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.”
Very smart Chamomile Shark moth caterpillar from today’s survey - on ex-arable with lots of Corn Chamomile and Ox-eye Daisy.
Thanks for asking, the garden is still looking great!
Bat hairs x 400 (first two photos). Not sure of species. Found in a dropping, which otherwise contained a mass of insect exoskeleton fragments.
Most of the black bryony up the road has glossy green leaves, but this plant decided to go with a coppery colour. Unusual but I like it!
A late lawn post for #wildflowerhour.
A few damp things from the garden - bee orchid, broad-barred white, common blue. I’m loving this cool showery weather tbh, watching everything green up again.
Nematus septentrionalis, or something else? On hazel in my garden - @andymus.bsky.social
#Lichen substances can have striking colours and reactions. This is Bacidina egenula, whose blue-green epithecium and outer exciple sharply intensifies in K, and whose red-brown hypothecium dulls. Note also remarkable thread-like spores. First record for VC52 Anglesey. With @robyaxley.bsky.social.
A good day on the Astley Estate kicking off a new big project for @norfolknats.bsky.social - a large study area with masses of potential!
Myriolecis andrewii is rare, notable #lichen of British rocky shores. Found on siliceous rock in upper part of splash zone. Spectacular orange UV-fluorescence! Can be confused with M fugiens, which fluoresces similarly, but has distinctly yellowish thallus. Anglesey with @robyaxley.bsky.social.
