#Essexwildlife
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ianpcarter.bsky.social
'Humming Bird Moth'
#Wexmondays #FSPrintMonday @wextweets @EssexWildlife #landscapephotography #appicoftheweek #FPSmonday #discoversuffolk #Sharemondays2026
October 12, 2026 at 10:34 AM
andrew-jewels.bsky.social
A recently emerged adult Vernal Shieldbug (Peribalus strictus) with the final instar exuvia still present seen on a nettle leaf in Abbey Gardens, Waltham Abbey on 11th October. #EssexWildlife #UKBugs
A recently emerged Vernal Shieldbug adult on nettle leaf with the final instar exuvia still attached.
October 12, 2026 at 6:18 AM
andrew-jewels.bsky.social
I found four Blue Shieldbugs (Zicrona caerulea) in a nettle patch in Abbey Gardens, Waltham Abbey on 11th October. I am hoping this turns out to be a reliable location as I have only seen this species twice before. #EssexWildlife #UKBugs
Blue Shieldbug on nettle leaf Blue Shieldbug on nettle Blue Shieldbug on bramble stem Blue Shieldbug on nettle
October 13, 2026 at 4:16 PM
andrew-jewels.bsky.social
Pleased to find a rather smart Forestier's Ladybird (Rhyzobius forestieri) in a Field Maple tree in Upshire, Essex yesterday 4th October. #EssexWildlife #UKLadybirds
Forestier's Ladybird, black hairy species with red abdomen tip, on pale canvas background. Forestier's Ladybird on pale canvas background Forestier's Ladybird on pale canvas background Large Field Maple tree growing in hedgerow with grassy field to one side.
October 5, 2026 at 6:30 AM
andrew-jewels.bsky.social
A patch of nettles, brambles and dock in a sunny corner of Abbey Gardens, Waltham Abbey produced an adult Blue Shieldbug, two nymphs of Vernal Shieldbug and 23 Southern Green Shieldbug nymphs today 5th October, with Dock Bug and Hairy Shieldbug alongside (no photo). #EssexWildlife #UKBugs
Blue Shieldbug (Zicrona caerulea) on nettle leaf Vernal Shieldbug (Peribalus strictus) nymph on nettle leaf Southern Green Shieldbug (Nezara viridula) on bramble leaf Productive patch of nettles, dock and brambles in sunny corner of meadow.
October 5, 2026 at 3:44 PM
andrew-jewels.bsky.social
Pine (Exochomus quadripustulatus), Cream-streaked (Harmonia quadripunctata) and 7-spot (Coccinella septempunctata) Ladybirds tapped out of an ornamental pine tree in Upshire, Essex on 2nd October. #EssexWildlife #UKLadybirds
Pine, Cream-streaked and 7-spot Ladybirds clustered together on a pale canvas background.
October 3, 2026 at 4:44 PM
andrew-jewels.bsky.social
Four species of ladybird in my Waltham Abbey garden today, 23rd September. Single 7-spot (Coccinella septempunctata), Pine (Exochomas quadripustulatus), Ivy (Nephus quadrimaculatus)and two Arboreal Ladybirds (Rhyzobius chrysomeloides). #EssexWildlife #UKLadybirds
7-spot Ladybird on pale canvas background Pine Ladybird on pale canvas background Ivy Ladybird on pale canvas background Two Arboreal Ladybirds on pale canvas background
September 23, 2026 at 7:44 PM
andrew-jewels.bsky.social
Found two Clouded Yellows (Colias croceus) in a meadow in Nazeing, Essex on 21st September, one typical and one pale form helice. Had fun trying to get some upper shots of the helice form, but as usual only a few blurry photos were the result. #EssexWildlife #UKButterflies
Clouded Yellow butterfly on yellow flower Clouded Yellow butterfly on yellow flower Blurry flight shot of Clouded Yellow butterfly Blurry photograph of Clouded Yellow butterfly in flight
September 23, 2026 at 6:22 AM
olicwildlife.bsky.social
A huge thanks to everyone who took part in the EBWS Big County Birdwatch 2026! It was a privilege and great fun to lead some of the walks across the weekend. #EssexBirding #UKBirding #UKWildlife #EssexWildlife
Us in action Young Eurasian Hobby Another group shot Speckled Wood
September 22, 2026 at 2:04 PM
swallowbirding.bsky.social
Lots of other great wildlife to be seen during our guided walks over the #BCBW26 weekend including WILLOW EMERALD, EUROPEAN PAPER WASPS, HAIRY SHIELDBUG & IVY BEES galore! #insects #essexwildlife @britishnatureguide.bsky.social
Willow Emerald European Paper Wasps Hairy Shieldbug Ivy Bee
September 21, 2026 at 7:36 PM
andrew-jewels.bsky.social
Two Conifer Ladybirds (Scymnus suturalis), early instar nymph of Western Conifer Seed Bug (Leptoglossus occidentalis) and a curious weevil with rabbit-earlike antennae (Bruchidius or Bruchus sp) tapped out of a pine tree in Upshire, Essex yesterday 20th September. #EssexWildlife
Conifer Ladybird on a pale canvas background Early instar nymph of Western Conifer Bug on pale canvas background Small weevil with large antennae on pale canvas background Copse in middle of field with several large pine trees.
