20,000 observations of fish have been submitted in Canada!

Happy Friday, Friends!

Our project now has 89 observations of 76 different species! Way to go.

Shout out to jackst for two awesome observations of water lilies. These are perfect examples of plants that grow in water. They aren't just beautiful, they also provide food and shelter to fish and other wildlife.

We have two observations of a mischievous mammal, the White-tailed Deer. Have you ever seen deer tracks? They are shaped like a heart. This week I challenge you to be on the lookout for animal tracks and signs. Share your observations!

Galls formed at the base of balsam poplar leaves can be found throughout the state. Within these galls can be found numerous aphids of the Pemphigus genus. They lack the cornicles (terminal abdominal tubules) characteristic of other aphids. When eggs hatch in the spring, these aphids begin feeding on leaf petioles which induces the production of galls that envelopes and protects the developing aphids. As they mature, winged aphid forms will emerge from these galls. While we wait for genetic identification of the species in Alaska, similar species in North America will leave their galls and colonize a different host mid-summer, where they will continue to feed and reproduce throughout the season. By the end of the season, females will return to Populus spp. trees and lay a single egg that will overwinter and emerge in the spring. You can help the Forest Health Protection better understand the range of these aphids by uploading your observations and pictures of these galls to iNaturalist.

Post created by @DanaBrennan

We've found 60 new species in just 3 months!

The bulk of the new material seems to be common, but not yet recorded, species. This is great news for folks using the project as a guide to what's nearby in Lake Frederick - recording these common species can help to educate folks on what they can see during that first walk along the trail. This is exactly why this project was created - to help interested naturalists at the lake get a head start by learning one or two things and feeling the excitement of walking through a forest full of old acquaintances.

Without further ado, here are some of newly recorded common inhabitants. Learn these by heart and you'll any lake visitors by knowing seemingly 100% of everything that lives nearby ;-)

• Plants & tree recordings (Black Willow, Pignut Hickory, Chestnut Oak, Virginia Creeper, Japanese Stiltgrass, Helmet Skullcap, and more)
• Milky Slug (distinct from our frequent Leopard Slug)
• Green Heron (smaller cousin to the noble Great Blue Heron's)
• Green Russula (a common mushroom, but slightly less common than it's red cousins)
• Common Gray Moth
• Viper's Bugloss (a beautiful and notable plant when flowering!)
• Pickerel Frog

Our blog post on the results of the BioBlitz has now been published.

Thanks again for all your plant finds, and keep observing!

Today I introduce you to a friend I am lucky to have in my garden: Mylabris quadripunctata
We call them 'escarabajo de 4 puntos', or "4 pointed beetle".
This beetle's diet consists mainly of polen when adult, but when in larval state likes to eat eggs and larvae of grasshoppers, those bulimic enemies!
So, I hope you have some of these in your garden too!

This year the grasshoppers are just too many, especially in Asia where they are leading to famine.

Уважаемые студенты!
Сегодня пятница. Завтра мы должны закончить ботаническую часть. Около половины курса по моей флористической части близки к зачету.
Подведение итогов -- дело трудоемкое. Поэтому отстающих (а таких много!) я прошу обратить внимание на ваши наблюдения. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pmmyFLtPHsA
Deadline -- суббота, 15.оо. К этому времени вы должны выложить требуемое (и подтвержденное!!!!) число наблюдений. А мне до ночи считать итоги, вас много... :-/

Всем успехов!
СМ

It was our second round in the forest.....earlier in the afternoon just after reaching we did our first park round through canter and saw 2 tigers (T19 Krishna and cub). It was a separate sighting and the cub was fast asleep. T19 was as usual acting like super mom searching for food and was about to attack a spotted deer but gave up as the deer was not within its attack radius.

The second park round was supposed to be more fruitful since it was in the morning. We were in Gypsies, a group of 6 persons per Gypsy, so less noise and a smoother drive aided in optimum eye level photography. We were allotted Zone No. 1 which is supposed to be good and area of Noor and her 2 male cubs. We drove looking for birds and other things. Suddenly i noticed something and I asked the driver to stop the car - It was a Striped Hyena - one of the rare / uncommon sightings and even odd for that particular time in the morning. Our guide / driver was losing his cool & was showing signs of being irritated as we were stopping for each and every bird and for so called "common" things. Suddenly we heard an alarm call of Spotted Deer as well as Hanuman Langurs. We stopped and waited for a few minutes.However, the alarm call diminished soon and the reason could have been a male tiger /tigress who could have been sitting camouflaged by the tall grass. We drove further ahead and after some time we saw a bunch of gypsies standing near a rock wall. A cub was sitting on the cliff and watching us curiously. This was the junior cub of Noor ( we came to know about this eventually).... we parked our jeep and started shooting the "Male" cub, the fellow Jeep members whispered that there is another tiger cub behind the rock wall. This funny cub was running behind the Painted Spurfowl or the Langurs above. This was a "poser" male cub and was giving fantastic poses and with lots of facial expressions. Suddenly he vanished behind the rock and we all were disappointed.....but just after a gap of 5 minutes he re-appeared and sat on the top of the rock facing other side. Soon the second cub appeared and sat just in front of his brother but we could see only his ears and some portion of his head..

