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Rob Yaxley

@robyaxley.bsky.social
2.1K followers 691 following 1.5K posts

Naturalist: lichens, moths, beetles, bugs and anything else that catches my eye. “What is this life if, full of care, We have no time to stand and stare.”

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Reposted by Rob Yaxley
Jeremy Bartlett @jeremybartlett.bsky.social · 13/10/2026
Feather Stalkball, Onygena corvina. A friend found these growing on the remains of a dead Buzzard near Norwich and brought them along to Sunday's Norfolk Fungus Study Group foray for everyone to see. The fungus secretes enzymes to help it digest keratin from feathers. #Fungi #FungiFriends
Feather Stalkball, Onygena corvina. Tiny fruitbodies (stalks with caps) on the remains of a long-dead Buzzard.
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Rob Yaxley @robyaxley.bsky.social · 13/10/2026
A Merveille-du-jour found in a natural resting place on an oak tree in Foxley Wood. The lack of any camouflaging lichen made the moth stand out!
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Rob Yaxley @robyaxley.bsky.social · 12/10/2026
A nice surprise in the garden this afternoon was at least two Ectophasia crassipennis, a tachinid fly that is spreading north. First Norfolk record was 2023, with 47 records since.
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Rob Yaxley @robyaxley.bsky.social · 12/10/2026
Just back from an amazing @britishlichensociety.org.uk trip to NW Scotland. A few of the special lichens seen: Gyalecta foveolaris, Platismatia norvegica, Golden Specklebelly (Pseudocyphellaria citrina) and Toninia plumbina, a parasite on Pectenea plumbea. Lovely stuff!
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wild-life-ranger @wild-life-ranger.bsky.social · 06/10/2026
More on The Orange Ladybird and its Life Cycle Diet Habitat seee youtu.be/GZQkMtShwCw
Please help and support the Channel on YouTube to bring more Natural History by Subscibing <<< >>>>> https://www.youtube.com/@wildliferanger7830/videos  <<<<< Thank You
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Rob Yaxley @robyaxley.bsky.social · 06/10/2026
A few lichens from the far north of Scotland - Blastenia lauri, Degelia plumbea s.str, Peltigera collina and Pannaria rubiginosa. 👀
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Mr and Mrs Trellis @thenorfolkcoast.bsky.social · 06/10/2026
...you need a Haggis whistle!
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FrontRangeWildflowers @frwildflowers.bsky.social · 04/10/2026
👍😎 bsky.app/profile/frwi...
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Rob Yaxley @robyaxley.bsky.social · 04/10/2026
Still need a wild haggis for my list, so I wouldn’t look the other way if one turned up! 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿
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Rob Yaxley @robyaxley.bsky.social · 04/10/2026
Ericetorum beg pardon
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Rob Yaxley @robyaxley.bsky.social · 04/10/2026
Doing traditional Scottish things today, like hunting for lichens in Caledonian pine woods. Found my first Icmadophila ericotum, admired the abundance of species on pine twigs, and saw some bonny pink bonnets. 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿
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Martin Collinson @docmartin2mc.bsky.social · 03/10/2026
Poops from the recent Shetland Egyptian Nightjar yielded DNA. Not much genetic difference between nominate (eastern) and saharae (western) subspecies, but Shetland bird is likely nominate; DNA is like birds from Oman and Kuwait. #birds #birding #birdingscotland @birdguides.bsky.social
Gene tree (cytochrome b) showing Shetland bird cladding with nominate Egyptian NightjarsEgyptian Nightjar poops cradled in limpet shells
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Rob Yaxley @robyaxley.bsky.social · 03/10/2026
tringa24.wordpress.com/2026/10/03/a...
tringa24.wordpress.com
A Tale of Two Coastlines – Norfolk Delivers, Suffolk Dithers
Norfolk has just committed £384,000 of developer mitigation money to protect beach-nesting birds on its coast. Suffolk is sitting on £1.74 million collected for exactly the same purpose. On 2 Octob…
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The White Falcon @markgolley.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
The Shocking Pinks!!! At some point, there will be a natural conclusion to the Vestal images from Cley but this might well be the Vestal to out-Vestal all others. Today's field-fringe visitor was the most outrageous one we've seen anywhere. Wow! @linnetincley.bsky.social #cleymothobs #norfolkmoths
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Rob Yaxley @robyaxley.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
