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.
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
How many people walk past the ridge and furrow landforms at Grave's Park in Sheffield and don't see the historic use for arable cultivation? Or the charcoal pits in nearby woods?
youtu.be/6pkWmMmv8bY?...
@billsutherland.bsky.social here explains how you can read a landscape and it's history.
youtu.be/6pkWmMmv8bY?...
@billsutherland.bsky.social here explains how you can read a landscape and it's history.
November 23, 2025 at 3:40 PM
How many people walk past the ridge and furrow landforms at Grave's Park in Sheffield and don't see the historic use for arable cultivation? Or the charcoal pits in nearby woods?
youtu.be/6pkWmMmv8bY?...
@billsutherland.bsky.social here explains how you can read a landscape and it's history.
youtu.be/6pkWmMmv8bY?...
@billsutherland.bsky.social here explains how you can read a landscape and it's history.
November isn't the best time for trapping flying insects, but I trap for 24hrs once a month as part of the Bioscan project. I took the trap in yesterday, and despite the turn to colder weather there was enough sunshine and warmth for a few (mostly very small) things. 🔎
November 19, 2025 at 7:51 PM
November isn't the best time for trapping flying insects, but I trap for 24hrs once a month as part of the Bioscan project. I took the trap in yesterday, and despite the turn to colder weather there was enough sunshine and warmth for a few (mostly very small) things. 🔎
Three common galls on the same oak leaf from a lunchtime walk in the Moss Valley.
The large globular one is a Cherry Gall, on the right is a flat disc, the Spangle Gall, and the right the small doughnut shaped Silk-button Gall.
You'll almost certainly be able to find these near you if you look.
The large globular one is a Cherry Gall, on the right is a flat disc, the Spangle Gall, and the right the small doughnut shaped Silk-button Gall.
You'll almost certainly be able to find these near you if you look.
November 12, 2025 at 4:35 PM
Three common galls on the same oak leaf from a lunchtime walk in the Moss Valley.
The large globular one is a Cherry Gall, on the right is a flat disc, the Spangle Gall, and the right the small doughnut shaped Silk-button Gall.
You'll almost certainly be able to find these near you if you look.
The large globular one is a Cherry Gall, on the right is a flat disc, the Spangle Gall, and the right the small doughnut shaped Silk-button Gall.
You'll almost certainly be able to find these near you if you look.
I was up in Wensleydale today, so called in at a @yorkswildlife.bsky.social nature reserve I've not been to before, Leyburn Old Glebe.
It's best known for its flowers, but actually had a few waxcaps today. Enough to encourage someone to go back next year (I'm not close enough).
It's best known for its flowers, but actually had a few waxcaps today. Enough to encourage someone to go back next year (I'm not close enough).
November 9, 2025 at 6:25 PM
I was up in Wensleydale today, so called in at a @yorkswildlife.bsky.social nature reserve I've not been to before, Leyburn Old Glebe.
It's best known for its flowers, but actually had a few waxcaps today. Enough to encourage someone to go back next year (I'm not close enough).
It's best known for its flowers, but actually had a few waxcaps today. Enough to encourage someone to go back next year (I'm not close enough).
I found this enormous Pike this afternoon, looks like it may have been eaten by an Otter. I'm not sure anything else can taken in a 4'6" long Pike and would eat the insides. It didn't smell much so was fairly fresh.
Anyone seen anything to suggest something different? @sorbynathissoc.bsky.social
Anyone seen anything to suggest something different? @sorbynathissoc.bsky.social
November 6, 2025 at 7:04 PM
I found this enormous Pike this afternoon, looks like it may have been eaten by an Otter. I'm not sure anything else can taken in a 4'6" long Pike and would eat the insides. It didn't smell much so was fairly fresh.
Anyone seen anything to suggest something different? @sorbynathissoc.bsky.social
Anyone seen anything to suggest something different? @sorbynathissoc.bsky.social
I put out a moth trap more in hope than expectation last night. So only one macro, a Red-green Carpet, was ok with me.
Today I found some Yellow-flowered Strawberry spreading about in a churchyard at Dronfield. New for me.
Wildlife is endlessly interesting. Always something new or surprising.
Today I found some Yellow-flowered Strawberry spreading about in a churchyard at Dronfield. New for me.
Wildlife is endlessly interesting. Always something new or surprising.
November 5, 2025 at 6:54 PM
I put out a moth trap more in hope than expectation last night. So only one macro, a Red-green Carpet, was ok with me.
Today I found some Yellow-flowered Strawberry spreading about in a churchyard at Dronfield. New for me.
Wildlife is endlessly interesting. Always something new or surprising.
Today I found some Yellow-flowered Strawberry spreading about in a churchyard at Dronfield. New for me.
