Ian Beavis
@ianbeavis.bsky.social
Research Curator at the Amelia, Tunbridge Wells. Entomologist. Natural historian. Local historian. Ecology & heritage of Scilly & the Channel Islands
And Episyrphus balteatus (Marmalade Hoverfly) basking with wings spread. You usually see it with folded wings.
November 17, 2025 at 10:33 PM
And Episyrphus balteatus (Marmalade Hoverfly) basking with wings spread. You usually see it with folded wings.
Also in Calverley Grounds today several of the dronefly Eristalis pertinax feeding at Fatsia & Mahonia. This is not the regular winter-active dronefly.
November 17, 2025 at 10:31 PM
Also in Calverley Grounds today several of the dronefly Eristalis pertinax feeding at Fatsia & Mahonia. This is not the regular winter-active dronefly.
There were two queen Buff-tailed Bumblebees active in Calverley Grounds today, not worried by the fact that it's getting colder
November 17, 2025 at 10:28 PM
There were two queen Buff-tailed Bumblebees active in Calverley Grounds today, not worried by the fact that it's getting colder
A few flowers of Chamomile still lingering on Tunbridge Wells Common #wildflowerhour
November 16, 2025 at 8:14 PM
A few flowers of Chamomile still lingering on Tunbridge Wells Common #wildflowerhour
Bulbous Buttercup, showing the distinctive downturned sepals, in Calverley Grounds. Very late to see this one flowering. #wildflowerhour
November 16, 2025 at 8:12 PM
Bulbous Buttercup, showing the distinctive downturned sepals, in Calverley Grounds. Very late to see this one flowering. #wildflowerhour
Second growth of Wild Carrot in one of the wildflower meadow areas in Calverley Grounds #wildflowerhour
November 16, 2025 at 8:10 PM
Second growth of Wild Carrot in one of the wildflower meadow areas in Calverley Grounds #wildflowerhour
One spider book amusingly described this one as 'uncommon unless it occurs in your house'
November 15, 2025 at 8:38 PM
One spider book amusingly described this one as 'uncommon unless it occurs in your house'
Water Bent has exploded in numbers in Kent too. No records in the 1982 plant atlas, only 13 squares in the 2010 edition (seen here). Now it's a very common street weed.
November 15, 2025 at 8:34 PM
Water Bent has exploded in numbers in Kent too. No records in the 1982 plant atlas, only 13 squares in the 2010 edition (seen here). Now it's a very common street weed.
More from 'British Blood-sucking Flies', Edwards Oldroyd & Smart, 1939
November 13, 2025 at 10:43 PM
More from 'British Blood-sucking Flies', Edwards Oldroyd & Smart, 1939
A portrait of the mosquito in question, Culiseta annulata, from 'British Blood-sucking Flies' (1939)
November 13, 2025 at 10:41 PM
A portrait of the mosquito in question, Culiseta annulata, from 'British Blood-sucking Flies' (1939)
I was not expecting to see a Clouded Yellow in Calverley Grounds today! This migratory species is most commonly seen on the coast and rarely appears as far inland as Tunbridge Wells
November 12, 2025 at 8:13 PM
I was not expecting to see a Clouded Yellow in Calverley Grounds today! This migratory species is most commonly seen on the coast and rarely appears as far inland as Tunbridge Wells
Females of the mining bees Lasioglossum morio (left, one of the bronze-green metallic species) & L lativentre in Calverley Grounds today. Lasioglossum females hibernate as adults, so may stay active very late in a warm autumn.
November 12, 2025 at 8:10 PM
Females of the mining bees Lasioglossum morio (left, one of the bronze-green metallic species) & L lativentre in Calverley Grounds today. Lasioglossum females hibernate as adults, so may stay active very late in a warm autumn.
And the final pages and illustration
November 10, 2025 at 8:36 PM
And the final pages and illustration
Here is part 1 of Russell's account of the freshwater jellyfish
November 10, 2025 at 8:35 PM
Here is part 1 of Russell's account of the freshwater jellyfish
Hedge Mustard on the edge of Tunbridge Wells Common #wildflowerhour
November 9, 2025 at 8:25 PM
Hedge Mustard on the edge of Tunbridge Wells Common #wildflowerhour
Second growth of Cow Parsley on Tunbridge Wells Common #wildflowerhour
November 9, 2025 at 8:23 PM
Second growth of Cow Parsley on Tunbridge Wells Common #wildflowerhour
Atlas Poppy long naturalised on the edge of Tunbridge Wells Common #wildflowerhour
November 9, 2025 at 8:22 PM
Atlas Poppy long naturalised on the edge of Tunbridge Wells Common #wildflowerhour
The hoverfly Syrphus vitripennis on Tunbridge Wells Common today
November 9, 2025 at 8:18 PM
The hoverfly Syrphus vitripennis on Tunbridge Wells Common today
A male Locust Blowfly on Tunbridge Wells Common today
November 9, 2025 at 8:17 PM
A male Locust Blowfly on Tunbridge Wells Common today
Female of the rare mining bee Andrena gravida still active in Calverley Grounds today
November 9, 2025 at 8:16 PM
Female of the rare mining bee Andrena gravida still active in Calverley Grounds today
The mining bee Lasioglossum lativentre - found 2 of these in Calverley Grounds yesterday
November 9, 2025 at 8:15 PM
The mining bee Lasioglossum lativentre - found 2 of these in Calverley Grounds yesterday
More of Frederick Russell's beautiful illustrations from his Medusae of the British Isles (1953)
November 8, 2025 at 7:40 PM
More of Frederick Russell's beautiful illustrations from his Medusae of the British Isles (1953)
These pictures remind me of the delicately coloured illustrations in Frederick Russell's Medusae of the British Isles (1953)
November 8, 2025 at 7:37 PM
These pictures remind me of the delicately coloured illustrations in Frederick Russell's Medusae of the British Isles (1953)
Several Eristalis pertinax droneflies feeding at Fatsia in Calverley Grounds today. Increasingly late-flying in recent mild late autumn / early winter periods, along with E tenax that's always been winter-active.
November 8, 2025 at 7:31 PM
Several Eristalis pertinax droneflies feeding at Fatsia in Calverley Grounds today. Increasingly late-flying in recent mild late autumn / early winter periods, along with E tenax that's always been winter-active.
Plenty of bees & hoverflies visiting sunlit Fatsia in Calverley Grounds today. Note the Buff-tailed Bumblebee queen at far left.
November 8, 2025 at 7:27 PM
Plenty of bees & hoverflies visiting sunlit Fatsia in Calverley Grounds today. Note the Buff-tailed Bumblebee queen at far left.