During last summer several Purple Hairstreak butterflies were seen from the top of a viewing platform erected as part of a moth study beside an oak tree at Trelusback Farm in Cornwall. Although the Purple Hairstreak butterflies frustratingly spend most … Read More
Two Red Admiral butterflies in our Cornish garden were a welcome sight this morning. Earlier in the week a Small Tortoiseshell was our first butterfly of the year. Fortunately a winter flowering heather is in full bloom and providing a … Read More
After what has felt a very long pandemic year its been great to be out and about once more with the camera. Wildlife really does lift the spirits, particularly when visiting a conservation success story. The Marsh Fritillary butterfly featured … Read More
This unusual sighting of a Swallowtail caterpillar in Brighton, England was received from Nick Fry. Given that it’s a long way from the only resident UK Swallowtail Butterfly population in the Fens of Norfolk the origins of the female butterfly … Read More
Lockdown has meant so many of us have been restricted to our gardens during this grim pandemic. However, amongst all the gloom it’s great that we are showing more interest in our own garden wildlife. A surge of enquiries, particularly … Read More
Some sun at last encouraged several caterpillars to show yesterday at Polly Joke on the north Cornish coast. 3 Scarlet Tiger caterpillars were sunning themselves on nettle leaves, 2 Drinker Moth caterpillars were on bramble leave and 2 Fox moth … Read More
Another overwintering Red Admiral butterfly was feeding on winter flowering heather in our Cornish garden today. This follows two different Red Admirals recorded in January. Even in this mild part of Cornwall it’s unusual to see them flying during the … Read More
The Catalonia region of Spain is well known for having some wonderful butterflies. One of the most beautiful is the stunning Swallowtail Butterfly, Papilio machaon. Lieve De Strooper took this great photo of one feeding on zinnia flowers in her … Read More
This scarce, white form of Small Copper Butterfly was photographed on the Lizard Peninsular, Cornwall. It was one of several other Small Coppers nectaring on yarrow, hemp agrimony and fleabane. Earlier in the year Ted Benham sighted a white form … Read More
A Long-tailed Blue butterfly was an unexpected but very welcome recent arrival to our Cornish garden. Being my first Long-tailed Blue in the British Isles I could scarcely believe my eyes when it dived at speed onto a lavender bush … Read More
Several species of butterfly appear to be having a very good year in Cornwall. This mating pair of Brown Argus were two of many seen amongst the dunes at Penhale Sands on the North Cornish coast. The first Common Blues … Read More
Our first Holly Blue of the year was seen in the garden on the 26th March. 6th species of the year – only 52 to go! As so often with this species it stopped only briefly giving little opportunity to … Read More