Sorby Natural History Society
@sorbynathissoc.bsky.social
We cover a full range of natural history interests in Sheffield (UK) and the surrounding area, with activities for both interested beginners and specialists.
http://www.sorby.org.uk/
http://www.sorby.org.uk/
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Events | Sorby Natural History Society, Sheffield
www.sorby.org.uk
Our outline programme of activities for April 2025 to March 2026 is available on our website at www.sorby.org.uk/events Full details of each activity can be found in our monthly newsletter, which is distributed free to members.
Reposted by Sorby Natural History Society
Pleased to see @markavery.bsky.social's endorsement of @ecology-digest.bsky.social's atlas of Yorkshire's spiders and harvestmen, which we funded with the Yorkshire Naturalists' Union.
'If spiders are your thing, then this is a book for you, particularly, but not only, if you live in Yorkshire'
'If spiders are your thing, then this is a book for you, particularly, but not only, if you live in Yorkshire'
Sunday book review: Spiders and Harvestmen of Yorkshire by @ecology-digest.bsky.social
Publisher: Pisces
Review: markavery.info/2025/11/16/s...
@ynuorg.bsky.social @britishspiders.bsky.social @yorkshiredales.org.uk @northyorkmoors.org.uk @yorkswildlife.bsky.social @wildsheffield.bsky.social
Publisher: Pisces
Review: markavery.info/2025/11/16/s...
@ynuorg.bsky.social @britishspiders.bsky.social @yorkshiredales.org.uk @northyorkmoors.org.uk @yorkswildlife.bsky.social @wildsheffield.bsky.social
November 16, 2025 at 2:29 PM
Pleased to see @markavery.bsky.social's endorsement of @ecology-digest.bsky.social's atlas of Yorkshire's spiders and harvestmen, which we funded with the Yorkshire Naturalists' Union.
'If spiders are your thing, then this is a book for you, particularly, but not only, if you live in Yorkshire'
'If spiders are your thing, then this is a book for you, particularly, but not only, if you live in Yorkshire'
Reposted by Sorby Natural History Society
Found a range of fungi incl. these smart Scarlet Waxcaps (Hygrocybe coccinea) nr Ringinglow, S.Yorkshire recently. Adjacent fields were emerald green from nitrate fertiliser application but this biodiverse pasture is too steep for the tractor!
@britishmyology.bsky.social
@sorbynathissoc.bsky.social
@britishmyology.bsky.social
@sorbynathissoc.bsky.social
November 6, 2025 at 5:34 PM
Found a range of fungi incl. these smart Scarlet Waxcaps (Hygrocybe coccinea) nr Ringinglow, S.Yorkshire recently. Adjacent fields were emerald green from nitrate fertiliser application but this biodiverse pasture is too steep for the tractor!
@britishmyology.bsky.social
@sorbynathissoc.bsky.social
@britishmyology.bsky.social
@sorbynathissoc.bsky.social
Reposted by Sorby Natural History Society
An unexpected outage for iRecord and other Indicia systems this weekend means that you won't be able to add records to the websites. It is still possible to add records to the iRecord apps, but you won't be able to upload them until this is fixed 😞
November 8, 2025 at 9:50 PM
An unexpected outage for iRecord and other Indicia systems this weekend means that you won't be able to add records to the websites. It is still possible to add records to the iRecord apps, but you won't be able to upload them until this is fixed 😞
Reposted by Sorby Natural History Society
Wednesday evening ⬇️
Come and join us at our Indoor Meetings
Next up:
‘Barn Owls - The Inside Story’
Pete Garrity chronicles a family of Barn Owls breeding at the bottom of his garden - all caught on camera.
Weds 12th Nov 7.15pm
LT2 The Diamond Builiding
Leavygreave Rd
Next up:
‘Barn Owls - The Inside Story’
Pete Garrity chronicles a family of Barn Owls breeding at the bottom of his garden - all caught on camera.
Weds 12th Nov 7.15pm
LT2 The Diamond Builiding
Leavygreave Rd
November 8, 2025 at 11:19 AM
Wednesday evening ⬇️
Reposted by Sorby Natural History Society
I found this enormous Pike this afternoon, looks like it may have been eaten by an Otter. I'm not sure anything else can taken in a 4'6" long Pike and would eat the insides. It didn't smell much so was fairly fresh.
Anyone seen anything to suggest something different? @sorbynathissoc.bsky.social
Anyone seen anything to suggest something different? @sorbynathissoc.bsky.social
November 6, 2025 at 7:04 PM
I found this enormous Pike this afternoon, looks like it may have been eaten by an Otter. I'm not sure anything else can taken in a 4'6" long Pike and would eat the insides. It didn't smell much so was fairly fresh.
