Liam Olds
@liamolds.bsky.social
🏴 #Entomologist in South Wales & Director of @gloinatur.bsky.social (formerly @collieryspoil.bsky.social). Conservation Officer at #Buglife Cymru. Organiser of Oil Beetle Recording Scheme. Obsession with #collieryspoil #brownfields and #invertebrates.
Reposted by Liam Olds
Last night, Liam and Carys from Glo i Natur CIC joined the @wtsww.bsky.social Brecon Group AGM, where Liam gave a talk on the rich biodiversity of South Wales’ coal spoil sites - from Pennyroyal & Adder to the “Maerdy Monster”!
Thanks for the warm welcome.
#GloiNatur #CoaltoNature #CoalSpoil
Thanks for the warm welcome.
#GloiNatur #CoaltoNature #CoalSpoil
November 13, 2025 at 9:25 AM
Last night, Liam and Carys from Glo i Natur CIC joined the @wtsww.bsky.social Brecon Group AGM, where Liam gave a talk on the rich biodiversity of South Wales’ coal spoil sites - from Pennyroyal & Adder to the “Maerdy Monster”!
Thanks for the warm welcome.
#GloiNatur #CoaltoNature #CoalSpoil
Thanks for the warm welcome.
#GloiNatur #CoaltoNature #CoalSpoil
Reposted by Liam Olds
It's bulb planting time!
Bulbs make dazzling displays in containers or borders, and they’re also a great source of late winter/early spring nectar for butterflies and moths 🦋
Top 5 bulbs to plant:
🌷 Crocus
🌷 Alliums
🌷 Grape hyacinth
🌷 Winter aconite
🌷 Snake's-head Fritillary
📷: Rob Blanken
Bulbs make dazzling displays in containers or borders, and they’re also a great source of late winter/early spring nectar for butterflies and moths 🦋
Top 5 bulbs to plant:
🌷 Crocus
🌷 Alliums
🌷 Grape hyacinth
🌷 Winter aconite
🌷 Snake's-head Fritillary
📷: Rob Blanken
November 8, 2025 at 10:00 AM
It's bulb planting time!
Bulbs make dazzling displays in containers or borders, and they’re also a great source of late winter/early spring nectar for butterflies and moths 🦋
Top 5 bulbs to plant:
🌷 Crocus
🌷 Alliums
🌷 Grape hyacinth
🌷 Winter aconite
🌷 Snake's-head Fritillary
📷: Rob Blanken
Bulbs make dazzling displays in containers or borders, and they’re also a great source of late winter/early spring nectar for butterflies and moths 🦋
Top 5 bulbs to plant:
🌷 Crocus
🌷 Alliums
🌷 Grape hyacinth
🌷 Winter aconite
🌷 Snake's-head Fritillary
📷: Rob Blanken
Reposted by Liam Olds
My first Snow Flea (Boreus hyemalis) of the winter at Cali Heath @yorkswildlife.bsky.social reserve today. Nice of her to pose out in the open on a fallen leaf, so didn't need to spend hours waiting for one to emerge from the Polytrichum moss! @ynuorg.bsky.social #Mecoptera #Boreidae #ukwildlife
November 9, 2025 at 3:41 PM
My first Snow Flea (Boreus hyemalis) of the winter at Cali Heath @yorkswildlife.bsky.social reserve today. Nice of her to pose out in the open on a fallen leaf, so didn't need to spend hours waiting for one to emerge from the Polytrichum moss! @ynuorg.bsky.social #Mecoptera #Boreidae #ukwildlife
Reposted by Liam Olds
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Liam & Christian were in the Wyre Forest Coalfield today, where Liam was guest speaker at Worcestershire Entomology Day 🐞 Nearly 100 people attended!
Liam & Christian were in the Wyre Forest Coalfield today, where Liam was guest speaker at Worcestershire Entomology Day 🐞 Nearly 100 people attended!
November 8, 2025 at 8:27 PM
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Liam & Christian were in the Wyre Forest Coalfield today, where Liam was guest speaker at Worcestershire Entomology Day 🐞 Nearly 100 people attended!
Liam & Christian were in the Wyre Forest Coalfield today, where Liam was guest speaker at Worcestershire Entomology Day 🐞 Nearly 100 people attended!
