Palustris
@palustris.bsky.social
Ecologist. Meadows, mires & meres. Wetland beetles, fen creation, Teesside birds. Green.
Gannets were 'Mackerel Gants', Oystercatchers 'Mussel Crackers'. Storm Petrels were "Frequently caught by the children in winter". The 'Royston Crow' was Hooded Crow, then a common winter visitor to northern England.
November 11, 2025 at 3:28 PM
Gannets were 'Mackerel Gants', Oystercatchers 'Mussel Crackers'. Storm Petrels were "Frequently caught by the children in winter". The 'Royston Crow' was Hooded Crow, then a common winter visitor to northern England.
A 'List of Birds' from Sharp's History of Hartlepool (1816). Eider was a rarity but Scaup were common: over 1,000 caught in a week in winter 1788-9 were "sold for 1s. per dozen". Glaucous Gull was simply known as Winter Gull, and a local Herring Gull reached 21 years old. 1/2
@teesbirds.bsky.social
@teesbirds.bsky.social
November 11, 2025 at 3:24 PM
A 'List of Birds' from Sharp's History of Hartlepool (1816). Eider was a rarity but Scaup were common: over 1,000 caught in a week in winter 1788-9 were "sold for 1s. per dozen". Glaucous Gull was simply known as Winter Gull, and a local Herring Gull reached 21 years old. 1/2
@teesbirds.bsky.social
@teesbirds.bsky.social
Mottled Backswimmer was found alongside its relative Notonecta viridis in this pond. Neither were known north of York before the turn of the century: now both occur widely in north-east England, joining a growing assemblage of northwards-expanding aquatic insects.
November 7, 2025 at 5:43 PM
Mottled Backswimmer was found alongside its relative Notonecta viridis in this pond. Neither were known north of York before the turn of the century: now both occur widely in north-east England, joining a growing assemblage of northwards-expanding aquatic insects.
Sheep-puddled margins provide excellent habitat in this Teesside pond, trampling inhibiting growth of reedmace and maintaining open conditions. Both Chara and Nitella stoneworts are present along with a range of pioneer insects such as Mottled Backswimmer (Notonecta maculata).
November 7, 2025 at 5:34 PM
Sheep-puddled margins provide excellent habitat in this Teesside pond, trampling inhibiting growth of reedmace and maintaining open conditions. Both Chara and Nitella stoneworts are present along with a range of pioneer insects such as Mottled Backswimmer (Notonecta maculata).
Hartlepool Headland 8.00-10.15: small movement of Little Gulls south, 20 in total. Regular Mediterranean Gull, 28 Red-throated Divers, Snow Bunting over. Harbour Porpoise, 2 (different?) pods of dolphins, first v hyperactive, jumping clear of water but distant.
@teesbirds.bsky.social
@teesbirds.bsky.social
November 6, 2025 at 12:57 PM
Hartlepool Headland 8.00-10.15: small movement of Little Gulls south, 20 in total. Regular Mediterranean Gull, 28 Red-throated Divers, Snow Bunting over. Harbour Porpoise, 2 (different?) pods of dolphins, first v hyperactive, jumping clear of water but distant.
@teesbirds.bsky.social
@teesbirds.bsky.social
This sprawling brassica has suddenly become a prolific weed on the allotments. Don't recall seeing it before this year. Basal leaves coarsely toothed, bristly and stalked. I'm keying it to either Hoary Mustard (Hirschfeldia incana) or Black Mustard (Brassica nigra). Does that sound right, botanists?
November 3, 2025 at 3:19 PM
This sprawling brassica has suddenly become a prolific weed on the allotments. Don't recall seeing it before this year. Basal leaves coarsely toothed, bristly and stalked. I'm keying it to either Hoary Mustard (Hirschfeldia incana) or Black Mustard (Brassica nigra). Does that sound right, botanists?
The diving beetle Deronectes latus was described as new to science by J.F. Stephens in 1829 from specimen collected by L. Rudd of Marton Lodge (now Stewart's Park, Middlesbrough). Ormesby Beck, a short walk away, would have been nearest likely habitat for this running water species.
📷U Schmidt, CC.
📷U Schmidt, CC.
November 1, 2025 at 7:30 PM
The diving beetle Deronectes latus was described as new to science by J.F. Stephens in 1829 from specimen collected by L. Rudd of Marton Lodge (now Stewart's Park, Middlesbrough). Ormesby Beck, a short walk away, would have been nearest likely habitat for this running water species.
📷U Schmidt, CC.
📷U Schmidt, CC.
Out on the estuary, wildfowlers would conceal themselves in wooden casks buried in the mud, as described by R. Lofthouse in his essay 'The River Tees: Its marshes and their fauna', published in the Proceedings of Cleveland Naturalists' Field Club in 1907.
