Instagram story viewer> @ethanmclaughlan.09> Posts

Ethan McLaughlan

@ethanmclaughlan.09

576

followers

2344

following

🦎🦆🏳️‍🌈💚
Ecologist & Ornithologist.
chair - @balcombeecosociety

POSTS STORIES REELS TAGGED

Thursday - the best day of the week!
My first time diving & I absolutely loved it. Went down to 6 metres (20ish feet) and saw loads of cool things! Seeong lionfish and a male parrot fish were my highlights! by @ethanmclaughlan.09

62

2

2 months ago

🇹🇷 Travel & Day 1 by @ethanmclaughlan.09

12

0

2 months ago

A lovely male mallard.
Often an overlooked bird, mallards are one of my three favourite bird species. They come across as simplistic birds but are actually very intelligent. They have the power to use electromagnetic navigation while migrating!

#ecology #mallard #anas #photography #bird #sussex #wildlife #WildlifeUK by @ethanmclaughlan.09

27

5

3 months ago

🦋 Painted ladies.
One of my favourite butterfly species, these species are migratory maniacs! Flying all the way from North Africa, the Mediterranean, ans central Asia.
Commonly found in dry open areas but in a good year they can be seen anywhere.

📍Cornwall, England.

#ecology #photography #uk #wildlifephotography #wildlife by @ethanmclaughlan.09

35

0

3 months ago

Clouded yellows!

While in Cornwall, these butterflies were absolutely everywhere. Clouded yellows are definitely one of my three favourite species 🦋

#butterfly #conservation #photography #cornwall by @ethanmclaughlan.09

35

0

3 months ago

Check out this beautiful juvenile great spotter woodpecker I saw yesterday, just outside of my garden! 🐦

Woodpeckers are such awesome birds to see, but to be able to see and very clearly capture a shot of a young one is an entirely different experience.

#bird #photography #woodpecker #ecology by @ethanmclaughlan.09

26

1

3 months ago

Reed warbler ringed back in 2025. Very nice birds to hold and process - calm, they don't peck, and they often fly away without any issues.

Blue tits on the other hand are bastards 😂 by @ethanmclaughlan.09

22

1

4 months ago

A hazel dormouse in a near-state of torpor (sleepiness). Once warmed up in the hand, we couldn't put him back he was so restless! 😅

* Handled under license.

#mammal #dormouse #ecology #conservation #ndmp
@bbcspringwatch by @ethanmclaughlan.09

27

1

4 months ago

Today is Endangered Species Day. These are a few photos I have taken of endangered species.

The first image shows the common starling, Sturnus vulgaris. Despite 'common' being in its name, their populations have decreased by 50% since 2016. The starling is listed on the UK's Red List, meaning it has a high need for conservation.

The second image shows a silver-studded blue, Plebejus argus. These butterflies are localised to heathlands and coastal habitats. They are listed as a priority species under Section 41 of the NERC Act 2006 and 'vulnerable' on the UK's Red List.

The third and final photo shows a peregrine falcon, Falco peregrinus. Peregrines were persecuted to near extinction during the 20th century. The main cause of their decline was the use of agricultural pesticides, as well as their being viewed as a threat to game birds. Peregrines are listed as a Schedule 1 species under the WaCA 1981.

Today, more than ever, highlights the need to conserve our endangered species. Whether it is for moral reasons, to bolster species interdependence, or to improve species diversity, all endangered species must receive proper legal protection and funding to prevent their deterioration.

#conservation #wildlife #birds #butterfly #sussex by @ethanmclaughlan.09

24

2

5 months ago

Hazel dormice surveys are so fun! While I am yet to see any dormice this year, I was lucky enough to see a good and handle some in 2025. The eggs featured in this post belong to blue tits - they can be identified by their small size and brown speckles.

Hazel dormice are recognised as a priority species and are designated under multiple sources. For example, they are protected under Section 9, Schedule 5 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1984, Regulation 43 of the Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2017. Under Regulation 43, hazel dormice are recognised a European Protected Species.

Dormice are considered to be environmental indicators. They require mature woodland with a variety of food sources - such as bramble, hazel, hawthorn and blackthorn. If dormice are present, the habitat is likely to be species-rich and strong structural complexity - dormice require connectivity to other parts of the woodland, and will utilise the tree canopy in order to commute from A to B.

All works in this photo were carried out under a CL10a license and no nesting birds were disturbed.

#dormice #legislation #conservation #mammals #birds taken in Surrey, UK by @ethanmclaughlan.09

23

0

6 months ago

Some better photos of those peregrine falcons, Falco peregrinus, from Brighton Marina on Sunday.

Peregrines are the fastest animal in the world. In a dive, they can reach up to 242mph (108m/s or 390kmh)! Their diet consists of medium-sized birds, such as waders, pigeons, and small ducks.

Peregrines are the UK's largest raptor and are resident. They can be easily identified by their white throat and cheeks, with a dark mask and 'moustache'. In flight, peregrines feature noticeable triangular-shaped wings. As with most birds, females are larger than the males.

Lastly, peregrine falcons are a Schedule 1 listed species designated under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981. Meaning that it is illegal to intentionally or recklessly disturb them in any season.

#bird #peregrinefalcon #photography #conservation #ornithology by @ethanmclaughlan.09

29

2

6 months ago

A fantastic trip to Brighton Marina with @dan.mclaughlan on Sunday. We saw an array of marine organisms and birds.

I saw my first small-spotted catshark, albeit dead, but a fantastic opportunity to see its features up close! This one is a juvenile.

We also saw strawberry, beadlet and snakelock anemones, shrimp, seabass (no photo), and some other marine species.

There are two peregrine falcons that nest there as well. I'll post some better photos of the peregrine I took on my camera when I pay for lightroom again 😭🤣.

#birdsphotography #marinebiology #ecology #conservation @bbcspringwatch by @ethanmclaughlan.09

22

0

6 months ago