September 21, 2026 at 7:19 AM
swallowbirding.bsky.social
It wasn't just birds we encountered on our 3 guided walks around South Essex but lots of FIREBUGS, VESTAL, Helice CLOUDED YELLOW & MIGRANT HAWKERS.
@bc-cambs-essex.bsky.social #savebutterflies #insects #essexwildlife @britishnatureguide.bsky.social
Firebug Vestal Helice Clouded Yellow Female Migrant Hawker
September 18, 2026 at 7:52 PM
andrew-jewels.bsky.social
Still finding new populations of Striped Shieldbugs (Graphosoma italicum) around the periphery of Waltham Abbey this week, even small patches of Hemlock and Hogweed mostly have a few on them. #EssexWildlife #UKBugs
Adult and nymph Striped Shieldbugs clustered on Hemlock stem Large cluster of adult and nymph Striped Shieldbugs on Hemlock stem Adult and nymph of Striped Shieldbug on Hemlock and dock leaves Two Striped Shieldbug nymphs on bramble leaves
September 15, 2026 at 3:54 PM
swallowbirding.bsky.social
Nice to see plenty of butterflies on the wing around Old Hall Marshes RSPB reserve including WALL BROWN and CLOUDED YELLOW. @bc-cambs-essex.bsky.social #savebutterflies #insects #essexwildlife
Wall Brown Clouded Yellow
September 11, 2026 at 8:02 AM
andrew-jewels.bsky.social
More photos of the two nymphs of Sciocoris sideritidis (a species of sandrunner shieldbug) that I found at Purfleet on Sunday 6th September. Black with a distinctive white collar and some pale markings on abdomen. Thanks to @rockwolf74.bsky.social for the identification. #EssexWildlife #UKBugs
September 8, 2026 at 4:17 PM
andrew-jewels.bsky.social
A confusing array of bug nymphs at Purfleet on Sunday 6th Sept. The attractive stripy and mottled ones are probably a Nysius species, but I can find no match for two distinctive individuals, black with a white collar and pale horseshoe mark on abdomen. #EssexWildlife #UKBugs
Nymph of Nysius bug: stripy front and mottled rear sitting on leaf. Nymph of Nysius bug on pale canvas backgound Unknown bug nymph: black with pale horseshoe mark and white collar. Unknown bug nymph: black with white collar
September 8, 2026 at 6:23 AM
andrew-jewels.bsky.social
Found seven Sciocoris sideritidis (a sandrunner species) at its known site at Purfleet, Essex, along the coastal path opposite the train station today 6th September. Five swept from dry grassland, whilst two were tapped from nearby shrubs. #EssexWildlife #UKBugs
Two small brown bugs in pale plastic tray A small speckled brown bug in pale plastic tray Pale underside of small brown bug in pale plastic tray Dry open grassy habitat with shrubs to the side and industrial crane in background with blue cloudy sky
September 6, 2026 at 3:30 PM
andrew-jewels.bsky.social
Found six Striped Shieldbugs (Graphosoma italicum) in a large patch of Hemlock at Sewardstone Marsh today 26th August. TQ37849806. A new subpopulation to the south of the main area. I have been keeping my eye on this spot for the last couple of years. #EssexWildlife #UKBugs
Striped Shieldbug: red and black striped insect clinging to seed head of Hemlock plant. Striped Shieldbug resting on dock leaf. Large patch of Hemlock with willow trees in background Large patch of Hemlock with trees in distance and blue sky with clouds.
