Andrew Douglas
@andydouglas1967.bsky.social
Spiders, inverts, botany, birds, wine, beer, food, pottery, aircraft. Not necessarily in that order. See @andydouglas1967-IT.bsky.social for IT/Computer Science stuff. West Norfolk and South Northamptonshire.
Just saw a clip from @qi.com on the you tubes, about thermodynamics and spoons. Alan mentions people hitting themselves with trays. As entertainment. It reminded me of the late Bob Blackman - still funny, I think. www.youtube.com/watch?v=CNLL...
Bob Blackman - Mule Train
YouTube video by Second Saturday's Warrior
www.youtube.com
November 26, 2025 at 4:53 PM
Just saw a clip from @qi.com on the you tubes, about thermodynamics and spoons. Alan mentions people hitting themselves with trays. As entertainment. It reminded me of the late Bob Blackman - still funny, I think. www.youtube.com/watch?v=CNLL...
I was going to hit Boughton's Lower Fen today - more open reeds, a bit of a cut area, piles of cut reeds to look through. But there are still big areas of frost in the garden, and it isn't the most sunny area. Seems like the wrong thing to do. Had meant to go yesterday.
November 26, 2025 at 12:50 PM
I was going to hit Boughton's Lower Fen today - more open reeds, a bit of a cut area, piles of cut reeds to look through. But there are still big areas of frost in the garden, and it isn't the most sunny area. Seems like the wrong thing to do. Had meant to go yesterday.
Last week there was a talk about the Fen Flora Project, and the video has just been released. Here's a complete list of their videos - the flora one is at the bottom. It was quite interesting.
www.youtube.com/playlist?lis...
www.youtube.com/playlist?lis...
Fens East Peat Partnership (FEPP) and Natural England lowland peat in the Fens webinar series - YouTube
A series of webinars looking at ways to protect the remaining peat in the Fens that will enable food production and peat restoration to work together, allowi...
www.youtube.com
November 25, 2025 at 7:36 PM
Last week there was a talk about the Fen Flora Project, and the video has just been released. Here's a complete list of their videos - the flora one is at the bottom. It was quite interesting.
www.youtube.com/playlist?lis...
www.youtube.com/playlist?lis...
Pudding update. I ate half the smaller pudding yesterday. It was ok - didn't come out of the bowl properly so I think the mixture was maybe a bit wet. I have three puds - I've 'fed' one, for easter, but I don't think they're keepers. Might make more, but not yet. Was up til gone 2am cooking them.
November 25, 2025 at 3:35 PM
Pudding update. I ate half the smaller pudding yesterday. It was ok - didn't come out of the bowl properly so I think the mixture was maybe a bit wet. I have three puds - I've 'fed' one, for easter, but I don't think they're keepers. Might make more, but not yet. Was up til gone 2am cooking them.
I succumbed to a deal. I wouldn’t normally bother at home, but £20 for a dumpy tree as tall as me - I love a real tree and the decos just sit under the stairs most years. Cherry but need some spooky tv now.
November 24, 2025 at 4:33 PM
I succumbed to a deal. I wouldn’t normally bother at home, but £20 for a dumpy tree as tall as me - I love a real tree and the decos just sit under the stairs most years. Cherry but need some spooky tv now.
Death Star bauble.
November 24, 2025 at 3:35 PM
Death Star bauble.
Is there a way of finding out who owns a particular field or area of rural land? I seem to recall there was a map that showed which estates owned land, but google isn't helpful on this. I've 'contacted' a likely candidate but an on-line form is hopeless and they haven't replied a week a later.
November 24, 2025 at 1:37 PM
Is there a way of finding out who owns a particular field or area of rural land? I seem to recall there was a map that showed which estates owned land, but google isn't helpful on this. I've 'contacted' a likely candidate but an on-line form is hopeless and they haven't replied a week a later.
