Male Cuckoo Cuculus canorus being mobbed by Meadow Pipit Anthus pratensis whilst nearby a pair of pipits feed what may be one his offspring. The adult Cuckoos will migrate south in the next week leaving the pipits to care for their young. Holne Moor, Dartmoor, Devon

I am giving a talk next Wednesday 17 June 2026 at the Quince Honey Farm, South Molton, Devon 7pm on The Birds of Devon including Cuckoos and their Meadow Pipit foster parents, Jack Snipes and Long-tailed Tits www.devonstopattractions.co.uk/events/eveni... #birds

Peak season now for male Long-horned Bees Eucera longicornis around Prawle, Devon. A Misumena vatia flower crab spider was eyeing one up but didn't catch the bee.

An ambition achieved today seeing the amazing Rainbow Sea Slug Babakina anadoni, here with its prey the hydroid Candelabrum cocksii. Falmouth, Cornwall

Male Fork-jawed Nomad Bee Nomada ruficornis with 'hitch hiking' Violet Oil Beetle Meloe violaceus triungulin larva. The beetle larva is trying to access the burrow of a female bee so could do so by jumping on the female during mating. Buckfastleigh, Devon.

Short-necked Oil Beetle Meloe brevicollis on the south Devon coast yesterday - seems to be a good year for them with 4 found during a short search.

The highly fragrant flowers of Osmanthus delavayi were popular with the Hairy-footed Flower Bees Anthophora plumipes @rbgkew.bsky.social this week

Barometer Earthstar Astraeus hygrometricus. This fungus is associated with trees, English Oak at this site. A hygroscopic layer inside the rays causes them to open in damp conditions which are beneficial for spore dispersal. Stover Country Park, Devon thanks @2turrell.bsky.social

Two small Tort today

First two Small tortoiseshell near Buckfastleigh today. A week earlier than last year. @savebutterflies.bsky.social @the-wildlifetrusts.bsky.social @nick-udy.bsky.social @johnwalterswildife.bsky.social. Lets hope for a lot more this season.

Master of camouflage the amazing Lichen Running Spider Philodromus margaritatus Buckfastleigh, Devon 2 found yesterday thanks @2turrell.bsky.social

After all the rain lately great to see the first Black Oil Beetles Meloe proscarabaeus out on Bolberry Down, Devon yesterday - 11 seen in rough grassland along the coast path

Female Wasp spider with Male in attendance. This made an amazing video. @warrenbirding.bsky.social @johnwalterswildife.bsky.social @dwt-bystockvols.bsky.social

My first ever Vestal moth near Buckfastleigh yesterday. A little beauty. @richardfoxbc.bsky.social @savebutterflies.bsky.social @dorsetbutterflies.bsky.social @johnwalterswildife.bsky.social

LOBSTER MOTH. My first from the parking area for Aish. Golden-ringed Dragons are everywhere now and a real treat. Just spotting my first Green-eyed bees. @britishdragonflies.bsky.social @savebutterflies.bsky.social @devonbird.bsky.social @the-wildlifetrusts.bsky.social @dwt-bystockvols.bsky.social

Dotted Bee-fly. Considered rare in Devon. An annual visit to Orley Common late April can be successful. Just two spotted amongst the Dark edged Bee-fly's this year. What an absolute stunner.

Fewer than 500 more signatures needed to reach 100,000 & trigger a Westminster parliament debate on the future of driven grouse shooting. Plz sign and share - we might get there today! @ruthtingay.bsky.social @chrisgpackham.bsky.social @markavery.bsky.social petition.parliament.uk/petitions/70...

It seems to be a good year for Violet Oil beetles. I counted 39 along a short stretch of path at my favourite location on South Dartmoor. Always excited to see any species of Oil Beetles but these take some beating.

A really early sighting for me and my first Odonata of 2025. Several flying at Orley Common 31st March.

Speckled Wood. Probably an underrated butterfly but what a cracker it is. Several flying on Orley Common 31st March.

Life is full of treats and this is one. What an absolutely stunning duck and now common☺️ enjoyed at Buckfastleigh..

A real treat. Hare spotted while walking above Petertavey on Dartmoor today.

Wounders to behold. Long lost but not forgotten. Delighted to spot two Small Tortoiseshell near Buckfastleigh on the 26th. Fingers crossed for more.

Green Tiger beetles emerging in good numbers on Bovey Heath. Seems early but a most welcome and uplifting sight in the first proper warming sunshine.

Spring delights first of March in a cold wind. A real treat.

What a stunning little Duck from Bowling Green marsh.