Keith Balmer
@keithbalmer.bsky.social
Bedfordshire County Recorder for Butterflies http://bedsbutterflies.org.uk
UK insects, macro photography, UK wildlife conservation.
Volunteer with @wildlifebcn.bsky.social & https://www.thehigginsbedford.org.uk
https://keithbalmer.com/
UK insects, macro photography, UK wildlife conservation.
Volunteer with @wildlifebcn.bsky.social & https://www.thehigginsbedford.org.uk
https://keithbalmer.com/
Reposted by Keith Balmer
Today is a day when arts degrees are worthless, but the product of those degrees is so valuable it would kill an entire industry if they were made to pay for it.
Nick Clegg says asking artists for use permission would ‘kill’ the AI industry
Nick Clegg says asking artists for use permission would ‘kill’ the AI industry
Paul McCartne, Elton John and others signed an open letter.
buff.ly
October 8, 2025 at 10:29 AM
Today is a day when arts degrees are worthless, but the product of those degrees is so valuable it would kill an entire industry if they were made to pay for it.
Reposted by Keith Balmer
Looking for a new challenge working on one of the UK's most ambitious conservation projects?
We are at an exciting phase of our Great Fen vision with habitat creation and peatland rewetting funded by The National Lottery Heritage Fund.
Find out more and apply www.wildlifebcn.org/jobs/great-f...
We are at an exciting phase of our Great Fen vision with habitat creation and peatland rewetting funded by The National Lottery Heritage Fund.
Find out more and apply www.wildlifebcn.org/jobs/great-f...
October 8, 2025 at 4:51 PM
Looking for a new challenge working on one of the UK's most ambitious conservation projects?
We are at an exciting phase of our Great Fen vision with habitat creation and peatland rewetting funded by The National Lottery Heritage Fund.
Find out more and apply www.wildlifebcn.org/jobs/great-f...
We are at an exciting phase of our Great Fen vision with habitat creation and peatland rewetting funded by The National Lottery Heritage Fund.
Find out more and apply www.wildlifebcn.org/jobs/great-f...
In the winter I sowed 𝘈𝘯𝘵𝘪𝘳𝘳𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘶𝘮 (Snapdragons) specifically to try to attract 𝘋𝘪𝘤𝘺𝘱𝘩𝘶𝘴 𝘦𝘴𝘤𝘢𝘭𝘦𝘳𝘢𝘦. On 30th June I beat one, and today found two by direct inspection. @willgeorge.bsky.social has confirmed as a new species for Bedfordshire.
July 2, 2025 at 2:40 PM
In the winter I sowed 𝘈𝘯𝘵𝘪𝘳𝘳𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘶𝘮 (Snapdragons) specifically to try to attract 𝘋𝘪𝘤𝘺𝘱𝘩𝘶𝘴 𝘦𝘴𝘤𝘢𝘭𝘦𝘳𝘢𝘦. On 30th June I beat one, and today found two by direct inspection. @willgeorge.bsky.social has confirmed as a new species for Bedfordshire.
One of the female 𝘏𝘢𝘦𝘮𝘢𝘵𝘰𝘱𝘰𝘵𝘢 𝘴𝘱. (Clegs) chewing into the back of my left hand. Chose photography over pain relief - I hope you appreciate that!
June 5, 2025 at 11:56 AM
One of the female 𝘏𝘢𝘦𝘮𝘢𝘵𝘰𝘱𝘰𝘵𝘢 𝘴𝘱. (Clegs) chewing into the back of my left hand. Chose photography over pain relief - I hope you appreciate that!
Yesterday I heard of the existence of the rare weevil 𝘗𝘴𝘦𝘶𝘥𝘰𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘵𝘢𝘱𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘢𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘨𝘢𝘭𝘪 so went looking for it this afternoon. May have found it after 20 minutes, unless I have the wrong ID of course! Can anyone confirm please?
June 1, 2025 at 5:49 PM
Yesterday I heard of the existence of the rare weevil 𝘗𝘴𝘦𝘶𝘥𝘰𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘵𝘢𝘱𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘢𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘨𝘢𝘭𝘪 so went looking for it this afternoon. May have found it after 20 minutes, unless I have the wrong ID of course! Can anyone confirm please?
Is there on online set of reference photos for Ephemeroptera imagos and sub-imagos? I'd like to check my tentative IDs. (e.g. is this a male Centroptilum luteolum?). iRecord seems the best I've found so far, but wondered if someone had a gallery somewhere...?
May 12, 2025 at 10:32 PM
Is there on online set of reference photos for Ephemeroptera imagos and sub-imagos? I'd like to check my tentative IDs. (e.g. is this a male Centroptilum luteolum?). iRecord seems the best I've found so far, but wondered if someone had a gallery somewhere...?
