Reposted by Martyn Roper
After all the rain lately great to see the first Black Oil Beetles Meloe proscarabaeus out on Bolberry Down, Devon yesterday - 11 seen in rough grassland along the coast path
February 15, 2026 at 3:11 PM
After all the rain lately great to see the first Black Oil Beetles Meloe proscarabaeus out on Bolberry Down, Devon yesterday - 11 seen in rough grassland along the coast path
Counted at least 30 seven spot lady birds yesterday in a local churchyard, along with one very tiny beetle which I think is some kind of flea beetle but not sure. #ladybirds #IRecord
February 15, 2026 at 1:42 PM
Counted at least 30 seven spot lady birds yesterday in a local churchyard, along with one very tiny beetle which I think is some kind of flea beetle but not sure. #ladybirds #IRecord
I found this five legged Harvestman yesterday under a stone in a local town gardens. It was really tiny and was dwarfed by the woodlice it was sharing its home with. I have tried keying it out this morning with no luck. Any ideas anyone? #Harvestmen #Arachnids
February 15, 2026 at 12:49 PM
I found this five legged Harvestman yesterday under a stone in a local town gardens. It was really tiny and was dwarfed by the woodlice it was sharing its home with. I have tried keying it out this morning with no luck. Any ideas anyone? #Harvestmen #Arachnids
Reposted by Martyn Roper
lufung, f.n: loving, action of loving. (LUH-vung / ˈlʌ-vʌŋ)
Image: Book of Hours; Flanders (Cambrai?), c. 1300-1310; Walters Art Museum, Ms. W.88, f. 139v.
#OldEnglish #WOTD
Image: Book of Hours; Flanders (Cambrai?), c. 1300-1310; Walters Art Museum, Ms. W.88, f. 139v.
#OldEnglish #WOTD
February 14, 2026 at 8:01 AM
lufung, f.n: loving, action of loving. (LUH-vung / ˈlʌ-vʌŋ)
Image: Book of Hours; Flanders (Cambrai?), c. 1300-1310; Walters Art Museum, Ms. W.88, f. 139v.
#OldEnglish #WOTD
Image: Book of Hours; Flanders (Cambrai?), c. 1300-1310; Walters Art Museum, Ms. W.88, f. 139v.
#OldEnglish #WOTD
Reposted by Martyn Roper
February 14, 2026 at 8:24 AM
Reposted by Martyn Roper
Scots Pine with no name, or a name only known to other Scots Pine - El Arenal, Spain
Trees detect gravity using tiny structures within the cells of their roots and shoots called statoliths. These tell them which way is up, & perfectly reflected here
Photo: Alberto C F
Trees detect gravity using tiny structures within the cells of their roots and shoots called statoliths. These tell them which way is up, & perfectly reflected here
Photo: Alberto C F
February 14, 2026 at 8:43 AM
Scots Pine with no name, or a name only known to other Scots Pine - El Arenal, Spain
Trees detect gravity using tiny structures within the cells of their roots and shoots called statoliths. These tell them which way is up, & perfectly reflected here
Photo: Alberto C F
Trees detect gravity using tiny structures within the cells of their roots and shoots called statoliths. These tell them which way is up, & perfectly reflected here
Photo: Alberto C F
Looking back over my photos from 2024 and I find this. I remember it well as I was out looking for damselflies at the time and remember feeling sorry for the poor thing. Fantastic spider though 🙂
#arachnids #spiders #Damselflies #unlucky
#arachnids #spiders #Damselflies #unlucky
February 13, 2026 at 12:53 PM
Looking back over my photos from 2024 and I find this. I remember it well as I was out looking for damselflies at the time and remember feeling sorry for the poor thing. Fantastic spider though 🙂
#arachnids #spiders #Damselflies #unlucky
#arachnids #spiders #Damselflies #unlucky
Reposted by Martyn Roper
Guess who’s turning 217 today? It’s Charles Darwin! 🥳
Born in 1809, he transformed the way we understand the natural world. He developed the theory of evolution by natural selection in his 1859 best-seller, ‘On the Origins of Species’.