Wildlife is endlessly interesting. Always something new or surprising.
A few fungi from a walk at Ladies Spring Wood, Sheffield today.
Wrinkled Peach, Common Funnel, Wood Blewit and Honey Fungus.
Honey Fungus seems to be taking advantage of of stressed trees from the summer drought, as it's common this autumn.
@sorbynathissoc.bsky.social
Wrinkled Peach, Common Funnel, Wood Blewit and Honey Fungus.
Honey Fungus seems to be taking advantage of of stressed trees from the summer drought, as it's common this autumn.
@sorbynathissoc.bsky.social
October 26, 2025 at 4:12 PM
A few fungi from a walk at Ladies Spring Wood, Sheffield today.
Wrinkled Peach, Common Funnel, Wood Blewit and Honey Fungus.
Honey Fungus seems to be taking advantage of of stressed trees from the summer drought, as it's common this autumn.
@sorbynathissoc.bsky.social
Wrinkled Peach, Common Funnel, Wood Blewit and Honey Fungus.
Honey Fungus seems to be taking advantage of of stressed trees from the summer drought, as it's common this autumn.
@sorbynathissoc.bsky.social
Calling all @sorbynathissoc.bsky.social @ynuorg.bsky.social @yorkswildlife.bsky.social members, there is a great indoor workshop on soliderflies coming up soon. I'll be there, and hope to see you too!
www.ywt.org.uk/events/2025-...
Or DM me for details
@uk-soldierflies.bsky.social
www.ywt.org.uk/events/2025-...
Or DM me for details
@uk-soldierflies.bsky.social
Soldierfly ID Workshop (YWT Member's Exclusive Event) | Yorkshire Wildlife Trust
Learn how to ID specimens of soldierflies with expert Yorkshire naturalist Derek Whiteley.
www.ywt.org.uk
October 25, 2025 at 10:26 AM
Calling all @sorbynathissoc.bsky.social @ynuorg.bsky.social @yorkswildlife.bsky.social members, there is a great indoor workshop on soliderflies coming up soon. I'll be there, and hope to see you too!
www.ywt.org.uk/events/2025-...
Or DM me for details
@uk-soldierflies.bsky.social
www.ywt.org.uk/events/2025-...
Or DM me for details
@uk-soldierflies.bsky.social
Possibly a new (to me) pinkgill, Entoloma violaceoserrulatum, found in my local cemetery. But pinkgills are tricky, and impossible to be sure without microscopy.
The photo doesn't do the indigo colour of the stem justice.
@sorbynathissoc.bsky.social
The photo doesn't do the indigo colour of the stem justice.
@sorbynathissoc.bsky.social
October 17, 2025 at 4:41 PM
Possibly a new (to me) pinkgill, Entoloma violaceoserrulatum, found in my local cemetery. But pinkgills are tricky, and impossible to be sure without microscopy.
The photo doesn't do the indigo colour of the stem justice.
@sorbynathissoc.bsky.social
The photo doesn't do the indigo colour of the stem justice.
@sorbynathissoc.bsky.social
A quiet moth trap this morning, and Autumn species. Perhaps a little too cold for many things?
Merveille du jour is always a nice surprise.
Merveille du jour is always a nice surprise.
October 17, 2025 at 9:58 AM
A quiet moth trap this morning, and Autumn species. Perhaps a little too cold for many things?
Merveille du jour is always a nice surprise.
Merveille du jour is always a nice surprise.
Grassland fungi are not as showy as usual this year. I had to do a lot of searching to find not many species today. A bit more rain should bring more out hopefully.
Meadow Coral, an undetermined Earth-tongue (finger for scale, this is a big one), Blackening Waxcap.
@plantlifeuk.bsky.social
Meadow Coral, an undetermined Earth-tongue (finger for scale, this is a big one), Blackening Waxcap.
@plantlifeuk.bsky.social
October 15, 2025 at 2:37 PM
Grassland fungi are not as showy as usual this year. I had to do a lot of searching to find not many species today. A bit more rain should bring more out hopefully.
Meadow Coral, an undetermined Earth-tongue (finger for scale, this is a big one), Blackening Waxcap.
@plantlifeuk.bsky.social
Meadow Coral, an undetermined Earth-tongue (finger for scale, this is a big one), Blackening Waxcap.
@plantlifeuk.bsky.social
Has anyone else noticed bladderwort appearing where pre planted coir mats or rolls have been used? I can't be certain that's the source, but noticed this twice now.
(Not sure which species this one is. But the other was U australis).
@bsbibotany.bsky.social @ynuorg.bsky.social
(Not sure which species this one is. But the other was U australis).