Soon this "cartoon" cub started running for the passing Hanuman Langurs and just appeared in front of our Jeep. We captured hundreds of his antics on camera . Somehow we were dreaming for the second cub to come forwards and sit next to his brother so that we can click "The Two Brothers" together. But the cub behind was not at all in the mood to move from his position. All of a sudden the first cub was very curious and watching intently behind our jeep. We were thinking that it must be his mommy returning to the cubs. This fellow was making funny faces but highly aware of his surroundings. We were also curious why the cub was so restless and alert. Soon he got up and started to climb on to the rock... which was just above us! and if by chance he jumped from there, he would have landed directly on our jeep! We all sat quietly and observed carefully.... carefully as he might jump on us but at the same time with the hope that we may get some good shots. Somehow one of the tourists in the back jeep saw a spotted female deer approaching the lake next to our jeep. Now we all realised that "this " is the thing for which the cub was so restless and active. This was a learning curve for me ... that how a small cub (about 14/16 months old) can smell a prey from such a long distance. He started stalking on the rock itself..... but he was on the high rock at the right side... then down on the road we are in 3/4 jeeps... and then at the left side of our jeep (road) there was a small lake where the Spotted Deer was approaching for water. The cub started making faces and showed his hyperactive side. The deer approached slowly towards the water...now the second male also smelled the "prey" and stood up on the spot. The poor deer was unaware about the danger that awaited them at the paws of the two mighty predators. The deer started drinking water slowly... the second cub came forward and now he was on the edge of the rock. The rock was approx 12/15 feet tall. He took some time and then he started crouching and stalking......all were mesmerized and engrossed with the act.

Many fellow photographers were lost in the scene and forgot about the photography and were simply enjoying the thrill. I was quite focused and glued to the 1.5 centimeter viewfinder and never left the viewfinder as i wanted to catch the drama. Of course there were 5 jeeps in front of us so I was aware that we might miss the "hunt"but I was hoping for the best and concentrated on my "viewfinder" only though it was my maiden attempt to capture the kill in front of me. At that point of time my whole life was concentrated in that 1.5 cm viewfinder and of course for that Spotted Deer. Within a fraction of a second the second cub leaped from the rock and crossed the road in front of the jeeps and chased the deer. The deer sensed the danger and started running away helter skelter... but the cub was too fast and powerful and he smacked him with his mighty paw... the deer was thrown away just like a football... but the cub pounced on him again and pressed the deer on the ground and just sat there for many minutes.... just like a winner with the trophy... it might be his first ever individual hunt without the help of mother "Noor". The first cub, which also ran behind the deer as a backup plan, calmly went away and sat a few feet away from the kill and the trophy winning brother.... may be a tad upset as he missed his "kill". As the kill was pressed in the ground and was not visible due to a log and some bushes in front, we missed the feasting shots. We were only able to click pictures of the cub with his face painted in the deer's blood whenever he grasped the leg, neck and lifted the kill.

Today I visited Topanga State Park...or tried anyway. When I arrived the street was jammed with more cars than I’ve ever seen for a fairly early weekday. I’m finding trails are busier than ever...which is not a welcoming sight to me. I ended up going back down Entrada and parking in the little dirt lot that has a trail that meets up with the dead horse trail. Unfortunately I really couldn’t handle the extreme humidity and the constant gnats following me around.

Consequently I didn’t go far and didn’t stay long. In keeping with one of my purposes for this journal, I am trying to highlight at least one find I make each time I’m out. I didn’t find anything spectacular, but I did find one sort of interesting insect which I’ve included below. I’m still trying to research it but I don’t think I’ve seen one like this before though the angle is not ideal.

I also thought I’d highlight one more insect from my visit to Santa Ynez canyon yesterday which was new to me. Incredibly small, there were actually a pair of these gall wasp parasitoid insects sitting on top of the gall. They’re pretty cool looking insects.

Первый день Югорского Челленджа стартовал!

Команда организаторов Челленджа постаралась рекламировать мероприятие и мы ждем, что участников будет много! Сделано около сотни перепостов в соцсетях, афиша мероприятия и видео-ролик получили вместе около 6,5 тысяч просмотров, была разослана информационка по научным, образовательным и природоохранным организациям, приглашены к участию три школьных лагеря из поселков Шапша, Луговской и Ярки. Будем следить за соревнованием, оно обещает быть веселым!

В числе участников 8 населенных пунктов (в их границах можно делать и загружать наблюдения). Табло на 9 часов утра первого дня соревнования выглядит так:

Первый день Югорского Челленджа стартовал!

Команда организаторов Челленджа постаралась рекламировать мероприятие и мы ждем, что участников будет много! Сделано около сотни перепостов в соцсетях, афиша мероприятия и видео-ролик получили вместе около 6,5 тысяч просмотров, была разослана информационка по научным, образовательным и природоохранным организациям, приглашены к участию три школьных лагеря из поселков Шапша, Луговской и Ярки. Будем следить за соревнованием, оно обещает быть веселым!

В числе участников 8 населенных пунктов (в их границах можно делать и загружать наблюдения). Табло на 9 часов утра первого дня соревнования выглядит так:

Позиция	Проект	Количество
1	Челлендж городской природы Югры / Шапша	35
2	Челлендж городской природы Югры / Ханты-Мансийск	15
3	Челлендж городской природы Югры / Белоярский	0
4	Челлендж городской природы Югры / Луговской	0
5	Челлендж городской природы Югры / Мегион	0
6	Челлендж городской природы Югры / Нефтеюганск	0
7	Челлендж городской природы Югры / Нижневартовск	0
8	Челлендж городской природы Югры / Советский	0
9	Челлендж городской природы Югры / Сургут	0
10	Челлендж городской природы Югры / Ярки	0

Приглашаем всех принять участие в мировом биоблитце по наблюдению за живой природой в это воскресенье 16 августа.

