Andy Goodey
@andygoodey.bsky.social
Birder, nature and prog music. Python humour. Mid-Essex, shares abode with 8 prs Swifts, Jackdaws, bats and missus. Surveyor of farmland birds as well as Nightingale, Marsh Tit, Turtle Dove and butterflies
Some poor photos of a fem. helice Clouded Yellow at Level’s Green, nr Farnham, Essex. There were c30 Clouded Yellows on the Lucerne crop plus many Common Blues. Also another possible Red Bartsia Bee, this time from Takeley. @bc-cambs-essex.bsky.social #insects #bugs #nature
A somewhat distant Ruff today inland in Essex at Pincey Brook, Hatfield Broad Oak. Also 3 Green Sandpipers and a Kingfisher @essexbirdnews.bsky.social #nature #Essexbirding #birds #UKbirding
Hatfield Broad Oak: having noticed the abundance of Red Bartsia in 2025, I searched for associated bee and found a possible contender. A Ruff on pool was nice with 3 Green Sands + Kingfisher. Fast-flying Painted Ladies, probably 50+ were constantly north over site @essexbirdnews.bsky.social #nature
More from my local patch in mid-Essex today: Clouded Yellow, Red-banded Sand Wasp, Red Bartsia, Firebugs, Small Red-eyed Damselfly and Burnet Companion #nature @bc-cambs-essex.bsky.social #bugs
Local Buzzard plus a Jersey Tiger moth in my village yesterday in Essex yesterday
Visited Stotfold, Beds Green-flowered Helleborines only to find whole colony (and significant area of woodland floor) in the process of being trashed by dumping of waste soil from a nearby development. Work now stopped til Mon when I'll have to try to speak with council... @ukorchids.bsky.social
The local Little Owl showed at its favoured brick building this evening in Rayne @essexbirdnews.bsky.social #Essexbirding #birds
Beewolf at my local gravel pit in Essex at the weekend #bugs #insects #nature @britishnatureguide.bsky.social
Hoping this might be Hedychrum rutilans, a rare cuckoo wasp with 9 coastal records in Essex. Found at my local gravel pit at weekend #insects #bugs #buglife @britishnatureguide.bsky.social #nature
Successful trip to local gravel pits produced Red-legged Spider Wasp, Beewolf, Firebug, Hedychrum rutilans (cuckoo wasp), Wall Brown. Black-tailed Skimmer. The cuckoo wasp is a parasitoid of Beewolf and, if confirmed, is a rare coastal species in Essex @bc-cambs-essex.bsky.social #insects #bugs
Pair of Hairy Shieldbugs have been ‘at it’ most of the day on the scabious in my wild garden in Rayne, Essex. Also a Hummingbird Hawkmoth earlier and 4 Red Kites overhead giving their delightful call.
Local gravel pit visit near Braintree, Essex in windy conditions: Beewolf, Firebug, 3 Clouded Yellow in an area of masses of trefoil, a potential food plant snd possible Red-legged Spider Wasp @britishnatureguide.bsky.social #insects #nature #bugs @bc-cambs-essex.bsky.social
Berechurch, Colchester, Essex at weekend: 7 Silver-washed Fritillaries patrolling sunny edge and, especially, the dappled woodland interior. Also 2 White Admiral, Brown Argus, Common Blue and my first for site Marbled White on nearby meadows @bc-cambs-essex.bsky.social #butterflies #bugs #nature
The BBC cancelling Winterwatch is such a shame, especially when we need to be connecting with nature more than ever. If we want people to protect our wildlife, we have to show them it! Add your name to ask the BBC to reconsider. you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/do...
Tell the BBC: Save Winterwatch!
The UK is losing its wildlife, and shows like Winterwatch are vital for connecting us to nature. The BBC's decision to cancel it makes no sense. Let's ask them to rethink this! Add your name here:
you.38degrees.org.uk
Lots of Swift action this morning by the boxes in Rayne @essexbirdnews.bsky.social #birds #ukbirding @sosswifts.bsky.social
Some phone video of a Small Tortoiseshell thats been in my Rayne garden all day today. A garden year tick as well @bc-cambs-essex.bsky.social #nature
Our colony of Gatekeepers have emerged in last few days. Only about half a dozen individuals seen annually but I always look forward to them. Wild garden has got a bit unruly this year due to the rattle failure but still loads of action going on @bc-cambs-essex.bsky.social #insects
Gt Holland Pits NR, Essex: congrats to Bob Seago for his management work here who I spent time with looking for Purple Emperor, 1 was seen near Tarn Pond. Also 3+ White Admirals, an elusive Hobby overhead and much more @britishnatureguide.bsky.social @bc-cambs-essex.bsky.social #nature #insects
Heddon’s Mouth, Devon: failed to get adequate views of High Fritillary though many rapid-flying large Fritillaries seen including Dark Green and a Silver Washed. 2 Golden-ringed Dragonflies noted and at least 10 Hummingbird Hawkmoths, all around stone walls. Stunning area. #nature
Melbury Plantation, Devon: return visit to see if Crossbills present following breeding in 2025. Unfortunately, many trees taken down including nesting tree but a surprise, unseen Nightjar heard churring for about half an hour at 2pm. Can just hear it in 📹 #birds #ukbirding @birdtrack.bsky.social
More Exmoor birding: Lynmouth then Chetsford Water. No sign of Whinchats but pair but pair of Siskins showed with male displaying, lots of Stonechats and Grey Wagtails and single Dipper #birds #ukbirding
My Swiftmapper app has taken a bit of a bashing during our West Country trip with numerous entries for Devon, Gloucestershire, Wiltshire, Somerset and Oxfordshire #birds #ukbirding
Dipper at Lynmouth in north Devon yesterday #birds #ukbirding
Attempted to video some of the numerous Manx Shearwaters off Lundy island from the MS Oldenburg ferry #birds #ukbirding
Some of the auks at Jenny’s Cove, Lundy Island yesterday plus a colour-ringed Wheatear (orange/red on right leg, yellow with black ring on left leg), Shag and Linnet #birds #ukbirding
Glastonbury Tor, Somerset yesterday with numerous 6-spot Burnets and several fresh Large Skippers seen #nature
