I always consider this plant, Toadflax to be one of the last 'new' plant to flower throughout the year. I may be very wrong in this observation but May does seem very early for this to be on full flower. What do others think?

#SpiderADayForMay. Day 13. Seen today. This wonderful 'Marsh Bear Spider' -Arctosa Leopardus.

Remaining in South Africa for day 12 in the #SpiderADayForMay series. I think this is Megaraneus gabonensis. It certainly was mega at least 2inches long and 1 inch wide! Can any of my spider followers confirm/redirect.......

Departure from the UK 11th #SpiderADayForMay is a #SouthAfrican Beauty. I studied intensely my SA spider guide & dreamt of seeing this. With well over 2000 species to choose from I never thought I would and yet..........I did. Gasteracantha versicolor. Common Kite Spider.

#SpiderADayForMay 9,10. 11 to come later! Some sandy friends. Arctosa perita and Marpissa nivoyi. Sand Bear and a Dune Jumper!! #Whatsnottolike #Nature

Eeek, spiders 7 and 8 (having too much fun looking for them to post daily clearly). Uloborus plumipes a 'garden centre' spider import and the ever formidable looking Dolomedes frimbriatus- raft spider. Both in Norfolk. #SpiderADayForMay

Spiders 5 and 6 for #SpiderADayForMay as have been on a mini work trip. All good though as I managed to locate the 2 of our target species.....Pellenes tripunctatus the 'White Striped' Jumping Spider, closely guarding an egg sack & many Pseudeuophrys obsoleta, the 'Whelk Shell' Jumping Spider.

Hardy Geraniums are not everyone's cup of tea. Luckily for the Early Bumblebees they are mine!!. The garden has been alive with them today despite the typically bank holiday weather.

Catching up with #SpiderADayForMay with #4 Steatoda grossa I believe. A false widow. What a beautiful creature and sadly much misunderstood. New species for the garden for me too. :)

Spider 3 for #SpiderADayForMay. The Flower crab spider. An amazing ambush predator with superb, chaemeleon-like powers of camouflage. #Whatsnottolike

Day 2 of #SpiderADayForMay one of my favourites. A Sand Dune Jumping Spider- Attulus Saltator. Those eyes! ❤️

Starting slowly #SpiderADayForMay. Everyone starts somewhere & #Spiders are sooooo cool. Here is spider #1 Enjoying an aphid snack. (Rose garden enthusiasts take note) Heliphanus species or the 'Sun' Jumping spider. #whatsnottolike. Spider 2 later today ....

Nice bit of drive by arable botany today. Shepherd's Needle and Tower Mustard. Not bad for #fridayfinds #formerlyknownasweeds

Nice day for a picnic....#Spiders #Snacks

Something a bit different today. Strongylodon macrobotrys....the most amazing coloured plant I think I have ever seen. The Jade Vine. Just WOW. @cubotanicgarden.bsky.social

Yesterday's bees were indeed confirmed as Bombus pratorum, the Early Bumblebee. Which brings my visibly breeding species count up to Goldfinch, Pigeon, Early Bumblebee Frogs, Orange Tips and Ruby tigers!!

Lunchtime #spidering Crab spider Xysticus hanging out for a snack.

Be more Frog.

Beyond excited to discover 'my'Goldfinches prospecting for a nest site for the 3rd year. Lovely to hear the nearby Greenfinches too, not heard them in a while. Seem to also have a resident Chiff Chaff and a Blackcap too. 2025 fledglings below. #UrbanNature @rspb.bsky.social

Smart little fly found today. Thought it was a picture wing at first but I think having had a look at a couple of keys it could be a fruit fly....possibly Euleia heraclei......?

A spring delight and not often at a height I can get a snap of European Larch.....

First moth trap of the season today and amongst the many small quakers a new species for me I think.....Orthosia miniosa, Blossom underwing I believe. A real beauty. @bc-suffolk.bsky.social

Love watching the garden spring back to life. Peacock, Small White, Large Garden Bumblebee Queen, Flower Bees, and the first Bee Fly of the garden for 2026.

#Saturdayspider time. I finally found a 'Garden centre spider' Uloborus plumipes. An old world species which seems to have made itself quite comfortable in the house plant section of my local garden centre.

I could try and say something relevant, topical, profound even on the general state of everything. However what I feel I need is a small, purple, Sea Lavender Weevil. So here it is. #Nature

Brilliant day in the garden today. Lots done. Came across this however.....does anyone have any ideas as to who it belongs to?