Anyone seen anything to suggest something different? @sorbynathissoc.bsky.social
Anyone seen anything to suggest something different? @sorbynathissoc.bsky.social
Reposted by Sorby Natural History Society
The latest BDS Journal is available online, where you can also access previous issues 👉 british-dragonflies.org.uk/bds-journal/
BDS Journal - British Dragonfly Society
Image: Broad-bodied Chaser by Bruce Hyde
british-dragonflies.org.uk
November 6, 2025 at 8:08 AM
The latest BDS Journal is available online, where you can also access previous issues 👉 british-dragonflies.org.uk/bds-journal/
Reposted by Sorby Natural History Society
Proofs of Field Guide to Dragonflies & Damselflies of GB&I have arrived and look good. Written by Steve Brooks & Steve Cham with many new artworks, photos and detailed maps, make it the most complete guide to British Odonata. The 6th edition in 28 years
October 28, 2025 at 3:49 PM
Proofs of Field Guide to Dragonflies & Damselflies of GB&I have arrived and look good. Written by Steve Brooks & Steve Cham with many new artworks, photos and detailed maps, make it the most complete guide to British Odonata. The 6th edition in 28 years
Reposted by Sorby Natural History Society
On Saturday 15th November the YWT, Yorkshire Naturalists' Union & Sorby Natural History Society are hosting a joint event for members on Soliderfly ID. Click through to purchase a ticket! www.ywt.org.uk/events/2025-...
@sorbynathissoc.bsky.social @yorkswildlife.bsky.social @ynuorg.bsky.social
@sorbynathissoc.bsky.social @yorkswildlife.bsky.social @ynuorg.bsky.social
Soldierfly ID Workshop (YWT Member's Exclusive Event) | Yorkshire Wildlife Trust
Learn how to ID specimens of soldierflies with expert Yorkshire naturalist Derek Whiteley.
www.ywt.org.uk
October 28, 2025 at 10:03 AM
On Saturday 15th November the YWT, Yorkshire Naturalists' Union & Sorby Natural History Society are hosting a joint event for members on Soliderfly ID. Click through to purchase a ticket! www.ywt.org.uk/events/2025-...
@sorbynathissoc.bsky.social @yorkswildlife.bsky.social @ynuorg.bsky.social
@sorbynathissoc.bsky.social @yorkswildlife.bsky.social @ynuorg.bsky.social
Reposted by Sorby Natural History Society
My book has got a great endorsement from Chris Packham: "This clever and immensely resourceful book is an overdue gem". There's also a few pages up on the website too! It's up for pre-order here with publication set for January pelagicpublishing.com/products/pan...
October 23, 2025 at 10:31 AM
My book has got a great endorsement from Chris Packham: "This clever and immensely resourceful book is an overdue gem". There's also a few pages up on the website too! It's up for pre-order here with publication set for January pelagicpublishing.com/products/pan...
Reposted by Sorby Natural History Society
Check your letterboxes!
Your dedicated SBSG Trustees and Officers are out this week and next delivering the latest Annual Report by hand and by post.
Surplus copies will go on sale at November Indoor meeting
#ukbirding #yorkshirebirding
Your dedicated SBSG Trustees and Officers are out this week and next delivering the latest Annual Report by hand and by post.
Surplus copies will go on sale at November Indoor meeting
#ukbirding #yorkshirebirding
October 25, 2025 at 6:34 AM
Check your letterboxes!
Your dedicated SBSG Trustees and Officers are out this week and next delivering the latest Annual Report by hand and by post.
Surplus copies will go on sale at November Indoor meeting
#ukbirding #yorkshirebirding
Your dedicated SBSG Trustees and Officers are out this week and next delivering the latest Annual Report by hand and by post.
Surplus copies will go on sale at November Indoor meeting
#ukbirding #yorkshirebirding
Reposted by Sorby Natural History Society
Calling all @sorbynathissoc.bsky.social @ynuorg.bsky.social @yorkswildlife.bsky.social members, there is a great indoor workshop on soliderflies coming up soon. I'll be there, and hope to see you too!
www.ywt.org.uk/events/2025-...
Or DM me for details
@uk-soldierflies.bsky.social
www.ywt.org.uk/events/2025-...
Or DM me for details
@uk-soldierflies.bsky.social
Soldierfly ID Workshop (YWT Member's Exclusive Event) | Yorkshire Wildlife Trust
Learn how to ID specimens of soldierflies with expert Yorkshire naturalist Derek Whiteley.
www.ywt.org.uk
October 25, 2025 at 10:26 AM
Calling all @sorbynathissoc.bsky.social @ynuorg.bsky.social @yorkswildlife.bsky.social members, there is a great indoor workshop on soliderflies coming up soon. I'll be there, and hope to see you too!
www.ywt.org.uk/events/2025-...
Or DM me for details
@uk-soldierflies.bsky.social
www.ywt.org.uk/events/2025-...