Reposted by Liam Olds
We’re excited to announce the launch of Glo i Natur CIC - a new community interest company dedicated to protecting, restoring, and celebrating the unique biodiversity and heritage of South Wales’ coal spoil sites. 🌿
Follow our journey from coal to nature: gloinatur.org
#GloiNatur #NatureRecovery
Follow our journey from coal to nature: gloinatur.org
#GloiNatur #NatureRecovery
November 7, 2025 at 8:35 AM
We’re excited to announce the launch of Glo i Natur CIC - a new community interest company dedicated to protecting, restoring, and celebrating the unique biodiversity and heritage of South Wales’ coal spoil sites. 🌿
Follow our journey from coal to nature: gloinatur.org
#GloiNatur #NatureRecovery
Follow our journey from coal to nature: gloinatur.org
#GloiNatur #NatureRecovery
Big news! 🌿 After 10 years of work celebrating the biodiversity of South Wales’ coal spoil sites, I’ve launched Glo i Natur CIC - a new community interest company protecting, restoring & celebrating our coalfield nature.
➡️ Follow @gloinatur.bsky.social to join the journey 💚
#CoaltoNature
➡️ Follow @gloinatur.bsky.social to join the journey 💚
#CoaltoNature
November 7, 2025 at 12:59 PM
Big news! 🌿 After 10 years of work celebrating the biodiversity of South Wales’ coal spoil sites, I’ve launched Glo i Natur CIC - a new community interest company protecting, restoring & celebrating our coalfield nature.
➡️ Follow @gloinatur.bsky.social to join the journey 💚
#CoaltoNature
➡️ Follow @gloinatur.bsky.social to join the journey 💚
#CoaltoNature
Reposted by Liam Olds
🎉 Celebrating 10 Years of the Colliery Spoil Biodiversity Initiative 🎉
This December marks 10 years since the Colliery Spoil Biodiversity Initiative began its mission to change how people see South Wales’ colliery spoil sites — from barren relics of industry to thriving havens for wildlife.
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This December marks 10 years since the Colliery Spoil Biodiversity Initiative began its mission to change how people see South Wales’ colliery spoil sites — from barren relics of industry to thriving havens for wildlife.
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November 3, 2025 at 6:07 PM
🎉 Celebrating 10 Years of the Colliery Spoil Biodiversity Initiative 🎉
This December marks 10 years since the Colliery Spoil Biodiversity Initiative began its mission to change how people see South Wales’ colliery spoil sites — from barren relics of industry to thriving havens for wildlife.
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This December marks 10 years since the Colliery Spoil Biodiversity Initiative began its mission to change how people see South Wales’ colliery spoil sites — from barren relics of industry to thriving havens for wildlife.
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Amazing moment seeing my first ever Purse Web Spider (Atypus affinis) at Broad Haven South Dunes last night (spotted by my colleague Christian Owen). This incredible species is more closely related to the tarantulas and trapdoor than to any other British spider!
@britishspiders.bsky.social
@britishspiders.bsky.social
September 11, 2025 at 12:38 PM
Amazing moment seeing my first ever Purse Web Spider (Atypus affinis) at Broad Haven South Dunes last night (spotted by my colleague Christian Owen). This incredible species is more closely related to the tarantulas and trapdoor than to any other British spider!
@britishspiders.bsky.social
@britishspiders.bsky.social
Thousands of Ivy Bee (Colletes hederae) at Freshwater East, Pembrokeshire, yesterday. Amazing to watch them, especially the mating balls.
September 11, 2025 at 12:24 PM
Thousands of Ivy Bee (Colletes hederae) at Freshwater East, Pembrokeshire, yesterday. Amazing to watch them, especially the mating balls.
Reposted by Liam Olds
An opportunity of a lifetime for budding lichenologists. The National Trust and the Royal Botanics, Edinburgh are offering a PAID lichen traineeship in #Scotland! The work programme looks fascinating and a great opportunity to develop skills. Deadline: 3/10/2025. www.asva.co.uk/jobs/trainee...
September 5, 2025 at 1:32 PM
An opportunity of a lifetime for budding lichenologists. The National Trust and the Royal Botanics, Edinburgh are offering a PAID lichen traineeship in #Scotland! The work programme looks fascinating and a great opportunity to develop skills. Deadline: 3/10/2025. www.asva.co.uk/jobs/trainee...
