James Emerson
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norwichbirder.bsky.social
James Emerson
@norwichbirder.bsky.social
1.4K followers 760 following 1.1K posts
Naturalist living in Norfolk (UK) - particularly interested in birds, fungi, psyllids and shieldbugs (also real ale, Forteana etc) Local patch = Whitlingham C.P. and the wider Norwich area.
Sporadically updated blog: http://jamesbirdsandbeer.blogspot.com/
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norwichbirder.bsky.social
James Emerson @norwichbirder.bsky.social · Jan 16
I've just finished putting together my local patch bird report, covering species seen at Whitlingham & Thorpe Marshes (Norwich) during 2024. It can be downloaded here: drive.google.com/file/d/13pLp... A big thank you to everyone who has reported sightings and allowed photos to be used in the report.
This is the front cover of a local bird report. The backgrouns is a pale purple, and in the centre is a landscape photo showing a flooded path with a bench on the foreground and a bare tree at the back. The text reads "The Birds of Whitlingham & Thorpe 2024" at the top and "Compiled by James Emerson" below the photo.
Reposted by James Emerson
britishspiders.bsky.social
Species of interest. Alopecosa barbipes is a strikingly-marked wolf spider, widespread in the UK - srs.britishspiders.org.uk/portal.php/p.... Adults can be seen throughout the year, mostly on heathland or rough grassland. On sandy soils they can be abundant, and they can bury themselves in the sand.
Alopecosa barbipes male Alopecosa barbipes female
November 28, 2025 at 10:42 PM
Reposted by James Emerson
bernoid.bsky.social
By popular demand & with my mother’s approval…
Holly & Ivy Christmas card set of 4. Individually wrapped & signed.

Link to buy: www.ebay.co.uk/itm/23649809...
November 29, 2025 at 6:58 PM
norwichbirder.bsky.social
Some fungi are so small they are only likely to be found by deliberate searching. This curiosity was shown to me today at Whitlingham. The 'large' structure here is an old nail gall on a lime tree leaf caused by Eriophyes tiliae. The fungus, Ophiognomonia melanostyla, is the tiny black prongs on it!
A small pointed brown nail gall is growing from a leaf vein on a brown Tilia leaf. If you look closely at the gall there are several thin black prongs coming out of each side. These are the fungus Ophiognomonia melanostyla.
November 29, 2025 at 7:35 PM
Reposted by James Emerson
sconzani.bsky.social
I didn't deliberately set out to find aphids today but up they popped: 1) Crypturaphis grassii, the Italian alder aphid on, you guessed it, Italian alder; 2) Aphis epilobii, Willowherb aphids on, yep, Great willowherb; 3) & 4) Eriosoma lanigerum, Woolly apple aphids, on Firethorn (Pyracantha sp.).
November 29, 2025 at 4:02 PM
Reposted by James Emerson
norfolknorwichbats.bsky.social
It's not too late to book a ticket for Saturday's social. Join us with live music from Clark & Zuppardi, Chip Buckets, quiz, games and of course the bar will be open! 6pm Swanton Morley Village Hall. www.trybooking.com/uk/events/landing/95684?
🦇
November 28, 2025 at 5:22 PM
Reposted by James Emerson
jeremybartlett.bsky.social
Slender Parasol, Macrolepiota mastoidea.

Woodland edge, East Carleton, Norfolk.

Seen on yesterday's bike ride.

"mastoidea" = breast-like, an appropriate description.

www.discoverthewild.co.uk/MushroomGuid...

#Fungi #FungiFriends
Slender Parasol, Macrolepiota mastoidea. Nipple-like top of cap and a moveable double ring on the stem. Saprobic, growing in woodland clearings and in grassy areas next to woodland and on calcareous sand dunes. Slender Parasol, Macrolepiota mastoidea (picked specimen). Nipple-like top of cap and a moveable double ring on the stem. Saprobic, growing in woodland clearings and in grassy areas next to woodland and on calcareous sand dunes.
November 28, 2025 at 2:22 PM
Reposted by James Emerson
jeremybartlett.bsky.social
Charcoal Goldeneye, Anthracobia macrocystis.

A small fungus growing in swarms on a bonfire site at Bunwell church, Norfolk. Seen on yesterday's bike ride.

ascomycete.org/2000-Pezizal...

#Fungi #FungiFriends
Charcoal Goldeneye, Anthracobia macrocystis. A small orange fungus growing in swarms on a bonfire site. Charcoal Goldeneye, Anthracobia macrocystis. A small orange fungus growing in swarms on a bonfire site. Charcoal Goldeneye, Anthracobia macrocystis. A small orange fungus growing in swarms on a bonfire site.
November 28, 2025 at 2:56 PM
Reposted by James Emerson
jeremybartlett.bsky.social
Blushing Dapperling, Leucoagaricus badhamii.

Seen at the allotment today, beneath a conifer hedge. I saw it in the same place in November 2023.

Bruises orange-red on handling. The bruised areas eventually turn almost black.

