Mark Avery
@markavery
Conservationist, campaigner, author, columnist, blogger, grandpa
Was CofE right? wrong? don't know? The nature of the CofE markavery.info/2026/07/16/t...
Before breakfast I cleared some bramble in the garden, picked the first of our blackberry crop and saw a Small Red-eyed Damselfly (I reckon).
It could get Messi this evening. Interesting analysis of Messi's ability to stroll around then run like hell. But Guardian's use of term 'contemporaries' in subheading is odd since the point of the piece is that he is older than the rest!! www.theguardian.com/football/202...
Sawfly Cimbex luteus Willow Clubhorn at Summer Leys NR, Northants this morning. @wildlifebcn.org #sawflies
A gall on Blackthorn caused by a mite, I think. Eriophyes similis, I think. Summer Leys NR, Northants this morning. @wildlifebcn.org
Did you watch @chrisgpackham.bsky.social Evolution, episode 1 last night? What did you think? I thought markavery.info/2026/07/14/t...
A clever stable isotope study showing that foxes eat lots of gamebirds (and there4 gamebird releases ⬆️ fox numbers with probable impacts on their prey populations). markavery.info/2026/07/14/f... #pheasants #partridges #groundnestingbirds @gwct.org.uk @wildjustice.bsky.social
RSPB - UK may be about to lose its first bird to climate change. Montane Dotterels are in steep decline, as predicted by climate change models bit.ly/4fr9eCm 📷 Allan Perkins
Help please! This beetle, if it is Serropalpus barbatus, has only one accepted UK record on NBN (Aug 2010). Strangely, well within 10 miles of my moth trap. Entered on iRecord. If I've been misled by the app then plz let me know. Or if you think this is right - that would be good 2 know too!
If you are at the (Global) Bird Fair (I'm not) then look out for these two books which I recommend. I know the authors are present. Pan Species Listing @graemelyons.bsky.social review bit.ly/4eUG3HN Love is a Toad @lucylapwing.bsky.social review bit.ly/4vRihSV
Dark Crimson Underwing this morning. Used to be very rare, now scarce/unusual, but always beautiful. vc32 And a lifer for me.
RSPB acquires land in mid-Wales to help Atlantic oakwood species like Pied Flycatcher (pictured) and Wood Warbler and to protect blanket bogs. bit.ly/44hDARp
Avocet seen at Middleton Lakes, Staffs, 36 years after fledging - a record age markavery.info/2026/07/06/o... Plz repost if you were born after 2 July 1990 when this Avocet was ringed in Norfolk. 📷 Steve Pick/RSPB Looks as good as new, doesn't it? Coloured leg rings enabled identification.
Obsidentify says this leaf mine is 94% likely to be caused by a Pegomya species (fly). The plant is Fat Hen which makes it very likely to be Pegomya hyoscyami, I think. Any thoughts from those much better qualified? #leafmines #diptera #flies #Chenopodium #fathen #plumpchicken
Sunday book review: Forest of the Sea by @helvarg.bsky.social Review: markavery.info/2026/07/05/s... Publisher: @princetonupress.bsky.social "a fascinating account of the wonders of the Pacific kelp forests" #kelp #abalone #cuteotters #salmon #seaurchins #marine #warming
Sunday book review: A Photographic Guide to Flies of Britain and Ireland by Falk, @gailashton.bsky.social @rdimond.bsky.social & Creed Review: markavery.info/2026/07/05/s... Publisher: @naturebureau.bsky.social "1500 pin-sharp images of 1300 UK species" "An amazing celebration of insect diversity"
My book Reflections is three today. 🍾🍾🍾 Available from e.g. @bookshop-org-uk.bsky.social uk.bookshop.org/shop/MarkAvery Quote from Chapter 6 "It is bizarre that government opts out of land ownership as a means of delivering wildlife recovery".
My book Reflections is three today. I think it's quite good. Available from e.g. @bookshop-org-uk.bsky.social uk.bookshop.org/shop/MarkAvery A quote from Chapter 4 "When wildlife is missing, few regret its absence, but when it returns it is widely celebrated and appreciated".
My book Reflections is three today. 🎉 Available from e.g. @bookshop-org-uk.bsky.social uk.bookshop.org/shop/MarkAvery Quote from Chapter 3 "None of us is responsible for the state of the world when we are born into it, but we must take some responsibility for its condition when we exit".
Internationally important Gannet colonies will take decades fully to recover from bird flu losses Details: markavery.info/2026/07/03/b... #Bass #Rock #Grassholm #Gannet @rspbscience.bsky.social @theseabirdgroup.bsky.social @jncc.bsky.social
This Common Blowfly is in my office. That’s quite unusual (no flies on me jokes etc). Am I right to think there used to be a lot more flies in houses in my youth? Does anyone sell fly paper anymore? How have sales changed?
The most remarkable thing about this Vitula biviella is that it is a micromoth which I identified correctly. The 2nd-most remarkable thing is that it is probably the 11th record for VC32 Northants. Many thnx to @markhammond1966.bsky.social for verification after many gentle 'not quite right'.
Fly-through Painted Lady and Marbled White in our Raunds garden today. No photos but here is a baby Cinnabar moth to fill the void. @davebjames.bsky.social @markhammond1966.bsky.social
Sunday book review: Wolf Land by Elizabeth Marshall Publisher: @pelagic.bsky.social Review: markavery.info/2026/06/28/s... Cover: @rachelhillustrates.bsky.social 'Fine writing which explores both the wolf and the human' #naturewriting #wolf #history #persecution #prejudice
Sunday book review: A Galloway Year by @iancarter67.bsky.social & Karen Menarry Publisher: Whittles Review: markavery.info/2026/06/28/s... 'A celebration of Galloway through tales of interesting walks with wildlife and gorgeous illustrations of the landscape' #Galloway #wildlife
Sunday book review: Marine crustaceans of Britain and Ireland by L. Baldock, C. Bolton & I. Dixon Publisher: @princetonupress.bsky.social Review: markavery.info/2026/06/28/s... A guide to 2,600 crustacean species! #crabs #lobsters #shrimps #isopods #copepods #ostracods #pycnagonids
Very kind of you! Glad you enjoyed it. Wings Across the Atlantic available direct from www.lulu.com/shop/colin-r...
Like many others, I was up fairly early (4am) to check a busy light trap at dawn. Lots of confusing micros which Obsidentify got wrong, then I got them wrong, but we were rescued by CMR @markhammond1966.bsky.social who is so generous, patient & knowledgable. Glad to see a moth I could identify!
The battleground of the Little Bighorn in Montana. Sensitively commemorated and very well executed explained on site. I’ve visited twice - good Western Meadowlarks too. My thoughts from those visits markavery.info/2020/06/26/7... #custer #crazyhorse #sittingbull #montana