Helen Smith
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waveneycott.bsky.social
Helen Smith
@waveneycott.bsky.social
88 followers 62 following 35 posts
'Spiders the size of rats', fens and other curious and lovely things.
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waveneycott.bsky.social
Desperate times apparently call for desperate measures: Leiobunum in the plug hole #HarvestmanintheBath @britishspiders.bsky.social
The legs of two Leiobunum sp. under the bath plug, apparently seeking shade and water
July 30, 2026 at 2:09 PM
waveneycott.bsky.social
Two GB wetland #spiders feature in the new IUCN global Red List at www.iucnredlist.org. Fen/Great Raft Spider Dolomedes plantarius retains its Vulnerable global status and Argyroneta aquatica Diving Bell/Water Spider newly classifies as Near Threatened. Assessment at doi.org/10.1016/j.bi...
Image of the IUCN Rad List page for Diving Bell Spider at https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/85737177/213955433 Image of the IUCN Red List page for Fen or Great Raft Spider at https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/6790/3136581
July 9, 2026 at 5:08 PM
Reposted by Helen Smith
britishspiders.bsky.social
Last chance to see? It's the IUCN's Reverse the Red Day when we focus on ensuring that Red Listed Species -those at risk of extinction- have a more secure future. Globally, two GB species are Red Listed (see ALT tags) but many more are Red Listed in a GB context - follow our 🧵... #spiders
The Horrid Ground Weaver Nothophantes horridus is thought to be the only spider endemic to Britain and is considered Critically Endangered both here and globally. It's restricted to limestone areas around Plymouth. Image thanks to John Walters via a Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 International license. The semi-aquatic Fen Raft Spider Dolomedes plantarius, one of our largest spider species, is considered Vulnerable to Extinction both globally and in GB because its already fragmented and scarce habitat is severely threatened by climate change. In GB, the number of sustainable populations has been increased by conservation translocations. Image copyright: Helen Smith
February 7, 2026 at 10:32 PM
Reposted by Helen Smith
alisonfisk.bsky.social
A little bear figurine carved out of amber some 6,000 years ago 🐻❤️

A hole runs through the bear’s torso suggesting it was threaded on a cord, perhaps worn or carried as a protective charm.

Found in a peat bog near Słupsk, Poland, in 1887.

