Rob Stephens

On our walk yesterday, a cheery Potentilla indica and its strawberry-like fruit.
#WildflowerHour

Walking through wet wooded Woolston, a spot of fungal interest. Pterula multifida, Xylaria polymorpha (my 1st sighting), Scleraderma citrinum (with a longer stem than I’m used to). Finally a teeny bit of jelly fungus. #fungi #fungifriends #nature 🍄

At the end of the garden, a Blue Tit showing a mild interest in the nest box.
#birds ##UKwildlife

On a north Norfolk beach, a Sea Gooseberry glistening in the sunshine.

A recently split Aster × frikartii 'Mönch' still in bloom. They’ve been flowering since July, though there are now few creatures around to enjoy them.

Approaching gibbousness.

A fairly warm night forecast, so we put the lamp out for the first time in a while. Just the one species …. But four gorgeous December Moths.
#moths #TeamMoth #MothsMatter #ento #UKwildlife

Not know for keeping still. 😂

Flying along the shore at RSPB Titchwell Marsh, a pair of Oystercatchers. One of our favourite birds.
#birds #UKwildlife

A Pheasant posing at the end of the garden.
#birds

Recently seen at Pensthorpe, a Hairy Shieldbug.
#bugs #ento #UKwildlife

For #WildflowerHour this week, a plant with some of the tiniest of flowers. Pellitory-of-the-wall.

In the garden, a pensive looking Wren.
#birds #UKwildlife

Sunshine and a stormy sky.

Two Jackdaws perched on a roof, one wearing a camo coat.
#birds #UKwildlife

On checking the chrysalises, five of the ten were empty. It’ll be interesting to see whether or not the other five remain dormant until spring as I would have expected.

On 7th July, we were left some Buff Ermine eggs. By 26th August all caterpillars had pupate. They were kept in our open sided shed. I check them regularly, and yesterday I was surprised to see a load of eggs in the tray. This morning they hatched.
#moths #TeamMoth #MothsMatter #ento #UKwildlife

Looks like Thelephora terrestris. No expert, but saw some last year.

A lone Brent Goose stopped by for some nibbles.
#birds #UKwildlife

A lone Brent Goose stopped by for some nibbles.
#birds

😀

‘So where are the beetles’ said I as we approached the fence on Holkham beach. And there on the first post were a Cabbage-stem Flea Beetle (Psylliodes chrysocephala) and a Dicheirotrichus obsoletus (I think?). Nearby, a Kidney-spot Ladybird (Chilocorus renipustulatus).
#beetles #ento #UKwildlife

If not, we should do.

Wonderful artwork Benji. I hope the campaign goes well to preserve this space. I think that all our remaining marshes should be protected from development.

‘I was proud to be asked to paint the beautiful Minster Marshes, for an incredible film by young filmmaker Connor Carruthers.🍃
This land provides a habitat for so much wildlife, but it’s under threat from development. 💔
Please share, spread the word, and help us to protect this important place’ 🙏🧡

It’s a wonderful experience. Hope you get the chance.

From various walks this week, Red Campion, Green Alkanet, Sea Campion and Dandelion.
#WildflowerHour

😂

What a glorious sight and sound. Passing over the house yesterday afternoon, hundreds of gorgeous geese.
#birds #UKwildlife

Ring on a dead Whooper Swan. Photo by David Tough

Ring on a dead Whooper Swan. Photo by David Tough

Advice from BTO on checking a dead bird for rings

We're now starting to get reports of dead Whooper Swans with rings. If you find a dead bird & feel comfortable doing so - check for rings using the below @btobirds.bsky.social advice 👇🏻 Collecting information on ringed birds helps better understand the impact on different age groups.