Coleophora binderella (Alder Case-bearer). Larva and cases of three individuals found around Long Melford in Suffolk over the last couple of days. All were on Hazel (despite the common name the larvae feed on Hazel, Hornbeam and Birch as well as Alder). Nice to find. #teammoth
Birders, unless you are doing a point count there's not a lot of point in submitting butterfly records in BirdTrack.
The location data are rarely precise enough to be of value.
For butterfly records, can you please use iRecord, or iRecord butterflies. With at least Tetrad (e.g TL1234) resolution
Large Tortoiseshell seen today in Bury Sy Edmunds. Has obviously been around for some time. Possible hibernation?
White-marked (Cerastis leucographa) A. Wallis 2026
White-marked (Cerastis leucographa)
The only Norfolk recorded in Norfolk was formerly at Hethersett in 2019 (S. Youngs, 02/05/19) Record just in at Hempstead-by-Holt (A. Wallis, 08/04/2026). #norfolkmoths #teammoth norfolkmoths.co.uk?bf=21400
Norfolk’s 2nd White-marked (this time id’d quickly!) was trapped by Andy Wallis! I’m sure the record will be incoming shortly
An interesting BBC Swift article here. @suffolkbirdgroup.bsky.social @suffolkwildlife.bsky.social www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Monday
Tuesday
Weds morning
Weds
Monday: any activity most likely over SW Ireland.
Tuesday: The pick of the nights, especially over Western Britain (perhaps further east along the south coast) and Ireland. A significant fall of Saharan dust possible in the west.
Wednesday: Migrant activity most likely over Eastern England
#teammoth
The RSPB has urged the public to take simple steps to protect ground-nesting birds during the spring and summer breeding season, as increased recreational activity risks disturbing vulnerable species:
Round-up from night of 31/3 -
Pearly Underwing (P. saucia), to light in Cambridge, Cambs;
Dark Sword-grass (A. ipsilon), to light at Thurlestone, S. Devon;
Dark Sword-grass (A. ipsilon), to light at Westcott, Bucks;
#teammoth
The micro moth Argyresthia ivella
The micro moth Eudemis porphyrana
A larva of the micro moth Eudemis porphyrana
An old Crab Apple tree in Epping Forest
One of the first things that struck me starting in Epping Forest last spring was all the lovely old Crab Apples. With these, come rare Crab Apple feeding micros: the much-declined Argyresthia ivella tapped from a tree on a warm July morning, and Eudemis porphyrana, reared from larva in May #TeamMoth
Lyme Disease UK, charity for patient support and advice.
Tick bite prevention and correct removal are crucial when it comes to avoiding Lyme disease. There are a few simple steps you can take to reduce your chances of being bitten by a tick...
lymediseaseuk.com
I didn't used to expect ticks until May but had huge numbers on me in Cambs woodland this weekend. It's been -2C at night and only 13C by day. This hazard for early spring fieldwork is pretty new, not something I worried about in March. Affects fieldwork approach and precautions needed. #BeTickAware
#SundayScience | Moth Monitoring & AI 🦋
Discover how Dr @abigaillowe.bsky.social worked with farmers using LED light traps and AI to monitor moths across England. Explore citizen science, data, and biodiversity in farmland in this #SundayScience webinar.
▶️ youtu.be/8Nljgi5yjf8
@ukceh.bsky.social
The Central England temperature record represents the longest series of monthly temperature observations in existence.
Recent temperatures there are over 1.5 degrees Celsius above the 1961-1990 average, and over 2 degrees above preindustrial values.
Chart: UK Met Office.
FIRST REPORT: Orange-Tip. 19th March. Essex
Nice find on Ipswich Golf Club (Purdis Heath) this week by one of the guys - an impressively large Red deer antler, found in a bunker. Pretty heavy so must have been a good-sized animal!
Proof our ecology work at Ipswich Golf Club (Purdis Heath) benefits rare wildlife. This area of heath restoration was seeded with Sheeps fescue grass in November 2024 & is now supporting the BAP priority species Lunar Yellow underwing moth. Pic is larva found recently after dark.
Pammene giganteana (Early Oak Gall Moth) adult to SKI lure in my Devon garden at lunchtime. Lure deployed for only 20 mins to ensure moths are not drawn far away from breeding habitat. Suspect the species lives on the oak tree in next door’s garden. #teammoth
Severe moth withdrawal setting in here after 5 days without a trap, symptoms include:
1. Repeated checking of phone weather apps.
2. Wandering outside and gazing skyward.
3. General irritability.
4. Considering leaf mines 😬
5. Ridiculous urge to trap tonight in cold and wet conditions. #TeamMoth 😪
What happens when one of the greenkeepers is the county moth recorder! But, yes, credit to them for employing him specifically for a conservation focus...
I love what they are doing at the Ipswich Golf Course.
I was looking over the Gogmagog course near Cambridge last weekend and dreamed of the chalk downland they could restore if they cared.
So much potential for wildlife on golf courses.
Heathland restoration in full swing at Ipswich Golf Club now rain has eased. Seed collected on site used on areas prepared at 3rd, 5th, 9th on 18 hole course. A successful technique we have used for many years here @golfgreenkeepers.bsky.social @bc-suffolk.bsky.social
Dotted Chestnut
Lead-coloured Drab
Two moth highlights from earlier this week in Long Melford, Suffolk: DOTTED CHESTNUT and LEAD-COLOURED DRAB. Thursday (5th) was very productive with 119 moths of 15 species in two and a half hours of trapping on the edge of an ancient wood. #mothsmatter
Over the next 2 days we could see some of the highest concentrations of Saharan dust recorded in the UK - an exciting event if it happened during the warmer months, but I doubt many moths will cross the nr Continent to reach us. We should certainly see an increase in Painted Lady though #teammoth
Peacock butterfly warming itself on the ground in early spring.
Last call. If anyone has any butterfly records for Suffolk (2025) please submit them online this weekend. I plan a final download early next week for processing into the 2025 Suffolk Butterfly Report. Early signs are of a record breaking year for observations. Thank you.
@bc-suffolk.bsky.social
Red-headed Chestnut, to light at Shottisham, Suffolk (VC25) on 21/2. P. Kitchener #teammoth
Saturday night
Saturday
Monday
Monday
We should see the 1st arrivals in the west tonight, however it's later in the period that looks most promising. There should be a direct airstream from N. Africa from Mon, with Tues & particularly Weds looking promising at this stage, when high concentrations of Saharan dust are possible. #teammoth
Calling all contributors to the White Admiral! 🦋 Share your Suffolk wildlife sightings, project updates, art, poetry & photos in our next edition.
Deadline: 27 Feb. Send to: emma.aldous@suffolk.gov.uk
We can’t wait to see what you've been spotting in the field! #Suffolk #NaturalHistory #Wildlife