Для участие необходимо нажать "присоединиться" в проекте https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/socially-distant-bioblitz-8-16-2020. После этого все ваши наблюдения сделанные в течение 16 августа автоматически станут участниками мероприятия!

Что такое «биоблиц»? Биоблиц - это способ документировать биоразнообразие вашего участка, города или региона путем регистрации всех видов растений, животных, грибов и других организмов в течение определенного периода времени и в определенном месте. Это может быть пищевая моль в вашей кладовой, кричащие издалека земноводные, пауки в вашей квартире, растения на тротуаре, голуби, летающие у крыльца вашего дома... любой живой организм, который вы видите или слышите! Можно загружать как изображения так и звуки. Многочисленные эксперты-ученые помогут вам определить, что за существо вы увидели!

Если приглядеться, жизнь вокруг нас очень многообразна и чрезвычайно интересна!

@a-lapin, @aij, @ailar, @aleksandrbushuev, @alekseipopov, @alesya_abramovskih, @alex_ru, @alexandra_emelyanova, @alexey43, @alexfomalse, @alexkurilov, @alexsmrru, @alexsov, @alexzhadan, @algiztiwar, @alinapetrova, @alsu-nabieva, @alyona8, @anastasa, @anastasia_trait, @anastasiapopelskaya, @anastasiyarushchitc, @anastris, @andrew_garn, @angelika_27, @angelina57, @anna_petintseva, @anna846, @annaham, @anri_litops, @anteyantey, @antonbunakov, @antonchechulin, @antoninacool, @argitron, @artem19, @arxeni, @aslanalexander, @at0m, @beetle23, @black_cat74, @boom4, @brodaga59, @bystrova_anastasiya, @c0smas, @cdolnik, @celepharn, @chevenguretc, @chibi, @colpachoque, @cuprum1, @daria_l, @dariaorl, @darinahabibulina, @darya14, @debosh, @den4ik, @denis138, @dim_ecobot, @dinag, @dinanesterkova, @dora_k, @drlina, @e_plant, @edeltan, @efimova-anastasiya, @ekaterinagreen, @eleinaya, @elena_garipova, @elena_pismarkina, @elena2197, @eliooblomoff, @elizabeth632, @enkel, @entomokot, @escander, @etholog, @etoninos, @evelina_ishmukhametova, @evgen_gu, @evgenypopov, @fancydock, @farida11, @ftorftor, @g_kolotin, @galinasergeeva, @galla, @gamper, @geobot306, @geratoroot, @gilmanova_a, @glebnsk, @golovinandrey, @igor_b, @igorderevskov, @igragon, @iliakuzin, @ilvina, @ilyagubaydullin, @ilyastolyarov, @ilyayegorov, @ionina19, @iraair, @isakovdenisrussia, @ivanovdg19, @izkrys, @jadrena_kopot, @jamesfranklin, @jane437, @jilenych, @juliyagolovina, @katrin2303, @keyn, @kildor, @klinlink, @kolianxoroshui, @kolovskaya, @kompot, @konstantinb, @kotovmm, @kristail, @krivosheev, @krovosnork, @ksenia16_yearsold, @kseniashkar, @larkina_anastasia, @legotinus, @lenlem, @leska_ural, @lesyal, @linara_khusnullina, @lirael, @liza2011, @madmanserg, @maglove, @makarova, @maksimkhusainov, @maksimprilepin, @maksimshmakov, @mardarinka, @margarita105, @mariashevlyakova, @mariasht, @mary_she, @mary_siba, @marykecykey, @maxim_ismaylov, @miailmenskaya1, @miecslaw, @mihail13, @mikvik, @miracl, @mirav, @mirzasitara, @misterrew, @mulikov_a_m, @nadezhdaklimova, @nadyablaginina, @nadyavalova, @nastasya40, @nastyal, @natalechka09, @nataliataiga, @naturalastya, @naturalist11269, @naturalist11840, @naturalist12119, @naturalist12129, @naturalist12247, @naturalist12463, @naturalist14213, @naturalist14564, @naturalist14693, @naturalist14954, @naturalist15169, @naturalist15373, @naturalist16184, @naturalist16478, @naturalist16505, @naturalist16619, @naturalist18368, @naturalist19697, @naturalist20925, @naturalist25236, @naturalist2524, @naturalist28512, @naturalist29406, @naturalist29743, @naturalist29748, @naturalist30082, @naturalist30800, @naturalist31944, @naturalist33481, @naturalist34329, @naturalist35182, @naturalist35578, @naturalist35929, @naturalist36982, @naturalist36ii560, @naturalist37061, @naturalist37602, @naturalist37655, @naturalist37897, @naturalist38316, @naturalist38555, @naturalist38775, @naturalist38986, @naturalist39094, @naturalist391331, @naturalist39224, @naturalist39313, @naturalist39411, @naturalist39700, @naturalist39986, @naturalist40182, @naturalist40277, @naturalist40309, @naturalist40335, @naturalist40810, @naturalist41296, @naturalist41880, @naturalist5416, @naturalist6126, @nestboxer, @nikita_2002, @nikmort, @odonata159, @okaravaeva, @olga0312, @olga207, @olgalukina, @olgash118, @oshwa, @pearlplum, @permyakov_artur, @physicalkids, @polivin_emil, @rejoin, @renatalat, @renatgeo, @romanov-aleksey-88, @romansmirnov, @rubyvic, @rumpelstiltskin, @safinailina, @salima_samigullina, @samosvetlana, @sanatin, @savelich, @semapyast, @sergeygerasimov, @sevaskras, @shevchenkoaleksandr, @shinotougen, @sitnikoweg, @sky_train, @skyfish, @sofi2010, @sonches, @stefansamodurov, @stepangrebnev2005, @sundry_divers, @svetlanaalekseevna, @svetlanaishkaeva, @svg_demid_klimec, @svg52, @svstrizh, @t_avi, @talaykina, @tanniii66, @tany_gu, @tatiana-zlata, @tetushka_polly, @teya1, @thegriglat, @tr3gl_svg, @urmansky, @vadim_prokhorov, @vadimchel, @vaglazunov, @valentinashved, @valentinka_bbc, @valentyna_and_midgedoctor, @varya2, @vasyami, @vedamir, @velichutina, @victoriadf, @vita_club, @vlada_karabatova, @vladimir_teplouhov, @vladimirarkhipov, @vladimirfedin, @vladimirkharuk, @yanabel, @yanaglm, @yanakuchina, @yanazhuribida, @yanochkinalive, @yaraptichkina, @yarema_olga, @yaroslavmagazov, @youtube1, @yulia23, @zaratussstra, @zefirka, @zgupkabedlya, @zverevaangelikaaleksandrovna

