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Palustris

@palustris.bsky.social

1.1K followers 380 following 930 posts

Ecologist. Meadows, mires & meres. Wetland beetles, fen creation, Teesside birds. Green.

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Palustris @palustris.bsky.social · 10m

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.

Palustris @palustris.bsky.social · 16m

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.

Palustris @palustris.bsky.social · 4h

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.

Palustris @palustris.bsky.social · 1d

YBW, Chiffchaff, Brambling in Borough Hall gardens 13:45
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Palustris @palustris.bsky.social · 1d

Also 182 Teal, 20 Wigeon, 2 Sandwich Terns, small numbers of passerines in/off inc Redpoll. Several Harbour Porpoises feeding very languidly close-in.
@teesbirds.bsky.social

Palustris @palustris.bsky.social · 1d

9.40-12.50, Hartlepool Headland: 1 GN Diver, 19 RT Divers, 1 Little Gull, 1 Pomarine Skua, 3 Manx Shearwaters & a remarkable 882 Barnacle Geese S in 11 flocks + 62 N. Also 372 Common Scoter, now predominantly female-type, 7 Goldeneye, 9 Merganser, 1 Pintail, 1 Mute Swan.
@teesbirds.bsky.social

Palustris @palustris.bsky.social · 1d

Borough Hall gardens/Old Putting Green, Hartlepool Headland 09.15; lots of presumably migrant Blackbirds and Robins, 1 Woodcock, Grey Wagtail but no warblers so far.
@teesbirds.bsky.social

Palustris @palustris.bsky.social · 1d

Labour continues its campaign to p*ss off every single section of the voting public by gutting wildlife protections instead of dealing with a dysfunctional housing market.
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...

The Guardian view on Labour targeting nature: the problem isn’t snails, but a broken housing model | Editorial

Editorial: Rachel Reeves’s drive to speed up development is beginning to treat wildlife and the environment as expendable. Voters want homes built, but not at any cost

www.theguardian.com

Reposted by Palustris

george-1788pow @george-1788pow.bsky.social · 4d

This blue-topped satyr was found in a Brazilian eucalyptus plantation, where scientists observed butterflies were less colourful than in native forests. The insects’ brilliant hues evolved in lush ecosystems to help them survive: now they are becoming more muted to adapt to degraded landscapes...

Palustris @palustris.bsky.social · 3d

I wonder if Frogbit is increasing and/or spreading north. It's locally abundant in the Pocklington Canal, where it hadn't been seen for decades. In East Anglia it's often in quite eutrophic, duckweed-soup ditches.

Palustris @palustris.bsky.social · 3d

Yes. The EA tend to deal with FoI much more efficiently than general requests for info: [email protected]
Usually an Environmental Statement is produced for planning applications requiring EIA, in which case it should also be available on local authority planning portal.

Palustris @palustris.bsky.social · 3d

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

Agabus arcticus is a diving beetle found in the far north of Europe.

Palustris @palustris.bsky.social · 4d

Paths were made through bogs on the Somerset Levels using woven hurdles like this in Neolithic times.

Palustris @palustris.bsky.social · 4d

Crunchy Otter snacks.

Palustris @palustris.bsky.social · 4d

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.

Palustris @palustris.bsky.social · 4d

I can't recall an autumn so poor for either sea birds or passerines. Maybe that's good news for the birds in a way: they're just moving through quickly and unseen?

Palustris @palustris.bsky.social · 5d

Slavonian Grebe still off Zetland roundabout, Redcar at 13.30, in shallow water close to rocks. Ca 200 Eider & a few Common Scoter.
@teesbirds.bsky.social @nybirdnews.bsky.social

Palustris @palustris.bsky.social · 5d

Highlight of a 2 hr sea watch at Hartlepool Headland has been a Ring-necked Parakeet - yes it's been that good. 10 Red-throated Divers, 33 Common Scoter, a few porpoises.
@teesbirds.bsky.social

Palustris @palustris.bsky.social · 6d

I see a lot of consultants' reports where there obviously using phone apps for botanical ID and they tend to be b*llocks tbh.

Palustris @palustris.bsky.social · 6d

Interesting. I'm surprised an app can discern the nuanced combination of characteristics needed for gulls. Soon there'll be an AI device you can attach to a scope which can scan the sea and correctly name all those fast-disappearing specks.

Palustris @palustris.bsky.social · 6d

Pinkfeet heard 3 times this morning from Whinny Banks. Last flock was about 80 birds heading NW, 10:40.
@teesbirds.bsky.social

Palustris @palustris.bsky.social · 7d

Hartlepool Headland 9-11.30: 1 Great Northern Diver S, 17 Red-throated Divers, 16 Whooper Swans & 97 Pinkfeet (each in 3 groups), 19 commic terns.
@teesbirds.bsky.social

Palustris @palustris.bsky.social · 7d

Dolphn pod close in moving slowly N Hartlepool Headland 10 24
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Palustris @palustris.bsky.social · 7d

More on Teesmouth seal pup deaths, suggesting sewage effluent and legacy of industrial pollution may have exacerbated natural mortality. Typical comedy response from Northumbrian Water saying they couldn't possibly be responsible for faecal bacteria in estuary.
northeastbylines.co.uk/news/environ...

Pollution kills all Tees Estuary seal pups

Harbour seal pups in Tees Estuary suffer 100% mortality in 2025, prompting MPs to demand a Defra inquiry into the deaths

northeastbylines.co.uk

Palustris @palustris.bsky.social · 8d

Kemi always wondered why Brazil never won the European Cup.