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Charlie Forrest-King @c-forrest-king.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

My first possible Sericomyia silentis (Yellow-barred Peat Fly)? A large hoverfly, definitely stood out. - Cliffe Castle, Keighley, Yorkshire - 23/09/26 @lisawilliams30.bsky.social @dipteristsforum.bsky.social @hoverflyspotter.bsky.social

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Charlie Forrest-King @c-forrest-king.bsky.social · 06/09/2026

Still working through a few images from this year. Possible Cerceris rybyensis, 07/08/26. & Common Spiny Digger Wasp? (Oxybelus uniglumis), 10/06/26. Gentleshaw Common, Staffordshire @lisawilliams30.bsky.social #invertebrates #wasps

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Charlie Forrest-King @c-forrest-king.bsky.social · 29/08/2026

Another new one for the garden earlier this month. A female Xanthogramma pedissequum (Superb Ant-hill Hoverfly). Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire UK 16/08/2026 @dipteristsforum.bsky.social @lisawilliams30.bsky.social

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Charlie Forrest-King @c-forrest-king.bsky.social · 15/08/2026

Beautiful Oak Bush-cricket (Meconema thalassinum) from today. - RSPB Middleton lakes - 15/08/26 @lisawilliams30.bsky.social :)

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Charlie Forrest-King @c-forrest-king.bsky.social · 14/08/2026

Is this possibly Brachycarenus tigrinus? It has few records from what I can see so it may be something else Sorry bad photo, it flew out of the window quickly - Staffordshire UK - 14/08/26 @bugmanjones.bsky.social @britishbugs.bsky.social @lisawilliams30.bsky.social @rockwolf74.bsky.social

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Charlie Forrest-King @c-forrest-king.bsky.social · 07/08/2026

Could this be Cerceris rybyensis? Spotted at Gentleshaw Common -Staffordshire - 07/08/26 @lisawilliams30.bsky.social #solitarywasp

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Charlie Forrest-King @c-forrest-king.bsky.social · 26/07/2026

The common knapweed in our gardens mini meadow is stunning this year! So many bumblebees, hoverflies, moths, beetles etc. @staffswildlife.bsky.social @bumblebeetrust.bsky.social #plantforwildlife #wildspaces

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Charlie Forrest-King @c-forrest-king.bsky.social · 26/07/2026

First record of this beautiful female Wasp Plumehorn (Volucella inanis) in the garden today. Found on common knapweed, and then resting on the little native hedge we planted a few years ago. Such a beauty! @dipteristsforum.bsky.social @hoverflyspotter.bsky.social @lisawilliams30.bsky.social

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Charlie Forrest-King @c-forrest-king.bsky.social · 17/07/2026

The mini meadow has a lot of variety again this year, and finally the yellow rattle is growing in more spots. I have also mown a path through it, so I can enjoy it more :) #plantnativewildflowers #leavewildpatches #gardenforwildlife

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Charlie Forrest-King @c-forrest-king.bsky.social · 21/06/2026

What a weekend for wildlife in the garden, and a good week for new clearwings! Another lifer, and in the garden! Orange-tailed Clearwing (Synanthedon andrenaeformis) - Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire - 21/06/26 - On irecord @lesevanshill.bsky.social @savebutterflies.bsky.social

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Charlie Forrest-King @c-forrest-king.bsky.social · 20/06/2026

The BEST day! A beautiful male Rhinoceros Beetle (Sinodendron cylindricum) just landed on me!! A lifer for me, & has been on my 'want to see' list for a while! -Stoke-on-Trent garden - 20/06/26 @colsocbi.bsky.social @wild-dave.bsky.social @lisawilliams30.bsky.social @staffswildlife.bsky.social

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Charlie Forrest-King @c-forrest-king.bsky.social · 19/06/2026

Very excited to see my first beautiful Red-tipped Clearwing (Synanthedon formicaeformis) Came to lure whilst carrying out a survey. - Staffordshire - 17/06/2026 I have put it on irecord @lesevanshill.bsky.social @staffswildlife.bsky.social @savebutterflies.bsky.social #clearwingmoth