Puddings on - three and most of one to do plus fried a bit to see how it tastes. Pretty good, despite burning it a bit. Might mix another batch and do three more.
November 24, 2025 at 1:18 PM
Puddings on - three and most of one to do plus fried a bit to see how it tastes. Pretty good, despite burning it a bit. Might mix another batch and do three more.
Reposted by Andrew Douglas
Ahhh happy Sunday night everyone. The wonderful @nhcooper123.bsky.social and @joshlukedavis.com thought it wise to ask me to talk about my fav specimens…
Enjoy. @dipterists.bsky.social @royentsoc.bsky.social @amentsoc.bsky.social
Enjoy. @dipterists.bsky.social @royentsoc.bsky.social @amentsoc.bsky.social
Exciting new episode today is SPIKY, featuring our first ever guest the incredible @flygirlnhm.bsky.social. Spoiler alert - there may be some flies! m.youtube.com/watch?v=8si6...
Our first guest brings a powderpuff with wings | The 'Perfect' Specimen Ep14
YouTube video by Natural History Museum
m.youtube.com
November 23, 2025 at 8:38 PM
Ahhh happy Sunday night everyone. The wonderful @nhcooper123.bsky.social and @joshlukedavis.com thought it wise to ask me to talk about my fav specimens…
Enjoy. @dipterists.bsky.social @royentsoc.bsky.social @amentsoc.bsky.social
Enjoy. @dipterists.bsky.social @royentsoc.bsky.social @amentsoc.bsky.social
As i sit here and finish half a tin of Makesons milk stout, I say, beware any christmas pudding that doesn't have a good strong dark beer in it. Plum stout (not St Peter's this year as couldn't find) and Makesons here, with brandy and a good slosh of creme de mure.
November 23, 2025 at 1:47 PM
As i sit here and finish half a tin of Makesons milk stout, I say, beware any christmas pudding that doesn't have a good strong dark beer in it. Plum stout (not St Peter's this year as couldn't find) and Makesons here, with brandy and a good slosh of creme de mure.
Stir Up Sunday. Make a wish everyone.
November 23, 2025 at 12:45 PM
Stir Up Sunday. Make a wish everyone.
Also, for fans of Munich beer, Sainsburys are selling Augustiner beer - I could only see the standard Helles, but good enough. Maybe the weissbier or dunkel will make an appearance at some point?
November 22, 2025 at 3:54 PM
Also, for fans of Munich beer, Sainsburys are selling Augustiner beer - I could only see the standard Helles, but good enough. Maybe the weissbier or dunkel will make an appearance at some point?
All the things gathered for christmas pudding making. That's the next few days sorted. Had hoped to get to Boughton Fen again but weather doesn't look promising.
November 22, 2025 at 3:52 PM
All the things gathered for christmas pudding making. That's the next few days sorted. Had hoped to get to Boughton Fen again but weather doesn't look promising.
Reposted by Andrew Douglas
November 21, 2025 at 5:54 PM
Reposted by Andrew Douglas
I know next to nothing about spiders, but this web caught my attention. Does anyone recognize it? Same Houston Forest, Texas.
November 21, 2025 at 5:53 PM
I know next to nothing about spiders, but this web caught my attention. Does anyone recognize it? Same Houston Forest, Texas.
This is neither here nor there, but I took a couple of wolfies that looked like they might be adult, but with obscured epigynes. Neither was adult, but using the Lycosidae key in Roberts, this wouldn't fit Pardosa. But it looks like Pardosa to me. Is that key not great or need some interpretation?
November 20, 2025 at 9:30 PM
This is neither here nor there, but I took a couple of wolfies that looked like they might be adult, but with obscured epigynes. Neither was adult, but using the Lycosidae key in Roberts, this wouldn't fit Pardosa. But it looks like Pardosa to me. Is that key not great or need some interpretation?