In 1964 an entomologist name Bliven published a paper describing 6 new species of Okanagana "endemic" to California". Holotypes and a couple paratypes of each were deposited, and then the species were promptly forgotten about as nobody else had ever seen them.
O. rhadine
O. orithya
O. pernix
O. sequoiae

O. salicicola
O. vocalis

Cut to 53 years later when a chance discovery led us to believe that maybe Bliven was not quite as... off... as he had seemed: One of the species was rediscovered. The details on that are currently private, but it gave rise to the obvious question: if one, why no the rest. That brings us to 2020, when @birdernaturalist found this individual while helping collect cicadas:
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/55435090 An individual that is quite likely O. sequoiae! Further examination will be necessary to confirm it. However, this is from Eugene, OR, not northern California, and as though the very dim bulb that lives in my head went on for a change, it occurred to me to ask "what if he just badly mistook the range of his species?". Rather than endemic to northern California, what if that was the southern part of the range of a mostly Oregon group of species.

This led to a quest. Was another Bliven species already on iNaturalist just waiting to be identified. As it turns out, it was. @umpquamatt photographed this individual of Okanagana rhadine 3 years ago.

https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/7247167

And as though the cosmic cicada forces came together, yesterday a friend in Eugene collected one! Now 3 were down, and there were 3 to go. When will they appear I don't know, but I no longer doubt that they will!

Hairy Matilija Poppy (Romneya trichocalyx)
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/6573028 by @johnmartin

Coulter's Matilija Poppy (Romneya coulteri)
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/42735058 by @finatic

The flowers of Matilija poppies are so spectacular that it is easy to overlook other defining characteristics of the two species, Hairy Matilija Poppy (Romneya trichocalyx) and Coulter’s Matilija Poppy (R. coulteri), both of which are found in San Diego County. If present, unopened flower buds are most helpful in separating the two species. The sepals of R. coulteri are without hairs, while the sepals of R. trichocalyx are hairy as seen in our observations of the month. Usually, the sepals of R. coulteri form a distinct beak at the top of the bud; R. trichocalyx has no beaking or only indistinct beaking.

R. trichocalyx with bud showing hairy sepals and no beaking. (c) John Martin. CC by-NC

R. coulteri with buds showing sepals without hairs but with beaking. (c) BJ Stacey.

Unfortunately, the sepals fall off shortly after the flowers open. The peduncle (flower stem) of R. trichocalyx may be bristly at the top; the peduncle of R. coulteri has no hairs. The flowers, leaves, and fruits of R. trichocalyx may be smaller than the flowers, leaves, and fruits of R. coulteri, but there is much overlap, so measurements of these structures won’t hurt, but often they will not be helpful. Although the fruits appear distinctive, both species have similar hairy fruits. If seeds are present, R. coulteri will have bumpy, dark brown seeds, while the seeds of R. trichocalyx are smooth and usually lighter brown.

When R. coulteri was first described in 1845, it was the only species in the genus. In Asa Gray’s 1878 Synoptical Flora of North America, its distributional range was described as extending from Ventura County (home of Matilija Canyon) south to Baja California. In 1898, Alice Eastwood described Romneya coulteri var. trichocalyx which is currently a separate species (R. trichocalyx) on the Jepson eFlora, the Checklist of Vascular Plants of San Diego County (4th Ed.) and other authorities. The distributional range of naturally occurring R. coulteri is more limited than that of R. trichocalyx. Until widespread introduction of R. coulteri, both were found from Ventura County south to just a short distance into San Diego County, but only R. trichocalyx was expected in the rest of San Diego County and in Baja California. Matilija poppies have been wildly popular with gardeners for many years. R. coulteri (or a cultivar, possibly a hybrid of the two species) has been planted in many places throughout San Diego County. Plants readily spread through their underground rhizomes.

All this makes it important when posting observations to iNaturalist that you include more than just a photo of the flower to identify which species of Matilija poppy you have observed. Ideally, your observation will include a closeup of an unopened bud. If the Matilija poppy you observed was planted (even if in a “natural area”), be sure to check the box for “Captive/Cultivated” to indicate it is not naturally occurring at that location.

The spectacular blooms of Matilija poppies prompted Mary Elizabeth Parsons to call R. coulteri “the queen of all our flowers” in her 1907 book The Wild Flowers of California. R. coulteri also has the distinction of having the largest flower of any native plant from California.