Or DM me for details
@uk-soldierflies.bsky.social
Reposted by Sorby Natural History Society
Possibly a new (to me) pinkgill, Entoloma violaceoserrulatum, found in my local cemetery. But pinkgills are tricky, and impossible to be sure without microscopy.
The photo doesn't do the indigo colour of the stem justice.
@sorbynathissoc.bsky.social
The photo doesn't do the indigo colour of the stem justice.
@sorbynathissoc.bsky.social
October 17, 2025 at 4:41 PM
Possibly a new (to me) pinkgill, Entoloma violaceoserrulatum, found in my local cemetery. But pinkgills are tricky, and impossible to be sure without microscopy.
The photo doesn't do the indigo colour of the stem justice.
@sorbynathissoc.bsky.social
The photo doesn't do the indigo colour of the stem justice.
@sorbynathissoc.bsky.social
Reposted by Sorby Natural History Society
I was in the centre of Rotherham this morning for a meeting, right by the river. So I had a look for any interesting plants.
Plenty of Frogbit, which is otherwise rare in South Yorkshire, and declined enormously. It must be floating down from somewhere upstream.
@sorbynathissoc.bsky.social
Plenty of Frogbit, which is otherwise rare in South Yorkshire, and declined enormously. It must be floating down from somewhere upstream.
@sorbynathissoc.bsky.social
October 7, 2025 at 6:06 PM
I was in the centre of Rotherham this morning for a meeting, right by the river. So I had a look for any interesting plants.
Plenty of Frogbit, which is otherwise rare in South Yorkshire, and declined enormously. It must be floating down from somewhere upstream.
@sorbynathissoc.bsky.social
Plenty of Frogbit, which is otherwise rare in South Yorkshire, and declined enormously. It must be floating down from somewhere upstream.
@sorbynathissoc.bsky.social
Reposted by Sorby Natural History Society
Sometimes bees key out easily, other times not. This male furrow bee was tricky, although I had a good idea what it was I struggled to get through the key to the right place. Discounting all the other species I came back to Orange-legged Furrow Bee (H. rubicundus)
@sorbynathissoc.bsky.social
@sorbynathissoc.bsky.social
September 10, 2025 at 6:41 PM
Sometimes bees key out easily, other times not. This male furrow bee was tricky, although I had a good idea what it was I struggled to get through the key to the right place. Discounting all the other species I came back to Orange-legged Furrow Bee (H. rubicundus)
@sorbynathissoc.bsky.social
@sorbynathissoc.bsky.social
Reposted by Sorby Natural History Society
Yesterday I came across these galls caused by the cynipid wasp Diplolepis mayri on brownfield land next to the Sheffield & Tinsley Canal. The galls were first found along the canal by Joan Egan (et al) back in September 2014. #galls #entomology
August 29, 2025 at 10:05 AM
Yesterday I came across these galls caused by the cynipid wasp Diplolepis mayri on brownfield land next to the Sheffield & Tinsley Canal. The galls were first found along the canal by Joan Egan (et al) back in September 2014. #galls #entomology
Reposted by Sorby Natural History Society
Fascinating research from colleagues at @sheffielduni.bsky.social on impact of urbanization on moth and hoverfly populations
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Gardeners urged to collaborate to help moths and hover flies thrive in cities
Researchers found moths and hover flies are more negatively affected by urbanisation than bees
www.theguardian.com
August 6, 2025 at 5:58 AM
Fascinating research from colleagues at @sheffielduni.bsky.social on impact of urbanization on moth and hoverfly populations
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Reposted by Sorby Natural History Society
9 butterfly species around Royd Moor this afternoon. Inc Small Copper, Painted Lady, Small Heath @sorbynathissoc.bsky.social @bcyorkshire.bsky.social
August 3, 2025 at 3:42 PM
9 butterfly species around Royd Moor this afternoon. Inc Small Copper, Painted Lady, Small Heath @sorbynathissoc.bsky.social @bcyorkshire.bsky.social
Reposted by Sorby Natural History Society
Calling all Sheffield & Derbyshire birders! We're looking to gather as many Ring Ouzel sightings as possible this August & September to aid the work of RSPB Eastern Moors Partnership.
Please see our website news item for more details:
www.sbsg.org/sbsg-news/re...
#ukbirding
📷 Chris Greenwood ©
Please see our website news item for more details:
www.sbsg.org/sbsg-news/re...
#ukbirding
📷 Chris Greenwood ©
August 1, 2025 at 2:39 PM
Calling all Sheffield & Derbyshire birders! We're looking to gather as many Ring Ouzel sightings as possible this August & September to aid the work of RSPB Eastern Moors Partnership.
Please see our website news item for more details:
www.sbsg.org/sbsg-news/re...