Send him your birthday wishes in the comments! 👇
Born in 1809, he transformed the way we understand the natural world. He developed the theory of evolution by natural selection in his 1859 best-seller, ‘On the Origins of Species’.
Send him your birthday wishes in the comments! 👇
February 12, 2026 at 3:47 PM
Guess who’s turning 217 today? It’s Charles Darwin! 🥳
Born in 1809, he transformed the way we understand the natural world. He developed the theory of evolution by natural selection in his 1859 best-seller, ‘On the Origins of Species’.
Send him your birthday wishes in the comments! 👇
Born in 1809, he transformed the way we understand the natural world. He developed the theory of evolution by natural selection in his 1859 best-seller, ‘On the Origins of Species’.
Send him your birthday wishes in the comments! 👇
Reposted by Martyn Roper
Oh there’s a monkey on their back - they must be bugged that they can’t shift it…
(Malaise samples from @kneppwildlandfdn.bsky.social)
(Malaise samples from @kneppwildlandfdn.bsky.social)
February 11, 2026 at 2:22 PM
Oh there’s a monkey on their back - they must be bugged that they can’t shift it…
(Malaise samples from @kneppwildlandfdn.bsky.social)
(Malaise samples from @kneppwildlandfdn.bsky.social)
A few photos of over wintering spiders found in the garden over the last few weeks. All spiders were found on the underside of either roof tiles or bricks or large stones and all at ground level. #Arachnids #spiders #IRecord
February 7, 2026 at 5:00 PM
A few photos of over wintering spiders found in the garden over the last few weeks. All spiders were found on the underside of either roof tiles or bricks or large stones and all at ground level. #Arachnids #spiders #IRecord
Reposted by Martyn Roper
Weymouth: Just three moths this morning, an Acleris umbrana and 2 Early Moth, both species nfy.
Best from Woodsford this morning were 3 Woodlark, Goosander and Great White Egret, all seen whilst dodging the incessant spells of rain.
Best from Woodsford this morning were 3 Woodlark, Goosander and Great White Egret, all seen whilst dodging the incessant spells of rain.
February 7, 2026 at 12:51 PM
Weymouth: Just three moths this morning, an Acleris umbrana and 2 Early Moth, both species nfy.
Best from Woodsford this morning were 3 Woodlark, Goosander and Great White Egret, all seen whilst dodging the incessant spells of rain.
Best from Woodsford this morning were 3 Woodlark, Goosander and Great White Egret, all seen whilst dodging the incessant spells of rain.
Reposted by Martyn Roper
Yew at Stoke Gabriel Church, Devon
Believed to be 1,000 years old, & likely the original place of worship, & why the church was placed here
'Walk ye backward round about me
7 times round for all to see
Stumble not and then for certain
One true wish will come to thee'
Believed to be 1,000 years old, & likely the original place of worship, & why the church was placed here
'Walk ye backward round about me
7 times round for all to see
Stumble not and then for certain
One true wish will come to thee'
February 6, 2026 at 7:08 AM
Yew at Stoke Gabriel Church, Devon
Believed to be 1,000 years old, & likely the original place of worship, & why the church was placed here
'Walk ye backward round about me
7 times round for all to see
Stumble not and then for certain
One true wish will come to thee'
Believed to be 1,000 years old, & likely the original place of worship, & why the church was placed here
'Walk ye backward round about me
7 times round for all to see
Stumble not and then for certain
One true wish will come to thee'
A very shaky phone video of what I think is Nigma walckenaeri on ivy yesterday in my local churchyard.
#Arachnids #spiders #luckyme
#Arachnids #spiders #luckyme
February 5, 2026 at 7:28 AM
A very shaky phone video of what I think is Nigma walckenaeri on ivy yesterday in my local churchyard.
#Arachnids #spiders #luckyme
#Arachnids #spiders #luckyme
A quick visit yesterday to the local churchyard in the town where I work produced four ladybird species.