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Charlie Forrest-King @c-forrest-king.bsky.social · 11/06/2026

A very fuzzy Scathophaga stercoraria with its prey in the garden. Amazing the size of prey they catch! -Staffordshire, Stoke-on-Trent -30/05/2026

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Charlie Forrest-King @c-forrest-king.bsky.social · 23/05/2026

Possible female Hylaeus species. Difficult to separate it seems. Beautiful little bee to have in my garden though. Very pleased! Really liked the raspberry flowers - Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire uk - 23/05/2026 #solitarybees #gardenwildlife @lisawilliams30.bsky.social

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Charlie Forrest-King @c-forrest-king.bsky.social · 18/05/2026

A possible Pea Stilt-leg (Micropeza corrigiolata)? Found on the broad beans, in a veg bed with peas growing too. - My Stoke-on-Trent garden, Staffordshire- 18/05/26 @dipteristsforum.bsky.social @lisawilliams30.bsky.social

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Charlie Forrest-King @c-forrest-king.bsky.social · 10/05/2026

Spotted this beautiful Striped Oak bug nymph (Rhabdomiris striatellus) this week. - Gentleshaw Common, Staffordshire, 08/05/2026

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Charlie Forrest-King @c-forrest-king.bsky.social · 10/05/2026

A large amount of male and female Parent bugs (Elasmucha grisea) across a birch tree. - Gentleshaw Common, Staffordshire, 08/05/2026 @staffswildlife.bsky.social @britishbugs.bsky.social #Shieldbugs

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Charlie Forrest-King @c-forrest-king.bsky.social · 09/05/2026

Thinking Nomada lathburiana? There was also the host, Andrena cineraria, in the area. - Gentleshaw Common, Staffordshire, 08/05/2026 @lisawilliams30.bsky.social @staffswildlife.bsky.social #solitarybees

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Charlie Forrest-King @c-forrest-king.bsky.social · 08/05/2026

Could this be a female Crysotoxum arcuatum? Globular in shape and third antennae segment longer. -Gentleshaw Common, Staffordshire, 08/05/2026 @dipteristsforum.bsky.social @lisawilliams30.bsky.social #hoverflies

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Charlie Forrest-King @c-forrest-king.bsky.social · 01/05/2026

First record of Holly Blue (Celastrina argiolus) in the garden this week! - Staffordshire, 30/04/26 @savebutterflies.bsky.social

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Charlie Forrest-King @c-forrest-king.bsky.social · 27/04/2026

Came across this stunning Rosy woodlouse (Androniscus dentiger) in the garden. First record of them for the garden, and for me. - Staffordshire, 25/04/2026

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Charlie Forrest-King @c-forrest-king.bsky.social · 19/04/2026

Exciting day today in the garden. Found this beautiful female Ashy mining bee (Andrena cineraria) resting on a rock near some sandy bare ground in the mini meadow. - Staffordshire, 19/04/2026 @lisawilliams30.bsky.social

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Charlie Forrest-King @c-forrest-king.bsky.social · 15/04/2026

My first Pied Shieldbugs (Tritomegas bicolor). Lovely treat to find! Found on White dead-nettle. 15/04/2025 - Staffordshire #shieldbugs

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Charlie Forrest-King @c-forrest-king.bsky.social · 10/03/2026

Lichens I found growing on standing deadwood, moorland, Staffordshire. Can anyone help with some ID please if possible? A few thoughts below but I'm no expert - Cladonia species 1.macilenta/floerkeana? 2.digitata? 4.Maybe pyxidata/similar? @britishlichensociety.org.uk @rayrambling.bsky.social

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Charlie Forrest-King @c-forrest-king.bsky.social · 04/03/2026

A warmer day today and feeling more like spring. Spotted a few Andrena bicolor males today, 04/03/2026. Staffordshire, Gentleshaw Common. #solitarybees #springishere @lisawilliams30.bsky.social Thanks for checking my ID 😁

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Charlie Forrest-King @c-forrest-king.bsky.social · 24/02/2026