Reposted by Liam Olds
🪲 Weevils! The UK boasts 600+ species, almost as many as birds! Join us on 13 Oct (7–8pm) for an entoLIVE with @markgurn.bsky.social to explore their ecology, habitats & quirky plant preferences. It is FREE!!! Don’t miss it! 🧪 🌎
🔗 Sign up here: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/1491232379...
🔗 Sign up here: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/1491232379...
September 5, 2025 at 1:37 PM
🪲 Weevils! The UK boasts 600+ species, almost as many as birds! Join us on 13 Oct (7–8pm) for an entoLIVE with @markgurn.bsky.social to explore their ecology, habitats & quirky plant preferences. It is FREE!!! Don’t miss it! 🧪 🌎
🔗 Sign up here: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/1491232379...
🔗 Sign up here: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/1491232379...
Reposted by Liam Olds
Callicera spinolae, the Ivy Hoverfly, is one of the UK's rarest hoverflies, as well as one of the most spectacular.
This morning, I recorded a female on the Ivy in my S. Cambridgeshire. This is the 5th consecutive year that I have seen this wonderful fly in my garden, four days earlier than before.
This morning, I recorded a female on the Ivy in my S. Cambridgeshire. This is the 5th consecutive year that I have seen this wonderful fly in my garden, four days earlier than before.
September 5, 2025 at 2:24 PM
Callicera spinolae, the Ivy Hoverfly, is one of the UK's rarest hoverflies, as well as one of the most spectacular.
This morning, I recorded a female on the Ivy in my S. Cambridgeshire. This is the 5th consecutive year that I have seen this wonderful fly in my garden, four days earlier than before.
This morning, I recorded a female on the Ivy in my S. Cambridgeshire. This is the 5th consecutive year that I have seen this wonderful fly in my garden, four days earlier than before.
Reposted by Liam Olds
Why do we have to fight to protect already protected areas? Coul is an SSSI - seems to mean nothing if you have money and want to build a golf course. We do not need another golf course.
Please sign this petition to protect #nature and our beautiful home.
#coul
action.rspb.org.uk/page/166270/...
Please sign this petition to protect #nature and our beautiful home.
#coul
action.rspb.org.uk/page/166270/...
Save Coul Links!
Your voice could help save this precious habitat from a new threat of development.
action.rspb.org.uk
September 4, 2025 at 6:49 AM
Why do we have to fight to protect already protected areas? Coul is an SSSI - seems to mean nothing if you have money and want to build a golf course. We do not need another golf course.
Please sign this petition to protect #nature and our beautiful home.
#coul
action.rspb.org.uk/page/166270/...
Please sign this petition to protect #nature and our beautiful home.
#coul
action.rspb.org.uk/page/166270/...
Reposted by Liam Olds
If you want to identify, well, anything, I recommend this post from @weevil-see.bsky.social. His choice of weevils to illustrate it is of course excellent, but it applies to everything from mushrooms to marsupials. This is how you can be a good identifier of things.
[Link contains spider]
[Link contains spider]
I started a blog and my first post is online!
The posts will try to explore topics which are not typically covered by introductory literature and textbooks, e.g. because they are considered to be "too basic". Let me know what you think!
weevil-see.github.io/taxonomy/Ide...
The posts will try to explore topics which are not typically covered by introductory literature and textbooks, e.g. because they are considered to be "too basic". Let me know what you think!
weevil-see.github.io/taxonomy/Ide...
Species Identifications: Common Pitfalls
Some thoughts about Identifications. How do we identify properly? How do we avoid mistakes?
weevil-see.github.io
September 2, 2025 at 7:10 PM
If you want to identify, well, anything, I recommend this post from @weevil-see.bsky.social. His choice of weevils to illustrate it is of course excellent, but it applies to everything from mushrooms to marsupials. This is how you can be a good identifier of things.
[Link contains spider]
[Link contains spider]
Reposted by Liam Olds
🐞🌿 Join us for Blaenavon Biodiversity Day on Sat 20 Sept!
Guided walks with local experts on insects, fungi, birds + more.
Don’t miss @liamolds.bsky.social from @collieryspoil.bsky.social leading an insect/invertebrate walk!
📍 Blaenavon | 🗓️ 20 Sept
Guided walks with local experts on insects, fungi, birds + more.
Don’t miss @liamolds.bsky.social from @collieryspoil.bsky.social leading an insect/invertebrate walk!
