Jim Horsfall
@jimhorsfall.bsky.social
A naturalist, conservationist, Yorkshireman, father and more. A slacker who can't sit still.
Particularly interested in plants, water beetles, fungi and moths.
Prone to spelling mistakes.
Particularly interested in plants, water beetles, fungi and moths.
Prone to spelling mistakes.
My colleague Sarah has been working on this land next to @yorkswildlife.bsky.social Potteric Carr. On peat with calcareous ground water it would probably have had quite an interesting flora in the past. But had been drained (not too deep though) and probably ploughed. But left derelict for decades.
February 16, 2026 at 8:16 PM
My colleague Sarah has been working on this land next to @yorkswildlife.bsky.social Potteric Carr. On peat with calcareous ground water it would probably have had quite an interesting flora in the past. But had been drained (not too deep though) and probably ploughed. But left derelict for decades.
Just a month or so until the @ynuorg.bsky.social conference in York.
I hope to see some of you there.
I hope to see some of you there.
February 16, 2026 at 8:02 PM
Just a month or so until the @ynuorg.bsky.social conference in York.
I hope to see some of you there.
I hope to see some of you there.
Reposted by Jim Horsfall
Join us for this year's YNU Conference on Saturday 21st March at The Priory Street Centre, York: 'Recording Yorkshire's natural history - beyond ‘The State of Yorkshire's Nature’ report'. Purchase your tickets here: www.ynu.org.uk/join-the-ynu... or contact [email protected].
February 13, 2026 at 11:53 AM
Join us for this year's YNU Conference on Saturday 21st March at The Priory Street Centre, York: 'Recording Yorkshire's natural history - beyond ‘The State of Yorkshire's Nature’ report'. Purchase your tickets here: www.ynu.org.uk/join-the-ynu... or contact [email protected].
In the summer of 2024 I collected a Fox Moth larva that had other larvae coming out of the side. 10 days later they hatched as little wasps. Sadly I then forgot about them for ages, but recently sent them to a @ynuorg.bsky.social colleague to ID them. They are Cotesia gastropachae, new to Yorkshire!
February 7, 2026 at 4:51 PM
In the summer of 2024 I collected a Fox Moth larva that had other larvae coming out of the side. 10 days later they hatched as little wasps. Sadly I then forgot about them for ages, but recently sent them to a @ynuorg.bsky.social colleague to ID them. They are Cotesia gastropachae, new to Yorkshire!
Reposted by Jim Horsfall
Can you find, identify & record 100 wild plants in 2026?
BSBI is confident that (with our support) yes, you can!
Beginner botanists, will you accept the challenge?
Sign up today for #100Plants2026 challenge:
bsbi.org/take-part/ac...
Check out the webinars & #WildFlowerID help we've prep'd for you!
BSBI is confident that (with our support) yes, you can!
Beginner botanists, will you accept the challenge?
Sign up today for #100Plants2026 challenge:
bsbi.org/take-part/ac...
Check out the webinars & #WildFlowerID help we've prep'd for you!
February 3, 2026 at 2:03 PM
Can you find, identify & record 100 wild plants in 2026?
BSBI is confident that (with our support) yes, you can!
Beginner botanists, will you accept the challenge?
Sign up today for #100Plants2026 challenge:
bsbi.org/take-part/ac...
Check out the webinars & #WildFlowerID help we've prep'd for you!
BSBI is confident that (with our support) yes, you can!
Beginner botanists, will you accept the challenge?
Sign up today for #100Plants2026 challenge:
bsbi.org/take-part/ac...
Check out the webinars & #WildFlowerID help we've prep'd for you!
Reposted by Jim Horsfall
Bishopthorpe Parish Council want to sell a small wildlife oasis hosting rare wildflowers like Yellow Star-of-Bethlehem to a developer. This field belongs to the people of Bish who cherish its wildlife. Please sign this petition to stop them doing this. Thanks 😊 c.org/syGKBRcGBY
February 4, 2026 at 6:21 PM
Bishopthorpe Parish Council want to sell a small wildlife oasis hosting rare wildflowers like Yellow Star-of-Bethlehem to a developer. This field belongs to the people of Bish who cherish its wildlife. Please sign this petition to stop them doing this. Thanks 😊 c.org/syGKBRcGBY
I went to go and see Red House Farm today. They work as part of the Limestone Ridge Nature Recovery Group around Doncaster.