📷 National Museum in Szczecin

#FindsFriday
#Archaeology
Photo by G. Solecki/A. Piętak of a small figurine of a bear carved out of amber between 9600 and 4100 BC. The amber is a deep translucent orange. The display lighting makes it glow in places. The bear's head is carved to show ears, mouth, nostrils and eyes. A hole runs through the bear’s torso, suggesting it was threaded onto a cord. Dimensions: Length 10.2 cm, Height 4.2 It was discovered in Słupsk during peat mining in 1887. According to the museum catalogue ‘’Shortly after its discovery, the figure underwent conservation work to restore its original appearance as it was covered with a layer of dull patina from the exposure to the minerals contained in the peat. Already at that time, at the end of the 19th century, it was assumed the restoration had gone too far. The figure was stripped entirely of patina, the anatomical features of the animal were emphasised, the eyes and nostrils were sharply drawn, and the amber was carefully polished”. In 2013, a competition was organised by the Education Department of the National Museum in Szczecin, for children to choose a name for the bear. The winning name was ‘Słupcio’,
February 6, 2026 at 8:04 AM
waveneycott.bsky.social
A male Philodromus Running Crab Spider, looking decidedly sub-adult - one of several unexpected but welcome house guests over #christmas #spiders @britishspiders.bsky.social
December 29, 2025 at 10:04 PM
waveneycott.bsky.social
'Tis the season to be silly - again @thesun.co.uk, @express.co.uk among others.
Last year's quotes, this year's new misinformation: these still extremely rare animals are now thriving in a few restored wetlands but are NOT 'in our homes' #responsiblejournalism @patrickbarkham.bsky.social #Dolomedes
Image of headlines from The Sun, Daily Express and Time Out showing Dolomedes (Raft spider) species and misleading headlines
October 14, 2025 at 1:45 PM
waveneycott.bsky.social
More tiny finds from @suffolkwildlife.bsky.social Redgrave & Lopham Fen: Five-striped Spider Thantaus striatus recorded here for the first time since 1957 and the Nationally Rare and Endangered Jumping spider Attulus [Calositticus] caricis. Photos: Anna Maka. @britishspiders.bsky.social
Thanatus striatus Tiny immature Thanatus striatus Attulus (Calositticus) caricis Attulus caricis
August 5, 2025 at 5:02 PM
Reposted by Helen Smith
theponker.bsky.social
Not even half 9 and I've mapped about 30 clusters of webs, each with at least 4 webs in each cluster. It's going to be a slow day at this rate @britishspiders.bsky.social
August 5, 2025 at 8:10 AM
waveneycott.bsky.social
A real glitter ball of a spider @suffolkwildlife.bsky.social Redgrave & Lopham Fen today - maxing at just 3mm long, the minute Ray Spider Theridiosoma gemmosum has silvery plates of guanine shining through its cuticle. Photos Anna Maka. @britishspiders.bsky.social
Ray Spider Theridiosoma gemmosum showing its almost spherical abdomen with plates of silvery guanine showing through the cuticle. Ray Spider Theridiosoma gemmosum showing its almost spherical abdomen with plates of silvery guanine showing through the cuticle. A different pattern variant of Ray Spider Theridiosoma gemmosum with more dark pigmentation between areas of silvery guanine on the abdomen.
August 1, 2025 at 8:53 PM
waveneycott.bsky.social
Trickster - sub-adult Wasp Spider Argiope bruennichi
July 29, 2025 at 9:53 PM
waveneycott.bsky.social
A great team out today @suffolkwildlife.bsky.social Carlton Marshes, surveying the still expanding range of the Fen Raft Spider population established there in 2011/12 - and meeting a few other fun species too! @britishspiders.bsky.social
Some of the SWT survey team at work Female Fen Raft Spider with egg sac Female Fen Raft Spider with egg sac Elephant Hawk Moth caterpillar
July 29, 2025 at 9:32 PM
Reposted by Helen Smith
bevilacquapalesky.bsky.social
Please share this like lives hang in the balance because they do.
June 19, 2025 at 7:29 PM
waveneycott.bsky.social
It's the egg-laying season @suffolkwildlife.bsky.social Redgrave & Lopham Fen - three female Fen Raft Spiders Dolomedes plantarius holding their precious egg sacs... and a male hanging around waiting for new opportunities. @britishspiders.bsky.social
Unbanded mum Fen Raft Spider with egg sac Banded mum Fen Raft Spider with egg sac Banded mum Fen Raft Spider with egg sac Males Fen Raft Spider with Otter spider Pirata piscatorius retreat below
June 11, 2025 at 4:20 PM
waveneycott.bsky.social
Synema globosum, AKA Napoleon's Hat Spider. A rare import to GB but on the list of potential future colonists, showing its 'muscle' at the wonderful Perchtoldsdorfer Heide reserve, on the outskirts of Vienna. @britishspiders.bsky.social
Synema globosum consuming a bee many times it size.
June 5, 2025 at 10:26 AM
waveneycott.bsky.social
An unexpected and familiar friend among the many treasures @worldwildlife.org Marchegg on the R. March/Morava. Thanks to @jubalbarca.bsky.social for inheriting the spider-spotting eyes!
Raft spider Dolomedes species, likely the globally Vulnerable D. plantarius The beautiful blue flower of Clematis integrifolia White Stork's bill-clacking display in this unique tree-nesting colony. Image thanks to James Baillie. White-tailed Eagle - from one of c. 90 pairs in Austria including 7 in the Marchegg area. Image thanks to James Baillie.
June 5, 2025 at 10:04 AM
waveneycott.bsky.social
A new species for the greenhouse (and wider patch), Zilla diodia hanging out at the hub of in her fine orbweb and continuing the species' rapid expansion in East Anglia @norfolknats.bsky.social @britishspiders.bsky.social
adult female Zilla diodia at the hub of her web
June 5, 2025 at 9:34 AM
Reposted by Helen Smith
meghanbartels.bsky.social
"On Wednesday, just days before her wedding, 25-year-old Hassouna was killed in an Israeli airstrike that hit her home in northern Gaza. Ten members of her family, including her pregnant sister, were also killed." www.theguardian.com/world/2025/a...
‘If I die, I want a loud death’: Gaza photojournalist killed by Israeli airstrike
Fatima Hassouna, who had been documenting war in Gaza for 18 months and was subject of new documentary, killed along with 10 members of her family
www.theguardian.com
April 18, 2025 at 9:29 PM
Reposted by Helen Smith
auroracalliope.bsky.social
Please share. Data must be preserved.
April 19, 2025 at 8:33 AM
Reposted by Helen Smith
bogtrotter2024.bsky.social
"However, there is a nervousness around how these reviews will be implemented and that ‘streamling’ regulations becomes code for dumping environmental protections."