Markings on a plastic container made by a mollusc of unknown species. Mollusc mouths have a tongue-like radula covered in tiny sharp teeth. I must watch a mollusc feeding at some point to see how they create the zigzag pattern.
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Rob Yaxley @robyaxley.bsky.social · 26/09/2026
Details were circulated but I think only to county recorders, so needs to change for next time which will be in November. Apologies
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Rob Yaxley @robyaxley.bsky.social · 26/09/2026
The ichneumon may be Dolichomitus sp
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Rob Yaxley @robyaxley.bsky.social · 26/09/2026
A good day of biological recording at Swanton Novers today for a @norfolknats.bsky.social project. Beautiful weather, great habitats and some interesting species - The Prince, a very large ichneumon, and Wasp Spider amongst many others.
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Rob Yaxley @robyaxley.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
A lichen event I led the other day at Litcham church for Norfolk Wildlife Trust was well attended. This headstone was given the treatment!
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FrontRangeWildflowers @frwildflowers.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
cbsnews.com
Largest wildlife overpass in North America located in Colorado with 91% reduction in collisions: "Big success"
A wildlife mitigation system made up of North America's largest wildlife overpass, five wildlife underpasses, and fencing to guide animals to the crossings has led to a 91% decrease in wildlife collis...
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Rob Yaxley @robyaxley.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
A gynandromorph of the mining bee Andrena flavipes, female half on the left with pollen brushes and short antenna, male half on the right with no pollen brushes and long antenna. From a water trap sample earlier this month.
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Suffolk Naturalists’ Society @suffolk-nats1929.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
The final line-up of speakers at the joint 'Suffolk Naturalists' Society' and the 'Norfolk and Norwich Naturalists Society' Conference on 10th October now includes Mark Bowler from University of Suffolk. Details attached. Open to non-members. Book now - sns.org.uk/sns-meetings...
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Alex Prendergast @bramblebotanist.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
Some of the awesome ancient Yew Taxus baccata trees at Kingley Vale NNR. Impossible to age but a millennium seems possible. Far from the dark and poisoned habitat I imagined - light open woodland reminiscent of both Caledonian Pinewood and Australian eucalypt groves
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Vanna Bartlett @vannabartlett.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
A nice discovery under flaking bark of a diseased tree, the tiny nymph of a Chernes cimicoides pseudoscorpion in its silk moulting chamber. The claws of the shed skin can be seen above the pale nymph. The bark was carefully replaced. #arachnids #pseudoscorpions
Brown tree trunk with scattered black bits on it and in the centre an open oval of silk with a tiny little pale greyish pseudoscorpion tucked inside.Close-up of the silken chamber where the pseudoscorpion sheds its skin. The pseudoscorpion is pale greyish with robust 'arms' that end in stout claws. The claws of the shed skin are visible at the top of the chamber and are a dark reddish-brown colour.
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Rob Yaxley @robyaxley.bsky.social · 20/09/2026
Aug 17th and today. Got to admire the resilience of grass. I might take a photo from this spot on Brisley Green every time I go for a wander there in future. Just for fun.
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Tom Lowe @saloplarus.bsky.social · 20/09/2026
Magical morning on the Wirral with 36 Leach's Storm-petrels heading west into the wind, some more offshore than others 😍 #seawatching #superseabirdSunday
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Rob Yaxley @robyaxley.bsky.social · 19/09/2026
Ingoldisthorpe. Ingoldisthorpe, actually. In actual fact.
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Rob Yaxley @robyaxley.bsky.social · 19/09/2026
Ingdisthorpe Common today with Norfolk Fungus Study Group. Always nice to see Green Elfcup, Cinnamon bracket (showing KOH reaction) and Brindled Green moth.
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James Emerson @norwichbirder.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
