Justin Walker
@arcanelove.bsky.social
390 followers 300 following 130 posts
Field ornithologist, amateur entomologist, Norfolk heteroptera recorder; enjoys the company of trees, picks litter, runs.
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arcanelove.bsky.social
A pencil thick young Grass Snake in the garden this afternoon, presumably quite active given it hit 20°C in Thetford today.
Young Grass Snake - Natrix helvetica
arcanelove.bsky.social
Just one Willow Warbler among 25 Chiffchaffs ringed at @btobirds.bsky.social #NunneryLakes yesterday. Sadly, now an uncommon species here outside of Thetford and King’s Forests. What are we doing to our world?
arcanelove.bsky.social
This isn’t a test! The #ClimateEmergency is already impacting the lives of millions globally and unless necessary change is immediately made the situation will threaten life on Earth.
arcanelove.bsky.social
Sorry, I didn’t mean only recorded from glasshouses. Are they recorded in significant numbers?
arcanelove.bsky.social
Yes, Nezara viridula has been recorded from glasshouses growing peppers and aubergines in the Lee Valley. I've yet to see either species.
arcanelove.bsky.social
Norfolk naturalists, please look out for nymphs and adults of the non-native Southern Green Shieldbug ~ Nezara viridula. With this being the second county record it would be useful to know more about their spread. Please add records via iRecord, or DM me. www.britishbugs.org.uk/heteroptera/...
arcanelove.bsky.social
I wasn't entirely sure if these are dog toys or stress relief for their owners. Apparently, much like reality, Elon was quite unpopular.
arcanelove.bsky.social
I've looked for the mirid on lots of other patches of Rhododendron in NW Norfolk but failed. I hope you find the lacebug, it would great to confirm presence of S. rhododendri.
arcanelove.bsky.social
The exuvium looks dark which is more likely to make it S. takeyai, S.rhododendri is pale as an adult and in photos I've the nymphs are also paler. The leafhopper is a fab beast. Were you aware of the Mirid bug Tupiocoris rhododendri? I've only seen it in the Dersingham Bog top car park.
arcanelove.bsky.social
I was going to put social media out advising checks on obviously larger specimens. I’ve only had it on Green Alkanet and further up the plant than FMNSB, which are often on the ground. The black appearance and pale/white membrane are quite distinctive but rostrum length is probably safest.
arcanelove.bsky.social
I forgot to say - nice find!
arcanelove.bsky.social
Yes, absolutely; I'll get the location then although it's going to be somewhere beyond my reach. I need to invest in a suction sampler as my ground level activities are limited to pitfall trapping and grubbing around under suitable plants.
arcanelove.bsky.social
Your diddy ones will be Ochetostethus nanus found new to Britain by Steve Lane at a private site in Norfolk last year; swept from Black Medick. Another species on my wish list.
arcanelove.bsky.social
Another feature is being black, whereas S. luctuosus generally has a metallic hue; referred to as bronzy in the literature.
arcanelove.bsky.social
Sorry Rob, I've been off Bsky for a while, mostly due to hand surgery badly timed for the best part of summer. Here is S. morio from @btobirds.bsky.social #NunneryLakes last weekend; length 8.2mm, membrane pale and rostrum beyond middle coxae; from Green Alkanet. My 3rd local record.
Reposted by Justin Walker
ukbms.bsky.social
The good weather is back, let's celebrate with some FIT-counts! 🌞 🐝 🪲 🪰 🦋

These ten-minute counts are vital for tracking pollinators and can be done anywhere—garden, park, or on your transect

Find out more ⬇️ ukpoms.org.uk/fit-counts
@pomscheme.bsky.social
FIT Counts: help us monitor pollinators | PoMS
The UK PoMS recording season runs from 1 April to 30 September each year. Read on for how to join in, and download the guidance documents.
ukpoms.org.uk
arcanelove.bsky.social
The effort was certainly worth it in my opinion. I'll be a while before I'll be able to do much, but that does mean I can catch up with photos and data entry, albeit somewhat slowly with one functioning hand.
arcanelove.bsky.social
Thanks Maria, I'll be catching up tomorrow. The book's really nicely done, I love the spiral size comparison including a few conspicuous species for reference.
arcanelove.bsky.social
I've used mine already, brilliant and well worth it. I got lucky yesterday and spotted a Red-flanked Ladybird running across the bench while emptying the moth trap.
arcanelove.bsky.social
Thanks Maria, I think I’ll have the Norfolk hets verification covered as I won’t be up to much else for a bit 😂 on a positive note I used your excellent micro ladybirds book yesterday.
arcanelove.bsky.social
Thanks Vanna. Handling specimens will be difficult for a while hence wanting to catchup with distinctive and photogenic species.
arcanelove.bsky.social
In West Suffolk Hospital at Bury St. Edmunds waiting for surgery to fix my disfigured left hand. Last bird seen was a confiding male Blackbird collecting food in the grounds.
arcanelove.bsky.social
Is that hair or a mould? I’ll have a better look over the next few days.