We spent the day on Portland today. No visit is complete without dropping in at the obs. Not many birds about but some cracking moths still hanging around! Two Convolvulus Hawk-moths, two Striped Hawk-moths & Scarce Bordered Straw. #teammoth #mothsmatter #bugsky

Highlight from last night's moth trap in Charmouth, Dorset. Only the second Clifden Nonpareil I've caught (and only seen one other!). No words needed. Such a treat. #teammoth #mothsmatter #bugsky #blueunderwing

Some moth-y highlights from my first two nights trapping in Charmouth, Dorset. Anania crocealis (Fleabane Pearl) is new for me. Sharp-angled Carpet & Portland Riband Wave are both UK firsts for me. And this Jersey Tiger is the first I've trapped in the UK. #teammoth #mothsmatter #bugsky

Interesting blastobasis sp.(?) on the fence this am. App is confident it's B.phycidella, I'm not convinced looking online, I think it may look better for B.rebeli (Black-banded Masoner)? Help/opinions welcome! @mothiduk.bsky.social @cambsmoths.bsky.social #norfolkmoths #mothsmatter #teammoth

Probably an unnecessary re-post for anyone following me. But if this message reaches just one person who isn't aware that honeybees are not the solution (and increasingly part of the problem), then it's totally worth it!

1/5: Final update on new moth species encountered in the Loire Valley this week. I think this individual might be my overall favourite. Willowherb Yellow Underwing - completely off my radar, not in the UK field guide - thank you in App AI!! #teammoth #mothersmatter #bugsky

Not sure I ever thought this might be a feasible garden "tick"....turns out it might actually be on the cards if the 2025 expansion/wanderings isn't a one year wonder.

Still a bit quiet trapping in the Loire Valley, but still managed one new species, a lovely Lunar Thorn. Other highlights were a Dark Spectacle & another Dusky Marbled Brown, in much better condition than my first a couple of nights ago. #teammoth #mothsmatter #bugsky

Lots of rain & much cooler nights have made trapping in the Loire Valley tricky over the last couple of nights. Just one new species encountered, but what a stonker! Plum Lappet (Odonestis pruni). Not one we get in the UK but has a range from central Europe to Japan #teammoth #mothsmattet #bugsky

1/6: Now trapping in the Loire Valley, first night (5th) produced an array of new species for me. The first moth I saw was this exquisite Striped Hawk-moth (Hyles livornica). This species is increasingly seen in the UK as a migrant, one I'd love to see at home. #teammoth #mothsmatter #bugsky

I've potentially found a bee new to Britain today, but there are several options & a specimen would be needed to a) confirm which it is and b) be a voucher for a new species. I thought it might be Pseudanthidium nanum, but apparently it is more likely to be Stelis signata or Anthidiellum strigatum

1/4 Ten new species of #moth for me last night in #Normandy. My favourites were this stinking Lappet (Gastropacha quercifolia) & a couple of Purple Thorn ( Selenia tetralunaria) #mothsmatter #teammoth #bugsky #France #pollinators

On Friday I finally got around to seeing (properly) Lesser Emerald Dragonfly at Little Ormsby Broad in Norfolk. Several individuals & a mating pair from the viewing platform. I couldn't resist phone-scoping this Southern Hawker & juv Great Crested Grebe hitching a ride! #dragonfly #bugsky #insects

Fab day volunteering at Woodbastwick NNR on Thursday. 14 species of Odonata spotted, the highlights being several freshly emerged Willow Emerald Damselfly and Small Red-eyed Damselfly. #bugsky #odonata #insects #dragonfly #damselfly

Orange-tailed Clearwing (Synanthedon andrenaeformis) to AND pheromone lure in my #Norwich garden today. The ninth species of clearwing moth recorded at home. #teammoth #mothsmatter #norfolkmoths #bugsky #clearwings #pollinators #insects #moths

Other #Essex #insects today. Many Marbled Whites (Melanargia galathea), lots of Firebugs (Pyrrhocoris apterus), Four-spotted Leaf Beetle (Clytra quadripunctata) & Ichneumon Fly (Megamerina dolium) #bugsky

Black Redstart’s have been thin on the ground in Norwich this year with no singing birds in the city centre as yet. As such, this male from my flat this evening, outside of their regular territories, was a bit of a surprise.