Lots of hedges planted, beetle banks, cover crops and cultivated margins. He's already seeing increases in wildlife like Grey Partridge, but also noticing other wildlife more.
Lots of hedges planted, beetle banks, cover crops and cultivated margins. He's already seeing increases in wildlife like Grey Partridge, but also noticing other wildlife more.
February 4, 2026 at 3:55 PM
I went to go and see Red House Farm today. They work as part of the Limestone Ridge Nature Recovery Group around Doncaster.
Lots of hedges planted, beetle banks, cover crops and cultivated margins. He's already seeing increases in wildlife like Grey Partridge, but also noticing other wildlife more.
Lots of hedges planted, beetle banks, cover crops and cultivated margins. He's already seeing increases in wildlife like Grey Partridge, but also noticing other wildlife more.
What are you doing on Sat 21st March? I'll be at the @ynuorg.bsky.social conference in York
ynu.org.uk/news-events/...
It's looking at how to encourage more/better recording of less well studied groups. And is a good opportunity for a bit of a social too
ynu.org.uk/news-events/...
It's looking at how to encourage more/better recording of less well studied groups. And is a good opportunity for a bit of a social too
YNU Conference: Recording Yorkshire's natural history - beyond The State of Yorkshire's Nature report
The Yorkshire Naturalists' Union is devoted to studying and recording Yorkshire's flora and fauna. We are an association of amateur and professional naturalists covering a wide range of aspects of na...
ynu.org.uk
January 26, 2026 at 1:02 PM
What are you doing on Sat 21st March? I'll be at the @ynuorg.bsky.social conference in York
ynu.org.uk/news-events/...
It's looking at how to encourage more/better recording of less well studied groups. And is a good opportunity for a bit of a social too
ynu.org.uk/news-events/...
It's looking at how to encourage more/better recording of less well studied groups. And is a good opportunity for a bit of a social too
The ings below this limestone grassland have been flooded again. The deeper soils of the Ings would mean different species would occur anyway, but there should be some overlap.
However the nutrient input is so high that it's mainly ruderals ☹️ Impact of urban areas and arable run off upstream
However the nutrient input is so high that it's mainly ruderals ☹️ Impact of urban areas and arable run off upstream
January 24, 2026 at 6:17 AM
The ings below this limestone grassland have been flooded again. The deeper soils of the Ings would mean different species would occur anyway, but there should be some overlap.
However the nutrient input is so high that it's mainly ruderals ☹️ Impact of urban areas and arable run off upstream
However the nutrient input is so high that it's mainly ruderals ☹️ Impact of urban areas and arable run off upstream
Sometimes you need to see a video to get a better idea about the challenges people are facing, a paper won't do.
Some of the cliffs being surveyed and sampled here just couldn't be done any other way!
youtu.be/3GOVjhJq1to?...
A really interesting talk hosted by @bsbibotany.bsky.social
Some of the cliffs being surveyed and sampled here just couldn't be done any other way!
youtu.be/3GOVjhJq1to?...
A really interesting talk hosted by @bsbibotany.bsky.social
How robotics can help save rare plants from going extinct
YouTube video by Botanical Society of Britain and Ireland
youtu.be
January 23, 2026 at 6:53 AM
Sometimes you need to see a video to get a better idea about the challenges people are facing, a paper won't do.
Some of the cliffs being surveyed and sampled here just couldn't be done any other way!
youtu.be/3GOVjhJq1to?...
A really interesting talk hosted by @bsbibotany.bsky.social
Some of the cliffs being surveyed and sampled here just couldn't be done any other way!
youtu.be/3GOVjhJq1to?...
A really interesting talk hosted by @bsbibotany.bsky.social
Read about me waffling on about being a naturalist here,
www.ynu.org.uk/about-the-yn...
It's not long.
Natural history societies work by members stepping up to help out. Maybe you could offer to lead a walk or become a trustee of one near you.
