Extraordinary rainfall distribution in UK in September. Bedfordshire and Oxfordshire saw their wettest month in our 188 year series. But only 25% wetter than average overall despite many areas having 3x average rainfall. More details in Met Office press release www.metoffice.gov.uk/about-us/new...
Events that get folk out talking in the field are my favourite sort and Landscape Ecology UK (IALE UK) are good at them! Sadly I can't make this one, but would recommend this visit to a new natural flood management scheme on the Blenheim Palace Estate: iale.uk/event/field-...
A selection of impressive insects from a recent visit to Slapton Ley in Devon for a biodiversity field course with University of Reading students. Great Green Bush Cricket, the hoverfly Helophilus trivittatus, Poplar Hawkmoth, larva of the carrion beetle Silpha tristis
Ooh this is a fun question. Just 14 I think, need to see more mysterious wormy things in the sea! Here's some Star Ascidian I found back in 2017, a colonial Tunicate (in the same phylum as us!)
Windsor Castle hollyhocks. (a friend who works for the MOD got us in for free yesterday. Royal finery is not my 🍵 but it was good to have a day out with friends and the 'moat garden' is lovely)
Ivy flowers are only just beginning to open but already attracting plenty of flies, including Volucella zonaria and inanis. My phone camera has poor macro but these are just about big enough for it to do a half decent job!
Heads you win! One of the Anthocomus rufus from a few days ago chances upon a ready meal. #beetles#ento#UKwildlife
Last week was my 7th time at Slapton FSC for a Reading University field course. Tiring but many rewards, not least spending time on the fantastic south Devon coast.
