Esmond Brown
@chalkspring.bsky.social
Gentleman, scholar and sometime acrobat. Foodie, chef, rugby player, birder, diplomat, drinker of fine malt whisky and gin. Your friendly neighbourhood spiderman – if your neighbourhood is The Chilterns, South Buckinghamshire or the Scottish Highlands
Larinioides sclopetarius, Bridge Orb Weaver
November 28, 2025 at 7:00 PM
Larinioides sclopetarius, Bridge Orb Weaver
I do. Deep leaf litter and moss are great insulators and many spiders can be found with a bit of patience, a sieve and a tray
November 26, 2025 at 1:12 PM
I do. Deep leaf litter and moss are great insulators and many spiders can be found with a bit of patience, a sieve and a tray
I'm no fan of Truss, but there's mo way she could have been worse. Johnson was enabled by the worst elements of his party and the press. He repeatedly got away with actions that his predecessor and successor could never have done
November 20, 2025 at 5:36 PM
I'm no fan of Truss, but there's mo way she could have been worse. Johnson was enabled by the worst elements of his party and the press. He repeatedly got away with actions that his predecessor and successor could never have done
Cavernarum and serratus in the same week! Slow down and leave some for the rest of us
November 12, 2025 at 6:27 PM
Cavernarum and serratus in the same week! Slow down and leave some for the rest of us
This is a Jumping Spider (Salticidae). A Phidippus species, I think. Maybe Phidippus adumbratus
November 6, 2025 at 9:13 PM
This is a Jumping Spider (Salticidae). A Phidippus species, I think. Maybe Phidippus adumbratus
Excellent find, James. A spider that has not yet made my acquaintance... only the one vaguely located record here in Buckinghamshire, according to the recording scheme. I think @tylanberry.bsky.social is monopolising the species
November 3, 2025 at 6:03 PM
Excellent find, James. A spider that has not yet made my acquaintance... only the one vaguely located record here in Buckinghamshire, according to the recording scheme. I think @tylanberry.bsky.social is monopolising the species
Not one I've ever seen, but the one old (1974) record for Buckinghamshire, is from where I've recently found Walckenaerias obtusa and corniculans, both of which had similar pre-1980 records
October 29, 2025 at 4:47 PM
Not one I've ever seen, but the one old (1974) record for Buckinghamshire, is from where I've recently found Walckenaerias obtusa and corniculans, both of which had similar pre-1980 records
Theridion melanurum has a uniformly dark brown prosoma. I'm not sure where you are located so I can't guess at an ID
October 24, 2025 at 5:37 PM
Theridion melanurum has a uniformly dark brown prosoma. I'm not sure where you are located so I can't guess at an ID
Isn't this zimmermanni?
October 24, 2025 at 2:38 PM
Isn't this zimmermanni?
Silent P, like in a swimming pool
October 24, 2025 at 2:10 PM
Silent P, like in a swimming pool
Jan - too cold
Feb - too cold and wet
Mar - a few decent days
Apr - the sun came out briefly
May - perfect
Jun - it's getting a bit warm
Jul - too hot
Aug - off on holiday
Sep - back to school panic
Oct - panic over, a couple of really nice days
Nov - dark by 5pm
Dec - too cold
Feb - too cold and wet
Mar - a few decent days
Apr - the sun came out briefly
May - perfect
Jun - it's getting a bit warm
Jul - too hot
Aug - off on holiday
Sep - back to school panic
Oct - panic over, a couple of really nice days
Nov - dark by 5pm
Dec - too cold
October 24, 2025 at 2:04 PM
Jan - too cold
Feb - too cold and wet
Mar - a few decent days
Apr - the sun came out briefly
May - perfect
Jun - it's getting a bit warm
Jul - too hot
Aug - off on holiday
Sep - back to school panic
Oct - panic over, a couple of really nice days
Nov - dark by 5pm
Dec - too cold
Feb - too cold and wet
Mar - a few decent days
Apr - the sun came out briefly
May - perfect
Jun - it's getting a bit warm
Jul - too hot
Aug - off on holiday
Sep - back to school panic
Oct - panic over, a couple of really nice days
Nov - dark by 5pm
Dec - too cold
I suspect the chart is really a reflection of when arachnologists are most active
October 24, 2025 at 7:29 AM
I suspect the chart is really a reflection of when arachnologists are most active
Our ecosystems are constantly under threat – we need more people finding and recording these tiny arachnids, because that's the only way we'll be able to protect their habitats
October 24, 2025 at 7:26 AM
Our ecosystems are constantly under threat – we need more people finding and recording these tiny arachnids, because that's the only way we'll be able to protect their habitats
I don't like to jump down anyone's throat, but this is kind of blindingly ignorant comment that could put a budding entomologist off biological recording.
October 24, 2025 at 7:26 AM
I don't like to jump down anyone's throat, but this is kind of blindingly ignorant comment that could put a budding entomologist off biological recording.
Now do one with Trochosa
October 16, 2025 at 8:50 PM
Now do one with Trochosa
It is indeed Linyphia triangularis, but I've never seen one standing on top of its web
October 13, 2025 at 8:20 PM
It is indeed Linyphia triangularis, but I've never seen one standing on top of its web
Tiny! Makes Maro minutus look like a giant
October 13, 2025 at 8:09 PM
Tiny! Makes Maro minutus look like a giant