New species for me today, Heath Fritillary (Mellicta athalia) in Hockey Wood, Essex.

The Alchymist - New to Norfolk. Well done to Craig Robson, trapped 14/06/2025 - Norwich norfolkmoths.co.uk/index.php?bf... #norfolkmoths #teammoth #migrantmoths

The last few nights have been some of the best moth-ing I've had at home, certainly since the warm spring of '20. I've had 10 new sp. for the garden in the last 3 nights, nothing as exotic as Alchemist (see previous post) but pleasing nonetheless. See ALT for details. #bugsky #teammoth #mothsmatter

The Alchemist (Catephia alchymista). Caught by Craig Robson in Norwich (VC27) last night (14/6/25). New for Norfolk. #teammoth #mothsmatter #moths #migration #pollinators #bugsky @norfolkmoths.bsky.social @migrantmothuk.bsky.social

A Turtle Dove singing on a breezy Suffolk coast this morning. No longer a common sight in the British countryside, sadly. #ukbirding

Evergestis extimalis (Marbled Yellow Pearl) was a new moth species for me & the garden this morning (species #519). And any day you come across "Geoff" aka Alabonia geoffrella (Hedge Beauty) is a good day! #mothsmatter #teammoth #moths #pollinators #bugsky

The latest charts for Weds-Thurs are the stuff of dreams for those interested in insect dispersal - all roads lead north! #teammoth

Fen Mason Wasp (Odynerus simillimus) - all males - in East Norfolk yesterday. I've been meaning to look for these for a while and they didn't disappoint! Beautiful little wasps. I didn't spot any females or nest "chimneys" so I'll have to go back again. #bugsky #insects #pollinators #wasps

#Corncrake #Uist this morning. The cooperation, collaboration and combined efforts from the local crofters/farmers & conservation organisations have maintained, managed & created wonderful habitat for these superb migrants. This also benefits thousands of breeding waders too. #ukbirding

Today's star beach find on #Benbecula was a literal bucket full of Sea Gooseberries (Pleurobrachia pileus). Scores of these Comb Jellies were washing up on the shore. Hopefully you can just make out the cilia ("combs") rippling which is how they propel themselves.

A fantastic catch of 74/24 in our #Benbecula overnight #moth trap. The highlight for me was Light Knot Grass, having only previously seen the caterpillars. Also a lovely pair of Champion and a Dusky Brocade. #moths #mothsmatter #teammoth #pollinators #buhsky #insects

29/11 #moths on my second night trapping on #Benbecula. The highlight for me were two Sharks. A fairly common species but a new one for us. Two dark form Clouded-bordered Brindle were nice to compare with three of the lighter form. #mothsmatter #teammoth #pollinators #bugsky #insects

Beach day yesterday. Where better than Aird an Rùnair, part of #RSPB Balranald on North Uist. Glorious sand and foraging shorebirds in the mats of seaweed. #ukbirdong #birds #birding #waders

A Foxy lady was the highlight of this morning's South #Uist moth trap. Some migration was still in evidence with this Dark Sword-grass (4 yesterday morning). #moths #mothsmatter #teammoth #WaynesWorld #bugsky #insects #pollinators

22/14 in last nights #Uist moth trap. A couple of new moths for me, Grey Scalloped Bar & Rattle Pearl (two of each). Also, a nice comparison of May & Ruddy Highflyers. #moths #teammoth #mothsmatter #pollinators #insects #bugsky

13/10 in our first overnight South Uist moth trap. A nice selection, personal highlights were Glaucous Shears & two Ruddy Highflyers, both being new for me. Glamour was provided by the always fab Puss Moth & Buff-tip. #teammoth #mothsmatter #moths #insects #pollinators #bugsky

Another long day travelling for the family. But wow, it was sure worth it! A pleasant crossing Uig-Lochmaddy on #calmac ferries with lots of common seabirds encountered. I had to just "pop in" to RSPB Balranald (obviously), 4-5 Corncrakes heard plus nice views of this fella. Sunset from our digs.