As natural history goes digital, it is experiencing a renaissance. Natural history — one of biology’s oldest disciplines — is often trivialized as an outdated pastime, and not a true scientific discipline, even though it underpins much of modern biology.

https://theconversation.com/amp/the-next-invasion-of-insect-pests-will-be-discovered-via-social-media-143527

from Court & Forster 1988:

C. atrihastula ladderweb - typically 3x taller than wide - usually parallel to trunk, 1-3cm gap - hub is messy and heavy with silk lateral reniform lines on the carapace are wide have never been found in *Pison* nests

C. subcompta orbweb - typcally as tall as it is wide - placed at right angles to trunk - hub is messy and heavy with silk lateral reniform lines on the carapace are narrow often found in *Pison* nests

Come join the fun from the 18th to 27th September 2020 for the Great Kererū Count, NZ’s only large-scale community science project dedicated to kererū.

Hi all

"In 1990 I (Kevin J. Cook) had the remarkable good fortune to spend a week with Roger Tory Peterson. I could write a book about that one week, but for now I only want to emphasize the importance of one particular conversation." read full story here https://www.reporterherald.com/2020/08/12/wildlife-window-time-to-study-up-on-the-gray-wolf/.

Thanks Gary

Hi all

Sharing ... For the July Nature Almanac, Scott Severs and Ruth Carol Cushman join a secret friend at his hummingbird haven near Lyons (CO), spotting hummingbirds and talking about healthy ways to feed them or provide their favorite flowers. Listen here https://news.kgnu.org/2020/08/nature-almanac-hummingbird-haven/.

Thanks Gary

Hi Everyone!

I want the new/ amateur photographers take some great pics, so their observations can be more easily identified :-) (myself included,lol!).

Check out this slide show for useful tips to make recording fun, see you soon!
https://botanydepot.com/2020/07/27/presentation-how-to-photograph-plants-and-more/

Several species are unterrepresented in my observations. If they do not appear that often in my observations it does not mean that they occour with the same frequency in my area. They are usually quite common. I usually take photos of flower visiting or resting insects in areas with decent light condition.

This affects in general:

Everything living in shadowed or dark environment
Most tiny insects below 2mm size.
Apis melifera
Vespula sp.
Polistes sp.
Formicidae
Heteroptera
Oxythyrea funesta
Cetonia aurata
Nematocera
Arachnida
Haematopota pluvialis

Hi everyone!

Just wanted to say thank you to everyone that participated in this bioblitz! There were some incredible observations made, and I was really impressed with the turn-out! It was a true pleasure getting to meet some of the top naturalists in the Houston area and to learn about some of your experiences with nature. I learned so much about the wildlife in this region and had a blast doing it, so thank you all again for making this possible! Hope y'all had fun as well!

Looks like most observations have been uploaded at this time, so I will begin identifying plant species with the refuge botanist later today. He's been familiar with the plants on the Mid-Coast refuges for the last 20 years, so we are very thankful to have his guidance. Unfortunately, the refuge doesn't have an entomologist so I'm asking you guys to help one last time in identifying insects! :)

We had a large number of insect observations (41.6%), now let's try and get the correct identifications for all these species to boost our research-grade observations for the project. Only identify the species if you are comfortable doing so. It's okay if you don't know, there's bound to be someone who will.

----------------------------------------------Closing Thoughts--------------------------------------------------------

-We reached 1,500+ observations with 526 species (and still counting!), WOOOOW!

-Over 200 people contributed (including identifiers)

-We nearly doubled the observation count at San Bernard in a single weekend

-We added at least 200 new species to the San Bernard iNaturalist page

-Overall, bioblitz was a great success! Thank you all!

Hope to meet some of you again. Let me know if you hear of any other bioblitz coming up in the future, I'd love to help!

Seems I'm out of luck (unless I embed, and honestly I can't be bothered).

It's the time of year when the insect orchestra has tuned up. As you travel the trail, keep and eye out (or rather, keep and ear out) for singing insects that you see or hear along the trail. Remember that iNaturalist can accept sound files to use for identification as well as pictures. The voice memo feature on most mobile phones can be a sufficient way of capturing insect song. Have fun and enjoy the concert!

In many parts of the world including much of Europe, gulls are the most predictable and least interesting birds around the shoreline. In Hong Kong, though, a gull comes as a bit of a surprise. Along the sea wall at Tolo Harbour today, the expected egrets (little and great) were resting. Among them, a dark brown shape was evidently that of an immature gull. Its dark plumage, black tail and black-tipped pink bill pointed to a juvenile black-tailed gull, a common gull in Japan and Eastern China.

Consulting Viney & Phillips' guide to Hong Kong Birds (I still use the 1983 edition!) revealed two interesting facts: most black-tailed gulls seen in HK are immatures, and the species 'particularly favours Tolo Harbour' (whereas other gulls are mostly seen in Deep Bay). So this bird was at least in the right place, though not exactly at the right time: according to E-bird records, immatures are not expected until late August or September.