Found wandering across my garden just before we lost the light. I suspect a Rove beetle, possibly Quedius species? Are the photos enough to be able to identify at all? Any help appreciated. 24/02/2026, Staffordshire @wild-dave.bsky.social #gardenwildlife

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Charlie Forrest-King @c-forrest-king.bsky.social · 23/02/2026

My 1st Elasmostethus interstinctus (Birch Shieldbug) in the garden today. 23/02/2026, Staffordshire. #shieldbug #gardennature #wildlifegardening

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Charlie Forrest-King @c-forrest-king.bsky.social · 15/02/2026

Some much needed sunshine yesterday at WWT Martin Mere. Lots about including Whooper swans, cattle and great white egret, ruff and marsh harrier. And it's always a treat to listen to the lapwings and watch them all take flight.

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Charlie Forrest-King @c-forrest-king.bsky.social · 11/02/2026

Saw a few nice ladybirds on Monday, guessing as the weather was a little warmer. - Eyed Ladybird (Anatis ocellata) - Orange Ladybird (Halyzia sedecimguttata) - Staffordshire, 09/02/2026

Orange Ladybird (Halyzia sedecimguttata)

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Charlie Forrest-King @c-forrest-king.bsky.social · 11/02/2026

Possible Acleris logiana? Lovely little moth, just fluttered infront of me. I have popped it on irecord. -Staffordshire, 04/02/2026 @lesevanshill.bsky.social @savebutterflies.bsky.social

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Reposted by Charlie Forrest-King

Biological Recording Company @biologicalrecording.co.uk · 05/09/2025

🪲 Weevils! The UK boasts 600+ species, almost as many as birds! Join us on 13 Oct (7–8pm) for an entoLIVE with @markgurn.bsky.social to explore their ecology, habitats & quirky plant preferences. It is FREE!!! Don’t miss it! 🧪 🌎 🔗 Sign up here: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/1491232379...

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Reposted by Charlie Forrest-King

Lisa Williams @lisawilliams30.bsky.social · 07/08/2025

The beautiful Platycheirus rosarum hoverfly, a few around at Doxey Marshes, #Staffs 02/08/25 @c-forrest-king.bsky.social @dipteristsforum.bsky.social #Syrphidae #hoverfly

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Charlie Forrest-King @c-forrest-king.bsky.social · 22/06/2025

Wondered if I could have help with an ID please if it is possible to tell? I wondered about Crambus pascuella? Each image is a different one from from my most recent moth trap. Just working through the IDs of a few still before recording 🙂 @lesevanshill.bsky.social @bc-westmids.bsky.social

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Charlie Forrest-King @c-forrest-king.bsky.social · 21/06/2025

Another stunning clearwing this week, this time whilst carrying out a survey. Welsh Clearwing (Synanthedon scoliaeformis). I love their iridescent scales! Two came to lure - recorded -Staffordshire 20/06/25 @bc-westmids.bsky.social @savebutterflies.bsky.social

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Charlie Forrest-King @c-forrest-king.bsky.social · 21/06/2025

Definately worth an early morning in the garden before work this week. I got to see two beautiful Lunar Hornet Moths (Sesia bembeciformis)! One of my favourite mimics. @bc-westmids.bsky.social @savebutterflies.bsky.social #mimics #ukmoths #gardenforwildlife

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Reposted by Charlie Forrest-King

Lisa Williams @lisawilliams30.bsky.social · 09/06/2025

There were plenty of Libellula quadrimaculata, Four-spotted Chaser dragonflies at #RSPBArne 28/05/25 and this one posed nicely for me @britishdragonflies.bsky.social #dragonfly #Odonata

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Charlie Forrest-King @c-forrest-king.bsky.social · 11/06/2025

Beautiful sunny day, and a treat to have this Beautiful demoiselle (Calopteryx virgo) land infront of me. #damselfly #naturewalk #naturetherapy

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Charlie Forrest-King @c-forrest-king.bsky.social · 02/06/2025

The garden meadow and hedge are looking amazing 😍 Lovely to come home to after a busy day. #wildlifegardening #plantwildflowers

