iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Jim Horsfall @jimhorsfall.bsky.social · 20/08/2026

How about it @sheffieldcouncil.bsky.social ? And allowing people to suggest locations for new street trees too?

Jim Horsfall @jimhorsfall.bsky.social · 02/08/2026

I've been by the seaside on the Moray coast, and found lots of seaside plants for @wildflowerhour.bsky.social Sand Sedge in dunes, Grass-leaved Orache in the transition between dunes and salt marsh, and Intermediate Polypody on rocks near the sea. @bsbiscotland.bsky.social Back inland for me now

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Jim Horsfall @jimhorsfall.bsky.social · 31/07/2026

I don't get to the coast often, so lots of things I find are new to me. Here on salt marsh in the estuary at Findhorn. Salt-marsh Rush in it's namesake place, Seaside Centaury and Seaside Arrow grass also new to me. I've had to check even common things, as there is often a seaside equivalent.

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Jim Horsfall @jimhorsfall.bsky.social · 30/07/2026

My botanical finds on the Moray coast continue. Many things I know already, and a few things new to me. Investigating new places, and habitats you don't usually go to can be quite rewarding. Doesn't everyone plan their holiday to include plants? @bsbiscotland.bsky.social @bsbibotany.bsky.social

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Jim Horsfall @jimhorsfall.bsky.social · 28/07/2026

I always seem to spend hours when I find a dune/salt marsh (as none in South Yorkshire!). These dunes along from Lossiemouth were interesting. Here Sea-rocket, Sea-aster, and the not so welcome Japanese Rose. I was forced to stop botanising and play cricket on the sand 🤪 @bsbiscotland.bsky.social

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Jim Horsfall @jimhorsfall.bsky.social · 22/07/2026

It must be the summer holidays, as I got my lads to collect some bilberries for a pie. Sadly they lost interest (I picked most of them) I spent many a summer day as a child on the moors collecting bilberries. So it seems only right to pass of the tradition to my children @yorkswildlife.bsky.social

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Jim Horsfall @jimhorsfall.bsky.social · 28/06/2026

A few finds from the @sorbynathissoc.bsky.social meeting to Conisborough Viaduct Tip yesterday The best find was a new location for Tufted Loosestrife (it doesn't look like wild ones, so may originally be from garden plants), 6-belted Clearwing, Wild Basil and loads of Pyramidal Orchids

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Jim Horsfall @jimhorsfall.bsky.social · 19/06/2026

I had a great visit to Oxford today (if long with the driving). David from @freshwaterhabitats.bsky.social was showing us some great fens: excellent inspiration for some Yorkshire fens! And @judywebb.bsky.social showing us how to look for soldierflies. Sometimes I have to remember I'm a lucky boy

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Jim Horsfall @jimhorsfall.bsky.social · 16/06/2026

I don't know what drew me this little bit of water on Thorne moor today, but closer inspection showed Bladderwort flowers poking up above the water. Below are the 'bladders' that trap small prey to consume.

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Jim Horsfall @jimhorsfall.bsky.social · 15/06/2026

I walked straight past this, even though I knew where it was. So had to double back and check. It's Marsh Pea, a rare species in Yorkshire (and scarce in the UK), and was reintroduced after a gap of a couple of hundred of years to Potteric Carr near Doncaster. A happy plant scrambling up a reed.

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Jim Horsfall @jimhorsfall.bsky.social · 14/06/2026

I led a @sorbynathissoc.bsky.social meeting to @yorkswildlife.bsky.social Potteric Carr yesterday. Primarily looking for invertebrates, but it was a bit windy, so not ideal. Still found a few things like this 6-belted Clearwing moth. And a few plants like this Fen Pondweed and Yellow Loosestrife.

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Jim Horsfall @jimhorsfall.bsky.social · 05/06/2026

Although I sometimes say I don't like people (more properly I don't really like loud busy places), I was being sociable and teaching some @yorkswildlife.bsky.social volunteers to identify plants using a key today at Potteric Carr. I forgot to take many pics! So here's a Field Forget-me-not we found

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Jim Horsfall @jimhorsfall.bsky.social · 29/05/2026

I visited a new site today, above the Went, in Wakefield district. Lots of interesting plants, butterflies and birds. But lacking enough management to keep the rare plants in the long term. Also near one of the nature reserves I manage I just need to work out the best way to help the landowner now