Сетчатокрылые - Neuroptera Linnaeus, 1758
Гемеробииды - Hemerobiidae Latreille, 1802
Гемероб разводчатый - Micromus variegatus Fabricius, 1793
Автор наблюдения: @rovzap [2]
Ссылка на наблюдение:
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/54240647

Прямокрылые - Orthoptera Latreille, 1793
Настоящие Сверчки - Gryllidae Laicharding, 1781
Стеблевой сверчок - Oecanthus Scopoli, 176
Автор наблюдения: @ikskyrskobl [1]
Ссылка на наблюдение:
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/53075518#activity_identification_117114015

Ручейники - Trichoptera Kirby, 1813
Фриганеиды - Phryganeidae Leach, 1815
Ручейник большой - Phryganea grandis Linnaeus, 1758
Автор наблюдения: [1]
Ссылка на наблюдение:
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/54186773

Хордовые - Chordata Bateson, 1885
Лучепёрые рыбы - Actinopterygii Klein, 1885
Карпообразные - Cypriniformes
Карповые - Cyprinidae
Быстрянка - Alburnoides bipunctatus Bloch, 1782
Автор наблюдения: @ev_sklyar [6]
Ссылка на наблюдение:
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/54454880
Отчёт подготовлен: @ikskyrskobl

Животные - Animalia Linnaeus, 1758
Членистоногие - Arthropoda Siebold, 1848
Насекомые - Insecta Linnaeus, 1758
Жесткокрылые - Coleoptera Linnaeus, 1758
Жужелицы - Carabidae Latreille, 1802

Тускляк крестоцветный - Amara ovata Fabricius, 1792
Автор наблюдения: @ikskyrskobl [1]
Ссылка на наблюдение: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/51709686

Долихус фаленсис - Dolichus halensis Schaller, 1783
Автор наблюдения: @sleepysugar [5]
Ссылка на наблюдение:
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/54444037

Долгоносики - Curculionidae Latreille, 1802
Цветоед малинный - Anthonomus rubi Herbst, 1795
Автор наблюдения: @rovzap [2]
Ссылка на наблюдение:
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/52658494

Двукрылые - Diptera Linnaeus, 1758
Тахины - Tachinidae Robineau-Desvoidy, 1830
Эриотрикс руфомакулята - Eriothrix rufomaculata DeGeer, 1776
Автор наблюдения: [2]
Ссылка на наблюдение:
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/54087268

Галлицы - Cecidomyiidae Newman, 1834
Желчная мошка - Iteomyia capreae Winnertz, 1853
Автор наблюдения: [1]
Ссылка на наблюдение:
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/55746649#activity_identification_123154611

Полужёсткокрылые - Hemiptera Linnaeus, 1758
Цикадки - Cicadellidae Latreille, 1802
Агуриафана - Aguriahana Distant, 1918
Автор наблюдения: [2]
Ссылка на наблюдение:
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/53350558

Аллигус - Allygus Fieber, 1875
Автор наблюдения: [1]
Ссылка на наблюдение:
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/54441014#activity_identification_119925562

Япананус - Japananus Ball, 1931
Автор наблюдения: [2]
Ссылка на наблюдение:
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/53361564

Кружевницы - Tingidae Laporte, 1832
Диктиля эхии - Dictyla echii Schrank, 1782
Автор наблюдения: [1]
Ссылка на наблюдение: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/52272443

Перепончатокрылые - Hymenoptera Linnaeus, 1758
Настоящие Наездники - Ichneumonidae Haliday, 1838
Гэлис арэатор - Gelis areator Panzer, 1804
Автор наблюдения: [2]
Ссылка на наблюдение: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/51937590

Мегахилиды - Megachilidae Latreille, 1802
Шерстобит флорентийский - Anthidium florentinum Fabricius,1775
Автор наблюдения: [1]
Ссылка на наблюдение: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/52170400
Пчела-шерстобит - Anthidium manicatum Linnaeus, 1758
Автор наблюдения: [1]
Ссылка на наблюдение: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/52172131

Чешуекрылые - Lepidoptera Linnaeus, 1758
Почковые Моли - Argyresthiidae Bruand, 1850
Вишнёвая побеговая моль - Argyresthia pruniella Clerck, 1759
Автор наблюдения: [2]
Ссылка на наблюдение:
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/54186065

Чехлоноски - Coleophoridae Hübner, 1825
Мэтриотэс лютарэа - Metriotes lutarea Haworth, 1828
Автор наблюдения: @yriysokolov73 [4]
Ссылка на наблюдение:
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/53933031

Огнёвки-травянки - Crambidae Latreille, 1810
Пирауста рэктэфасциалис - Pyrausta rectefascialis Toll, 1936
Автор наблюдения: [2]
Ссылка на наблюдение:
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/52936951

Эребиды - Erebidae Leach, 1815
Лишайница четырёхпятнистая - Lithosia quadra Linnaeus, 1758
Автор наблюдения: [1]
Ссылка на наблюдение:
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/52652782

Монашенка - Lymantria monacha Linnaeus, 1758
Автор наблюдения: [1]
Ссылка на наблюдение:
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/54187716

Совка красно-зеленая - Phytometra viridaria Clerck, 1759
Автор наблюдения: [2]
Ссылка на наблюдение:
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/54380489

Моли выемчатокрылые - Gelechiidae Stainton, 1854
Исофриктис - Isophrictis Meyrick, 1917
Автор наблюдения: [2]
Ссылка на наблюдение:
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/53816567

Пяденицы - Geometridae Leach, 1815
Пяденица Малая Дождевая - Idaea aversata Linnaeus, 1758
Автор наблюдения: [2]
Ссылка на наблюдение:
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/52647454

Пяденица малая половинчатая - Idaea dimidiata Hufnagel, 1767
Автор наблюдения: [2]
Ссылка на наблюдение:
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/53444677

Малая пяденица красноватая - Idaea muricata Hufnagel, 1767
Автор наблюдения: [2]
Ссылка на наблюдение:
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/53572555