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Reposted by Charlie Forrest-King

UK Pollinator Monitoring Scheme @pomscheme.bsky.social · 21/03/2025

The new FIT Count season is nearly here 🎉🎆👏 From 1st April onwards, when weather is good, enjoy spending 10 minutes counting the insects that visit flowers - wherever you can find flowers, and as often as you wish, to help monitor #pollinators. Full details on our website ukpoms.org.uk/fit-counts

Poster: Ten steps to carry out a FIT Count
1. A FIT Count requires 10–15 minutes to enjoy watching and counting insects!
2. Take part on any day with good weather from 1 April to 30 September.
3. "Good weather" is dry, and with temperature at least 13°C in sunny conditions, or at least 15°C when cloudy.
4. Choose just one type of flower as your target flower – use a FIT Count target flower if you can, or choose any other flower as the target.
5. Mark out a 50 × 50 cm patch containing your target.
6. Count how many individual target flowers are in your patch.
7. Set a timer for 10 minutes, and count all insects that touch (land or are already sitting) the target flowers.
8. Identify the insects into their broad groups (bumblebees, hoverflies etc.) – any that you don't recognise should be counted as "other insects".
9. Answer some simple habitat and weather questions.
10. Don't forget to send in your results via our FIT Count app or website recording form (even if your result is zero insects!).

Full details on the POMS website and FIT Count app.

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Charlie Forrest-King @c-forrest-king.bsky.social · 24/05/2025

Spotted in the garden, a type of Tephritidae fly I think... Beautiful wing patterns. Staffordshire - 23/05/2025 @dipteristsforum.bsky.social @lisawilliams30.bsky.social

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Charlie Forrest-King @c-forrest-king.bsky.social · 17/05/2025

This was my first Green Tortoise beetle (Cassida viridis). As amazing as i had hoped, and especially well camouflaged! I'm still working through putting up some City nature challenge images. - Staffordshire 27/04/25

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Charlie Forrest-King @c-forrest-king.bsky.social · 10/05/2025

I love seeing these Red-and-black Froghoppers (Cercopis vulnerata). Had taken my smaller lens out to practice with, and pretty pleased with this photo. Hopwas quarry 04/05/2025

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Reposted by Charlie Forrest-King

Lisa Williams @lisawilliams30.bsky.social · 10/05/2025

A Small Yellow Underwing, Panemeria tenebrata, seen at Hopwas Quarry, #Staffs 04/05/25 @bc-westmids.bsky.social #Lepidoptera #moth

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Charlie Forrest-King @c-forrest-king.bsky.social · 08/05/2025

The garden is coming to life! I spotted this Mottled Umber (Erannis defoliaria) munching on our Saskatoon berry whilst watering this evening. They like a lot of different plants that we have, so hopefully we will still get some tasty berries to eat!

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Charlie Forrest-King @c-forrest-king.bsky.social · 05/05/2025

Great day at Hopwas Quarry yesterday. Lucky to have a close up view of this beautiful Orange-tip (Anthocharis cardamines). 04/05/2025 @lisawilliams30.bsky.social @nickmott7.bsky.social

Orange-tip (Anthocharis cardamines) sitting on a leaf with wings closed.

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Charlie Forrest-King @c-forrest-king.bsky.social · 04/05/2025

Spotted this stunning Cramp-ball Fungus Weevil (Platyrhinus resinosus) during the City Nature Challenge 2025. - Staffordshire, UK #citynaturechallenge2025

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Charlie Forrest-King @c-forrest-king.bsky.social · 20/04/2025

I've had pulmonaria in the garden a while, but no luck with Anthophora plumipes. Then I saw my 1st ever female in a garden centre on this Lithodora & I had to buy it! Today a first record in my garden & it visited the pulmonaria too! So happy! -Staffordshire, 20/04/25 @lisawilliams30.bsky.social

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Charlie Forrest-King @c-forrest-king.bsky.social · 12/04/2025

Made the jump and joined you all over here. First post is from a great moment with my volunteers. We saw three male Emperor moths (Saturnia pavonia). Staffordshire, 09/04/25.

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