Alick Simmons
@parliamentarygoose
Erstwhile veterinarian; Amateur naturalist; Aspiring conservationist; Animal ethicist; Vulture fan. Author of ‘Treated Like Animals’: Forthcoming book: My photos:
I could do with a bit of help with these two, please. On the left, I believe this to be Acrobasis suavella or Blackthorn Knot-horn. On the right, I am reasonably confident on the genus: Cochylidia sp and I think it might be C. implicitana. Any thoughts, @mothiduk.bsky.social ?
The proofs for 'The Welfare of Wildlife' are in. Publication by @5mbooks.bsky.social expected early '27. @ruthtingay.bsky.social @markavery.bsky.social @iand777.bsky.social @chrisgpackham.bsky.social @garethenticott.bsky.social @robthomasbirds.bsky.social @protectthewild.bsky.social
Black-footed Albatross, off Monterey, CA, September 2022. #SuperSeabirdSunday
I wish I knew a bit more about beetles. I haven’t a clue about this one. If you look carefully you can see teeny, tiny orange mites crawling over the beetle.
I’ve just supported Count Binface in his quest to stop that charlatan Farage. You can donate here: ko-fi.com/countbinface
Meadow Grasshopper, South Somerset, July 2026. #insects #grasshoppers
#beesneeds. Alick Simmons, Somerset, UK Hornet Overfly (I think!)
It’s an extraordinary photograph and deservedly POTW. But I’m pleased to see one of mine is an ‘other notable image’.
Sandgrouse are birds of dry country. They can fly 10s of kilometres for water. During the breeding season, the adults will saturate their breast feathers and fy back to the nest to give the unfledged chicks a drink. Here is a male Pin-tailed Sandgrouse collecting water for his chicks. #birds
An email offering me a literary agency. It’s a scam but it’s plausible as it uses clever language to give the impression that they have read (and liked) your book. The text is used repeatedly in similar scams so be warned- don’t let flattery get the better of you - it almost did me.
Egyptian Vulture, 2nd calendar year, Tremp, Catalunya, June 2026. #birds
Female (L) and male Montagu’s Harriers, Catalonia, June 2026. #birds
Small Elephant Hawkmoth from my garden moth trap. What an exquisite creature it is. #teammoth
I’m stumped by this one. I’m inclined to think Ingrailed Clay but it doesn’t seem quite right. Given the recent influx of migrants, I don’t want to get this wrong. Any thoughts? @mothiduk.bsky.social
The Vestal was pick of the migrants last night. Only the second record for my VC5 garden actinic trap. @migrantmothuk.bsky.social #teammoth
Presumed Crudosilis ruficollis, a species of soldier beetle from my garden. #insects #beetles @steveormerod.bsky.social (I'm practising macro photography using a flash diffuser).