Моли-пестрянки - Gracillariidae Stainton, 1854
Парорникс - Parornix Spuler, 1910
Автор наблюдения: [2]
Ссылка на наблюдение:
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/53925613

Совки - Noctuidae Latreille, 1809
Совка ивовая - Apterogenum ypsillon Denis & Schiffermuller, 1775
Автор наблюдения: [1]
Ссылка на наблюдение: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/51898093

Совка полосатая серебристая - Mythimna ferrago Fabricius, 1787
Автор наблюдения: [1]
Ссылка на наблюдение:
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/51898355

Совка злаковая двуцветная - Mesoligia furuncula Denis & Schiffermuller, 1775
Автор наблюдения: [1]
Ссылка на наблюдение:
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/54680062#activity_identification_120383938

Совка полосатая бахромчатая - Mythimna turca Linnaeus, 1761
Автор наблюдения: [1]
Ссылка на наблюдение: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/51898004

Схиниа кардуи - Schinia cardui Hubner, 1790
Автор наблюдения: @zibzap [6]
Ссылка на наблюдение:
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/54813095

Совка двухточечная - Xestia baja Denis & Schiffermüller, 1775
Автор наблюдения: [1]
Ссылка на наблюдение:
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/54186974#activity_identification_119399483

Хохлатки - Notodontidae Stephens, 1829
Кисточница Хвостатая - Clostera curtula Linnaeus, 1758
Автор наблюдения: [1]
Ссылка на наблюдение:
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/54185658

Мрачные моли - Scythrididae Rebel, 1901
бахромчатая мрачная моль - Scythris limbella Fabricius, 1775
Автор наблюдения: [2]
Ссылка на наблюдение: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/51792053

Листовёртки - Tortricidae Latreille, 1803
Листовёртка кленовая - Acleris forsskaleana Linnaeus, 1758
Автор наблюдения: [2]
Ссылка на наблюдение:
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/53926918

Листовертка земляничная - Ancylis comptana Frölich, 1828
Автор наблюдения: [2]
Ссылка на наблюдение:
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/53703103

Кнэфазиа - Cnephasia Curtis, 1826
Автор наблюдения: [1]
Ссылка на наблюдение:
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/52325256

Кохилис паллидана - Cochylis pallidana Zeller, 1847
Автор наблюдения: [2]
Ссылка на наблюдение:
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/53354087

Эвкосма виммерана - Eucosma wimmerana Treitschke, 1835
Автор наблюдения: [2]
Ссылка на наблюдение:
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/51616273

Ивовая кривоусая листовёртка - Pandemis heparana Denis & Schiffermüller, 1775
Автор наблюдения: [2]
Ссылка на наблюдение:
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/53183589

Филедонэ гэрнингана - Philedone gerningana Denis & Schiffermuller, 1775
Автор наблюдения: [2]
Ссылка на наблюдение:
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/52693618

Виноградная листовёртка - Sparganothis pilleriana Denis & Schiffermüller, 1775
Автор наблюдения: [2]
Ссылка на наблюдение:
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/52549700

Полынная листовёртка - Thiodia citrana Hübner, 1799
Автор наблюдения: [2]
Ссылка на наблюдение:
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/52549462

Серпокрылые моли - Ypsolophidae Guenee, 1845
Серпокрылая Моль Шероховатая - Ypsolopha scabrella Linnaeus, 1761
Автор наблюдения: [2]
Ссылка на наблюдение:
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/54026012
Отчёт подготовлен: @ikskyrskobl

Хромисты - Chromista Cavalier-Smith, 1981
Оомицеты - Oomycetes G. Winter, 1880
Альбугиналес - Albuginales
Альбуговые - Albuginaceae J. Schröt., 1893
Вильсониана - Wilsoniana
Автор наблюдения: @ikskyrskobl [1]
Ссылка на наблюдение:
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/54047890#activity_identification_120174369

Грибы - Fungi Bartl., 1830
Агарикомицеты - Agaricomycetes Doweld, 2001
Болетовые - Boletales E.-J.Gilbert, 1931
Болетовые - Boletaceae Chevall., 1828
Нэоболетус ксантопус - Neoboletus xanthopus
Автор наблюдения: @ikskyrskobl [1]
Ссылка на наблюдение:
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/51702171

Леоциомицеты - Leotiomycetes O.E. Erikss. & Winka, 1997
Мучнистая Роса - Erysiphales Gwynne-Vaughan, 1922
Эризифовые - Erysiphaceae
Подосфера - Podosphaera Kunze
Автор наблюдения: @ikskyrskobl [1]
Ссылка на наблюдение:
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/53162577

Пукциниомицеты - Pucciniomycetes R. Bauer, Begerow, J.P. Samp., M. Weiss & Oberw
Пукциниевые - Pucciniales Clem. & Shear, 1931
Колеоспориевые - Coleosporiaceae Dietel 1900
Колеоспориум кампануле - Coleosporium campanulae Tul. 1854
Автор наблюдения: @ikskyrskobl [1]
Ссылка на наблюдение:
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/52921294#activity_identification_116821879

Животные - Animalia Linnaeus, 1758
Членистоногие - Arthropoda Siebold, 1848
Паукообразные - Arachnida Cuvier, 1812
Пауки - Araneae Clerck, 1757
Пауки-Тенётники - Theridiidae Sundevall, 1833
Стеатода Крупная - Steatoda grossa C. L. Koch, 1838
Автор наблюдения: @ikskyrskobl [1]
Ссылка на наблюдение:
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/54823787#activity_comment_5140244

Акариформные Клещи - Acariformes Zakhvatkin, 1952
Эндэостигмата - Endeostigmata Reuter, 1909
Эриофииды - Eriophyidae Nalepa, 1898
Осиновый бугорчатый клещик - Phyllocoptes populi Nalepa, 1894
Автор наблюдения: @dni_capito [3]
Ссылка на наблюдение:
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/52791968
Отчёт подготовлен: @ikskyrskobl

Hi all,

We have decided to only include observations that have a fairly accurate location (< 1km) in the SAEON Grade 11 Science Camp competition. We want to encourage you to upload good quality data, which is useful to the scientific community.