So sad to hear about the death of Joe Harkness. Joe was passionate about getting people talking about mental health, as well as the benefits of being out in nature, and was rightly proud of his work with young people, all of which will leave a positive legacy.
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Rob Yaxley @robyaxley.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
A serendipitous encounter with a Pantilius tunicatus plant bug on a tree trunk at Ashwellthorpe Wood. Also the fourth Norfolk location for the smooth bark lichen Coniocarpon cinnabarinum on the hornbeams there. The pinky thallus colour is easy to pick out.
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Reuben Singleton @bordersnaturalist.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
Back to SW France which retains much of the nature of my youth in the Cotswolds. The gathering of house martins on and around the church in Puycelsi this morning was mind-blowing.
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Rob Yaxley @robyaxley.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
A colourful suite of autumnal moths in the light trap - Pink-barred Sallow, Brindled Green, Frosted Orange and a Vestal with a rosy wash.
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Rob Yaxley @robyaxley.bsky.social · 15/09/2026
Could be a long incubation as well, given the size! 😱
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Rob Yaxley @robyaxley.bsky.social · 15/09/2026
Tis the Giant Puffball nesting season. This nest just down the road from me in a brambly verge.
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Suffolk Naturalists’ Society @suffolk-nats1929.bsky.social · 28/08/2026
SNS and NNNS JOINT CONFERENCE 2026 Saturday, 10th October, Diss Corn Hall. Recording for Nature Recovery – how biological recording will benefit wildlife in crisis Please see link for details and booking. Non-member tickets available from 1st September sns.org.uk/sns-meetings...
sns.org.uk
SNS meetings and events – Suffolk Naturalists' Society
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UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology (UKCEH) @ukceh.bsky.social · 15/09/2026
🍄‍🟫💻 Explore UKCEH’s new Fungi Explorer, an interactive tool revealing the hidden world of soil fungi across Great Britain using DNA data from 1,000+ Countryside Survey soil samples. Search species, map distributions, or match your own DNA sequences. connect-apps.ceh.ac.uk/fungal-explo…
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Rob Yaxley @robyaxley.bsky.social · 15/09/2026
This will be an interesting day! Tickets on sale now.
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Rob Yaxley @robyaxley.bsky.social · 14/09/2026
A Vestal, one among seven in the light trap last night, this one with a touch of raspberry ripple. Others more conventionally marked.
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Rob Yaxley @robyaxley.bsky.social · 13/09/2026
Also this spider, which I am not certain of. Could it be Marpissa muscosa?
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Rob Yaxley @robyaxley.bsky.social · 13/09/2026
Verrucaria polysticta was a nice find on a headstone at West Lexham church, which has a whitewashed round tower with an unusual facial expression.
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British Arachnological Society @britishspiders.bsky.social · 12/09/2026
Always a treat, Britain's only mygalomorph, the Purseweb Spider Atypus affinis, complete with its 'dirty socks' on the sandy slopes around Morden Bog.
Purseweb Spider Atypus affinis - photo copyright Barry ChadwickPurseweb Spider Atypus affinis. Photo cooyright Barry ChadwickThe sand-covered, above-ground portion of a Purseweb Spiders tubular, silken web - AKA the 'dirty sock'!
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Rob Yaxley @robyaxley.bsky.social · 11/09/2026
First pinkfeet of the autumn for me over Cley Marshes today. Love em!
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Wilder Norfolk @wildernorfolk.bsky.social · 09/09/2026
A genuine legend in the world of nature conservation. Andy’s dedication, observations and commitment are second to none. ‘Wetland Wings’ is a rare and sublime insight into the birdlife of north Norfolk.
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Norfolk & Norwich Naturalists' Society @norfolknats.bsky.social · 09/09/2026
NNNS and @suffolk-nats1929.bsky.social are hosting a joint conference on 10th October 2026 with the title "Recording for Nature Recovery". It is taking place at Diss Corn Hall and tickets are on general sale now at £20 (£15 for NNNS or SNS members). To book a place see sns.org.uk/sns-meetings...
A poster advertising a joint NNNS and SNS conference