Good to see it again.

#Fungi #FungiFriends
Blushing Dapperling, Leucoagaricus badhamii. Picked specimen (top side). Blushing Dapperling, Leucoagaricus badhamii. Picked specimen (underside). The stem has bruised with handling. Blushing Dapperling, Leucoagaricus badhamii. cap surface, showing orange-red bruising where it had been handled.
November 28, 2025 at 3:04 PM
Reposted by James Emerson
jeremybartlett.bsky.social
Harlequin Ladybird, Harmonia axyridis, infected with the parasitic fungus Hesperomyces harmoniae.

2nd Norfolk record, by @vannabartlett.bsky.social, 25 Nov.

(1st record was by @caspers-corpse.bsky.social, 19 Nov).

Both records from Earlham Cemetery, Norwich,

#Fungi #FungiFriends #Ladybirds
Harlequin Ladybird, Harmonia axyridis, infected with the parasitic fungus Hesperomyces harmoniae. The ladybird is on a headstone in our local cemetery. It is still alive. The ladybird's abdomen has yellow fungus protruding from it. Photo: Vanna Bartlett. Harlequin Ladybird, Harmonia axyridis, infected with the parasitic fungus Hesperomyces harmoniae. The photo shows the end of the ladybird's abdomen, with yellow fungus protruding. Photo: Vanna Bartlett.
November 28, 2025 at 5:28 PM
Reposted by James Emerson
amandatuke.bsky.social
Seems only right for a massive shout out today for Rach Appleby (www.instagram.com/rachapplebya...) - who was chosen to illustrate my book cover. Do have a peek at Rach's fab portfolio... I particularly like her #birdart #nature #natureart #wildlifeart #urbannature #naturewriting
November 28, 2025 at 5:12 PM
Reposted by James Emerson
britmycolsoc.org.uk
If you are a field mycologist, fungal biology researcher, or mycology student, join our free webinar on 11 December to hear how publishing your work with BMS journals can support both your career & the global mycology community. 👉 Register now: www.britmycolsoc.org.uk/mycology_pub...
Cover images from the four BMS journals with the text "Mycology Publishing: Fungal Biology, Fungal Biology Reviews, Fungal Ecology & Field Mycology - making BMS journals work for you." Webinar:11 December 4-5pm GMT
November 25, 2025 at 5:52 PM
Reposted by James Emerson
mysteryanimals.bsky.social
"The Woodwoses and Wildmen of #Suffolk", my talk for Dunwich Museum, now online. @DiscoverDunwich.bsky.social @forteantimes.bsky.social#woodwose youtu.be/ntVPfS_xhqI?...
The Woodwoses and Wildmen - November 2025 Talk by Matt Salusbury
YouTube video by Dunwich Museum
youtu.be
November 25, 2025 at 4:12 PM
Reposted by James Emerson
nfbr.bsky.social
Last few days to get your responses in!
www.linkedin.com/posts/keiron...
Fungus Recorder Online Survey | Keiron Derek Brown
Do you record fungi? If so, please fill in our short Fungus Recorder Online Survey (closes on 30th November). The survey is open nationwide and invites everyone involved in fungi recording to share t...
www.linkedin.com
November 24, 2025 at 10:07 PM
Reposted by James Emerson
paulgreenwildwire.bsky.social
Found this abherrant Stoecnat at Lowestoft today, some Leucistic Feathers ,Pink legs and bill. #stonechat #ukbirding #suffolkbirds #lowestoftbirds
November 24, 2025 at 5:14 PM
Reposted by James Emerson
norfolkbutterflies.bsky.social
We have still have a few tickets left for our exclusive members behind-the-scenes visit for a close-up viewing of the world-renowned Fountaine-Neimy Butterfly Collection at the Norwich Castle Museum on Thursday. To book your free tickets👉 buff.ly/AkiOp1S
November 24, 2025 at 5:31 PM
Reposted by James Emerson
wjrpb.bsky.social
Physarum bivalve. Fir and Pond Wood. A myxomycete. I haven’t seen this before but was struck by its shape and pattern.
November 24, 2025 at 11:44 AM
norwichbirder.bsky.social
I'd not visited St Margaret's Church in Old Catton before, so stopped to have a quick look around the churchyard. The gravestones had quite a bit of lichen on but not many invertebrates seen, the exception being this springtail, Entomobrya multifasciata.
A church with a blue sky background and green grassy foreground. The church tower is on the left of the image. The main part of the church is made of flint, but there is a lower part on the right-hand end which appears to have a smooth outer wall. A close-up photo showing a hairy, buff-coloured springtail on a yellowy-orange lichen.
November 23, 2025 at 9:23 PM
norwichbirder.bsky.social
A young Beech tree in Catton Park held the set of four common moth leaf mines on this host - Stigmella hemargyrella, Stigmella tityrella, Phyllonorycter maestingella and Phyllonorycter messaniella.
A pale green Beech leaf being held between finger and thumb. A moth leaf mine caused by Stigmella hemargyrella winds its way through the leaf to the midrib and then left along it. A section of green Beech leaf with a leaf mine caused by the moth Stigmella tityrella winding in a gut-like way between two side veins. A yellowy Beech leaf with a tented look as the result of a tubular mine of Phyllonorycter maestingella. A yellow Beech leaf with an oval blotch leaf mine caused by the moth Phyllonorcyter messaniella.
November 23, 2025 at 9:13 PM
norwichbirder.bsky.social
Once the rain had passed I went for a walk around Old Catton today. One of the more interesting finds was this Mistletoe growing on Norway Maple. There is quite a bit of Mistletoe in this part of the city, but mostly on Lime (Tilia).
A bright green clump of Mistletoe growing from a tree with brown leaves hanging off the thin branches. A slightly closer photo showing some of the greeny-yellow Norway Maple leaves still attached to thin branches.
November 23, 2025 at 9:09 PM
Reposted by James Emerson
jeremybartlett.bsky.social
Swarms of small brown on woodchip at UEA, Norwich.