#ukbirding
📷 Chris Greenwood ©
Please see our website news item for more details:
www.sbsg.org/sbsg-news/re...
#ukbirding
📷 Chris Greenwood ©
Reposted by Sorby Natural History Society
Juvenile Black Redstart on roof near Longwall Close, Mapplewell, Barnsley at 0835 then flew towards Mapplewell Coop. Nice one for the house list. 😀
July 30, 2025 at 7:49 AM
Juvenile Black Redstart on roof near Longwall Close, Mapplewell, Barnsley at 0835 then flew towards Mapplewell Coop. Nice one for the house list. 😀
Reposted by Sorby Natural History Society
Any help with this sawfly appreciated. I'm not even sure I'm getting to the right genus in the key.
In the field I thought an Athalia, but the long antennae maybe aren't right and I keyed it to Pachynematus (but it looks like many if these species are now a different genus).
@suillia.bsky.social
In the field I thought an Athalia, but the long antennae maybe aren't right and I keyed it to Pachynematus (but it looks like many if these species are now a different genus).
@suillia.bsky.social
July 29, 2025 at 4:52 PM
Any help with this sawfly appreciated. I'm not even sure I'm getting to the right genus in the key.
In the field I thought an Athalia, but the long antennae maybe aren't right and I keyed it to Pachynematus (but it looks like many if these species are now a different genus).
@suillia.bsky.social
In the field I thought an Athalia, but the long antennae maybe aren't right and I keyed it to Pachynematus (but it looks like many if these species are now a different genus).
@suillia.bsky.social
Reposted by Sorby Natural History Society
Bilberry Bumblebee (Bombus monticola) visiting the flowers of Buddleja and Hebe in a Sheffield garden, about 2 km from open moorland.
July 14, 2025 at 8:30 AM
Bilberry Bumblebee (Bombus monticola) visiting the flowers of Buddleja and Hebe in a Sheffield garden, about 2 km from open moorland.
Reposted by Sorby Natural History Society
Please report sightings of dead birds for possible testing for Avian Influenza (Bird Flu) ⬇️
📌 In England, Wales & Scotland: www.gov.uk/guidance/...
📌 In Northern Ireland: www.daera-ni.gov.uk/...
📌 In Republic of Ireland: aviancheck.apps.serv...
📌 In England, Wales & Scotland: www.gov.uk/guidance/...
📌 In Northern Ireland: www.daera-ni.gov.uk/...
📌 In Republic of Ireland: aviancheck.apps.serv...
July 5, 2025 at 7:00 PM
Please report sightings of dead birds for possible testing for Avian Influenza (Bird Flu) ⬇️
📌 In England, Wales & Scotland: www.gov.uk/guidance/...
📌 In Northern Ireland: www.daera-ni.gov.uk/...
📌 In Republic of Ireland: aviancheck.apps.serv...
📌 In England, Wales & Scotland: www.gov.uk/guidance/...
📌 In Northern Ireland: www.daera-ni.gov.uk/...
📌 In Republic of Ireland: aviancheck.apps.serv...
Reposted by Sorby Natural History Society
Swift Awareness Week, which aims to highlight the plight of the UK's declining Common Swifts, runs from 28 June-6 July:
Swift Awareness Week starts Saturday
Swift Awareness Week, which aims to highlight the plight of the UK's declining Common Swifts, runs from 28 June-6 July 2025.
bit.ly
June 29, 2025 at 6:16 AM
Swift Awareness Week, which aims to highlight the plight of the UK's declining Common Swifts, runs from 28 June-6 July:
Reposted by Sorby Natural History Society
30 bird sp. around Royd Moor this afternoon. 7 butterfly inc. Painted Lady and Large Skipper along with freshly emerged Burnet moths. @s-yorksbirding.bsky.social @sorbynathissoc.bsky.social @bcyorkshire.bsky.social
June 15, 2025 at 5:07 PM
30 bird sp. around Royd Moor this afternoon. 7 butterfly inc. Painted Lady and Large Skipper along with freshly emerged Burnet moths. @s-yorksbirding.bsky.social @sorbynathissoc.bsky.social @bcyorkshire.bsky.social
Reposted by Sorby Natural History Society
I think this might be a Yellow-bellied Rush-cutter, Eutomostethus luteiventris, that swept from a wet field near me. Looks distinctive enough, but I think it is fairly variable.
A new species for me. 🙂
@sorbynathissoc.bsky.social
A new species for me. 🙂
@sorbynathissoc.bsky.social
June 14, 2025 at 5:07 PM
I think this might be a Yellow-bellied Rush-cutter, Eutomostethus luteiventris, that swept from a wet field near me. Looks distinctive enough, but I think it is fairly variable.
A new species for me. 🙂
@sorbynathissoc.bsky.social
A new species for me. 🙂
@sorbynathissoc.bsky.social