Al
@valezina15.bsky.social
Gardener, birder and insect enthusiast. Happiest outdoors!
Pinned
Al
@valezina15.bsky.social
· Dec 31
New Year, new platform. All the best for 2025. Here's a picture of my favourite butterfly, the valezina form of Silver-washed Fritillary.
Reposted by Al
Rounding off November with...
A.E. Housman
A.E. Housman
November 30, 2025 at 6:00 PM
Rounding off November with...
A.E. Housman
A.E. Housman
Fountains Abbey looked stunning in the sunshine today. Plenty of birds around - Buzzards, Red Kites, LTTs, Redwings, Goldcrests, and the stars of the show...at least 2 Hawfinches in bare trees beside Fountains Hall. @nybirdnews.bsky.social @northyorksbirds.bsky.social
November 30, 2025 at 4:45 PM
Fountains Abbey looked stunning in the sunshine today. Plenty of birds around - Buzzards, Red Kites, LTTs, Redwings, Goldcrests, and the stars of the show...at least 2 Hawfinches in bare trees beside Fountains Hall. @nybirdnews.bsky.social @northyorksbirds.bsky.social
Reposted by Al
It's #WorldTamanduaDay! Tamandua is a genus of anteaters. This northern tamandua (Tamandua mexicana) is from "Manual para el rastreo de mamíferos silvestres de México" (2012) by J.M.A. Sánchez, in #BHLib via #BHLMexico & #Conabio www.biodiversitylibrary.org/page/49770915 #SciArt #OpenAccess 🧪 🌎 📖
November 29, 2025 at 11:32 AM
It's #WorldTamanduaDay! Tamandua is a genus of anteaters. This northern tamandua (Tamandua mexicana) is from "Manual para el rastreo de mamíferos silvestres de México" (2012) by J.M.A. Sánchez, in #BHLib via #BHLMexico & #Conabio www.biodiversitylibrary.org/page/49770915 #SciArt #OpenAccess 🧪 🌎 📖
Reposted by Al
@yorkshirepeat.bsky.social is highlighting the lack of Government action on the horticultural peat ban despite overwhelming support.
Please sign the @peatfree.bsky.social petition, write to your MP & go #PeatFree in your own garden.
www.yppartnership.org.uk/blog/lyndon-marquis/bogs-not-bags
Please sign the @peatfree.bsky.social petition, write to your MP & go #PeatFree in your own garden.
www.yppartnership.org.uk/blog/lyndon-marquis/bogs-not-bags
Bogs not bags... | Yorkshire Peat Partnership
In 2011, the UK Government set a voluntary target for the use of peat in amateur horticulture to be phased out by 2020. In 2021, Defra launched a consultation on whether the use of peat in horticultur...
www.yppartnership.org.uk
November 28, 2025 at 11:06 AM
@yorkshirepeat.bsky.social is highlighting the lack of Government action on the horticultural peat ban despite overwhelming support.
Please sign the @peatfree.bsky.social petition, write to your MP & go #PeatFree in your own garden.
www.yppartnership.org.uk/blog/lyndon-marquis/bogs-not-bags
Please sign the @peatfree.bsky.social petition, write to your MP & go #PeatFree in your own garden.
www.yppartnership.org.uk/blog/lyndon-marquis/bogs-not-bags
Reposted by Al
London Essex and Hertfordshire Amphibian and Reptile Trust have alerted us to a development that threatens London's largest great crested newt population at #GlebelandsNatureReserve.
You can find out more and sign their petition here: https://ow.ly/PANt50XyZuh
You can find out more and sign their petition here: https://ow.ly/PANt50XyZuh
November 28, 2025 at 6:01 PM
London Essex and Hertfordshire Amphibian and Reptile Trust have alerted us to a development that threatens London's largest great crested newt population at #GlebelandsNatureReserve.
You can find out more and sign their petition here: https://ow.ly/PANt50XyZuh
You can find out more and sign their petition here: https://ow.ly/PANt50XyZuh
Reposted by Al
"You seem happier"
Thanks, I deleted all my emails and went to look at birds instead.
Thanks, I deleted all my emails and went to look at birds instead.
November 28, 2025 at 9:34 AM
"You seem happier"
Thanks, I deleted all my emails and went to look at birds instead.
Thanks, I deleted all my emails and went to look at birds instead.
Reposted by Al
This is disgraceful. Abortions are provided to stop further harm. A woman is a human and has every right to have an abortion for numerous reasons. It’s a heartbreaking choice, but sometimes it’s absolutely necessary. Women’s rights are as fundamental as men’s.
The US State Department classified state-funded abortion services, including NHS services, as 'human rights violations'. Make no mistake, this will embolden the UK's anti-choice Christian Nationalist movement, hell-bent on reversing women's rights. humanists.uk/2025/11/27/n...
