Rob Yaxley
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robyaxley.bsky.social
Rob Yaxley
@robyaxley.bsky.social
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.”
Enterographa crassa is a woodland lichen that forms extensive patches on tree trunks. I think it looks better wet than dry.
February 9, 2026 at 8:25 PM
Reposted by Rob Yaxley
Just published... Phyllocnistis triandricola
(Almond Willow Maze-miner) New UK at Surlingham, Norfolk 14/08/2025 by Seb Buckton (Gen. Det. P. Hall, R. Voith) #teammoth #norfolkmoths norfolkmoths.co.uk/micros.php?b...
February 9, 2026 at 9:55 AM
Also this arthonioid species which I think is Reichlingia anombrophila. Appearance and spores look right.
February 7, 2026 at 6:51 PM
A few lichen things from a damp wander round the old trees in Felbrigg Park today. Coniocarpon cinnabarinum, Pyrrhospora quernea, Diarthonis spadicea and Cresponea premnea. The Diarthonis looks much better wet than it does dry!
February 7, 2026 at 6:45 PM
Just for your amusement. Spores of lichen Amandinea punctata from a stone wall, fungus Hysterium angustatum from a sycamore trunk, and sickle-shaped conidia of script lichen Opegrapha vulgata from oak bark. Such features are important in identifying these inconspicuous gems.
February 6, 2026 at 6:01 PM
Reposted by Rob Yaxley
More harvestman line drawings completed. Leiobunum species have such long legs that I didn't even try and fit them on the page.
February 6, 2026 at 2:56 PM
Reposted by Rob Yaxley
A reminder for members & those with a particular interest in lichens, that there is an NNNS walk at Houghton Hall on Sunday 8th Feb @10:30, led by county lichen recorder
@robyaxley.bsky.social
Park in the main car park, PE31 6TY. For full event details: norfolknaturalists.org.uk/wp/events-pa...
February 5, 2026 at 8:47 PM
All down to Steve L…but yes!
February 5, 2026 at 7:34 PM
Under some damp bark of a fallen poplar was this Hololepta plana, a curiously vertically challenged beetle.
February 5, 2026 at 6:37 PM
Something instinctively told me that beavers were in the area. My mammal field skills were not tested.
February 5, 2026 at 6:33 PM
Scytinium gelatinosum (I think) from the @britishlichensociety.org.uk trip to Carlisle cemetery at the weekend.
February 4, 2026 at 6:38 PM
Reposted by Rob Yaxley
reading about organisms that aren’t your specialty is like

margins of the quorbus eplungulate, ploobular processes bent posteriorly towards the foobulum

define term “eplungulate”
- lacking plungae. synonym: thubulous
February 2, 2026 at 10:14 PM
That’s a good idea! Not sure my DIY skills are all that, but I might have an existing implement I can adapt for the purpose.
February 3, 2026 at 7:04 PM
A couple of alula feathers from a dead woodcock I found. I don’t know who discovered it, but they make excellent brushes for manipulating insect scales when dissecting. I am planning to mount one on a small wooden handle. Might be good for cleaning lichen specimens too.
February 3, 2026 at 6:00 PM
I think Cladonia can show the colour all year round, but is more obvious in winter months when it is well hydrated.
January 30, 2026 at 7:57 AM
Cladonia diversa is very variable, with some podetia bearing swollen bright red fruiting bodies, and others just tiny red studs on the cup rim. Heaths and dunes.
January 29, 2026 at 8:32 PM
A grey form of Evernia prunastri seen today, which could be forma herinii, which is deficient in usnic acid. Growing alongside the normal greenish version.
January 29, 2026 at 7:32 PM
Reposted by Rob Yaxley
Results of the recent NNNS research project at Broadland Country Park are being published and sent out next month. We are now inviting everyone to a conference to discuss what we found, next steps and challenges. The event is free, but booking is required: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/norfolk-no...
January 28, 2026 at 7:57 PM
Reposted by Rob Yaxley
The poster for this NNNS event has been changed today (28/01/26) to clarify that whilst everyone is welcome to attend this event, it is free for NNNS members but there is a small charge for non-members (£3/£2 for students). Apologies for the confusion.
January 28, 2026 at 8:24 PM
Reposted by Rob Yaxley
Our #Bookofthemonth for January: Lichens of Britain and Ireland: An Introductory Guide by Frances Stoakley and Dr Rebecca Yahr. Filling a desired niche, it's a really useable and accessible guide for beginners and a faithful field guide for all! www.summerfieldbooks.com/product/lich...
January 28, 2026 at 7:16 PM
Thanks Chris, I will do that. 🙏
January 27, 2026 at 8:37 AM
Some tideline pebbles on the sheltered (saltmarsh) shore of the dunes at Burnham Overy had lichens on them. This one turned out to be Lecanora helicopis, which was previously recorded at the same site in 1989, only 37 years ago.
January 25, 2026 at 7:10 PM
While visiting the local museum I noticed that herbarium specimens lose their colour after a while - do you know if they retain spot and UV reaction capability? There are quite a few boxes of unidentified specimens…
January 25, 2026 at 8:51 AM
Reposted by Rob Yaxley
A developing slime mold, Arcyria stipata. NWT, Canada. #fungifriends #myxomycetes The photo covers about 2 to 3cm left to right.
January 24, 2026 at 1:35 PM