I always enjoy the challenge of trying to photograph Green Tiger Beetles, 𝘊𝘪𝘤𝘪𝘯𝘥𝘦𝘭𝘢 𝘤𝘢𝘮𝘱𝘦𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘪𝘴. Here's my first attempt of the year, on Bedfordshire heathland.
March 31, 2025 at 4:32 PM
I always enjoy the challenge of trying to photograph Green Tiger Beetles, 𝘊𝘪𝘤𝘪𝘯𝘥𝘦𝘭𝘢 𝘤𝘢𝘮𝘱𝘦𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘪𝘴. Here's my first attempt of the year, on Bedfordshire heathland.
Reposted by Keith Balmer
We are have updated our research into which garden plants attract the most pollinators. Our original research included 5 years of data. We then moved house so this is now 9 years of data over 2 different locations.
www.rosybee.com/research-study
www.rosybee.com/research-study
March 23, 2025 at 11:44 AM
We are have updated our research into which garden plants attract the most pollinators. Our original research included 5 years of data. We then moved house so this is now 9 years of data over 2 different locations.
www.rosybee.com/research-study
www.rosybee.com/research-study
The first UK record for 2025 in iRecord of 𝘓𝘦𝘨𝘯𝘰𝘵𝘶𝘴 𝘭𝘪𝘮𝘣𝘰𝘴𝘶𝘴, Bordered Shieldbug, found today under some fallen bark.
March 24, 2025 at 10:15 PM
The first UK record for 2025 in iRecord of 𝘓𝘦𝘨𝘯𝘰𝘵𝘶𝘴 𝘭𝘪𝘮𝘣𝘰𝘴𝘶𝘴, Bordered Shieldbug, found today under some fallen bark.
Taking a stacked photo while this female 𝘌𝘳𝘪𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘭𝘪𝘴 𝘵𝘦𝘯𝘢𝘹 was clearing her front legs has produced an interesting result!
March 24, 2025 at 10:05 PM
Taking a stacked photo while this female 𝘌𝘳𝘪𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘭𝘪𝘴 𝘵𝘦𝘯𝘢𝘹 was clearing her front legs has produced an interesting result!
Seven species of butterfly have been reported so far in 2025 in Bedfordshire. Small White and Large White are the only "hatchings" so far, the others were overwintered adults. The interactive iMap can be interrogated at www.keithbalmer.com/bedsbutterfl...
March 23, 2025 at 8:33 PM
Seven species of butterfly have been reported so far in 2025 in Bedfordshire. Small White and Large White are the only "hatchings" so far, the others were overwintered adults. The interactive iMap can be interrogated at www.keithbalmer.com/bedsbutterfl...
𝘓𝘶𝘧𝘧𝘪𝘢 𝘭𝘢𝘱𝘪𝘥𝘦𝘭𝘭𝘢 larvae grazing together on lichen and using it within their protective case.
March 22, 2025 at 6:48 PM
𝘓𝘶𝘧𝘧𝘪𝘢 𝘭𝘢𝘱𝘪𝘥𝘦𝘭𝘭𝘢 larvae grazing together on lichen and using it within their protective case.
Delighted to find my first Small Tortoiseshell of 2025 today, near Bedford. Let's hope it can found another one as they are so scarce these days.
March 22, 2025 at 4:05 PM
Delighted to find my first Small Tortoiseshell of 2025 today, near Bedford. Let's hope it can found another one as they are so scarce these days.
Reposted by Keith Balmer
Thrum-eyed Primrose on the left, with the anthers located well above the stigma; Pin-eyed Primrose on the right, with the stigma on a long style located well above the anthers….great for encouraging cross-pollination!😃
March 18, 2025 at 4:49 PM
Thrum-eyed Primrose on the left, with the anthers located well above the stigma; Pin-eyed Primrose on the right, with the stigma on a long style located well above the anthers….great for encouraging cross-pollination!😃
"It's dark down here, has anyone got a light?"
March 9, 2025 at 6:07 PM
"It's dark down here, has anyone got a light?"
Rummaging around under dead wood today I found a pseudoscorpion, 𝘊𝘩𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘯𝘪𝘶𝘴 𝘪𝘴𝘤𝘩𝘯𝘰𝘤𝘩𝘦𝘭𝘦𝘴, and a larva of a glow-worm 𝘓𝘢𝘮𝘱𝘺𝘳𝘪𝘴 𝘯𝘰𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘭𝘶𝘤𝘢.
March 6, 2025 at 10:10 PM
Rummaging around under dead wood today I found a pseudoscorpion, 𝘊𝘩𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘯𝘪𝘶𝘴 𝘪𝘴𝘤𝘩𝘯𝘰𝘤𝘩𝘦𝘭𝘦𝘴, and a larva of a glow-worm 𝘓𝘢𝘮𝘱𝘺𝘳𝘪𝘴 𝘯𝘰𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘭𝘶𝘤𝘢.