@bsbibotany.bsky.social @ynuorg.bsky.social
October 14, 2025 at 5:51 PM
Has anyone else noticed bladderwort appearing where pre planted coir mats or rolls have been used? I can't be certain that's the source, but noticed this twice now.
(Not sure which species this one is. But the other was U australis).
@bsbibotany.bsky.social @ynuorg.bsky.social
(Not sure which species this one is. But the other was U australis).
@bsbibotany.bsky.social @ynuorg.bsky.social
Rove beetles are the odd beetles that don't look like beetles. Their wing cases being short and their abdomen is on show, unlike other beetles.
This large beast is a Devil's Coach Horse, and is a predator of other invertebrates.
See at @wildsheffield.bsky.social 's Blackamoor nature reserve
This large beast is a Devil's Coach Horse, and is a predator of other invertebrates.
See at @wildsheffield.bsky.social 's Blackamoor nature reserve
October 8, 2025 at 3:47 PM
Rove beetles are the odd beetles that don't look like beetles. Their wing cases being short and their abdomen is on show, unlike other beetles.
This large beast is a Devil's Coach Horse, and is a predator of other invertebrates.
See at @wildsheffield.bsky.social 's Blackamoor nature reserve
This large beast is a Devil's Coach Horse, and is a predator of other invertebrates.
See at @wildsheffield.bsky.social 's Blackamoor nature reserve
I was in the centre of Rotherham this morning for a meeting, right by the river. So I had a look for any interesting plants.
Plenty of Frogbit, which is otherwise rare in South Yorkshire, and declined enormously. It must be floating down from somewhere upstream.
@sorbynathissoc.bsky.social
Plenty of Frogbit, which is otherwise rare in South Yorkshire, and declined enormously. It must be floating down from somewhere upstream.
@sorbynathissoc.bsky.social
October 7, 2025 at 6:06 PM
I was in the centre of Rotherham this morning for a meeting, right by the river. So I had a look for any interesting plants.
Plenty of Frogbit, which is otherwise rare in South Yorkshire, and declined enormously. It must be floating down from somewhere upstream.
@sorbynathissoc.bsky.social
Plenty of Frogbit, which is otherwise rare in South Yorkshire, and declined enormously. It must be floating down from somewhere upstream.
@sorbynathissoc.bsky.social
Not so many things still in flower now, but a couple of things from this week. Nodding Thistle, and Autumn Gentian. From a couple of @yorkswildlife.bsky.social nature reserves on magnesian limestone (Brockadale and Sprotbrough flash).
@wildflowerhour.bsky.social #WildflowerHour
@wildflowerhour.bsky.social #WildflowerHour
October 5, 2025 at 3:59 PM
Not so many things still in flower now, but a couple of things from this week. Nodding Thistle, and Autumn Gentian. From a couple of @yorkswildlife.bsky.social nature reserves on magnesian limestone (Brockadale and Sprotbrough flash).
@wildflowerhour.bsky.social #WildflowerHour
@wildflowerhour.bsky.social #WildflowerHour
Great Mullein from earlier in the week at Lathkill Dale in the Peak District. Most had finished flowering, but found one or two still in flower. Rosettes will flower next year.
The hairiness of the filaments being a key thing to look for in this species.
@wildflowerhour.bsky.social #WildflowerHour
The hairiness of the filaments being a key thing to look for in this species.
@wildflowerhour.bsky.social #WildflowerHour
September 28, 2025 at 6:45 PM
Great Mullein from earlier in the week at Lathkill Dale in the Peak District. Most had finished flowering, but found one or two still in flower. Rosettes will flower next year.
The hairiness of the filaments being a key thing to look for in this species.
@wildflowerhour.bsky.social #WildflowerHour
The hairiness of the filaments being a key thing to look for in this species.
@wildflowerhour.bsky.social #WildflowerHour
Ash dieback is continuing to take a toll on some of the nature reserves I look after. @yorkswildlife.bsky.social
Some very large ash died this year, some looking ropey. Many small trees already dead. Lots of trees to make safe near paths and roads.
📷 Brockadale nature reserve
😕
Some very large ash died this year, some looking ropey. Many small trees already dead. Lots of trees to make safe near paths and roads.
📷 Brockadale nature reserve
😕
September 27, 2025 at 2:21 PM
Ash dieback is continuing to take a toll on some of the nature reserves I look after. @yorkswildlife.bsky.social
Some very large ash died this year, some looking ropey. Many small trees already dead. Lots of trees to make safe near paths and roads.
📷 Brockadale nature reserve
😕
Some very large ash died this year, some looking ropey. Many small trees already dead. Lots of trees to make safe near paths and roads.