New US policy designates NHS abortions as human rights breaches
The US State Department has classified state-funded abortion services, including those provided by the NHS, as human rights violations that it will report on in its annual Country Reports on Human Rig...
humanists.uk
November 27, 2025 at 4:51 PM
This is disgraceful. Abortions are provided to stop further harm. A woman is a human and has every right to have an abortion for numerous reasons. It’s a heartbreaking choice, but sometimes it’s absolutely necessary. Women’s rights are as fundamental as men’s.
Reposted by Al
Gall of the week is caused by the gall midge Iteomyia capreae on willows, Salix spp.
Photographer Peter Shirley.
Photographer Peter Shirley.
November 27, 2025 at 9:42 AM
Gall of the week is caused by the gall midge Iteomyia capreae on willows, Salix spp.
Photographer Peter Shirley.
Photographer Peter Shirley.
Reposted by Al
act.38degrees.org.uk/act/sack-rob...
Be good for us all if you'd sign 😁
Be good for us all if you'd sign 😁
Sack Sir Robbie Gibb from the BBC board
Robbie Gibb said if he doesn't get his way, he'll blow the BBC up. It's ridiculous that a man like that has a spot on the BBC's board. Our public broadcaster MUST be independent. Agree? Sign to get Gi...
act.38degrees.org.uk
November 26, 2025 at 4:15 PM
act.38degrees.org.uk/act/sack-rob...
Be good for us all if you'd sign 😁
Be good for us all if you'd sign 😁
Reposted by Al
🐠 Help #GiveBHLWings. After nearly two decades under the Smithsonian, BHL must become independent by 1 Jan. Your donation helps us take flight and keep 500 years of biodiversity knowledge accessible. 🧪 📖 #GivingTuesday #ILoveBHL #BHLTransition 💚 Give today: ancrywkv.donorsupport.co/page/GiveBHL...
November 25, 2025 at 3:54 PM
🐠 Help #GiveBHLWings. After nearly two decades under the Smithsonian, BHL must become independent by 1 Jan. Your donation helps us take flight and keep 500 years of biodiversity knowledge accessible. 🧪 📖 #GivingTuesday #ILoveBHL #BHLTransition 💚 Give today: ancrywkv.donorsupport.co/page/GiveBHL...
Reposted by Al
They treat nature like it has no voice.
But it does. Yours, ours, and millions more.
If you believe nature deserves better than this, make sure your MP hears it loud and clear:
action.rspb.org.uk/page/180990/... 👈
But it does. Yours, ours, and millions more.
If you believe nature deserves better than this, make sure your MP hears it loud and clear:
action.rspb.org.uk/page/180990/... 👈
Tell the UK Government they must do better for nature!
I've just emailed my MP to tell them what nature means to me and that I want it to stay protected. Will you take action too?
https://action.rspb.org.uk/page/180990/action/1?ea.tracking.id=rspb_uk_bluesky👈
November 25, 2025 at 4:13 PM
They treat nature like it has no voice.
But it does. Yours, ours, and millions more.
If you believe nature deserves better than this, make sure your MP hears it loud and clear:
action.rspb.org.uk/page/180990/... 👈
But it does. Yours, ours, and millions more.
If you believe nature deserves better than this, make sure your MP hears it loud and clear:
action.rspb.org.uk/page/180990/... 👈
Reposted by Al
“Believe that life is worth living, and your very belief will help create the fact.”
~ William James
Winter Morning in Paris (1901)
🎨 Camille Pissarro
~ William James
Winter Morning in Paris (1901)
🎨 Camille Pissarro
November 25, 2025 at 8:35 AM
“Believe that life is worth living, and your very belief will help create the fact.”