📍 Blaenavon | 🗓️ 20 Sept
September 1, 2025 at 4:18 PM
🐞🌿 Join us for Blaenavon Biodiversity Day on Sat 20 Sept!
Guided walks with local experts on insects, fungi, birds + more.
Don’t miss @liamolds.bsky.social from @collieryspoil.bsky.social leading an insect/invertebrate walk!
📍 Blaenavon | 🗓️ 20 Sept
Guided walks with local experts on insects, fungi, birds + more.
Don’t miss @liamolds.bsky.social from @collieryspoil.bsky.social leading an insect/invertebrate walk!
📍 Blaenavon | 🗓️ 20 Sept
Join the Buglife Cymru Coal Spoil Connections team, Lost Peatlands Project - Prosiect Adfer Mawndiroedd, KeyCreate, and others for a WildBlitz at Clydach Vale Country Park!
🗓️ Friday 29 August
🕙 10:30 - 15:00
📌 Clydach Vale Country Park
No need to book, just turn up at Cambrian Colliery Memorial.
🗓️ Friday 29 August
🕙 10:30 - 15:00
📌 Clydach Vale Country Park
No need to book, just turn up at Cambrian Colliery Memorial.
August 28, 2025 at 6:31 PM
Join the Buglife Cymru Coal Spoil Connections team, Lost Peatlands Project - Prosiect Adfer Mawndiroedd, KeyCreate, and others for a WildBlitz at Clydach Vale Country Park!
🗓️ Friday 29 August
🕙 10:30 - 15:00
📌 Clydach Vale Country Park
No need to book, just turn up at Cambrian Colliery Memorial.
🗓️ Friday 29 August
🕙 10:30 - 15:00
📌 Clydach Vale Country Park
No need to book, just turn up at Cambrian Colliery Memorial.
Autumn is almost upon us 🍁
Almost on cue, a male House Spider (Eratigena saeva) appeared in the bathroom overnight. Last sighting in the house (also a male) was last autumn on 17th September 2024.
Male palps shown in pictures.
Almost on cue, a male House Spider (Eratigena saeva) appeared in the bathroom overnight. Last sighting in the house (also a male) was last autumn on 17th September 2024.
Male palps shown in pictures.
August 23, 2025 at 7:55 AM
Autumn is almost upon us 🍁
Almost on cue, a male House Spider (Eratigena saeva) appeared in the bathroom overnight. Last sighting in the house (also a male) was last autumn on 17th September 2024.
Male palps shown in pictures.
Almost on cue, a male House Spider (Eratigena saeva) appeared in the bathroom overnight. Last sighting in the house (also a male) was last autumn on 17th September 2024.
Male palps shown in pictures.
Reposted by Liam Olds
Hieroglyphic Ladybird (Coccinella hieroglyphica) from heathland at Sirhowy Hill Woodlands, Blaenau Gwent, this morning.
August 21, 2025 at 5:24 PM
Hieroglyphic Ladybird (Coccinella hieroglyphica) from heathland at Sirhowy Hill Woodlands, Blaenau Gwent, this morning.
It's always a pleasure to encounter the striking snail-killing fly Coremacera marginata, the larvae of which attack terrestrial snails. Seen at Avon Wildlife Trust's Burledge Hill Nature Reserve today.
August 20, 2025 at 3:08 PM
It's always a pleasure to encounter the striking snail-killing fly Coremacera marginata, the larvae of which attack terrestrial snails. Seen at Avon Wildlife Trust's Burledge Hill Nature Reserve today.
The satellite fly Miltogramma punctata, Lesne's Earwig (Forficula lesnei), the weevil Rhinocyllus conicus, the spider-hunting wasp Ceropales maculata, Shrill Carder Bee (Bombus sylvarum) and the tephritid fly Acanthiophilus helianthi were among some of the finds today on a #Cardiff brownfield site.
August 19, 2025 at 7:02 PM
The satellite fly Miltogramma punctata, Lesne's Earwig (Forficula lesnei), the weevil Rhinocyllus conicus, the spider-hunting wasp Ceropales maculata, Shrill Carder Bee (Bombus sylvarum) and the tephritid fly Acanthiophilus helianthi were among some of the finds today on a #Cardiff brownfield site.
