Upton Heath saved by successful fundraising campaign | Dorset Wildlife Trust Dorset Wildlife Trust is delighted to announce that we have secured the purchase of a vital parcel of land at the heart of Upton Heath.

Utterly fantastic news. With the invaluable help of supporters and members, the Dorset Wildlife Trust have secured Upton Heath! Priceless habitat saved by wonderful people....
www.dorsetwildlifetrust.org.uk/news/upton-h...

50 years of data reveal specialist butterflies disappearing across the UK, but the good news is that conservation efforts are making a real difference - helping butterflies isn’t complicated, we can all be part of the solution by making places butterfly-friendly 🦋 @savebutterflies.bsky.social

Late news. Sorry
Large Tortoiseshell was seen by Rob, the Essex butterfly recorder, 7th April.
At Warley Country Park, Essex. (TQ584927)

@bc-hertsmiddx.bsky.social

Where to see butterflies in Cambridgeshire Edward Pollard, the Cambridgeshire recorder, has put together a handy guide to the best places to see butterflies in Cambridgeshire. Please click the link below to download it.

Want to know where to see butterflies in Cambridgeshire?
I prepared a short guide to many of the best sites across the county. From the Small Blues of Magog Down, to Wall Brown in the Fens, to the Skippers of Swaddywell.
butterfly-conservation.org/in-your-area...

A short video of the Large Tortoiseshell which showed well on the sheltered side of the east side of the Long Pits, Dungeness this morning

#ukbutterflies

Orange Underwing Balls Wood nr Hertford 07.04.26

Orange Underwing Balls Wood nr Hertford 07.04.26

Light Orange Underwing Balls Wood nr Hertford 08.04.26

Light Orange Underwing Balls Wood nr Hertford 08.04.26 - note feathered antennae

27 years ago I was introduced to the Orange Underwing & subsequently Light Orange! Yesterday & today at Balls Wood near Hertford, where both Birch & Aspen are present alongside each other I managed to net one of each! Photography is hard so I potted them, cooled them down & did my best.... #teammoth

It's time to look out for Green Hairstreak - several reports around the country!

Thanks to all those who came to our stall. Mia and I hardly stopped talking all evening. Thanks also to Iris and Dacorum Council for organising the event. The fiendishly difficult quiz answer was 38 - the number of butterfly species found in Dacorum Borough! @dacorumbc

Our walks programme starts in a few weeks. Take time to read this advice - Lyme Disease should be taken seriously! @savebutterflies.bsky.social

Remember this year the week starts on a Wednesday - good luck everyone!!

Brenthis ino copyright RGibbons

Did you miss our last winter zoom talk last night? It was excellent! Iconic species of the Pyrenees including a once in a lifetime find with Roger Gibbons youtu.be/nfnxFoZn80Q Not only were we treated to some fabulous photos but some serious info on the Southern Small White including identification

Lovely fresh Holly Blue on the coast path near Falmouth in Cornwall today. And my first Swallows to grace the spring

Forget birdwatching, I’m into moth-watching: they’re fascinating and misunderstood insects | Helen Pilcher According to new research, distinguishing between the UK’s 2,500 species could halt cognitive decline – so my brain could not be happier, or healthier, says science writer Helen Pilcher

Moths are definitely getting cool, now they can even help your brain function! Yet more reasons to start recording them @savebutterflies.bsky.social @richardfoxbc.bsky.social www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...

Green Hairstreak greetings from Greece 🇬🇷

And a photo bombing honeybee! 🐝

Yay, my first Speckled Wood of the year, along the Chalk Ridge from Corfe Castle @dorsetbutterflies.bsky.social

Large Tortoiseshell at Epping! Our latest UK species spotted close to the Herts/Middx border @bc-hertsmiddx.bsky.social

I just supported this case! @bc-hertsmiddx.bsky.social @savebutterflies.bsky.social

Butterflies crossing oceans, moths navigating by the stars: unravelling the mysteries of insect migrations WOW! @savebutterflies.bsky.social @bc-hertsmiddx.bsky.social

Large Tortoiseshell (Nymphalis polychloros) butterfly resting on a broken branch. Arrows pointing to various part of the butterfly with the following identifying features: "Wingspan: 68-75mm. Blue border is much thinner or absent. Four black spots on the forewing." Photo credit Graham Hubbard

Have you seen a Small Tortoiseshell or a Large Tortoiseshell? 🔍

As the name suggests, the Large Tortoiseshell is slightly larger with a wingspan of 68-75mm. It is also a duller orange colour with a thin (sometimes absent) blue border on the wings. Look out for the extra spot on the forewings.

Tell EPA to be quicker with pesticide suspensions! | Pesticide Action & Agroecology Network (PAN) Join us in telling EPA that the emergency suspension of DCPA should not be an exceptional act. Instead, pesticide registration procedures should seek to protect the public first rather than cater to Big Ag’s bottom line.

Tell EPA to be quicker with pesticide suspensions!

www.panna.org/action/tell-e...

Pine Beauty - I have managed better photos in the past!

Pine Beauty - I have managed better photos in the past!

Twin-spotted Quaker - one of three

Early Grey NFY

The moth gods were on my side in VC20 last night with 99:13 (97:11 macro), a Feb record with Small Quaker coming out the winner followed by Common &Hebrew Character! Star was a Pine Beauty; a garden rarity & not recorded last year. Lead me a dance trying to photo it & not the best image! #teammoth

First Holly Blue of the year in the garden today 🩵 North Herefordshire

Southall park confirmed as local nature reserve by council Warren Farm in Southall is already home to nesting skylarks, wildflowers, butterflies and bees.

This is truly excellent news! Well done to all those involved! www.bbc.co.uk/news/article... @savebutterflies.bsky.social @warrenfarmnr.bsky.social

Large Heath butterfly perched on an unfurling bracken frond

Live in North Wales and want to make a difference for rare butterflies? 🦋

We're looking for volunteers to help us learn more about the threatened Large Heath by carrying out surveys across peatland habitats this summer.

Get involved 👉 buff.ly/TKbCq3O

📷️: Iain Leach

First Dorset record of Large Tortoiseshell this year. Watch this space for other new sightings

Nick Candy, the most unpatriotic multimillionaire in UK politics

@bc-hertsmiddx.bsky.social

I’m so touched to be recognised by the @bristoluni.bsky.social with their 2026 Alumni Lifetime Achievement Award.

The picture of me as an undergraduate in the early 1980s presents a vivid reminder of just how long I’ve been involved with this work!

www.bristol.ac.uk/alumni/alumn...