@ynuorg.bsky.social @sorbynathissoc.bsky.social
www.ynu.org.uk/about-the-yn...
It's not long.
Natural history societies work by members stepping up to help out. Maybe you could offer to lead a walk or become a trustee of one near you.
@ynuorg.bsky.social @sorbynathissoc.bsky.social
How We Are Run
The Yorkshire Naturalists' Union is devoted to studying and recording Yorkshire's flora and fauna. We are an association of amateur and professional naturalists covering a wide range of aspects of na...
www.ynu.org.uk
January 22, 2026 at 8:54 PM
Read about me waffling on about being a naturalist here,
www.ynu.org.uk/about-the-yn...
It's not long.
Natural history societies work by members stepping up to help out. Maybe you could offer to lead a walk or become a trustee of one near you.
@ynuorg.bsky.social @sorbynathissoc.bsky.social
www.ynu.org.uk/about-the-yn...
It's not long.
Natural history societies work by members stepping up to help out. Maybe you could offer to lead a walk or become a trustee of one near you.
@ynuorg.bsky.social @sorbynathissoc.bsky.social
Reposted by Jim Horsfall
Our outline programme of activities for April 2025 to March 2026 is available on our website at www.sorby.org.uk/events Full details of each activity can be found in our monthly newsletter, which is distributed free to members.
Events | Sorby Natural History Society, Sheffield
www.sorby.org.uk
May 27, 2025 at 11:02 AM
Our outline programme of activities for April 2025 to March 2026 is available on our website at www.sorby.org.uk/events Full details of each activity can be found in our monthly newsletter, which is distributed free to members.
Plenty of Bee Orchid rosettes at Wood Lee Common, Maltby.
@rotherhamcouncil.bsky.social are going to relax mowing on here to allow species like this to thrive.
This small patch is a candidate Local Wildlife Site due to it's interesting limestone flora.
@rotherhamcouncil.bsky.social are going to relax mowing on here to allow species like this to thrive.
This small patch is a candidate Local Wildlife Site due to it's interesting limestone flora.
January 20, 2026 at 6:28 PM
Plenty of Bee Orchid rosettes at Wood Lee Common, Maltby.
@rotherhamcouncil.bsky.social are going to relax mowing on here to allow species like this to thrive.
This small patch is a candidate Local Wildlife Site due to it's interesting limestone flora.
@rotherhamcouncil.bsky.social are going to relax mowing on here to allow species like this to thrive.
This small patch is a candidate Local Wildlife Site due to it's interesting limestone flora.
Only one moth in my suburban trap this morning, a Spring Usher.
I didn't trap in December as my neighbour had so many lights for nearly all of December I thought my trap wouldn't compete! So glad to at least get 1 moth.
@bcyorkshire.bsky.social @wildsheffield.bsky.social
I didn't trap in December as my neighbour had so many lights for nearly all of December I thought my trap wouldn't compete! So glad to at least get 1 moth.
@bcyorkshire.bsky.social @wildsheffield.bsky.social
January 17, 2026 at 8:27 AM
Only one moth in my suburban trap this morning, a Spring Usher.
I didn't trap in December as my neighbour had so many lights for nearly all of December I thought my trap wouldn't compete! So glad to at least get 1 moth.
@bcyorkshire.bsky.social @wildsheffield.bsky.social
I didn't trap in December as my neighbour had so many lights for nearly all of December I thought my trap wouldn't compete! So glad to at least get 1 moth.
@bcyorkshire.bsky.social @wildsheffield.bsky.social
I stopped for 5 min on @naturalengland.bsky.social Hatfield Moor on the way to the Buddhist retreat at Lindholme.
Strange look to the place here, an area that had a big fire a few years ago. The lack of tree regrowth is possibly positive sign this lowland bog is wet enough to prevent succession.
Strange look to the place here, an area that had a big fire a few years ago. The lack of tree regrowth is possibly positive sign this lowland bog is wet enough to prevent succession.
January 8, 2026 at 6:28 PM
I stopped for 5 min on @naturalengland.bsky.social Hatfield Moor on the way to the Buddhist retreat at Lindholme.
