Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Rob Yaxley @robyaxley.bsky.social · 13h

Catching the afternoon sun at Marsham Heath today. 😍

Rob Yaxley @robyaxley.bsky.social · 13h

Baeomyces rufus is present in small amounts on several Norfolk heaths, but it is really common on parts of Marsham Heath, including some very large thalli (second pic). The pinky-browny fruits are borne on short stalks.

14

Rob Yaxley @robyaxley.bsky.social · 1d

Thanks Tim. Yes microscopy would be necessary I’m sure! These were under driftwood, so not entirely out in the open. I was looking for a rare millipede that lives up there somewhere.

1

Rob Yaxley @robyaxley.bsky.social · 1d

A few things on Blakeney Point today - Calogaya pusilla, Peltigera didactyla, Salicornia and a pink-footed goose on the strand line showing it’s bill serrations. Also a couple of merlins, a jack snipe, snow bunting and a pale bellied brent goose. All good stuff!

5 36

Rob Yaxley @robyaxley.bsky.social · 1d

Anyone good on their ant ID? Seen in dunes just above the high water line at Blakeney Point. Looked larger and less hairy than Lasius flavus.

1 1 6

Rob Yaxley @robyaxley.bsky.social · 2d

www.theguardian.com/environment/...

Century-old papers saved from the bin reveal changes in Europe’s plant life

Plant inventories dating back to 1884 and nearly thrown away enable unique time-lapse study of biodiversity in Swiss meadows

www.theguardian.com

2 6

Rob Yaxley @robyaxley.bsky.social · 2d

The Mallow was nice to see this morning. I didn’t appreciate until now the fine scattering of white scales superimposed on the barred wing pattern. 🤎

1 40

Reposted by Rob Yaxley

Prof Bill McGuire @profbillmcguire.bsky.social · 3d

"Rachel Reeves unblocked a development of 20,000 homes that were being held up by a rare snail, after being approached by a developer with whom she said, 'we have a good relationship'

Not only stupid and ignorant, but crooked with it

Indefensible

www.theguardian.com/environment/...

Rachel Reeves clears planning blockage amid ‘good relationship’ with developer

Chancellor says 20,000 homes were being held up due to ‘some snails that are a protected species or something’

www.theguardian.com

10 34 82

Rob Yaxley @robyaxley.bsky.social · 4d

Just looking at the previous county records, almost all of them are in October and November. I must get out on a heath somewhere and have a look.

1

Reposted by Rob Yaxley

Topknot Crew @topknotcrew.bsky.social · 4d

More mushrooms at Dersingham Bog. Is this the Heath Navel (Lichenomphalia ericatorum) @robyaxley.bsky.social? #Fungi #Mushrooms #lichen

1 6 100

Rob Yaxley @robyaxley.bsky.social · 4d

Yes it looks like heath navel, I can see the dark green granular thallus there. Nice photos! Also thanks for drawing my attention to the name change, until recently this was L. umbellifera. Please irecord if possible!

2

Rob Yaxley @robyaxley.bsky.social · 6d

I’ll be interested to give this a try.

UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology (UKCEH) @ukceh.bsky.social · 6d

Many lichen species are sensitive to nitrogen pollution, making them natural indicators of air quality.

📱LicheN is a new app enabling people to help monitor air quality using lichens. Data gathered will improve understanding of N pollution and its impacts on ecosystems.

buff.ly/AmWAOQB

🧪 1/

Side by side photos of a person looking at a picture of lichen on an app and comparing it to lichen on a tree trunk

7

Rob Yaxley @robyaxley.bsky.social · 7d

Business idea for Dragon’s Den - Mothchocs™️

2 4

Rob Yaxley @robyaxley.bsky.social · 7d

First Merveille-du-jour of the autumn this morning. 💚

2 66

Rob Yaxley @robyaxley.bsky.social · 8d

One of a number of very smart noon-flies just nooning around at Holkham pines this afternoon.

1 20

Rob Yaxley @robyaxley.bsky.social · 9d

A Red-legged Ham Beetle (Necrobia rufipes) crawls across the hide of a dead grey seal. Blakeney Point.

1 1 17

Rob Yaxley @robyaxley.bsky.social · 10d

This had me puzzled for a while. It’s the common Physcia caesia, but it’s infected with the fungus Polycoccum pulvinatum, which subtly changes the appeasance of the thallus as well as showing as black dots. Blakeney Point.

4 24

Rob Yaxley @robyaxley.bsky.social · 11d

Blakeney Point is so exposed that lichens which normally grow on tree bark have resorted to growing on the ground. Punctelia subrudecta, Bryoria fuscescens, Evernia prunastri, Parmelia saxatilis. The Bryoria is rare in lowland England.

3 35

Reposted by Rob Yaxley

Steve Rogers 🟰🟰 @runnelstone.bsky.social · 13d

South Polar Skua at Pendeen Watch on 11th Sept ‘25.

Video shown below courtesy of Mike McKee.

#cornwallbirding #birding

4 9 100

Reposted by Rob Yaxley

British Birds @britishbirds.bsky.social · 13d

Ticks are more likely to carry the bacteria that cause Lyme disease in areas where Common Pheasants Phasianus colchicus are released, according to new research.

Read more: britishbirds.co.uk/journal/arti...
🥇Subscriber Content

3 32 55

Rob Yaxley @robyaxley.bsky.social · 12d

A great few days staying on Blakeney Point doing lichens with @garyhibberd.bsky.social - thanks to @nationaltrust.org.uk warden Ed for making us so welcome, and good to meet @mothyblackburn.bsky.social for some moths!

1 1 35

Rob Yaxley @robyaxley.bsky.social · 13d

Don’t eat it. Leave that to the Toadflax Brocades.

1

Rob Yaxley @robyaxley.bsky.social · 13d

Common toadflax. Your favourite!

1

Rob Yaxley @robyaxley.bsky.social · 14d

Steatoda albomaculata on Blakeney Point today. A Very Smart Spider.

3 59

Rob Yaxley @robyaxley.bsky.social · 15d

Moss Carder Bee exploring the boardwalk on Blakeney Point today. The best bumblebee in my opinion!

1 4 69