Last year I found them in the same place and collected samples for DNA analysis. They turned out to be Marasmiellus villosipes (aka Collybiopsis villosipes). UEA is the second Norfolk site.

#Fungi #FungiFriends
A swarm of small brown fungi on (coniferous) woodchip. Marasmiellus villosipes (aka Collybiopsis villosipes). A swarm of small brown fungi on (coniferous) woodchip. Marasmiellus villosipes (aka Collybiopsis villosipes). A swarm of small brown fungi on (coniferous) woodchip. Marasmiellus villosipes (aka Collybiopsis villosipes). A swarm of small brown fungi on (coniferous) woodchip. Marasmiellus villosipes (aka Collybiopsis villosipes).
November 23, 2025 at 3:54 PM
Reposted by James Emerson
jeremybartlett.bsky.social
Earthy Powdercap, Cystoderma amianthinum.

Found these small (but perfectly formed) specimens this afternoon, growing in mossy grass.

www.first-nature.com/fungi/cystod...

#Fungi #FungiFriends
Earthy Powdercap, Cystoderma amianthinum. Earthy Powdercap, Cystoderma amianthinum Earthy Powdercap, Cystoderma amianthinum. Picked specimen. Earthy Powdercap, Cystoderma amianthinum. Picked specimen.
November 23, 2025 at 4:16 PM
Reposted by James Emerson
vannabartlett.bsky.social
A little saunter down to Colney church on the edge of Norwich with @jeremybartlett.bsky.social today led to the discovery of a Dicranopalpus larvatus harvestman. The only other site for this species in Norfolk is at Earlham Cemetery in Norwich. Good to finally get another site for them.
A flint built, round tower church with a slate roof in sunlight with blue sky behind and long dark shadows. A harvestman sitting on a whitish stone in bright sunlight. The harvestman has long dark grey legs that are hunched up around it. Its body is white with a dark patch around the dark eyes and a dark patch at the rear of the abdomen. A harvestman sitting on a whitish stone. The harvestman has long dark grey legs that are pulled up around it. Its body is white with a dark patch around the dark eyes and a dark patch at the rear of the abdomen. It has forked pedipalps held up in front of it. Close up of a harvestman sitting on a whitish stone. The harvestman has long dark grey legs that are pulled up around it. Its body is white with a dark patch around the dark eyes and a dark patch at the rear of the abdomen. It has forked pedipalps held up in front of it.
November 23, 2025 at 4:32 PM
Reposted by James Emerson
kentfieldclub.bsky.social
Some #fungi from the recent Kent Field Club meeting at Kilndown Park, near Scotney in the High Weald National Landscape. Names & credits in alt text. English names from the excellent list on the @britmycolsoc.org.uk website - Umbilicate Hedgehog both descriptive and euphonious. #KentNature
Arrhenia rickenii (Moss Navel), photographed by Mario Tortelli. Gliophorus irrigatus (Honey Waxcap), photographed by Bob Harrop. Hygrocybe reidii (Honey Waxcap), photographed by David Newman. Hydnum umbilicatum (Umbilicate Hedgehog), photographed by Bob Harrop.
November 23, 2025 at 11:25 AM
Reposted by James Emerson
ajcann.bsky.social
Bloody #Ascomytetes! These are not the #Myxogastria you're looking for :-)

Ruzenia spermoides.

#fungifriends #fungi #mycology #microscopy #macrophotography #macro #OMSystem
Ruzenia spermoides Ruzenia spermoides spores.
November 22, 2025 at 2:37 PM
Reposted by James Emerson
ajcann.bsky.social
Slime mold, Arcyria incarnata.

Arcyria incarnata Cribsheet: www.naturespot.org/sites/defaul...

#slimemoulds #slimemolds #Myxogastria #Amoebozoa #macrophotography #macro #OMSystem
Arcyria incarnata Arcyria incarnata - empty cups Arcyria incarnata - spores & capillitium
November 22, 2025 at 8:51 AM