Strange look to the place here, an area that had a big fire a few years ago. The lack of tree regrowth is possibly positive sign this lowland bog is wet enough to prevent succession.
Strange look to the place here, an area that had a big fire a few years ago. The lack of tree regrowth is possibly positive sign this lowland bog is wet enough to prevent succession.
A quick wander to the pond near my Dad's, the pond was too icy for many invertebrates, but had a few Minnows active. Snipe and Brown Hare too.
Winter midges about in the shafts of sun along a hedge, and a couple of Goldcrests flitting about to get them.
Nice winter walk @yorkswildlife.bsky.social
Winter midges about in the shafts of sun along a hedge, and a couple of Goldcrests flitting about to get them.
Nice winter walk @yorkswildlife.bsky.social
December 27, 2025 at 1:07 PM
A quick wander to the pond near my Dad's, the pond was too icy for many invertebrates, but had a few Minnows active. Snipe and Brown Hare too.
Winter midges about in the shafts of sun along a hedge, and a couple of Goldcrests flitting about to get them.
Nice winter walk @yorkswildlife.bsky.social
Winter midges about in the shafts of sun along a hedge, and a couple of Goldcrests flitting about to get them.
Nice winter walk @yorkswildlife.bsky.social
I went to check on the ponies on Huxterwell marsh today. Despite giving us the run around last week, today they were my friends and came to investigate
They are doing a good job of grazing the wetland, but this grassy area in the middle is their favourite hangout
@yorkswildlife.bsky.social
They are doing a good job of grazing the wetland, but this grassy area in the middle is their favourite hangout
@yorkswildlife.bsky.social
December 22, 2025 at 7:25 PM
I went to check on the ponies on Huxterwell marsh today. Despite giving us the run around last week, today they were my friends and came to investigate
They are doing a good job of grazing the wetland, but this grassy area in the middle is their favourite hangout
@yorkswildlife.bsky.social
They are doing a good job of grazing the wetland, but this grassy area in the middle is their favourite hangout
@yorkswildlife.bsky.social
The wetland restoration at work is nearly finished. Much more open water now. Once the sluice boards are put back in and the level rises on this lake there should be a mix of depths and plenty of opportunities for aquatic plants, invertebrates and the birds that eat them.
@donnybirding.bsky.social
@donnybirding.bsky.social
December 21, 2025 at 6:51 PM
The wetland restoration at work is nearly finished. Much more open water now. Once the sluice boards are put back in and the level rises on this lake there should be a mix of depths and plenty of opportunities for aquatic plants, invertebrates and the birds that eat them.
@donnybirding.bsky.social
@donnybirding.bsky.social
I've recorded wildlife for many years, starting with pen and paper, but in the last several years mostly recording on apps. (I still use paper to tally my moth trap findings).
I can't imagine being bothered to write down 8,000 records in a year before apps. It surely has made a big impact!
I can't imagine being bothered to write down 8,000 records in a year before apps. It surely has made a big impact!
December 20, 2025 at 8:55 AM
I've recorded wildlife for many years, starting with pen and paper, but in the last several years mostly recording on apps. (I still use paper to tally my moth trap findings).
I can't imagine being bothered to write down 8,000 records in a year before apps. It surely has made a big impact!
I can't imagine being bothered to write down 8,000 records in a year before apps. It surely has made a big impact!
The new @bsbibotany.bsky.social handbook on roses arrived today. I'm looking forward to trying to find a few species next year.
Hopefully with some @sorbynathissoc.bsky.social and @ynuorg.bsky.social friends.
Hopefully with some @sorbynathissoc.bsky.social and @ynuorg.bsky.social friends.
December 13, 2025 at 10:38 AM
The new @bsbibotany.bsky.social handbook on roses arrived today. I'm looking forward to trying to find a few species next year.
Hopefully with some @sorbynathissoc.bsky.social and @ynuorg.bsky.social friends.
Hopefully with some @sorbynathissoc.bsky.social and @ynuorg.bsky.social friends.
To maintain wetlands at early succession state, for the benefit of birds (and those that want to watch them), sometimes you need to radically reset the state of the habitat.
