This cryptically marked Mullein moth was on a granite wall outside a hotel in Falmouth in South West Cornwall on the 21st of March. This is over a month earlier than the species would normally be seen in Cornwall and … Read More
Recent sunshine has enticed a few overwintering butterflies out into the garden. Whilst the odd Small Tortoiseshell and Red Admiral butterfly hasn’t been surprising a Hummingbird Hawkmoth certainly was. This early record may have been either a migrant or one … Read More
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
Recent fine weather has seen the arrival in the British Isles of some large migratory moths from the continent. These have included several Convolvulus Hawkmoths. This species is one of the strongest flying moths and recorded as far north as … 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
This magnificent Death’s Head Hawkmoth caterpillar was found by Glenys Phillips and her granddaughter, Emily, in their Cornish garden. Following recent sightings received from the Provence in France and Norfolk in the UK a Death’s Head caterpillar in my home … 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
Oak Processionary Moth caterpillars create amazing patterns when resting in large numbers on the trunks of oak trees. They’re also fascinating to watch when on the move, walking head to tail in a long processional line, hence their name. However, … Read More
This Jersey Tiger moth caterpillar was a welcome surprise. Not only had it survived the winter as a tiny, 3 mm long caterpillar but it was already 25 mm long and half grown by the time I found it. A … 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