Couldn't resist putting out the moth trap last night on our overnight stop in Crianlarich, Stirlingshire en route to Uist. Just 18/11 but some nice things I don't see at home or very often. Names in ALT text. #moths #mothsmatter #teammoth #bugsky #pollinators #insects

✂️ “Don’t mow in May” is a great start, but...! What happens *after* May matters just as much. Vanna Bartlett takes a brilliant deep dive into pollinators, plant life, and how to create real refuge for insects. 🐝 @eastangliabylines.co.uk @vannabartlett.bsky.social

Can anyone help with this hoverfly? Pretty certain it's a pipiza spp. but not sure it can be id'd to species on this one pic.? AI on app is convinced is P.lugubris (Smudge-winged Pipiza) but I know better than to trust that completely!! @vannabartlett.bsky.social any ideas? #bugsky #hoverfly

1/2: Cracking moth trap this morning. Chocolate-tip & Pine Beauty are both personal favourites. #moths #mothsmatter #teammoth #bugsky #polliators #insects

A wonderful encounter with Common Cranes early this morning in Norfolk. #ukbirding #birds #norfolk

First night at Wells-next-the-Sea in #Norfolk last night. Only two moths were tempted by a very badly sited trap (as I forgot my extension lead!). Fortunately, one was this lovely Northern Drab (Orthosia opima) - a new species for me! #teammoth #moths #mothsmatter #pollinators #bugsky

Lovely stroll around #UEA Broad with old Uni mates & progeny. Managed to spot a few nice things while the kids ran riot having a lovely time! Water Stick Insect, Alder Fly & 16-Spot Ladybird #bugsky #insects

We may have had some lovely weather recently, but it's been mostly clear & chilly during the nights. This has limited garden moth trapping & numbers visiting. I only had 5 individuals last night, however, one of them was this lovely "new for year" Nut-tree Tussock. #teammoth #mothsmatter #bugsky

Calling all #bugsky #bee experts! I have two bees from Earlham Cemetery in #Norwich today that I need help with! Is this first one Grey-gastered Mining Bee (Andrena tibialis)? @vannabartlett.bsky.social @timstrudwick.bsky.social any thoughts?

Black Oil Beetle (Meloe proscarabaeus), a male I think, on public footpath near Little Massingham yesterday. Always lovely to encounter. #bugsky #insects #nestparasites #beetles #Coleoptera

Garden bee spotting today & yesterday. Female Gwynne's, Tawny & Grey-patched Mining Bees. Plus my first garden Common Mourning Bee. #bees #bugsky #insects #pollinators

Some bees from a couple of days working in north Kent this week. First up, White-bellied Mining Bee (Andrena gravida) & Yellow-legged Mining Bee (Andrena flavipes). #bees #pollinators #insects #bugsky

A "standard"-form 10-spot Ladybird (Adalia decempunctata) visited our #Norwich garden yesterday. It is our most variable native species with several colour forms. I've attached a collage of those I've found in the garden & Earlham Cemetery over the last couple of years. #bugsky #insects #ladybirds

Nationally scarce Phyllonorycter comparella (Poplar Leaf-miner) was "new for garden" & undoubtedly the highlight from yesterday morning's trap check. However, it's miniscule & my pics are shocking! So here's the other highlight, an immaculata-type Twin-spotted Quaker. #bugsky #teammoth #mothsmatter

The #Norwich Grey-backed Mining Bee (Andrena vaga) colony is still present & thriving for a second year. Females have emerged and the males were pouncing on them from all directions! #bees #solitarybees #bugsky #insects

A pleasing morning locally. Found a Larch Ladybird (Aphidecta obliterata) in Earlham Cemetery & saw my first garden Dark-edged Bee Fly (Bombylius major) of '25. #beeflywatch #bugsky #insects #cemeteries #ladybirds #norwich