John Preston
@johnpleeds
Dabbler in environment, moths, stained glass, private pilot, when not with the Development team at The Conservation Volunteers. Own views.
OK, the sparrows serenaded the moth trap, but these shortly after were rather beautiful, about a dozen cavorting round Kilkeel Co Down harbour, circling on the water, flying about, piping as they went, quite unconcerned by people, may be juv? #firstbirdofmyday they have red feet and inside of bill.
#TeamMoth beware the night time robot mower. Fortunately I caught it only partly entangled in the cable and the damage is superficial. Perils of holiday cottage mothing.
Carlingford Lough after sundown and a gig about how song and art can bring peace and healing @everyheron.bsky.social
Another attempt at #Dailydrawing2026 this magnificent pile was built in 1729, portico 1820s. Stroketown is a planned settlement with a very wide main street leading to the Park gates. The National Famine Museum drawing on the extensive estate archives is in the outbuildings.
A blackbird beat the stonechat on a quieter moth trap morning, sad to be moving in from here. #firstbirdofmyday
#dailydrawing2026 sketched on site but in composite. Back in 1919 the surrounding area was festooned with Marconi's long wave aerials, wooden huts, a power station A relief to see land , and then the hazard of the wires, before a grass field revealed itself as big and the plane nosed over.
Well Connemara has given me my first trap into the 100s, a bit overwhelmed. Maybe two dozen drinkers and my first garden tigers, 3. Noctuidae colour variations proving challenging. True lovers knots, light emerald and pugs all over the white wall. #TeamMoth this was a black light screened MV ? !
@everyheron this coastal Connemara heron was not impressed by the common tern that stopped by and hoovered surveying the pool. It dived but may not have found supper.
Interior and exterior views of the church. The outside reminds me of a dolman.
This window fills one wall of Our Lady of the Wayside, Lissycssey Co Clare. 1979. By Johnny Murphy and Michael Timlin
Although built in the 1980s this boat harks back to the lines of an earlier age. Peter Duck and Captain Flint would be at home. Aunt Maria would be appalled at the utterance of it's lineage - a Galway hooker. #dailydrawing2026 @saocousins.bsky.social @drrjwarren.bsky.social @indikon.eurosky.social
More views of Ireland. Once home to the last kings, and then expanded in Cromwellian times. Ancient burial sites, alien trees planted by the literary circle of Coole House. And a tower for those too posh to stand on the cliffs and look across to the Aran Isles
@everyheron.bsky.social near the quays in Galway. Stickered for its big long pointy beak
Seems quiet bird wise here in Co Clare. Not the allotment chorus I have when mothing at home. A quiet meep of bullfinch in the trees now I have gone back to bed. #FirstBirdofMyDay but more moth spps
Cross Catholic church Our Lady of Lourdes 1959 Willie Earley of the Abbey Stained Hall Glass Studio.
Briefly for 1937 to 1945 Foyne was the European end of trans Atlantic flying boat services. In 2002 we were in Norwood Newfoundland at the corresponding museum.
#DsilyDrawing2026 one for @saocousins.bsky.social the end of the northern side of the Shannon. It would be rude not to go right to the end. @drrjwarren.bsky.social @indikon.eurosky.social Neutral Eire didn't want military flights that were unsure of position landing. By 4pm the mist had gone
#dailydrawing2026 @drrjwarren.bsky.social @saopaulomiigrau.bsky.social @indikon.eurosky.social today's feeble offering
Taking a night off, long day walking in the Burren and a two hour guided walk. Mum would have been in botanical paradise
A fine window by Harry Clarke from the main church at Corofin Co Clare. Plus a more recent one sadly the lower section is missing, hopefully just for repair.
Today's offering from occasional, vacation #dailydrawing2026 previous memories to self to abstain from tracery failed. Kilfenora Abbey ruins Co Clare @drrjwarren.bsky.social @saocousins.bsky.social that head wandered left !
Reality. I just like lighthouse type things and the motorway trip west wasn't really a source of inspiration. See earlier for the detail photos.
Much out of practice. #dailydrawing2026 seems like something out of Arthur Ransome We didn't mean to go to Sea. A compressed view of the harbour lights and markers off the back of the ferry into Dublin @saocousins.bsky.social @drrjwarren.bsky.social @indikon.eurosky.social
Photos from today. Guilles, Razors,kittiwake, gannets and shearwaters from the ferry.
Ah I thought I did well. 12 of 5 species. Lovely to get 6 dark arches. #TeamMoth most exciting catch so far.
Walking through my childhood woods to the station, for maybe the last time, the house sale almost closed. Blackcap and wren singing with fury. #FirstBirdofMyDay
A bit focused on my speed on my walk into the station. Two feral pigeons flying over Hunslet as the train heads for Huddersfield on the diversion route. Delighted to say our local primary school now has swift boxes. Well done to whoever it was for Burley St Matthias #FirstBirdofMyDay
Pugs defeat me. Seemingly two different species, the second in some lights has a wavy pale line towards the edge of the hind wing. And a long horn for joy. #TeamMoth