@jubalbarca.bsky.social
08.02.2026 22:01
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@jubalbarca.bsky.social
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
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
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’,
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
A male Philodromus Running Crab Spider, looking decidedly sub-adult - one of several unexpected but welcome house guests over #christmas #spiders @britishspiders.bsky.social
Were there obvious highlights?
Looks good, Alan. Are these records with the SRS?
Image of headlines from The Sun, Daily Express and Time Out showing Dolomedes (Raft spider) species and misleading headlines
'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
@britishspiders.bsky.social
Been here a while - but fairly quiet, like too many of us!
Many congratulation, Chris!
Thanks, Richard. We did suss the tiny Tibellus but then I forgot!
Nooo, I can't stand tension.....
Thanatus striatus
Tiny immature Thanatus striatus
Attulus (Calositticus) caricis
Attulus caricis
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
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
Intensive stuff - must be peak second brood! All Water Soldier ditches?
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.
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
Trickster - sub-adult Wasp Spider Argiope bruennichi
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
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
Please share this like lives hang in the balance because they do.
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
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
Synema globosum consuming a bee many times it size.
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
Yes, I especially love their webs. Steve Lane recorded it locally from Blo'Norton Fen four years ago so it was expected here, though not in the greenhouse! Did you Middle Harling record get to the SRS?
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.
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!
adult female Zilla diodia at the hub of her web
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
"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...
Please share. Data must be preserved.
"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-...
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 🙏🌱💚
The flowers of Field Wood-rush Luzula campestris
The best of 'lawn' grasses, Good Friday Grass (AKA Field Wood-rush Luzula campestris), is right on queue this year. #wildflowerhour
🕷 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