Reposted by Andrew Douglas
People of Norfolk, come and spend a cosy winter evening with me, @themarshtit.bsky.social and @timholtwilson.bsky.social as we talk birds, landscape and history at NWT’s Cley reserve on 5th Dec. Tickets here: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/tales-of-b.... #NorfolkWildlifeTrust #NorfolkNature #naturewriting
November 20, 2025 at 8:05 PM
People of Norfolk, come and spend a cosy winter evening with me, @themarshtit.bsky.social and @timholtwilson.bsky.social as we talk birds, landscape and history at NWT’s Cley reserve on 5th Dec. Tickets here: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/tales-of-b.... #NorfolkWildlifeTrust #NorfolkNature #naturewriting
Ok, i think this one must be Palliduphantes pallidus rather than P.ericaeus? @britishspiders.bsky.social
November 20, 2025 at 7:28 PM
Ok, i think this one must be Palliduphantes pallidus rather than P.ericaeus? @britishspiders.bsky.social
I must stop listening to people recommending Lidl wines. Fallen for an Alsace Riesling - thought it might be a christmas wine for the ham - but pretty awful.
November 20, 2025 at 6:57 PM
I must stop listening to people recommending Lidl wines. Fallen for an Alsace Riesling - thought it might be a christmas wine for the ham - but pretty awful.
Reposted by Andrew Douglas
Am I allowed a bit more shameless self-publicity? Available for pre-order! 💚
@pelagic.bsky.social
pelagicpublishing.com/products/the...
@pelagic.bsky.social
pelagicpublishing.com/products/the...
The Biological Recording Handbook
Biological recording is the discipline of writing down natural history observations of a correctly identified species, in a specific location, on a specific date, by a named individual. Simple enough,...
pelagicpublishing.com
November 20, 2025 at 12:58 PM
Am I allowed a bit more shameless self-publicity? Available for pre-order! 💚
@pelagic.bsky.social
pelagicpublishing.com/products/the...
@pelagic.bsky.social
pelagicpublishing.com/products/the...
Me: Oooh, there's a moth thing at Weeting Heath nature reserve - that's really close I might go.
Google Maps: No, not THAT Weeting Heath nature reserve.
Why is it all so confusing.
Google Maps: No, not THAT Weeting Heath nature reserve.
Why is it all so confusing.
November 20, 2025 at 12:39 PM
Me: Oooh, there's a moth thing at Weeting Heath nature reserve - that's really close I might go.
Google Maps: No, not THAT Weeting Heath nature reserve.
Why is it all so confusing.
Google Maps: No, not THAT Weeting Heath nature reserve.
Why is it all so confusing.
Walckenaeria unicornis epigyne.
November 19, 2025 at 5:30 PM
Walckenaeria unicornis epigyne.
Micrargus herbigradus, female. Two washers on top of each other is deep enough for a whole (small linny) spider, at just less than 4mm deep. Two photos, at 100x and 40x.
November 19, 2025 at 4:40 PM
Micrargus herbigradus, female. Two washers on top of each other is deep enough for a whole (small linny) spider, at just less than 4mm deep. Two photos, at 100x and 40x.
Micrargus herbigradus palp, taken using the new 'washer on a slide' method - dab of gel, palp, topped up with alcohol. Much clearer, you can't see the gel, and the 'curly appendage' that makes it herbigradus is visible amongst the curls of the embolus. This is slightly enhanced in GIMP.
November 18, 2025 at 5:37 PM
Micrargus herbigradus palp, taken using the new 'washer on a slide' method - dab of gel, palp, topped up with alcohol. Much clearer, you can't see the gel, and the 'curly appendage' that makes it herbigradus is visible amongst the curls of the embolus. This is slightly enhanced in GIMP.
None of the record-details pages are showing on iRecord - they all say 'Page not found'. Is it just me?
November 18, 2025 at 1:11 PM
None of the record-details pages are showing on iRecord - they all say 'Page not found'. Is it just me?