Mark Pitt

24| 🏳️‍🌈 | PhD student at Glasgow University| Mostly post about birds, Lepidoptera, and other animals I find when out and about

[Mark Pitt @Mark__Pitt]

Wasn't expecting this at 10pm this evening! Was watching the Goosanders on my nighttime walk when three Otters showed up and hunted a Goosander down!
#30dayswild #nature @WildlifeTrusts #scotland #wildlife #springwatch #scottishborders #spring

[Mark Pitt @Mark__Pitt]

Spot the odd one out. This common frog seems to have gotten distracted and joined some toads having a good time...

#nature #NaturePhotography @Natures_Voice @BBCSpringwatch @WildlifeTrusts

[Mark Pitt @Mark__Pitt]

Another shot of the ring-necked duck when it was at Maxwell park, with a tufted duck in the background for comparison.
#nature #wildlife #NaturePhotography @_BTO

[Mark Pitt @Mark__Pitt]

Drake ring-necked duck on Maxwell pond this morning. Cracking looking bird and great to see it still going strong (presuming it's the same bird that visits every year).

@Clydebirding @RSPBScotland #nature #naturep

[Mark Pitt @Mark__Pitt]

A siskin tucking into some bird feed. They seem to be the most approachable bird in my parent's garden.
#nature #wildlife @Natures_Voice #photography

[Mark Pitt @Mark__Pitt]

Had an amazing time at the
@BritishEcolSoc conference in Liverpool. Great to hear about the fascinating work being undertaken by so many ecologists. Feeling quite inspired!
#nature #ecology #science
@UofGSBOHVM

[Mark Pitt @Mark__Pitt]

Great day along the Forth and Clyde canal and the kelvin walkway. Spotted a couple of kingfishers and a water rail. Also an unusual duck, I'm assuming an intersex mallard??
@Clydebirding @BirdHybrids @BTO_Scotland

[Mark Pitt @Mark__Pitt]

Close encounters with the mute swan kind.

[Mark Pitt @Mark__Pitt]

Nice to get out to Lochwinnoch to do some birdwatching. Spotted a couple of pink-footed geese at Castle Semple. Also nice to see the whoopers have returned. @Clydebirding

[Mark Pitt @Mark__Pitt]

Finally managed to get out to do some birding today. Spotted four pochards on Frankfield Loch, along with six shoveler. A few Goldeneyes on Hogganfield loch as well. @Clydebirding

[Mark Pitt @Mark__Pitt]

Canary-shouldered thorn. One of the most vibrant autumn moths that we have in the UK. Found @sceneUofG a couple days ago.
@savebutterflies @WildlifeMag #nature #wildlife #macro #macrophotography

[Mark Pitt @Mark__Pitt]

Was not expecting to find a terrapin in Maxwell park, Glasgow. I knew there were a few in the city, but this is the first time I've seen one myself.
#nature #photography @RSPBScotland @WildlifeTrusts

[Journal of Animal Ecology @AnimalEcology]

New research suggests that environmental constraints could limit the number of eggs that urban female birds lay. 🐦‍⬛ @Mark__Pitt
Read the full paper here: https://t.co/T0AoDwusEI

[Mark Pitt @Mark__Pitt]

@RobThomas14 Thank you so much!

[Mark Pitt @Mark__Pitt]

Excited to see this work be published! Our study attempted to understand why urban blue tits produce smaller clutches than their non-urban counterparts. Is this a result of environmental constraints? Or is it an adaptative response to the urban habitat? https://t.co/OQRSZDapnS

[Mark Pitt @Mark__Pitt]

Interested in what we found out? Make sure to give our paper a read! A huge thank you goes out to everyone who helped with this, including @p_capi, @ClaireBranston, @carlon3o, @dmdominoni and to @sceneUofG and @UofGSBOHVM for facilitating/supporting this work.

[Mark Pitt @Mark__Pitt]

If the small clutches of urban blue tits are a result of environmental constraints (due to nutrient/energetic constraints in the urban habitat), we predicted that, following egg removal, they would not lay new eggs as they are already laying their maximum number of eggs possible.

[KazFaeTheHill @KazzaTigger]

Another butterfly first for @ClaypitsLnr a lovely wee Holly Blue. @Mark__Pitt @StablesDean

[Mark Pitt @Mark__Pitt]

Anyone know the current status of Holly blues in Glasgow? Found this lovely individual in Pollock Country park just now. @savebutterflies @GlasgowNatHist #nature #wildlife