Butterfly reports pouring in for today in Bedfordshire. 20 so far...
iMap (www.keithbalmer.com/bedsbutterfl...) has been updated with all this year's records from online sources.
iMap (www.keithbalmer.com/bedsbutterfl...) has been updated with all this year's records from online sources.
March 3, 2025 at 9:49 PM
Butterfly reports pouring in for today in Bedfordshire. 20 so far...
iMap (www.keithbalmer.com/bedsbutterfl...) has been updated with all this year's records from online sources.
iMap (www.keithbalmer.com/bedsbutterfl...) has been updated with all this year's records from online sources.
Three Commas seen this afternoon, all successfully survived the rigours of winter pretending to be dead leaves.
March 3, 2025 at 4:47 PM
Three Commas seen this afternoon, all successfully survived the rigours of winter pretending to be dead leaves.
On the first day of meteorological spring, my first butterfly of 2025, a Peacock, recently emerged from hibernation.
March 1, 2025 at 5:44 PM
On the first day of meteorological spring, my first butterfly of 2025, a Peacock, recently emerged from hibernation.
"Big Bud" gall on Hazel caused by the mite 𝘗𝘩𝘺𝘵𝘰𝘱𝘵𝘶𝘴 𝘢𝘷𝘦𝘭𝘭𝘢𝘯𝘢𝘦. Easy to spot on the terminal buds of affected Hazel branches.
February 25, 2025 at 5:39 PM
"Big Bud" gall on Hazel caused by the mite 𝘗𝘩𝘺𝘵𝘰𝘱𝘵𝘶𝘴 𝘢𝘷𝘦𝘭𝘭𝘢𝘯𝘢𝘦. Easy to spot on the terminal buds of affected Hazel branches.
This week I have been mostly:
1) Completing the first draft of the 2024 butterfly report.
2) Doing habitat management on a nature reserve.
3) Volunteering at my local museum.
4) Attending a conference on wildlife conservation.
5) Laughing at Trump and Musk.
P.S. I'm retired, so I can't be fired!
1) Completing the first draft of the 2024 butterfly report.
2) Doing habitat management on a nature reserve.
3) Volunteering at my local museum.
4) Attending a conference on wildlife conservation.
5) Laughing at Trump and Musk.
P.S. I'm retired, so I can't be fired!
February 23, 2025 at 10:15 PM
This week I have been mostly:
1) Completing the first draft of the 2024 butterfly report.
2) Doing habitat management on a nature reserve.
3) Volunteering at my local museum.
4) Attending a conference on wildlife conservation.
5) Laughing at Trump and Musk.
P.S. I'm retired, so I can't be fired!
1) Completing the first draft of the 2024 butterfly report.
2) Doing habitat management on a nature reserve.
3) Volunteering at my local museum.
4) Attending a conference on wildlife conservation.
5) Laughing at Trump and Musk.
P.S. I'm retired, so I can't be fired!
Found this Ringlet(?) larva in an autumn-cut haystack on a nature reserve today. I was just curious to see what inverts might be in the stack. Need to investigate further when there isn't a cold wind blowing right through me...
February 23, 2025 at 6:44 PM
Found this Ringlet(?) larva in an autumn-cut haystack on a nature reserve today. I was just curious to see what inverts might be in the stack. Need to investigate further when there isn't a cold wind blowing right through me...
I thought a chart derived from an analysis of records might help me to understand the 2024 butterfly season in Bedfordshire. #Bedfordshire #butterflies
February 19, 2025 at 10:23 AM
I thought a chart derived from an analysis of records might help me to understand the 2024 butterfly season in Bedfordshire. #Bedfordshire #butterflies
This web was showing well in today's mist. I remembered seeing a drawing in Richard Lewington's new "Pocket Guide to British Spiders" of a web with a missing segment and thought, thanks Richard, I may now know what made it! Hope you don't mind the extract @rlewington2.bsky.social?
February 6, 2025 at 12:46 PM
This web was showing well in today's mist. I remembered seeing a drawing in Richard Lewington's new "Pocket Guide to British Spiders" of a web with a missing segment and thought, thanks Richard, I may now know what made it! Hope you don't mind the extract @rlewington2.bsky.social?
Received my tax code for 25-26 from HMRC today. My personal allowance is less than my state pension so I'll be taxed on it. The Chancellor giveth and the Chancellor taketh away again. Blessed be the name of the Chancellor!
February 5, 2025 at 9:24 PM
Received my tax code for 25-26 from HMRC today. My personal allowance is less than my state pension so I'll be taxed on it. The Chancellor giveth and the Chancellor taketh away again. Blessed be the name of the Chancellor!