Nick Elsey
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nickelsey53.bsky.social
Nick Elsey
@nickelsey53.bsky.social
Upton Marshes, Norfolk: 12/8/25 The carcass of a diving beetle larva attracted a number of, what I believe to be, Pond-skater nymphs and a host of, possibly, ostracods or similar.
A few Wall butterflies were spotted along with 9 species of odonata. A lone Wasp Spider was my first for the year.
August 14, 2025 at 3:43 PM
5th Aug '25: Uncommon sights for our semi-rural garden in south-east Norfolk.
A female Common Toad - Bufo bufo - burrowing into the light soil under a well established mixed hedgerow.
A male Gypsy Moth - Lymantria dispar - a species with a rather chequered history in the British Isles.
August 5, 2025 at 3:42 PM
Reposted by Nick Elsey
Here is the listing of the late summer/early autumn NNNS events. Next up is a walk as part of our current research project at Sweet Briar Marshes (Sat 2nd Aug 2025). A newly added & highly recommended event on Sat 6th Sept 2025 is a walk at Winterton Dunes with Garth Coupland looking for spiders.
July 29, 2025 at 7:45 PM
Reposted by Nick Elsey
NNNS is run by volunteers. This year Chairman Tony Leech and Secretary Rubyna Sheikh are stepping down, and we are also looking for help attending events, so we would encourage any members who would like to be help or be involved in the running of the Society to get in touch!
July 29, 2025 at 7:56 PM
27/7/25: Whilst collecting dragonfly and damselfly exuviae on Raveningham Hall wildlife pond, I found this on the underside of a leaf. It was about the size of a £1 coin. I expected it to be a cluster of eggs. Now I'm thinking a feather...Any ideas, please?
July 27, 2025 at 6:22 PM
Reposted by Nick Elsey
We have been contacted by a Norwich-based birder who would like to sell her complete 9-volume set of Birds of the Western Palearctic (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Bir...). Older ones have slightly faded covers. She is hoping to get £90 ono. If anyone is interested then I can pass on her contact details
The Birds of the Western Palearctic - Wikipedia
en.wikipedia.org
July 26, 2025 at 7:26 PM
Some exceptionally good odonata footage to be seen in this video
www.youtube.com/watch?v=xy7V...
The Fascinating Life Cycle of Dragonflies: From Egg to Adult
YouTube video by Pond Lab
www.youtube.com
July 26, 2025 at 1:38 PM
18/7/25: I guess that it's inevitable that in pursuit of collecting #dragonfly exuviae, one is likely to end up with a boot full of stinking dyke water! Thankfully, our Norfolk county recorder @pamdragons.bsky.social is very appreciative of these hard earned records. @britishdragonflies.bsky.social
July 19, 2025 at 9:48 AM
1st July 2025: Gardening activities were pleasantly interrupted when @ruralrubyna.bsky.social initially spotted a female Banded Demoiselle which was quickly followed by a #hoverfly Volucella inflata. The bee hotel now has a new species visiting which I haven't identified as yet. Any ideas. please?
July 1, 2025 at 3:50 PM
20/6/25: A gentle stroll alongside the Rivers Tas and Yare between Arminghall and Trowse, Norfolk produced a healthy population of Banded Demoiselles. LRD, Red-eyed, Blue-tailed, Azure & Common Blue damselflies, Emperor, Norfolk Hawker and Scarce Chaser all recorded. @britishdragonflies.bsky.social
June 20, 2025 at 2:29 PM
19th June 2025: A very pleasant hour or so sitting on the banks of the crystal clear River Tas at Caistor Roman Camp #VentaIcenorum #Norfolkdragonflies getting close up and personal with the local #odonata My 1st Painted Lady #butterfly of the year was a bonus @britishdragonflies.bsky.social
June 19, 2025 at 2:35 PM
13th June 2025: Low numbers of nine species of #odonata recorded in blustery, hot conditions at #RaveninghamHall #Norfolk All records will be sent on a spreadsheet to #BritishDragonflySociety county recorder. NB. Very few lepidoptera or diptera on the wing.
@britishdragonflies.bsky.social
June 14, 2025 at 4:55 PM
@ruralrubyna.bsky.social and I have recently joined the #NorfolkGardensTrust which not only offers us the chance to visit some spectacular private gardens but also record the #invertebrates The large pond at #EastCarletonManor produced 9 species of #odonata. However, not a single butterfly was seen!
June 3, 2025 at 9:29 AM
Bird Cherry - Prunus padus - with, presumably, the larvae of Bird Cherry Ermine #moth -Yponomeuta evonymella - and leaf #galls caused by the mite, Phyllocoptes eupadi.
#GooderstoneWaterGardens #Norfolk 11th May 2025
May 12, 2025 at 6:12 PM
A flock of #HouseSparrows + a 'conservation' pond full of Rudd + Crucian Carp didn't make for good odonata numbers. 1 Large Red and a pair of Azure Damselflies along with a Four-spotted Chaser were all that was on offer today. A male Merodon equestris was a bonus.

Poringland Lakes - 10th May 2025
May 10, 2025 at 4:24 PM
9th May: Good to find my 1st #ScarceChaser - Libellula fulva - of the 2025 season close to #RocklandBroad #Norfolk #Dragonflies
Several Large Red, Common Blue, Blue-tailed and Azure #Damselflies on the wing.
Distant #Cuckoo along with several species of #butterfly and a Hornet were a bonus.
May 9, 2025 at 6:24 PM
Well on the way to raising enough funds for a memorial to our dear friends, Rex and Barbara.
gofund.me/d146bbb6
Donate to Rex & Barbara Hancy's Memorial Bench at Blickling Hall, organised by Clara Chamberlain
Our dearly departed friend Rex Hancy (18th Sept. 1929 - 1st M… Clara Chamberlain needs your support for Rex & Barbara Hancy's Memorial Bench at Blickling Hall
gofund.me
April 29, 2025 at 1:27 PM
Female Andrena fulva - Tawny Mining-bee - on Wood Spurge in the garden 22nd April 2025.
April 22, 2025 at 4:23 PM
Reposted by Nick Elsey
A group of staff and volunteers at Blickling Hall who became friends with Rex Hancy on his numerous visits there are hoping to raise funds to have a memorial bench installed and dedicated to Rex & Barbara. If you would like to donate towards this then the link is: www.gofundme.com/f/rex-barbar...
Donate to Rex & Barbara Hancy's Memorial Bench at Blickling Hall, organized by Clara Chamberlain
Our dearly departed friend Rex Hancy (18th Sept. 1929 - 1st M… Clara Chamberlain needs your support for Rex & Barbara Hancy's Memorial Bench at Blickling Hall
www.gofundme.com
April 5, 2025 at 8:33 PM