Adonis ladybird, Harlequin ladybird, pine ladybird and seven spot ladybird. 🐞 #ladybirds #Happydays
Adonis ladybird, Harlequin ladybird, pine ladybird and seven spot ladybird. 🐞 #ladybirds #Happydays
February 5, 2026 at 7:19 AM
A quick visit yesterday to the local churchyard in the town where I work produced four ladybird species.
Adonis ladybird, Harlequin ladybird, pine ladybird and seven spot ladybird. 🐞 #ladybirds #Happydays
Adonis ladybird, Harlequin ladybird, pine ladybird and seven spot ladybird. 🐞 #ladybirds #Happydays
It’s amazing what you can find active at this time of year if you just take the time to look.
I watched this Zebra spider hunting on a sunny brick wall yesterday along with a Wolf Spider and Nursery Web Spider both sat on top of gravestones in my local cemetery. #Arachnids
I watched this Zebra spider hunting on a sunny brick wall yesterday along with a Wolf Spider and Nursery Web Spider both sat on top of gravestones in my local cemetery. #Arachnids
February 1, 2026 at 6:13 PM
It’s amazing what you can find active at this time of year if you just take the time to look.
I watched this Zebra spider hunting on a sunny brick wall yesterday along with a Wolf Spider and Nursery Web Spider both sat on top of gravestones in my local cemetery. #Arachnids
I watched this Zebra spider hunting on a sunny brick wall yesterday along with a Wolf Spider and Nursery Web Spider both sat on top of gravestones in my local cemetery. #Arachnids
I had a wander around the local churchyard yesterday checking gravestones for invertebrates and came up with a good number of different species including this Harvestman.
I think it’s a Male Dicranopalpus Ramosus but will probably have to be recorded as a Dicranopalpus species.
#Harvestman
I think it’s a Male Dicranopalpus Ramosus but will probably have to be recorded as a Dicranopalpus species.
#Harvestman
February 1, 2026 at 6:00 PM
I had a wander around the local churchyard yesterday checking gravestones for invertebrates and came up with a good number of different species including this Harvestman.
I think it’s a Male Dicranopalpus Ramosus but will probably have to be recorded as a Dicranopalpus species.
#Harvestman
I think it’s a Male Dicranopalpus Ramosus but will probably have to be recorded as a Dicranopalpus species.
#Harvestman
Would anyone have any idea as to what species this is ? This was taken today in my garden in Oxfordshire and was inside a winter Jasmine flower.
December 19, 2025 at 5:54 PM
Would anyone have any idea as to what species this is ? This was taken today in my garden in Oxfordshire and was inside a winter Jasmine flower.
Reposted by Martyn Roper
A few Common Carder Bees Bombus pascuorum still active in the garden yesterday nectaring on Mahonia - the latest I have ever recorded them. Also a few Honeybees and a Marmalade Hoverfly Episyrphus balteatus, Buckfastleigh, Devon
November 11, 2025 at 5:51 PM
A few Common Carder Bees Bombus pascuorum still active in the garden yesterday nectaring on Mahonia - the latest I have ever recorded them. Also a few Honeybees and a Marmalade Hoverfly Episyrphus balteatus, Buckfastleigh, Devon
Reposted by Martyn Roper
How long do you think Wigeon can live for? 🤔⬇️
The longevity record for this species for Britain & Ireland is 34 years and 7 months! 😮
📷 John Harding / BTO
The longevity record for this species for Britain & Ireland is 34 years and 7 months! 😮
📷 John Harding / BTO
November 5, 2025 at 6:00 PM
How long do you think Wigeon can live for? 🤔⬇️
The longevity record for this species for Britain & Ireland is 34 years and 7 months! 😮
📷 John Harding / BTO
The longevity record for this species for Britain & Ireland is 34 years and 7 months! 😮
📷 John Harding / BTO
Reposted by Martyn Roper
Get your Christmas shopping done early 🎁 The 2026 BDS Calendar is available to buy for £10 on the online shop 📸 It features the stunning winner and finalists of the 2025 photography competition 👉 british-dragonflies.org.uk/product/bds-...
