Two moths from a visit to Crymlyn Burrows, a sand dune system between Neath and Swansea last night. Striped Hawk-moth and Yellow Belle. This was my 50th trap-night of 2026. #teammoth

Olive-tree Pearl from an upland fringe site north of Pontardawe, near Swansea. No big surprises amongst about 60 species, but it was a good night for Poplar Hawk-moths! #teammoth

115 moths of 39 species in the garden moth trap in Clydach, Swansea. The best was this rather unremarkable European Corn Borer, which appears to be the first Swansea record for over 25 years, and new to SN60. #teammoth

My last 2026 1km pollinator survey for @pomscheme.bsky.social today in a very dry and hot north Carmarthenshire. Five pan trap stations put up and collected, 6 fixed timed counts, 1 bee walk count, landowners thanked, 18k steps. And that's me done for the year. And now...ice cold in Clydach!

The countryside in the Swansea valley, south Wales, is looking more like the Mediterranean after one of the hottest and driest summers on record.

My pilgrimage to the Long-tailed Shrike was very successful, with the bird showing well. What a beast it is - killing and dismembering a shrew whilst I was there. UK lifer no. 369. A superbly organised twitch, thanks to landowner and volunteers. £1000s raised for charity. Well done all. #UKbirding

80 species from woodland near Clydach, Swansea this morning, including a single Gem. Also three common micros that were still new for SN60. Each Hook-tip carefully scrutinised, but the wait for Spiny Hook-tip goes on! #teammoth

A bumper night of 205 moths of 63 species in my garden in Clydach, Swansea. Definite star was this Small Argent and Sable, an upland species that must have travelled a few km to get to me. New for SN60. #teammoth

44 species from Crymlyn Burrows,Swansea,a mixed sand dune/saltmarsh/fen site from 10:30pm to 12:30am. Multiple new species for me, including Kent Black Arches and Brown-veined Wainscot. #teammoth

53 species from a woodland/upland site near Glais, Swansea, the best being this nationally scarce Waved Carpet. New for SN70, and 1650th for my all time British pan species list. #teammoth

89 species at a marshy grassland/upland site north of Pontardawe near Swansea. Definite star was a Cloaked Carpet, which looks like the 8th or 9th Glamorgan record. Also the wet grassland specialists Small Dotted Buff and Double Line. #teammoth

133 moths of 55 species in my garden this morning, a very high number for the site. Highlights included Bordered Straw (a scarce migrant), Cypress Carpet (new for SN60) and the moth trap intruder the Broad Centurion (photo from NatureSpot). #teammoth

80 species from a mixed upland oak woodland and grassland site at Glais, near Swansea. Beautiful Hook-tip, new for SN70. #teammoth

55 species from woodland near Clydach, Swansea this morning, including Small Yellow Wave and the south-west speciality Double Line. #teammoth

Made the 4hr trek north from Swansea for the Western Reef Heron, which showed well if a little distantly. This is how birding should be - target bird safely on the list before 9am! British lifer no. 368. #birdingWales

52 species away from home near Lostwithiel, Cornwall, included a number of species new to me at least. Sandy Carpet, Wood Carpet, Cypress Carpet and Barred Red. #teammoth

Scallop Shell, Clydach, Swansea. 30 May. #teammoth

Striped Hawk-moth, Crymlyn Burrows, Swansea last night. New for SS79 - and me! #teammoth

One of the many advantages of an electric car is 'vehicle to load'. Basically you can plug in and run almost any electrical appliance from your car battery. So last night I took my moth trap out on the dunes at Crymlyn Burrows, Swansea. A way for moth-ers in future to sample new sites? #teammoth

Managed to stop off at RSPB Winterbourne on my way home to pay homage to the Stone Curlews. They finally emerged distantly in the twilight. Too far for photo, but they are out there! Also ran into the local moth enthusiasts, setting up for the evening. A very nice group of people! #UKbirding

60 spp from upland oak woodland near Glais, Swansea, with a number of micros and moth trap intruders (mostly Diptera) left to sort. Map-winged Swift, Green Silver-lines and Yellow-barred Long-horn. #teammoth

73 spp from a marshy grassland and upland site north of Pontardawe, south Wales. Oblique Carpet, Fox Moth, Lime Hawk Moth and Puss Moth. #teammoth

43 Small Mottled Willow in the garden moth trap last night, which is bonkers considering I've only ever had one record of this species before. Also one insularia form of Peppered Moth (remember your school biology classes?) and an Eyed Hawk Moth - always a pleasure. Clydach, Swansea. #teammoth

The Minoan Palace at Knossos, Crete. This site was already nearly 2000 years old when Jesus was supposed to have been born.

Italian Sparrow, Elounda, Crete.

I was part of the Wales Wader Survey earlier this year, slogging for hours around Mynydd Epynt. Today I received a thank-you note and a bar of chocolate! Well played/chwarae teg, @btocymru.bsky.social #birdingWales

The Welsh Senedd result is really ideal for Reform PLC. They get a nice salary, get to go on TV, and make speeches about how every problem has a simple solution only they have spotted. But they have no real responsibility, and no one expects them to achieve anything.

Alder Kitten from my moth trap this morning. Also Early Grey, showing that spring is far from over. Clydach, Swansea. #teammoth

This morning's moth trap intruders proved to be Cantharis pellucida (a beetle), common but new for SN70, and Rilaena triangularis( a harvestman) also common, but new for me. Struggling with various Diptera, only to discover I need a male to get to species. Of course, I only have females. ☹️ #teammoth

93 moths of 29 species from woodland near Glais, Swansea. No big surprises, but a nice selection including Scorched Wing and Waved Umber. One micro and a number of moth trap intruders to be identified. #teammoth