Archinemapogon yildizae emerged today from Birch Polypore collected near Aviemore last month. First time I've recorded this attractive scarce and localised Highland speciality #teammoth @savebutterflies.bsky.social #nature #cairngorm #scotland #wildlife #macro

Slow going on the moth front still but a few bits and pieces from the weekend. Weather for the week ahead does not look helpful. #teammoth #nature #fife #scotland @savebutterflies.bsky.social #inverts #wildlife @britishnatureguide.bsky.social

Beautiful early Spring morning, these Whooper Swans flying over Aberdour thinking about journeying north soon #birds #birding #nature #birdingscotland @fifebirdnews.bsky.social #birdsseenin2026 #fife

Last shots from Saturday previous, first time to see the obliging Penicuik Water Rail plus the Barns Ness Firecrest #birds #birding #birdingscotland #birdinglothian #nature #birdguides #birdsseenin2026

Continuing a theme, also some superb Great Crested Grebe action from Broadwood Loch on Saturday, albeit a little distant for photos #birds #birding #BirdsSeenin2026 #ScottishBirding #birdguides #nature #Scotland

My best ever encounter with a Smew at Broadwood Loch on Saturday #birds #nature #birdguides #BirdsSeenin2026 #birding #birdingscotland

Quality Goldeneye action from Broadwood Loch on Saturday #birds #nature #BirdsSeenin2026 #birding #birdguides #BirdingScotland

The long-staying Slavonian Grebes on Linlithgow Loch provided extraordinary views on Saturday, doubt I'll ever get this close to this species again. One appears to be showing first signs of moult into summer plumage, hopefully they will stick around for a few more weeks @rarebirder.bsky.social

Stejneger's Scoter and partially leucistic Velvet Scoter showed well at East Wemyss, Fife yesterday, but distance still on the limits of a DSLR set up, plus being too lazy to carry the camera initially I missed the best light.

Phyllonorycter anderidae is a seldom recorded species, these were the first moths to emerge from various leaf mines collected last autumn. Mines were on seedling birch on lowland bog in Fife, it's a new species for the vice-county and also new for me.

Just in case there aren't enough photos of White-billed Diver doing the rounds, third time lucky this morning and one came in close at Inverkeithing.

The recent heatwave was somewhat briefly felt in Fife with just two good nights for trapping. 29th June was marginally the pick with exactly 600 moths recorded of 144 species in my Burntisland garden. Among these were two NFG, one anticipated, the other not so, and a further 16 NFY. 2/2 #teammoth

The recent heatwave was somewhat briefly felt in Fife with just two good nights for trapping. 29th June was marginally the pick with exactly 600 moths recorded of 144 species in my Burntisland garden. Among these were two NFG, one anticipated, the other not so, and a further 16 NFY. 1/2 #teammoth

27th June in my Burntisland garden was very warm overnight but quite windy consequently numbers and diversity were lower with 376 moths of 103 species recorded. A few highlights among the pics #teammoth

25/06 was another busy night in Burntisland with 492 of 117 species although sadly none of the more interesting migrants down south still not made there way to me yet. 16 NFY including a couple of garden scarcities. Garden year list now 317, one short of a record for the end of June #teammoth

21/06 Burntisland 676/144. Unfortunately no NFG's which I hope for on big nights but they are becoming increasingly difficult. Several scarce species arrived and there were 43 NFY's! Annual garden total is 301 species now, I've only previously passed 300 once before the end of June 2/2 #teammoth

21/06 Burntisland 676/144. Unfortunately no NFG's which I hope for on big nights but they are becoming increasingly difficult. Several scarce species arrived and there were 43 NFY's! Annual garden total is 301 species now, I've only previously passed 300 once before the end of June 1/2 #teammoth

30/05 Burntisland 306/94. 3 NFG in one night, two were expected but P schulziana was also new for VC85. 49th new for VC85 I've recorded from our garden in 7 years. Further 11 NFY and garden year list moved to 217, by far highest ever for the time of year. The total garden list moves to 653 #teammoth

28th May Burntisland 241 of 71. Rare mild and calm night but with rain second half. 25 NFY moves garden year list to 172. Quite a few interesting records, and some more very early dates. Confirms there are lots of moths about, but good trapping conditions are infrequent. 2/2 - macros #teammoth

28th May Burntisland 241 of 71. Rare mild and calm night but with rain second half. 25 NFY moves garden year list to 172. Quite a few interesting records, and some more very early dates. Confirms there are lots of moths about, but good trapping conditions are infrequent. 1/2 - micros #teammoth

153/59 10th May Burntisland. Rare calm night but temp dropped a couple of degrees lower than forecast. 15 NFY including a few record early dates for the garden. Garden year list is on 139 and above average for time of year. Hopefully these easterly winds will end before June and peak season arrives.