Feb 14th. A day to reflect on things you love. So a little video to celebrate my coming out of hibernation on socials. Looking forward to the new season of all things arable plant and invert! #formerlyknownasweeds

Festive Chocolate Baileys Pinecones went down a treat with the squad today!

Nice find this week on a new site. Annual knawel. On the disturbed edges of a sandy track which is where I mainly find this beauty in Norfolk!

It has been a great garden year this year and I have been so lucky to be able to enjoy it. Still the gift that keeps on giving! And the #Spiders are loving it too!

Unloaded a trap in a new location today. Adjacent to scrubby grassland. Do these look good for Flounced Chestnut and a Beaded Chestnut? Neither of which I have seen before! Oh & if anyone can ID my bonus 3rd moth all thoughts welcome! 🙂 @norfolkmoths.bsky.social

Today was mainly about hacking but you can't beat a bit of accidental spidering. Especially when it is a bogey species that you have been longing to see! At last a Nigma walckenaeri......(I hope!) #Sunday #Spider @britishspiders.bsky.social

An excellent day today focussed on Reptiles and Amphibians. Great bunch of folk from a range of organisations and backgrounds sharing learning, science, sitings and ENTHUSIASM. Really uplifting day in the world of conservation. Plus I got to see some great conservation pals as well!

Weather charts suggested migrant species may be on the cards. Seems they were not wrong. Clancy's Rustic, a new species for me in the trap this morning. @norfolkbutterflies.bsky.social @norfolknats.bsky.social

If #spiders were supermodels..........perfecting that middle distance look A/W 2025 ...Attulus Saltator..... @britishspiders.bsky.social

Whether or not it had a cunning plan was unclear.

Northumberland you have been amazing. As were my team mates & all the #mightyhikers for @macmillancancer and I what a finish too. Rain, sun, blisters, laughter and a dip in the North sea to ease the muscles. 27 miles in just over 8 hours. www.justgiving.com/page/emily-s...

A collage of reasons why no housework was done this evening. I subscribe to doing what brings you joy in life. In my case that is nature, horse riding, snorkelling or walking. Today was an underwater day, not a day for dusting. #ChalkReef #Snorkelling #NorthNorfolk

Today's award for the shyest spider.....Cyclosa conica. A fabulously conspicuous abdomen on a spider that is pretending you cannot see it. Swept from some newly created chalk grassland habitat which was alive with invertebrates and most of them #Spiders ❤️ @britishspiders.bsky.social

21.2miles. 28 degree heat. 5hrs 33 minutes. ALSO discovered (both impressively & alarmingly) I have walked the soles of my trainers so thin I now have a blister on the sole of my foot! Sponsor the blister here 👉 www.justgiving.com/page/emily-s...

My 50p dead stick from a supermarket has done good! Actual amount of apples present is about double this. Not 100% sure of variety.....something half way in between a cooker and an eater it seems. Recipe suggestions welcomed...............

I wasn't expecting this one over the weekend in the #NewForest. Momentarily questioning my choices when I enthusiastically shouted out 'Praying Mantis' in the company of some great natural historians! Fortunately, it transpires I was right!! Mantis religiosa I believe. #Surprise #Naturalhistory

There is nothing I love more than spending time in nature with people who love nature. Taking joy in the simple beauty of life , like this lovely Common Blue butterfly.

When I first started working in conservation the odds of finding a Silver-washed Fritillary in Norfolk were next to nothing. 22 years later and most wooded sites and even some urban Norwich gardens are recording these.

My friend returned for my second coffee but I was more prepared. Now you can all enjoy the magic of the hummingbird hawkmoth. @norfolknats.bsky.social @norfolkmoths.bsky.social

Coffee in one hand, phone in the other = awful photo. Being visited by one of these beauties is always a privilege I think and well worth a post on socials ( in my book anyway). @norfolkmoths.bsky.social @norfolknats.bsky.social

Wasn't sure how successful I was going to be with my spider mission today after all the lightening & rain. As it happens I need not have worried. I went to seek the V fronted Jumping spider Aelurillus v-insignitus and........ @tylanberry.bsky.social @chalkspring.bsky.social @norfolknats.bsky.social

Late for @wildflowerhour.bsky.social but a lovely reminder of a fab weekend. #peafamily Wild Liquorice! From the fantastic Ranscombe Farm

Late for @wildflowerhour.bsky.social but a lovely reminder of a fab weekend. #peafamily Wild Liquorice! From the fantastic Ranscombe Farm