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Jim Horsfall @jimhorsfall.bsky.social · 20/05/2026

I've seen a few Alliums on the TV coverage of RHS Chelsea flower show, and I do love a garden. But nothing beats being in a local woodland that are full of our native Allium ursinum (Wild Garlic) at the moment. @yorkswildlife.bsky.social @the-wildlifetrusts.bsky.social

White starry flowers of wild garlic by a stream in woodland

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Jim Horsfall @jimhorsfall.bsky.social · 16/05/2026

I was searching for Scarce Vapourer moth larvae at @yorkswildlife.bsky.social Potteric earlier in the week. I took this sawfly home to identify. It has lovely furry antennae. The iRecord app said Arge ustulata, but I checked with a book and microscope, as the app is not always right.

Black shiny body, and yellowish wings with dark smudge of Arge ustulata

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Jim Horsfall @jimhorsfall.bsky.social · 13/05/2026

Yesterday I was out looking for Scarce Vapourer moth larvae, visual searching and beating vegetation (to try and dislodge larvae onto the tray). No luck. But I did find a few other things; a sawfly (Strongylogaster multifasciata?), Forked-jaw Nomad bee, and 14-spot Ladybird. Crowle moor, Lincs

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Jim Horsfall @jimhorsfall.bsky.social · 07/05/2026

The silvery hairs on the leaves of this White Willow catch the light at times, presumably giving it it's name. Same leaves in both photos, but one pic is catching the light just right. In the floodplain by the river Went at Brockadale nature reserve @yorkswildlife.bsky.social

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Jim Horsfall @jimhorsfall.bsky.social · 03/05/2026

This Marsh Marigold, Caltha palustris, was shining brightly in the sunshine earlier in the week (no sun today) at @yorkswildlife.bsky.social Potteric Carr. @wildflowerhour.bsky.social #wildflowerhour #buttercups

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Jim Horsfall @jimhorsfall.bsky.social · 27/04/2026

The 2025 report is coming hot on the heels of the '24 report, and should be out in a couple of months. Join @ynuorg.bsky.social and you'll get this, and other annual reports (butterflies & moths, and birds) as well as The Naturalist journal. It's well worth it for any Yorkshire naturalists. 🙂

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Jim Horsfall @jimhorsfall.bsky.social · 26/04/2026

Not my usual haunt this weekend, Phoenix Fest was on (for The Phoenix comic that my children like) and so I was wandering around Oxford. A good weekend was had by all, and I even managed a bit of plant recording @bsbibotany.bsky.social It's nice to see a different patch (both urban and semi-natural)

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Jim Horsfall @jimhorsfall.bsky.social · 24/04/2026

My ex situation population of Scarce Vapourer moth (part of a conservation project) are becoming more active now, and as leaves are now burst open (their food). Although very small still (5-15mm) they may be visible. Let me know if you see any @bcyorkshire.bsky.social @yorkswildlife.bsky.social

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Jim Horsfall @jimhorsfall.bsky.social · 20/04/2026

At first look this area just looks like a reedbed. And getting into parts of it there is indeed dense reed. But other parts are patchy or completely open, while other dense bits have been roughed up by Highlands (that were moved off today). #fen #ecology #grazing

View of Loversall Pool from the edge, looking to be dominated by the ruset colour of last year's reed stems

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Jim Horsfall @jimhorsfall.bsky.social · 19/04/2026

At the @ynuorg.bsky.social meeting yesterday, an eminent educator on the topic of invertebrates suggested we need to think differently about how we engage young people in entomology (at least at the start). Meet people where they are (not how we started being interested in insects), was his message

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Jim Horsfall @jimhorsfall.bsky.social · 18/04/2026

It was Invertebrate Day for me today (meeting of @ynuorg.bsky.social to talk about invertebrates) at Potteric Carr. The weather was typical spring, breezy on and off, sunny on and off. Saw this lovely fresh Green-veined White on a Cuckoo-flower. @bcyorkshire.bsky.social

Green veined white butterfly resting on light pink flower of cuckooflower

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Jim Horsfall @jimhorsfall.bsky.social · 17/04/2026

I think we're about at peak bluebell in this part of South Yorkshire at the moment. A great time for a walk in the woods, perhaps @yorkswildlife.bsky.social Sprotbrough Flash or Hetchell Wood would be worth a visit this weekend

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Jim Horsfall @jimhorsfall.bsky.social · 17/04/2026

I've been running a Malaise trap as part of the Bioscan project for a couple of years. They take specimens (invertebrates) and do DNA based magic on them to work out what's in the samples. Unsurprisingly 74% of all individuals were flies (Diptera), but 12% of all individuals were one species!