The NNNS and SNS are pleased to announce a joint conference

Recording for Nature Recovery
- How biological recording will benefit wildlife in crisis -

What will recording look like in 20 years’ time, and how can it support delivery of local nature recovery? We shall need to use all the means at our disposal to combat the biodiversity crisis.
The Conference will host an engaging variety of speakers who are working with new recording techniques, expanding the range of what it is possible to record and in doing so discovering new aspects of biodiversity. It will showcase what is currently possible, and hopefully inspire members to use new techniques in their exploration of nature.
Keynote Speaker Prof. Bill Sutherland (Emeritus, Cambridge) –
 a full programme will follow nearer the time.

Saturday 10th October 2026 – 09:30 to 16:00 
at Diss Corn Hall
All welcome, but advance booking is essential.
Tickets: General admission £20; NNNS/SNS members £15; Students £5
Booking will open later in the summer, but to help assess numbers please express an interest in tickets via https://sns.beaconforms.com/form/4eab5a62.
Light refreshments will be provided, but please bring a packed lunch.
Directions: Diss Corn Hall, 10 St Nicholas Street, Diss, IP22 4LB. W3W: ///shuffles.scaffold.back

The Corn Hall is about a 20-minute walk from Diss Station. There are several pay & display car parks nearby. If you can offer a lift, please email sarahbutler4@gmail.com
Agenda for the NNNS/SNS conference

Recording for Nature Recovery
- How biological recording will benefit wildlife in crisis –
Saturday 10th October 2026 – 09:30 to 16:00
Diss Corn Hall, 10 St Nicholas Street, Diss, IP22 4LB.

TIME	SUBJECT	SPEAKER
09:30	DOORS OPEN	
10:00	Welcome, context and programme synopsis	Sam Neil 
	Introducing conference chair, Rowena Langston 	Sam Neil 
		
	MORNING SESSION	
10:15	Keynote speech “Exciting opportunities and scary elements”	Professor Bill Sutherland
10:45	The Local Nature Recovery Strategy (LNRS) ambition and monitoring in it.	Jen Burlingham (LNRS team)
11:05	Comfort break	
11:15	Tracking the impact - developing surveying capacity	Nick Marriner - Chilterns Nat Landscape
11:35	TBC	TBC
11:55	Citizen Science - using structured surveys for local understanding	James Heywood
12:15	Darwin Tree of Life	TBC
		
12:45	LUNCH BREAK	
		
	AFTERNOON SESSION	
13:30	Advances in thermal imaging	Philip Farndon
13:50	Bioacoustics - listen and learn	Carlos Abrahams
14:10	iRecord	Robin Hutchinson
14:30	Pan-species Listing	Graeme Lyons
15:00	Comfort break	
15:10	Discussions, panel questions and answers	Rowena Langston (Chair)
15:30	END
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Owen Leyshon @dungenessowen.bsky.social · 08/09/2026
One of those moments - halfway through checking the moth trap and you turn over an eggbox Quickly cover up and unplug the trap and bring it into the actual house to safely pot it😬 Lorna will never know… Passenger - new for the Littlestone garden (SE Kent) #TeamMoth @migrantmothuk.bsky.social
Passenger moth hiding in eggboxMoth trap in house !Passenger on wooden plank
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Rob Yaxley @robyaxley.bsky.social · 07/09/2026
I usually find people are very interested when they ask why I am staring intently at a particular headstone. Of course I have to persuade them I am not mad or dangerous first.
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Clare Boyes @pickeletto.bsky.social · 06/09/2026
It's 5 years since Douglas died. Some lovely friends organised a fundraiser for their birthdays with the proceeds going to the Diarsia fund run by @savebutterflies.bsky.social to fund research into UK lepidoptera declines. Feel free to contribute here. Thank you. www.justgiving.com/page/tom-ter...
justgiving.com
Tom & Tereza's fundraiser for Butterfly Conservation (The Diarsia Awards)
Help Tom Hayek raise money to support Butterfly Conservation
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Rob Yaxley @robyaxley.bsky.social · 03/09/2026
Not at all. They are smart little guys, but I do see them on almost every church wall I look at!
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James Emerson @norwichbirder.bsky.social · 31/08/2026
Whilst at the outdoor play area at Pensthorpe today with the family, I checked the underside of some Red Oak leaves. Eventually I found the aphid (Lineo)Myzocallis walshii (influentialpoints.com/Gallery/Myzo...). It looks like its new for the @panspecieslisting.bsky.social list and iRecord.
Underside of part of a Red Oak leaf, showing small pale yellow aphids.Close up of the section of leaf showing aphids a bit closer, two of which on the right are winged aphids.A picture showing a closer-up view of one of the winged adults, with black line along wing.
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Rob Yaxley @robyaxley.bsky.social · 31/08/2026
Also lots of the lichen Flavoplaca ruderum, an eastern species in the UK.
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