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Kelsey J.R.P. Byers

@plantpollinator.bsky.social

Pollination & floral scent evolution; group leader, John Innes Centre (UK). Birds, bugs, cats, tea, &c. Any pronouns, asexual, agender, Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome / POTS / ADHD / associated stuff. Majority time wheelchair human. Posts mine.

542 followers577 following473 posts

KJplantpollinator.bsky.socialOct 12, 2024 8:22pm

Fun morning out at @RSPB_Strumpshaw today - 37 species of birds including Bearded Reedling, Marsh Harrier, Bittern (yay!), and Great Spotted Woodpecker! Here have a Mute Swan, Ring-necked Pheasant, Water Deer, and Mallard. Also saw something that looked an AWFUL lot like a Red Grouse but... ?!

A Mute Swan swims in open water heading right to left. This large duck-like bird is pure white with a black face and orange bill. Because of the lighting the bird is a similar color to the water.

A male Ring-necked Pheasant stands in a field against some sedges. This large chicken-like bird has a long brown striped tail, a richly patterned body in shades of brown, red, and gray, a white ring around its neck, a green head, and a red face.

A Water Deer stands in a reedbed partly hidden behind some reeds. This small deer is brown overall with medium ears, black eyes, and a black nose, and is looking over its right shoulder.

A male Mallard duck swims in open water. This handsome duck has a gray body, orange legs, black and white tail with curved black tail feathers, a reddish chest, white neck ring, green head, and a yellow bill. A few drops of water are falling from the bill.

KJplantpollinator.bsky.socialOct 12, 2024 8:23pm

Regarding the looked-like-a-Red Grouse, those REALLY shouldn't be this far south! Not sure what else it could have been though - rich reddish brown, no obvious markings, small head, skulking in low brush near a reedbed, grouse/partridge sized.

Kelsey J.R.P. Byers

@plantpollinator.bsky.social

542 followers577 following473 posts