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Jim Horsfall @jimhorsfall.bsky.social · 16/04/2026

A few patches of St George's Mushroom today. They were in fields that were arable until about 20 years ago, so it must be a reasonably good coloniser (as some grassland species are almost exclusively associated with very old grassland). @yorkswildlife.bsky.social

St George's Mushroom popping up in grassland

Group of St George's Mushroom with view of stem and gills

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Jim Horsfall @jimhorsfall.bsky.social · 08/04/2026

Another trip to Valmalenco over. Early spring turned out well, very warm for the time of year. More Spring Cinquefoil here that I've ever seen in Yorkshire. And despite looking at loads of patches of Spring Sedge no Rare Spring Sedge seen. Plenty more to find on future trips (to see family honest)

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Jim Horsfall @jimhorsfall.bsky.social · 02/04/2026

I know that things aren't the same abroad, but I can't help get a little excited when I see something that would be rare or unusual back home. Spring Cinquefoil is a sign of a really good grassland in Yorkshire. This was by a roundabout and car park in Valmalenco, Italy.

Yellow flowered plant, with hairy stems and leaves amongst moss and bare ground.

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Jim Horsfall @jimhorsfall.bsky.social · 01/04/2026

Easter isn't the best time for spring flowers (we came to visit family), but some early spring flowers around. Patches are still snow covered or ground frozen, other bits are warmer. Alpine Squill and Spring Crocus are common, other things like Oxlip are either less frequent or only just in flower

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Jim Horsfall @jimhorsfall.bsky.social · 30/03/2026

The 4 young Highland cattle that were on Seven Arches Carr have moved this morning to Loversall Pool, at Potteric Carr. They are investigating their surroundings, and eating the grassland around the edges, they'll get to the reedbed and fen when the tasty stuff is finished.

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Jim Horsfall @jimhorsfall.bsky.social · 23/03/2026

These 4 young Highland cattle are in a remote part of Potteric Carr. They are helping to open up the fen and reduce the thick reeds. They'll go back on in summer when the new green reeds are more edible to reduce their vigour.

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Jim Horsfall @jimhorsfall.bsky.social · 21/03/2026

On the way to the @ynuorg.bsky.social conference in York. I can't help looking for plants whilst waiting for the train. Not much in flower yet, but one or two things like this Ivy-leaved Toadflax.

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Reposted by Jim Horsfall

Yorkshire Naturalists' Union @ynuorg.bsky.social · 11/03/2026

Can you help us with a recording questionnaire ahead of our annual conference on 21st March? If so, follow the link below: djcnjl-zcmp.maillist-manage.eu/click/12c1b6...

Poster advertising a questionnaire for the Yorkshire Naturalists' Union's recording questionnaire

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Jim Horsfall @jimhorsfall.bsky.social · 27/02/2026

I'm working from home in Sheffield today, and went for a rainy lunchtime walk. But some frogpawn and 15 bird species singing brightened my break. @wildsheffield.bsky.social @freshwaterhabitats.bsky.social

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Jim Horsfall @jimhorsfall.bsky.social · 18/02/2026

It's half term so I took my boys to @yorkswildlife.bsky.social Brockadale nature reserve. Cutting along the hedgeline to allow refencing. They enjoyed using bowsaws and loppers, and I brought marshmallows to toast on the fire. I'm indoctrinating them early into being outdoors and volunteering.

Field, with volunteers along the hedgeline

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Jim Horsfall @jimhorsfall.bsky.social · 16/02/2026

My colleague Sarah has been working on this land next to @yorkswildlife.bsky.social Potteric Carr. On peat with calcareous ground water it would probably have had quite an interesting flora in the past. But had been drained (not too deep though) and probably ploughed. But left derelict for decades.

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Jim Horsfall @jimhorsfall.bsky.social · 16/02/2026

Just a month or so until the @ynuorg.bsky.social conference in York. I hope to see some of you there.