October 31, 2025 at 4:01 PM
Out on the estuary, wildfowlers would conceal themselves in wooden casks buried in the mud, as described by R. Lofthouse in his essay 'The River Tees: Its marshes and their fauna', published in the Proceedings of Cleveland Naturalists' Field Club in 1907.
A duck decoy operated on Coatham Marsh (Redcar) up to 1872. Mallard, Wigeon, Pintail, Shoveler, Pochard, Scaup, Shelduck were trapped, with a Ferruginous Duck caught in 1850. The area south of Marsh House has long since been tipped over.
Below: extract from 1st edition OS 6" map, surveyed ca. 1850.
Below: extract from 1st edition OS 6" map, surveyed ca. 1850.
October 31, 2025 at 3:37 PM
A duck decoy operated on Coatham Marsh (Redcar) up to 1872. Mallard, Wigeon, Pintail, Shoveler, Pochard, Scaup, Shelduck were trapped, with a Ferruginous Duck caught in 1850. The area south of Marsh House has long since been tipped over.
Below: extract from 1st edition OS 6" map, surveyed ca. 1850.
Below: extract from 1st edition OS 6" map, surveyed ca. 1850.
Hartlepool Headland 7.45-10.15: highlight was a Little Auk N at 09.13, close-in. Also 3 Arctic Terns, 3 Little Gulls, 2 Long-tailed Ducks. Ca 500 geese S at 9am, v distant.
@teesbirds.bsky.social
@teesbirds.bsky.social
October 26, 2025 at 10:26 AM
Hartlepool Headland 7.45-10.15: highlight was a Little Auk N at 09.13, close-in. Also 3 Arctic Terns, 3 Little Gulls, 2 Long-tailed Ducks. Ca 500 geese S at 9am, v distant.
@teesbirds.bsky.social
@teesbirds.bsky.social
Hartlepool Headland 8-12: 6 Great Skuas, 12 Little Gulls, 10 Arctic Terns, 3 Goldeneye, 4 Long-tailed Ducks. @teesbirds.bsky.social
October 25, 2025 at 11:07 AM
Hartlepool Headland 8-12: 6 Great Skuas, 12 Little Gulls, 10 Arctic Terns, 3 Goldeneye, 4 Long-tailed Ducks. @teesbirds.bsky.social
Didn't expect much from this reedy, urban-fringe ditch nr Stockton-on-Tees but 13 water beetles included Hydroporus figuratus, an uncommon small diving beetle of shaded fen. This species can occur in both boldly-marked and almost completely dark forms. It was abundant in this ditch.
October 24, 2025 at 3:59 PM
Didn't expect much from this reedy, urban-fringe ditch nr Stockton-on-Tees but 13 water beetles included Hydroporus figuratus, an uncommon small diving beetle of shaded fen. This species can occur in both boldly-marked and almost completely dark forms. It was abundant in this ditch.
Hartlepool Headland 07.30-10.00: Disappointing, 1 ?Arctic Skua N, 1 Mediterranean Gull, several Little Gulls & commic terns, 13 RT Divers.
@teesbirds.bsky.social
@teesbirds.bsky.social
October 23, 2025 at 9:10 AM
Hartlepool Headland 07.30-10.00: Disappointing, 1 ?Arctic Skua N, 1 Mediterranean Gull, several Little Gulls & commic terns, 13 RT Divers.
@teesbirds.bsky.social
@teesbirds.bsky.social
Bioabundance: A Tudor account of insects washed downstream by a winter flood on the River Severn, in such vast quantities that they jammed up water mills for four days and had to be dug out by the shovel load.
Source: Transactions of the Entomological Society of London, vol 1, 1812.
Source: Transactions of the Entomological Society of London, vol 1, 1812.
October 22, 2025 at 7:33 PM
Bioabundance: A Tudor account of insects washed downstream by a winter flood on the River Severn, in such vast quantities that they jammed up water mills for four days and had to be dug out by the shovel load.
Source: Transactions of the Entomological Society of London, vol 1, 1812.
Source: Transactions of the Entomological Society of London, vol 1, 1812.
Is this a record of a living animal, or does it refer to fossil statoblasts extracted from sediment? I covered the latter in a review of invertebrate records for the Foss which is on the River Foss Society website.
October 22, 2025 at 8:37 AM
Is this a record of a living animal, or does it refer to fossil statoblasts extracted from sediment? I covered the latter in a review of invertebrate records for the Foss which is on the River Foss Society website.
Hartlepool Headland 07.45-9.15: quiet. Little Gulls still feeding offshore. 2 ?Arctic Skuas N, v distant. 4 Arctic Terns S.
@teesbirds.bsky.social
@teesbirds.bsky.social
October 21, 2025 at 8:18 AM
Hartlepool Headland 07.45-9.15: quiet. Little Gulls still feeding offshore. 2 ?Arctic Skuas N, v distant. 4 Arctic Terns S.