30th April Burntisland 301/74! 4 NFG Phyllonorycter lantanella, Puss Moth, Poplar Grey & Green Silver-lines, 24 further NFYs inc. some very early dates. Garden list moves to 650, year list to 124, previous best end April was just 64. April was ave 2 deg warmer than previous five years #teammoth

A bit cooler overnight 29th April and a slight drop off to 172 of 43 species in Burntisland. Four NFY Coleophora albicosta, Aphomia sociella, Lesser Swallow Prominent and White Ermine. #teammoth

Burntisland 28th, 196/46. Record diversity night for April. Early Tooth-striped NFG. In addition to photos Iron Prom, Sandy Carpet, Lychnis, Brown Silver-line & Garden Tiger (larva) were also NFY. Red Sword-grass very late. Record counts of A hexadactyla 15 & Least Black Arches 10 #teammoth

111/43 27th April Burntisland, smashed previous best April night for diversity which was just 30. 7 NFY also included Scrobipalpa acuminatella, Common Carpet, Foxglove Pug and Spectacle. Nearby White-pinion Spotted by day at Kinghorn Loch recently arrived and establishing well in Fife #teammoth

76 of 28 in Burntisland overnight 26th April. A good showing for the time of year (but last night greatly exceeded this). 8 NFY also included Flame and Spruce Carpet in addition to the photos. #teammoth

82/26 in Burntisland overnight, better than expected considering it was 10.2deg at dusk dropping to 5.7 at dawn, but it was calm. 8 NFY taking annual garden total to 68, other NFY not shown included Depressaria radiella, Common Pug, Shuttle-shaped Dart and Small Phoenix #teammoth

12/10, 101 of 28, a good April night, seasons changing with several more NFYs taking annual garden total to 60 species, a record by ths date. Looks like it will be a while before any more are added based on the forecast though #teammoth

11/04, 83 of 22 in Burntisland. 1st good moth of the year, Acleris cristana, 3rd Scottish record and new to VC85. Garden species #645. A calm night with a good range of micros on offer #teammoth

10/04, 44 of 15 in Burntisland, warmest day of the year but temperatures dropped overnight and it was too breezy. Seasons changing and NFYs appearing. Record numbers of C. rufipennella and Streamer of late. #teammoth

275/29 Burntisland, 9 NFY total. Also 4th Oak Beauty of year (6th ever). Record March diversity here with 43 species, all in last ten days. Forecast looks poor going forward though. 2/2 #teammoth

275/29 Burntisland, record for March diversity. 14.1 deg @ dark but only 5.8 at dawn. Would have been even better if one trap hadn't developed a fault and was on and off all night. Nine NFY see photos. Record counts Shoulder Stripe 8, Double-striped Pug 64, Engrailed 2, Small Quaker 6. 1/2 #teammoth

157 of 17 last night in Burntisland. Double-striped Pug and Pale Pinion NFY. Pale Pinion only 6th garden record. Oak Beauty 4th garden record, 2nd this year (and latest ever). 4 Small Quaker record single night count here. #teammoth

Limited decent weather, fractured left arm, and general moth apathy has meant I hadn't put a trap out this year till last night, I'd previously trapped every single month for the last nine years. 99/13 was about half what I would expect for a good night this time of year. Just one micro #teammoth

A double fracture of the left arm has made most things more challenging these last five weeks, and consequently mothing has been quite limited. Here are a couple of early stages from Abernethy Forest, and my 'new' elbow for good measure

Colder outside today, daydreaming of warmer places. Here are some Vangas from Madagascar in 2015. You're welcome.

Following the masses from the dark side. Those fortunate enough not to know me here is a flavour of potential posts, that is if I ever find time to get out!