As we were watching curling this evening, the Canadienne, during the Czech v Canada mixed doubles, exclaimed there was an insect on the ice with much blood (but she was not concerned for game play because she had cleared it). She later stated that it had “like fourteen legs”. I of course thought of this project.
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They are quiet on the issue.
A bloody insect with 14 legs? On ice? So many questions…
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In a shocker, most news coverage of these incredibly important opening matches, occurring even before the Games’ official Open, did not mention it, but I did find this.
Does a millipede / centipede bleed ?
Perhaps it was a spider which was eating a mosquito which had just had a blood meal.
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While neither an insect nor bloody, maybe it was Rosy Woodlouse (Androniscus dentiger).
from Wiki - here is the blood -
It lives where there is a significant amount of lime available, and is reported to show a preference for Anglican churchyards over Catholic ones because the older, Protestant churches used ox-blood mortar
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I think it’s fine to post a link to the project here - you’re not really promoting it trying to gain observations but to promote discussion, and the thread already has a pretty good organic discussion going.
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The Games haven’t officially opened yet iNat at the Olympics is off with a bang.
Mallard made an early move and now is tied with Eurasian Sparrowhawk for the most observed Species with 4 observations each. However, there are 8 other Species with 3 observations including Witches Butter Fungi and Spring Snowflake.
The Tree of Life field is crowded with almost every taxa except Chromista, Protozoans and Ray Finned Fishes on the board. While the top three contenders - plants, birds and insects - have commanding leads, Fungi is in an unexpectedly solid 4th place. Mollusks (still no word on the drug testing) have doubled their representation from 4 to 8. Even reptiles and amphibians are on the board. The competition to watch in this event will be 4th through 5th place.
You can watch the action live at https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/2026-winter-olympics!
If anyone reading this is actually at the Olympics, give us an on the field report color commentary! What does the iNat action look on the ground?
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Lime in the dolomite mountains. That tracks.
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This just in – the Common Buzzard has soared ahead with 6 observations!
The audience will also be pleased to note that grasshopping has been added as an official olympic sport:
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What a fun way to look at an area! :-)
The Grey Heron has caught up and is now neck and neck with the Common Buzzard, which leaves the favourited Mallard on third place.
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These Games are an absolute banger. Only a few days in and the results shift practically every hour.
In the Species event, it looked like perennial contestant Mallard was positioned for a move but Birds-eye Speedwell held on to first, Great Tit surged ahead into second and rounding out third a three way split between Gray Heron, Fire Salamander and Common Buzzard. They are all within a point or two of each other so it’s still any Species’ game, including Mallard that is sharing fourth place with Primrose and Eurasian Blue Tit.
Over in the Tree of Life category, Plants are moving into a commanding lead with Birds now ahead of Insects for the silver. Fungi remains in a solid 4th, well ahead of Arachnids and Mammals battling for 5th. Mollusks continue to show a growing presence and could slide into 5th. Still no comment on the drug testing question. Fire salamander, despite showing on the Species’ board, is just one of 6 amphibian species on the Tree of Life Field but everyone agrees any amphibian at the Winter Olympics shows the heart and soul - and the unexpected nature! - of iNat at the Olympics.
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I am loving this thread. Thanks for the smiles!!!
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