@teesbirds.bsky.social
@teesbirds.bsky.social
In Britain, the tiny diving beetle Hydroporus scalesianus seems entirely confined to ancient sites, and capable of persisting for very long periods in isolated locations. In Sweden, it seems more able to disperse. Perhaps it's given up trying to fly in our nature-depleted landscape?
[📷Mogens Holmen]
[📷Mogens Holmen]
October 19, 2025 at 5:43 PM
In Britain, the tiny diving beetle Hydroporus scalesianus seems entirely confined to ancient sites, and capable of persisting for very long periods in isolated locations. In Sweden, it seems more able to disperse. Perhaps it's given up trying to fly in our nature-depleted landscape?
[📷Mogens Holmen]
[📷Mogens Holmen]
Currently investigating water beetles as ancient wetland indicators but nature is messy. Agabus uliginosus is often associated with pool systems of natural origin (e.g. "pingos" in Norfolk, kettle holes in NW Yorks) but in Vale of York/Humberhead Levels, it occurs in a wider range of habitats.
October 19, 2025 at 5:36 PM
Currently investigating water beetles as ancient wetland indicators but nature is messy. Agabus uliginosus is often associated with pool systems of natural origin (e.g. "pingos" in Norfolk, kettle holes in NW Yorks) but in Vale of York/Humberhead Levels, it occurs in a wider range of habitats.
It's sometimes said that the palar pegs are used in sound production. This is untrue: they are used to grip during mating. Corixid bugs do indeed sing but make chirping noises by strumming a file on the front femur against a ridge on the side of the head.
October 14, 2025 at 8:58 PM
It's sometimes said that the palar pegs are used in sound production. This is untrue: they are used to grip during mating. Corixid bugs do indeed sing but make chirping noises by strumming a file on the front femur against a ridge on the side of the head.
In the lesser water-boatmen (true-bugs of the family Corixidae), the expanded front tarsal claws are known as palae. The shape of the male pala and the arrangement of pegs on the inner surface are important in separating similar species. This is Sigara falleni with its broad, shovel-like palae.
October 14, 2025 at 8:52 PM
In the lesser water-boatmen (true-bugs of the family Corixidae), the expanded front tarsal claws are known as palae. The shape of the male pala and the arrangement of pegs on the inner surface are important in separating similar species. This is Sigara falleni with its broad, shovel-like palae.
This fen creation trial by the High Batts team at Pennycroft Quarry is hopefully the start of something much bigger. It's survived a mammoth river flood and prolonged inundation. Adjoining open water is crystal clear and dominated by stonewort beds, suggesting ideal conditions for calcareous fen.
October 14, 2025 at 4:24 PM
This fen creation trial by the High Batts team at Pennycroft Quarry is hopefully the start of something much bigger. It's survived a mammoth river flood and prolonged inundation. Adjoining open water is crystal clear and dominated by stonewort beds, suggesting ideal conditions for calcareous fen.
Natural England has assessed threats to 1,900 species. Impressive work but GB Red Lists don't reflect English context. Many northern species are at imminent risk from climate change in England but remain +/- widespread in Scotland.
publications.naturalengland.org.uk/publication/...
📷Agabus arcticus
publications.naturalengland.org.uk/publication/...
📷Agabus arcticus
October 11, 2025 at 6:48 PM
Natural England has assessed threats to 1,900 species. Impressive work but GB Red Lists don't reflect English context. Many northern species are at imminent risk from climate change in England but remain +/- widespread in Scotland.
publications.naturalengland.org.uk/publication/...
📷Agabus arcticus
publications.naturalengland.org.uk/publication/...
📷Agabus arcticus
A conversation about hedge-laying led me to the 'A Load of Old Billhooks' website: www.billhooks.co.uk If you're interested in traditional rural crafts, it's an impressive resource, covering Europe as well as Britain. This is what the internet was made for.
October 10, 2025 at 11:40 AM
A conversation about hedge-laying led me to the 'A Load of Old Billhooks' website: www.billhooks.co.uk If you're interested in traditional rural crafts, it's an impressive resource, covering Europe as well as Britain. This is what the internet was made for.
Thanks to @damianmoney.bsky.social for confirming bird in this photo as Caspian Gull, and to the finder. I photographed every large gull there! Looks like same bird posted earlier. Still on Albert Park lake 5 PM so may hang around.
@teesbirds.bsky.social @nybirdnews.bsky.social
@teesbirds.bsky.social @nybirdnews.bsky.social
October 5, 2025 at 9:16 PM
Thanks to @damianmoney.bsky.social for confirming bird in this photo as Caspian Gull, and to the finder. I photographed every large gull there! Looks like same bird posted earlier. Still on Albert Park lake 5 PM so may hang around.
@teesbirds.bsky.social @nybirdnews.bsky.social
@teesbirds.bsky.social @nybirdnews.bsky.social