~ William James
Winter Morning in Paris (1901)
🎨 Camille Pissarro
~ William James
Winter Morning in Paris (1901)
🎨 Camille Pissarro
Reposted by Al
A round of applause for the French is in order! 👏👏👏
November 24, 2025 at 6:56 PM
A round of applause for the French is in order! 👏👏👏
Reposted by Al
• Edward Thomas •
November 23, 2025 at 9:26 AM
• Edward Thomas •
Glad I popped to South Gare this morning in the hope of seeing the long-staying Bluethroat. It gave good, if brief, views in the sunshine. Never still for a minute - an utterly charming & charismatic bird, like a Robin masquerading as a Redwing! @nybirdnews.bsky.social @teesbirds.bsky.social
November 22, 2025 at 4:29 PM
Glad I popped to South Gare this morning in the hope of seeing the long-staying Bluethroat. It gave good, if brief, views in the sunshine. Never still for a minute - an utterly charming & charismatic bird, like a Robin masquerading as a Redwing! @nybirdnews.bsky.social @teesbirds.bsky.social
Reposted by Al
This story is all Nigel Farage should be asked about by journalists for months
Ex-leader of Reform UK in Wales sentenced to 10-and-a-half years for taking pro-Russian bribes
The judge tells Nathan Gill his actions were a
www.bbc.co.uk
November 21, 2025 at 2:34 PM
This story is all Nigel Farage should be asked about by journalists for months
Crisp and lovely on the Clifton patch today. Single parakeet by the Dormouse, LTT flock, Wrens and Robins everywhere, 2 Fieldfare, 2 Reed Bunting, 2 Stock Dove, Sparrowhawk and Song Thrush. @yorkbirding.bsky.social @nybirdnews.bsky.social
November 21, 2025 at 1:26 PM
Crisp and lovely on the Clifton patch today. Single parakeet by the Dormouse, LTT flock, Wrens and Robins everywhere, 2 Fieldfare, 2 Reed Bunting, 2 Stock Dove, Sparrowhawk and Song Thrush. @yorkbirding.bsky.social @nybirdnews.bsky.social
Reposted by Al
If you use GMail, AI (Gemini) was turned on yesterday by default and now scans all of your content for machine learning. To turn off, go to Settings>General and scroll down. Uncheck the box for "Smart features."
There's other "Smart" add-ons as well, but that's the one that reads your content.
There's other "Smart" add-ons as well, but that's the one that reads your content.
November 20, 2025 at 5:32 PM
If you use GMail, AI (Gemini) was turned on yesterday by default and now scans all of your content for machine learning. To turn off, go to Settings>General and scroll down. Uncheck the box for "Smart features."
There's other "Smart" add-ons as well, but that's the one that reads your content.
There's other "Smart" add-ons as well, but that's the one that reads your content.
Disgusting behaviour by the Derwent Hunt. Hope #NorthYorkshirePolice take it seriously.
On the 15th November, the Derwent Hunt once again trespassed into our Chafer Wood nature reserve near Ebberston. We are absolutely outraged at their audacity and disrespect.
If you have evidence of the hunt or hounds accessing YWT land, please send to info@ywt.org.uk
Read our full statement below.
If you have evidence of the hunt or hounds accessing YWT land, please send to info@ywt.org.uk
Read our full statement below.
November 20, 2025 at 1:42 PM
Disgusting behaviour by the Derwent Hunt. Hope #NorthYorkshirePolice take it seriously.
Reposted by Al
"Life has its own hidden forces which you can only discover by living."
~ Søren Kierkegaard
🎨 James T. Watts (1892)
~ Søren Kierkegaard
🎨 James T. Watts (1892)
November 20, 2025 at 11:05 AM
"Life has its own hidden forces which you can only discover by living."
~ Søren Kierkegaard
🎨 James T. Watts (1892)
~ Søren Kierkegaard
🎨 James T. Watts (1892)
Reposted by Al
Such a tranquil place and a haven for wildlife. This should not be happening. Please repost :-)
www.ywt.org.uk/news/derwent...
www.ywt.org.uk/news/derwent...
Derwent Hunt trespasses again at Chafer Wood nature reserve | Yorkshire Wildlife Trust
On the 15th November, the Derwent Hunt once again trespassed into our Chafer Wood nature reserve near Ebberston.
www.ywt.org.uk
November 19, 2025 at 3:50 PM
Such a tranquil place and a haven for wildlife. This should not be happening. Please repost :-)
www.ywt.org.uk/news/derwent...
www.ywt.org.uk/news/derwent...
Reposted by Al
• Mary Oliver •
November 20, 2025 at 8:01 AM
• Mary Oliver •
Reposted by Al
The real BBC bias story, narrated by Anna Ford
November 19, 2025 at 12:12 PM
The real BBC bias story, narrated by Anna Ford
Reposted by Al
Take a moment, and read...
Kenneth C. Steven
Kenneth C. Steven
November 16, 2025 at 5:56 PM
Take a moment, and read...
Kenneth C. Steven
Kenneth C. Steven
Reposted by Al
This is what many of us have been saying. Part 3 of the Planning & Infrastructure Bill is based on a myth: that we don't have enough homes because wildlife and green spaces are protected. It will solve nothing, and inflict terrible harm on our remaining ecosystems
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
Nature not a blocker to housing growth, inquiry finds
Commons committee report challenges ‘lazy narrative’ used by ministers that scapegoats wildlife and the environment
www.theguardian.com
November 16, 2025 at 12:12 PM
This is what many of us have been saying. Part 3 of the Planning & Infrastructure Bill is based on a myth: that we don't have enough homes because wildlife and green spaces are protected. It will solve nothing, and inflict terrible harm on our remaining ecosystems
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...