Please make sure that all your new observations (you can also go back and edit the location of old one - see the previous post) have a location accuracy of less than 1 km (1 000 when uploading, it's in meters). While these observations with vague locations (where the accuracy is more than 1km) will be seen in the iNaturalist project they will not be counted in the competition.

Keep it up! We are looking forward to seeing many more observations in the next two weeks.

Caitlin

PS: You contact Nozi, Joe or Thomas if you have any questions.

Дорогие друзья!
Процесс бурно развивается, не успеваю пока все проверить и отследить. Есть лидеры, есть отстающие. Надеюсь, что последние подтянутся.
Но у меня вот какая к вам просьба/пожелание. Наблюдения на iNaturalist компилируются мировой базой данных по биоразнообразию GBIF—the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (https://www.gbif.org/). Те из них, которые получили "исследовательский уровень", приобретают статус электронного документа.
Поэтому желательно, чтобы в вашем профиле были реальные фамилия и имя (или хотя бы инициалы). При обычной работе все видят вас по никнейму, а при необходимости обращаются или цитируют вас по-человечески.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jxQROQE8UUY

Большое всем спасибо за наблюдения! Уточняем распространение растений флоры России.

СМ

INDIGENOUS TREES FOUND IN TOKAI

This list includes only the indigenous trees that occur naturally in the Tokai area. Many other trees alien to Tokai, were planted in the Tokai Arboretum and elsewhere. Where invasive these are listed under invasives. The official tree number is given and used to sort the species.

Found in forest:
18 Real Yellowwood Podocarpus latifolius (Yellowwood Family)
39 White Stinkwood Celtis africana (Elm)
118 Stinkwood Ocotea bullata (Bay)
140 Red Alder Cunonia capensis (Wild Alder)
224 Cape Rattlepod Crotalaria capensis (Pea)
397 Cape Holly Ilex mitis (Holly)
398 Silky Bark Maytenus acuminata (Spike Thorn)
414 Cape Saffron Cassine peragua (Spike Thorn)
418 Spoonwood Cassine schinoides (Spike Thorn)
422 White Pear Apodytes dimidiata (White Pear)
451 Cat-thorn Scutia myrtina (Buckthorn)
513 Hard Pear Olinia ventosa (Hard Pear)
570 Assegai Curtisia dentata (Dogwood)
578 Cape Beech Rapanea melanophloeos (Myrsine)
611 Bladder Nut Diospyros whyteana (Ebony)
615 Fine-leaf Ironwood Chionanthus foveolatus (Olive)
618.2 Ironwood Olea capensis subsp. macrocarpa (Olive)
670 Tree Fuchsia Halleria lucida (Snapdragon)
710 Rock Alder Canthium mundianum (Onionwood)

Found in Fynbos:
20 Mountain Cedar Widdringtonia nodiflora (Cedar Family)
72 Wild almond Brabejum stellatifolium (Sugarbush)
77 Silvertree Leucadendron argenteum (Sugarbush)
78 Peninsula Conebush Leucadendron strobilinum (Sugarbush)
84 Green Tee Pincushion Leucospermum conocarpodendron subsp viridum (Sugarbush)
86 Wagontree Protea nitida (Sugarbush)
90.5 Black-beard Sugarbush Protea lepidocarpodendron (Sugarbush)
91.1 Green Sugarbush Protea coronata (Sugarbush)
94.2 Common Sugarbush Protea repens (Sugarbush)
99 Cape Sumach Osyris compressa (Sandalwood)
221 Blossom Tree Virgilia oroboides subsp. oroboides (Pea)
225 Water Blossom Pea Podalyria calyptrata (Pea)
225.8 Leafless Fountainbush Psoralea aphylla (Pea)
302.1 September Butterflybush Polygala myrtifolia (False Pea)
377.1 Lance-leaf Taaibos Searsia angustifolia (Mango)
383.2 Blue Kunibush Searsia tomentosa (Mango)
385.2 Glossy Currant Searsia laevigata (Mango)
388.1 Glossy Currant Searsia lucida forma elliptica (Mango)
394 Wild Currant Searsia tomentosa (Mango)
398 Mountain Maytenus Maytenus oleoides (Spike Thorn)
399 Common Spike Thorn Gymnosporia buxifolia (Spike Thorn)
453.1 Box Hardleaf Phylica buxifolia (Buckthorn)
494 Wild Peach Kiggelaria africana (Wild Peach)
565 Coast Cabbage Tree Cussonia thyrsiflora (Cabbage Tree)
572 Water Heath Erica caffra (Heath)
603.1 Blueberry Bush Diospyros glabra (Ebony)
616 Cape Ironwood Olea capensis subsp. capensis (Olive)
627 Wild Olive Olea europaea subsp. africana (Olive)
733a Camphor Bush Tarchonanthus littoreus (Daisy)
736.1 Bush Tick-berry Chrysanthemoides monilifera (Daisy)