November 2, 2025 at 10:49 AM
Get your Christmas shopping done early 🎁 The 2026 BDS Calendar is available to buy for £10 on the online shop 📸 It features the stunning winner and finalists of the 2025 photography competition 👉 british-dragonflies.org.uk/product/bds-...
Reposted by Martyn Roper
The Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust join us to look back on their summer celebration of dragonflies 🎈 Register for the online BDS Annual Meeting on Saturday 15 November 2025 👉 british-dragonflies.org.uk/event/annual... @wwtworldwide.bsky.social
BDS Annual Meeting 2025 - British Dragonfly Society
Online event open to all.
british-dragonflies.org.uk
November 3, 2025 at 8:01 AM
The Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust join us to look back on their summer celebration of dragonflies 🎈 Register for the online BDS Annual Meeting on Saturday 15 November 2025 👉 british-dragonflies.org.uk/event/annual... @wwtworldwide.bsky.social
Bombus pascuorum.
The common carder bumblebee.
It might be common but it’s still a gorgeous little bee. 🐝
11th October 2025 Eynsham Oxfordshire #Eynsham #bumblebees
The common carder bumblebee.
It might be common but it’s still a gorgeous little bee. 🐝
11th October 2025 Eynsham Oxfordshire #Eynsham #bumblebees
November 2, 2025 at 4:52 PM
Bombus pascuorum.
The common carder bumblebee.
It might be common but it’s still a gorgeous little bee. 🐝
11th October 2025 Eynsham Oxfordshire #Eynsham #bumblebees
The common carder bumblebee.
It might be common but it’s still a gorgeous little bee. 🐝
11th October 2025 Eynsham Oxfordshire #Eynsham #bumblebees
Reposted by Martyn Roper
Hedgehog Harvestman Nemastomella bacilliferum, Plymouth, Devon, this very distinctive but tiny harvestman is found at several sites around the city. It has not been found anywhere else in the UK but may be overlooked? It is usually found sat on the underside of rocks lying on the ground.
October 27, 2025 at 12:52 PM
Hedgehog Harvestman Nemastomella bacilliferum, Plymouth, Devon, this very distinctive but tiny harvestman is found at several sites around the city. It has not been found anywhere else in the UK but may be overlooked? It is usually found sat on the underside of rocks lying on the ground.
Reposted by Martyn Roper
Classic seawatching at St Ives, Cornwall yesterday 1000s of birds including Gannets, Sooty Shearwater, Bonxie, Grey Phalarope, Storm and Leach's Petrels, Arctic and Long-tailed Skuas and Sabine's Gull thanks to the locals for giving directions on the birds before they disappeared around the corner
October 5, 2025 at 11:17 AM
Classic seawatching at St Ives, Cornwall yesterday 1000s of birds including Gannets, Sooty Shearwater, Bonxie, Grey Phalarope, Storm and Leach's Petrels, Arctic and Long-tailed Skuas and Sabine's Gull thanks to the locals for giving directions on the birds before they disappeared around the corner
Reposted by Martyn Roper
Hardly any Hen Harrier nesting attempts on English grouse moors for second year running.
Hardly any surprise why.
#RaptorPersecution #WildlifeCrime #Ornithology
raptorpersecutionuk.org/2025/10/02/h...
Hardly any surprise why.
#RaptorPersecution #WildlifeCrime #Ornithology
raptorpersecutionuk.org/2025/10/02/h...
Hardly any Hen Harrier nesting attempts on English grouse moors for second year running
Natural England has finally got around to publishing the data for the 2025 Hen Harrier breeding season, which demonstrate very clear differences between areas managed for conservation and those man…
raptorpersecutionuk.org
October 2, 2025 at 5:50 AM
Hardly any Hen Harrier nesting attempts on English grouse moors for second year running.
Hardly any surprise why.
#RaptorPersecution #WildlifeCrime #Ornithology
raptorpersecutionuk.org/2025/10/02/h...
Hardly any surprise why.
#RaptorPersecution #WildlifeCrime #Ornithology
raptorpersecutionuk.org/2025/10/02/h...