📷 Brockadale nature reserve
😕
I went investigating on scree habitat today. Looking fairly bare, it mostly has commoner plants. Wood Sage is frequently in bare scree, Mouse-eared Hawk-weed often where soil is starting to form.
The thing I was looking for though is very rare, Red Hemp-nettle. Declined in arable, but still ok here
The thing I was looking for though is very rare, Red Hemp-nettle. Declined in arable, but still ok here
September 24, 2025 at 2:50 PM
I went investigating on scree habitat today. Looking fairly bare, it mostly has commoner plants. Wood Sage is frequently in bare scree, Mouse-eared Hawk-weed often where soil is starting to form.
The thing I was looking for though is very rare, Red Hemp-nettle. Declined in arable, but still ok here
The thing I was looking for though is very rare, Red Hemp-nettle. Declined in arable, but still ok here
I went for an autumn wander today, still a few things in flower, although mostly IDing things vegetatively.
Harebells still going strong, Dark Red Helleborine not in flower but easy enough to find at the moment, I tried IDing an eyebright, it was just the common one.
@bsbibotany.bsky.social
Harebells still going strong, Dark Red Helleborine not in flower but easy enough to find at the moment, I tried IDing an eyebright, it was just the common one.
@bsbibotany.bsky.social
September 23, 2025 at 7:49 PM
I went for an autumn wander today, still a few things in flower, although mostly IDing things vegetatively.
Harebells still going strong, Dark Red Helleborine not in flower but easy enough to find at the moment, I tried IDing an eyebright, it was just the common one.
@bsbibotany.bsky.social
Harebells still going strong, Dark Red Helleborine not in flower but easy enough to find at the moment, I tried IDing an eyebright, it was just the common one.
@bsbibotany.bsky.social
Choosing a favourite for #WildflowerHour is impossible. So just a couple of things that I was pleased to find in 2025.
Rare Spring Sedge involved lots of crawling around on my knees looking at small sedges
You can't find Grass Vetchling if you want to, I just happen across it every couple of years
Rare Spring Sedge involved lots of crawling around on my knees looking at small sedges
You can't find Grass Vetchling if you want to, I just happen across it every couple of years
September 14, 2025 at 3:21 PM
Choosing a favourite for #WildflowerHour is impossible. So just a couple of things that I was pleased to find in 2025.
Rare Spring Sedge involved lots of crawling around on my knees looking at small sedges
You can't find Grass Vetchling if you want to, I just happen across it every couple of years
Rare Spring Sedge involved lots of crawling around on my knees looking at small sedges
You can't find Grass Vetchling if you want to, I just happen across it every couple of years
I rowed out to some of the islands at Parson's Carr nature reserve today. In spring these are home to many Black-headed Gulls, which prefer no trees and less vegetation, so was brushcutting, Sophie was chainsawing
Spear-leaved Orache was very common around the shore line
@donnybirding.bsky.social
Spear-leaved Orache was very common around the shore line
@donnybirding.bsky.social
September 12, 2025 at 6:03 PM
I rowed out to some of the islands at Parson's Carr nature reserve today. In spring these are home to many Black-headed Gulls, which prefer no trees and less vegetation, so was brushcutting, Sophie was chainsawing
Spear-leaved Orache was very common around the shore line
@donnybirding.bsky.social
Spear-leaved Orache was very common around the shore line
@donnybirding.bsky.social
Last of the Parsley Water-dropwort flowers. Only plants regrowing after browsing are now flowering, the rest are running to seed.
I rubbed a few plants today, and they do indeed smell like parsley or parsnips, but so many carrot family things do, maybe there is another reason for the name?
I rubbed a few plants today, and they do indeed smell like parsley or parsnips, but so many carrot family things do, maybe there is another reason for the name?
September 11, 2025 at 7:44 PM
Last of the Parsley Water-dropwort flowers. Only plants regrowing after browsing are now flowering, the rest are running to seed.
I rubbed a few plants today, and they do indeed smell like parsley or parsnips, but so many carrot family things do, maybe there is another reason for the name?
I rubbed a few plants today, and they do indeed smell like parsley or parsnips, but so many carrot family things do, maybe there is another reason for the name?
Sometimes bees key out easily, other times not. This male furrow bee was tricky, although I had a good idea what it was I struggled to get through the key to the right place. Discounting all the other species I came back to Orange-legged Furrow Bee (H. rubicundus)
@sorbynathissoc.bsky.social
@sorbynathissoc.bsky.social
September 10, 2025 at 6:41 PM
Sometimes bees key out easily, other times not. This male furrow bee was tricky, although I had a good idea what it was I struggled to get through the key to the right place. Discounting all the other species I came back to Orange-legged Furrow Bee (H. rubicundus)
@sorbynathissoc.bsky.social
@sorbynathissoc.bsky.social