Here a digger is scraping out the reeds and accumulated silt in this shallow lake (shallow water succeeds much quicker).
Here a digger is scraping out the reeds and accumulated silt in this shallow lake (shallow water succeeds much quicker).
December 13, 2025 at 9:12 AM
To maintain wetlands at early succession state, for the benefit of birds (and those that want to watch them), sometimes you need to radically reset the state of the habitat.
Here a digger is scraping out the reeds and accumulated silt in this shallow lake (shallow water succeeds much quicker).
Here a digger is scraping out the reeds and accumulated silt in this shallow lake (shallow water succeeds much quicker).
I am aware of how strange it is to be excited to find a dead hornet, take it home and stick a pin through it.
It's doesn't mean I'll stop doing it though.
It dwarfs all the other hymenopterans I have specimens of. A giant predator of the insects.
@sorbynathissoc.bsky.social
@ynuorg.bsky.social
It's doesn't mean I'll stop doing it though.
It dwarfs all the other hymenopterans I have specimens of. A giant predator of the insects.
@sorbynathissoc.bsky.social
@ynuorg.bsky.social
November 28, 2025 at 10:50 AM
I am aware of how strange it is to be excited to find a dead hornet, take it home and stick a pin through it.
It's doesn't mean I'll stop doing it though.
It dwarfs all the other hymenopterans I have specimens of. A giant predator of the insects.
@sorbynathissoc.bsky.social
@ynuorg.bsky.social
It's doesn't mean I'll stop doing it though.
It dwarfs all the other hymenopterans I have specimens of. A giant predator of the insects.
@sorbynathissoc.bsky.social
@ynuorg.bsky.social
We moved the cattle from the south to the north side of the river Went yesterday. And added a few new cattle to the herd (now 10 here).
They have reign over a few fields at the moment, including this steep limestone pasture. One of the best fields in Yorkshire for flora.
#BrockadaleNatureReserve
They have reign over a few fields at the moment, including this steep limestone pasture. One of the best fields in Yorkshire for flora.
#BrockadaleNatureReserve
November 28, 2025 at 8:18 AM
We moved the cattle from the south to the north side of the river Went yesterday. And added a few new cattle to the herd (now 10 here).
They have reign over a few fields at the moment, including this steep limestone pasture. One of the best fields in Yorkshire for flora.
#BrockadaleNatureReserve
They have reign over a few fields at the moment, including this steep limestone pasture. One of the best fields in Yorkshire for flora.
#BrockadaleNatureReserve
The soft magnesian limestone doesn't have as many cliffs as the harder carboniferous. But there are a couple of cliffs at Brockadale.
Looks like lower one is just used for roosting, much more poo at high one suggests nesting site.
A pair of kestrel here now and earlier (in the summer).
Looks like lower one is just used for roosting, much more poo at high one suggests nesting site.
A pair of kestrel here now and earlier (in the summer).
November 26, 2025 at 7:33 AM
The soft magnesian limestone doesn't have as many cliffs as the harder carboniferous. But there are a couple of cliffs at Brockadale.
Looks like lower one is just used for roosting, much more poo at high one suggests nesting site.
A pair of kestrel here now and earlier (in the summer).
Looks like lower one is just used for roosting, much more poo at high one suggests nesting site.
A pair of kestrel here now and earlier (in the summer).
The weather was very heavy showers today, so just went for a wander near home. I'm lucky to have Ancient Woodlands and a very large park nearby.
The sound and sight of the city is never far away, but I can still get lost in a quiet corner (mentally, usually not physically!)
#Sheffield
The sound and sight of the city is never far away, but I can still get lost in a quiet corner (mentally, usually not physically!)
#Sheffield
November 23, 2025 at 7:03 PM
The weather was very heavy showers today, so just went for a wander near home. I'm lucky to have Ancient Woodlands and a very large park nearby.
The sound and sight of the city is never far away, but I can still get lost in a quiet corner (mentally, usually not physically!)
#Sheffield
The sound and sight of the city is never far away, but I can still get lost in a quiet corner (mentally, usually not physically!)
#Sheffield