iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

A couple of years ago I found Philodromus albidus at a graveyard in Leeds, which was a first record for anywhere in the north of England. I'm now seeing them everywhere, particularly in the garden. Not confirmed to species so albidus/rufus. @britishspiders.bsky.social

A small, orange coloured spider with slightly green legs and brown speckles over the head and body.

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School budgets are being cut. Again.

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Yet in court they admitted their analysis had predicted 54,000 would switch to state, so they were lying.

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As a state school parent, I want better funded schools with smaller class sizes and that's exactly the opposite of what the VAT is bringing. It's not just the private schools that are laying teachers off.

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That's a massive drop and if the trend continues the policy becomes extremely expensive. You were wrong about elasticity.

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Better use than paying for teachers and directly supporting local business whilst relieving pressure on the underfunded and overcrowded state sector?

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Schools are just announcing that they will no longer be offering bursaries from next year.

Tim Jonas @timothyjonas.bsky.social · 05/05/2025

The vast majority haven't and fees are up on average 22%.

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I've taken this exact shot so many times in the past but can never resist another one!

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Tim Jonas @timothyjonas.bsky.social · 05/05/2025

A spider I'm seeing loads of at the moment (Araniella sp.) @britishspiders.bsky.social

Top down shot of a small, green and orange Araniella spider with thick black spines.

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Tim Jonas @timothyjonas.bsky.social · 05/05/2025

The main theme of yesterday's little macro walk was seeing Dagger flies (Empididae) either mating or feeding on St. Mark's flies (Bibio marci) - or doing both at the same time as it happens...

A pair of Dagger flies, the male at the top clinging to a leaf by its front legs and mating with a female in the middle who is feeding on a black fly.

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Thanks Ian! I've popped it on iRecord as it does seem to be under-recorded. Only one record for Yorkshire that I can see and nothing further north.

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Suggesting colour isn't 100% reliable, perhaps more so if your specimen has been preserved in ethanol. Hoping the experts will know🤞

One of my regular spots and always enjoy the visit any time of year. Loads of invert activity at the moment!

Tim Jonas @timothyjonas.bsky.social · 03/05/2025

Stopped by at Brockadale yesterday as I was in the area and spotted what I believe is a Hawthorn Jewel Beetle (Agrilus sinuatus). Not the best shot but thought I'd share as I've never seen one of these before. In fact, not many records for them up north.

Hawthorn Jewel Beetle, a reddish metallic colour, short body and large compound eyes.

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A dapper looking male Philodromus dispar searching the garden for a mate. @britishspiders.bsky.social

Front on shot of Philodromus dispar, a Running Crab Spider with distinctive black body and light orange legs.

A spider, Philodromus dispar, on a green leaf.

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Tim Jonas @timothyjonas.bsky.social · 30/04/2025

First Pardosa with egg sac of the year, an early one (28th April). They'll be out in big numbers in the coming weeks. A fleeting shot of the back before she shot off into the undergrowth. @britishspiders.bsky.social

A Pardosa spider with an egg sac towed from the spinnerets on the back of her abdomen.

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Tim Jonas @timothyjonas.bsky.social · 30/04/2025

If you're looking for a mate, you need to find her the perfect gift - preferably wrapped in silk. A male Nursery Web spider (Pisaura mirabilis) carrying a nuptial gift for a nearby female. @britishspiders.bsky.social

Nursery Web spider (Pisaura mirabilis) carrying a tightly packed prey item wrapped in silk, held in his jaws.

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Tim Jonas @timothyjonas.bsky.social · 22/04/2025

Despite some dry weather here, plenty of moisture in the rotting deadwood lying around and loads of activity. Here's a springtail (Neanura muscorum) and a tiny mite.

A 3mm springtail, Neanura muscorum, podgy with light blue and yellow colours and sparse, long setae. The springtail is joined by an even smaller green and white mite.

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Tim Jonas @timothyjonas.bsky.social · 21/04/2025

It seems to be a good year for butterflies—this Small White was one of several species spotted in the garden yesterday. Has anyone else been seeing plenty of them?

A resting Small White butterfly, revealing the underwing which is an intricate speckled yellow with a darker flash of yellow towards the front of the wing.

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Tim Jonas @timothyjonas.bsky.social · 21/04/2025

Loads of bank holiday bees enjoying the sunshine in the garden this weekend. This one is, I think, a Red Mason Bee (Osmia bicornis).

A small bee with long orange hairs on the abdomen and lighter grey/brown hairs around the head; resting on a leaf.

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Tim Jonas @timothyjonas.bsky.social · 16/04/2025

Yes, Megabunus. One of my favourites for sure!

Tim Jonas @timothyjonas.bsky.social · 16/04/2025

Just a few of the arachnids encountered on a late night walk earlier this week. @britishspiders.bsky.social

A female, Walnut Orb-weaver (Nuctenea umbratica). A dark brown, large spider with pale patches on the abdomen.

Megabunus diadema, a tiny harvestman with distinctive spiked oclularium.

A male Nursery Web Spider (Pisaura mirabilis)

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Tim Jonas @timothyjonas.bsky.social · 06/04/2025

Turns out 54,000 kids are now expected to switch to state schools over the next 2 years. Labour just announced they need to create 54,500 extra places costing £1.8bn. The experiment has already failed.

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Tim Jonas @timothyjonas.bsky.social · 04/04/2025

Thanks Jonathan! Yes, great to make the front cover. I'll hopefully be writing an article on photographing spiders for a future issue so look out for that..

Tim Jonas @timothyjonas.bsky.social · 13/02/2025

A quick look around the garden for signs of Spring but still a few remnants of last year to be found. A harvestman, I think, Oligolophus hanseni and one of many Cryptachaea blattea spiders I spotted. Plenty of signs Spring is on the way too though.

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Tim Jonas @timothyjonas.bsky.social · 23/01/2025

Ha, yes definitely not an insect! Always great to get a mention though 😁

Tim Jonas @timothyjonas.bsky.social · 08/01/2025

Usually my favourite time but haven't been out much this year. All good though!