August 26, 2026 at 11:22 AM
andrew-jewels.bsky.social
Plenty of Striped Shieldbug (Graphosoma italicum) nymphs around Waltham Abbey today, including some very small early instars, all showing a distinctive stripe behind the head. 24th August #EssexWildlife #UKBugs
August 24, 2026 at 3:51 PM
onlyparam.bsky.social
Google plans to bulldoze a wildlife haven in Essex – home to rare species – for a data centre. Sign the petition now to help save it before it’s gone forever 🐝🦋 #ukwiildlife #essexwildlife #essexecology #https://you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/save-arena-essex-tell-google-to-search-elsewhere
Save Arena Essex- Tell Google to search elsewhere!
  Wedged between the Mar Dyke Valley and Lakeside Retail Park, the former Arena Essex Raceway is not your usual wildlife haven. Where once stock cars and speedway bikes lined up to cross the fini...
you.38degrees.org.uk
August 18, 2026 at 8:29 AM
aelyaengoblin.bsky.social
Sign the petition to stop the data centre! To: Kate Alessi, Google UK Managing Director
Save Arena Essex- Tell Google to search elsewhere!

you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/sa...

#DataCentre #EssexWildlife #ArenaEssex #Google
Save Arena Essex- Tell Google to search elsewhere!
  Wedged between the Mar Dyke Valley and Lakeside Retail Park, the former Arena Essex Raceway is not your usual wildlife haven. Where once stock cars and speedway bikes lined up to cross the fini...
you.38degrees.org.uk
August 14, 2026 at 8:45 PM
andrew-jewels.bsky.social
This week I have been finding new Striped Shieldbug (Graphosoma italicum) populations to the east of the usual Waltham Abbey areas, including Fernhall Lane, Southend Lane, Woodgreen Road and Forest Side. All places I have checked before, they seem to be on the move now in the heat. #EssexWildlife
Striped Shieldbug on umbellifer seedhead. Striped Shieldbug habitat by Honey Lane Car Park, Forest Side, Epping Forest Striped Shieldbug habitat alongside Wood Green Road, with M25 bridge in background. Striped Shieldbug habitat along Southend Lane, Waltham Abbey.
August 12, 2026 at 1:03 PM
andrew-jewels.bsky.social
This week I have been finding numerous 22-spot Ladybirds (Psyllobora vigintiduopunctata) on sow-thistle (Sonchus) leaves feeding on mildew (possibly Golovinomyces sonchicola) around Upshire, Essex. #EssexWildlife #UKLadybirds
22-spot Ladybird on sow-thistle leaf with mildew on it. Two mating pairs of 22-spot Ladybirds on sow-thistles 22-spot Ladybird on sow-thistle leaf Patch of sow-thistles with yellow flowers and some mildew on the leaves.
August 5, 2026 at 6:31 AM
andrew-jewels.bsky.social
Found 34 adult and one early instar nymph of Striped Shieldbug (Graphosoma italicum) on the main part of Town Mead, Waltham Abbey today 3rd August. TL378003. All on dried stems and seed heads of Hemlock. #EssexWildlife #UKBugs
Striped Shieldbug on Hemlock stem Striped Shieldbug on Hemlock stem Early instar Striped Shieldbug nymph on Hemlock stem. Pathway with dried stems of Hemlock on left and hedge on right.
August 3, 2026 at 4:16 PM
andrew-jewels.bsky.social
Finally found a Striped Shieldbug (Graphosoma italicum) in TQ39 today, the last of the four 10km squares that intersect Waltham Abbey. I have been regularly checking this patch of Hemlock in Town Mead for the last two years. Only 200m south of an established population. #EssexWildlife #UKBugs
Striped Shieldbug on dried stem of Hemlock with parched playing fields and trees in the background. Fence in middle distance is border of baseball pitch.
August 3, 2026 at 3:24 PM