hoverflies #mammals
January 30, 2025 at 9:42 PM
A few non-bird (well almost!) artworks. Another 'hidden gems' - hoverflies (Chrysotoxum bicinctum & Xanthogramma pedissequum), Woodland Wheel, otters & brown trout #hoverflies #mammals
Reposted by Andrew McGleish
Stop Musk from funding far-right politics in the UK!
I just signed this petition 'Tighten the rules on political donations' - it's nearly at 30,000 signatures - can you add your name too? -
petition.parliament.uk/petitions/70...
I just signed this petition 'Tighten the rules on political donations' - it's nearly at 30,000 signatures - can you add your name too? -
petition.parliament.uk/petitions/70...
Petition: Tighten the rules on political donations
We want the government to:
Remove loopholes that allow wealthy foreign individuals to make donations into UK political parties (e.g. by funnelling through UK registered companies).
Cap all donations ...
petition.parliament.uk
January 26, 2025 at 6:47 PM
Stop Musk from funding far-right politics in the UK!
I just signed this petition 'Tighten the rules on political donations' - it's nearly at 30,000 signatures - can you add your name too? -
petition.parliament.uk/petitions/70...
I just signed this petition 'Tighten the rules on political donations' - it's nearly at 30,000 signatures - can you add your name too? -
petition.parliament.uk/petitions/70...
Reposted by Andrew McGleish
Pet fur found in songbird nests contains high levels of pesticides, study finds
Exclusive: Chemical in treatment for pet fleas and ticks is found in nests of blue and great tits, killing chicks
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
"And the earth died screaming"
Exclusive: Chemical in treatment for pet fleas and ticks is found in nests of blue and great tits, killing chicks
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
"And the earth died screaming"
Pet fur found in songbird nests contains high levels of pesticides, study finds
Exclusive: Chemical in treatment for pet fleas and ticks is found in nests of blue and great tits, killing chicks
www.theguardian.com
January 27, 2025 at 8:21 AM
Pet fur found in songbird nests contains high levels of pesticides, study finds
Exclusive: Chemical in treatment for pet fleas and ticks is found in nests of blue and great tits, killing chicks
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
"And the earth died screaming"
Exclusive: Chemical in treatment for pet fleas and ticks is found in nests of blue and great tits, killing chicks
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
"And the earth died screaming"