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Reposted by Jim Horsfall

Yorkshire Naturalists' Union @ynuorg.bsky.social · 13/02/2026

Join us for this year's YNU Conference on Saturday 21st March at The Priory Street Centre, York: 'Recording Yorkshire's natural history - beyond ‘The State of Yorkshire's Nature’ report'. Purchase your tickets here: www.ynu.org.uk/join-the-ynu... or contact membership@ynu.org.uk.

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Jim Horsfall @jimhorsfall.bsky.social · 07/02/2026

In the summer of 2024 I collected a Fox Moth larva that had other larvae coming out of the side. 10 days later they hatched as little wasps. Sadly I then forgot about them for ages, but recently sent them to a @ynuorg.bsky.social colleague to ID them. They are Cotesia gastropachae, new to Yorkshire!

Fox moth larva in a pot with wasp larvae coming out of the side

Kingsdale Head farm where I collected the specimens

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Botanical Society of Britain and Ireland (BSBI) @bsbibotany.bsky.social · 03/02/2026

Can you find, identify & record 100 wild plants in 2026? BSBI is confident that (with our support) yes, you can! Beginner botanists, will you accept the challenge? Sign up today for #100Plants2026 challenge: bsbi.org/take-part/ac... Check out the webinars & #WildFlowerID help we've prep'd for you!

Young man sitting in field with plant ID books, recording wild flowers in the sunshine

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Reposted by Jim Horsfall

Jono Leadley @birdingdad.bsky.social · 04/02/2026

Bishopthorpe Parish Council want to sell a small wildlife oasis hosting rare wildflowers like Yellow Star-of-Bethlehem to a developer. This field belongs to the people of Bish who cherish its wildlife. Please sign this petition to stop them doing this. Thanks 😊 c.org/syGKBRcGBY

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Jim Horsfall @jimhorsfall.bsky.social · 04/02/2026

I went to go and see Red House Farm today. They work as part of the Limestone Ridge Nature Recovery Group around Doncaster. Lots of hedges planted, beetle banks, cover crops and cultivated margins. He's already seeing increases in wildlife like Grey Partridge, but also noticing other wildlife more.

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Jim Horsfall @jimhorsfall.bsky.social · 24/01/2026

The ings below this limestone grassland have been flooded again. The deeper soils of the Ings would mean different species would occur anyway, but there should be some overlap. However the nutrient input is so high that it's mainly ruderals ☹️ Impact of urban areas and arable run off upstream

The river Went filling the narrow valley bottom, with steep limestone grassland in the foreground.

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Jim Horsfall @jimhorsfall.bsky.social · 23/01/2026

Sometimes you need to see a video to get a better idea about the challenges people are facing, a paper won't do. Some of the cliffs being surveyed and sampled here just couldn't be done any other way! youtu.be/3GOVjhJq1to?... A really interesting talk hosted by @bsbibotany.bsky.social

youtu.be

How robotics can help save rare plants from going extinct

YouTube video by Botanical Society of Britain and Ireland

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Jim Horsfall @jimhorsfall.bsky.social · 22/01/2026

Read about me waffling on about being a naturalist here, www.ynu.org.uk/about-the-yn... It's not long. Natural history societies work by members stepping up to help out. Maybe you could offer to lead a walk or become a trustee of one near you. @ynuorg.bsky.social @sorbynathissoc.bsky.social

ynu.org.uk

How We Are Run

The Yorkshire Naturalists' Union is devoted to studying and recording Yorkshire's flora and fauna. We are an association of amateur and professional naturalists covering a wide range of aspects of na...

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Sorby Natural History Society @sorbynathissoc.bsky.social · 27/05/2025

Our outline programme of activities for April 2025 to March 2026 is available on our website at www.sorby.org.uk/events Full details of each activity can be found in our monthly newsletter, which is distributed free to members.

sorby.org.uk

Events | Sorby Natural History Society, Sheffield

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Jim Horsfall @jimhorsfall.bsky.social · 20/01/2026

Plenty of Bee Orchid rosettes at Wood Lee Common, Maltby. @rotherhamcouncil.bsky.social are going to relax mowing on here to allow species like this to thrive. This small patch is a candidate Local Wildlife Site due to it's interesting limestone flora.

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Jim Horsfall @jimhorsfall.bsky.social · 17/01/2026

Only one moth in my suburban trap this morning, a Spring Usher. I didn't trap in December as my neighbour had so many lights for nearly all of December I thought my trap wouldn't compete! So glad to at least get 1 moth. @bcyorkshire.bsky.social @wildsheffield.bsky.social

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