The Nationally Scarce jumping spider Marpissa nivoyi, seen along the Tennant Canal at Jersey Marine yesterday. Though the species occurs mainly on coastal sand dunes, I've only ever encountered it in wetlands near the coast.
@britishspiders.bsky.social @sewbrec.org.uk
@britishspiders.bsky.social @sewbrec.org.uk
August 14, 2025 at 6:11 AM
The Nationally Scarce jumping spider Marpissa nivoyi, seen along the Tennant Canal at Jersey Marine yesterday. Though the species occurs mainly on coastal sand dunes, I've only ever encountered it in wetlands near the coast.
@britishspiders.bsky.social @sewbrec.org.uk
@britishspiders.bsky.social @sewbrec.org.uk
Reposted by Liam Olds
An Evening Of History and Wildlife at Silent Valley - Friday 8th August, 6:30pm start
Join Buglife's Coal Spoil Connections Team and @henebtwa.bsky.social for a guided walk through Silent Valley Nature Reserve.
For further info and booking, visit: www.trybooking.com/uk/events/la...
Join Buglife's Coal Spoil Connections Team and @henebtwa.bsky.social for a guided walk through Silent Valley Nature Reserve.
For further info and booking, visit: www.trybooking.com/uk/events/la...
August 8, 2025 at 7:23 AM
An Evening Of History and Wildlife at Silent Valley - Friday 8th August, 6:30pm start
Join Buglife's Coal Spoil Connections Team and @henebtwa.bsky.social for a guided walk through Silent Valley Nature Reserve.
For further info and booking, visit: www.trybooking.com/uk/events/la...
Join Buglife's Coal Spoil Connections Team and @henebtwa.bsky.social for a guided walk through Silent Valley Nature Reserve.
For further info and booking, visit: www.trybooking.com/uk/events/la...
Greater-streaked Shieldbug (Odonotoscelis fuliginosa) surveys this week on coastal sand dunes of south Pembrokeshire with fellow entomologist Christian Owen (pictured at Freshwater East yesterday). Stackpole today.
August 5, 2025 at 7:37 AM
Greater-streaked Shieldbug (Odonotoscelis fuliginosa) surveys this week on coastal sand dunes of south Pembrokeshire with fellow entomologist Christian Owen (pictured at Freshwater East yesterday). Stackpole today.
Reposted by Liam Olds
A few spaces have become available on the 'Bee and butterfly guided walk' at #Mumbles 🦋🐝
Fri 1 August 10.00am – 12.00pm and 1.00pm – 3.00pm
Meeting point: outside Forte's, Mumbles Road, Mumbles, #Swansea SA3 4JT
What3words ///fields.sobered.sharpens
👉Booking required: www.trybooking.com/uk/EWZL
Fri 1 August 10.00am – 12.00pm and 1.00pm – 3.00pm
Meeting point: outside Forte's, Mumbles Road, Mumbles, #Swansea SA3 4JT
What3words ///fields.sobered.sharpens
👉Booking required: www.trybooking.com/uk/EWZL
July 30, 2025 at 6:00 AM
A few spaces have become available on the 'Bee and butterfly guided walk' at #Mumbles 🦋🐝
Fri 1 August 10.00am – 12.00pm and 1.00pm – 3.00pm
Meeting point: outside Forte's, Mumbles Road, Mumbles, #Swansea SA3 4JT
What3words ///fields.sobered.sharpens
👉Booking required: www.trybooking.com/uk/EWZL
Fri 1 August 10.00am – 12.00pm and 1.00pm – 3.00pm
Meeting point: outside Forte's, Mumbles Road, Mumbles, #Swansea SA3 4JT
What3words ///fields.sobered.sharpens
👉Booking required: www.trybooking.com/uk/EWZL
For anyone interested in wild bees (bumblebees and solitary bees), I'm leading a 'get to know your bees' day at The Globe, Hay-on-Wye, on Sunday 3rd August with @clancic.bsky.social.
It should be a great day ☺️ See the flyer for further info and booking.
It should be a great day ☺️ See the flyer for further info and booking.
July 28, 2025 at 6:51 AM
For anyone interested in wild bees (bumblebees and solitary bees), I'm leading a 'get to know your bees' day at The Globe, Hay-on-Wye, on Sunday 3rd August with @clancic.bsky.social.
It should be a great day ☺️ See the flyer for further info and booking.
It should be a great day ☺️ See the flyer for further info and booking.