inews.co.uk/news/inside-...
Inside Defra cuts, as 600 jobs face axe and nature sites 'left unchecked for a decade'
Environmental groups say Defra is already struggling to fulfil its legal duties
inews.co.uk
April 18, 2025 at 7:18 AM
Reposted by Helen Smith
nicwilson.bsky.social
Planning to buy plants over #Easter? Check out the #PeatFree Nurseries List for over 140 #UK growers who don't destroy precious carbon-capturing #peatland habitat by using #peat to grow their plants. Pls let me know if your favourite #nursery isn't listed. Pls repost & let your friends know. Ta 🙏🌱💚
Peat Free Nurseries List
The response to the Peat Free Nurseries List has been incredible. It’s fantastic to see such interest in sourcing peat-free plants. Thousands of people have accessed the list which now includ…
nicwilson.co.uk
April 14, 2025 at 6:14 PM
waveneycott.bsky.social
The best of 'lawn' grasses, Good Friday Grass (AKA Field Wood-rush Luzula campestris), is right on queue this year. #wildflowerhour
The flowers of Field Wood-rush Luzula campestris
April 18, 2025 at 7:31 PM
Reposted by Helen Smith
lymediseaseuk.bsky.social
🕷 It’s Tick Bite Prevention Week! 🕷

⚠️ Lyme disease is the most common tick-borne illness in the northern hemisphere. Help us spread awareness!

💚 Download your social media pack with graphics and images to share: lymediseaseuk.com/2024/02/20/g...

#BeTickAware
March 26, 2025 at 3:49 PM
waveneycott.bsky.social
A very dapper Pirata piscatorius Fishing Otter Spider soaking up the sun while escaping sensory overload from the nagging easterly wind @suffolkwildlife.bsky.social's Redgrave & Lopham Fen today. @britishspiders.bsky.social #spiders #arachnids
Pirata piscatorius Fishing Otter Spider, with smart pairs of white spots down the abdomen, catching the sun among sedges at the water's edge.
April 3, 2025 at 5:51 PM
waveneycott.bsky.social
Not that I have any bias but, please #spider friends, vote now for this awesome and globally threatened animal to be Invertebrate of the Year 2025 - visit www.theguardian.com/environment/... Anyone can vote, with the poll closing at midday on Friday (4th) #arachnids #arachnology
April 2, 2025 at 12:53 PM
Reposted by Helen Smith
brianecambs.bsky.social
Very sad news. Among my favourite poets, and no-one wrote more clearly about The Burren:

At Poll Salach

While I was looking for Easter snow on the hills
You showed me, like a concentration of violets
Or a fragment from some future unimagined sky,
A single spring gentian shivering at our feet.
ucdlibrary.bsky.social UCD Library @ucdlibrary.bsky.social · Jan 23
We are very saddened to hear of the death of the great poet Michael Longley. He read his poetry for the Irish Poetry Reading Archive many years ago and we remember his visit fondly.

Here he is Remembering Carrigskeewaun. youtu.be/0HpBq0N7eRs?...

Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam.
January 23, 2025 at 3:58 PM