Sign in

alanlewiswildlife.bsky.social

@alanlewiswildlife.bsky.social
199 followers 127 following 162 posts

Wildlife travels around Britain and Ireland - birds, moths, plants, bryophytes and other things when I find the time; occasional trips abroad looking for obscure birds nobody has heard of!

PostsRepliesMedia
alanlewiswildlife.bsky.social @alanlewiswildlife.bsky.social · 7h
Sykes's Warbler at Girdleness recently - I've been waiting a long time to catch up with this species; this one showed well in the patches of scrub on the north side of the headland - uniform tertials are as good as any feature:
0201
alanlewiswildlife.bsky.social @alanlewiswildlife.bsky.social · 19h
Juniper Carpet - 6/10/26 - at least 6 seen at a small nature reserve in East Oxfordshire with @saturdaycatbird.bsky.social - also here a Plumed Fanfoot (widespread dispersal in the last few days) and very worn Juniper Pug:
061
alanlewiswildlife.bsky.social @alanlewiswildlife.bsky.social · 05/10/2026
Lesser Emperor @portlandbirdobs.bsky.social on 4/10/26; many thanks to MC who brought this back to the obs after it had caught itself in a mistnet. I haven't had much time to look for dragonflies this year, so nice to see this at the end of the season:
060
alanlewiswildlife.bsky.social @alanlewiswildlife.bsky.social · 04/10/2026
Highlights from trapping overnight 3-4/10/26 at Freshwater Bay, @portlandbirdobs.bsky.social included a pristine Brindled Ochre (now very scarce in Dorset), 4 Golden Twinspot and a worn Silver-spotted Veneer (Euchromius ocellea); also here 15+ Palpita vitrealis, 1 Bordered Straw, 3 Vestal
0151
alanlewiswildlife.bsky.social @alanlewiswildlife.bsky.social · 04/10/2026
A selection of moths today from @portlandbirdobs.bsky.social - the rare Maize Wainscot, 1 of 2 Ni Moths seen and a fine purple Purple Marbled, all of which were trapped at the observatory:
080
alanlewiswildlife.bsky.social @alanlewiswildlife.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
Fisher's Estuarine Moth - Kent - 29/09/26 - saw about 15 of these very local and stunning moths tonight on @savebutterflies.bsky.social survey, with @dartfordtrapper.bsky.social
0372
alanlewiswildlife.bsky.social @alanlewiswildlife.bsky.social · 26/09/2026
Semipalmated Sandpiper at Fishtail Lagoon, Pennington - 26/09/26 - An enjoyable couple of hours spent with this peep today, the sixth I've seen in Hampshire and four of those have been on the same two pools!
0404
alanlewiswildlife.bsky.social @alanlewiswildlife.bsky.social · 26/09/2026
25-26/9/26 - Dorset - Banded Pine Carpet -after the early success with the Wainscot, @dartfordtrapper.bsky.social, @mammalmark.bsky.social and I moved east to a pine plantation where an overnight trapping effort produced two of this recent colonist, although at the end of the season:
0100
alanlewiswildlife.bsky.social @alanlewiswildlife.bsky.social · 26/09/2026
25/09/26 - Dorset - Blair's Wainscot: Thanks to a tip off from @deansmatthew.bsky.social - @dartfordtrapper.bsky.social, @mammalmark.bsky.social and I were able to find a large stand of the food plant (Lesser Pond Sedge) and, shortly after dark, were able to net a number of these local moths:
0130
alanlewiswildlife.bsky.social @alanlewiswildlife.bsky.social · 14/09/2026
Tamarisk Peacock - a very successful trip to Sussex tonight with @mammalmark.bsky.social and @dartfordtrapper.bsky.social to see this recent colonist - an hour search produced many adults and larvae:
0160
alanlewiswildlife.bsky.social @alanlewiswildlife.bsky.social · 13/09/2026
Osprey, Garganey, Spotted Redshank and Green Sandpiper seen at sites along the Hampshire coast on 12/09/26:
031
alanlewiswildlife.bsky.social @alanlewiswildlife.bsky.social · 09/09/2026
Egyptian Nightjar, Shetland - an exceptional vagrant and an incredible find by RR - a true privilege to be able to see it:
0110
alanlewiswildlife.bsky.social @alanlewiswildlife.bsky.social · 09/09/2026
Somer superb seawatching at Bridges of Ross, Kerry recently - no Barolo or South Polar Skua seen by me, despite much checking; images of Pomarine Skua, Cory's Shearwater, Sooty Shearwater and a few pixels of a Wilson's Petrel (you can just see the legs!):
1141
alanlewiswildlife.bsky.social @alanlewiswildlife.bsky.social · 09/09/2026
Red-footed Falcon early am 3/9/26 in Lowestoft, Suffolk: I was lucky enough to be working up in Suffolk when this obliging juvenile was performing in the middle of town:
070
alanlewiswildlife.bsky.social @alanlewiswildlife.bsky.social · 31/08/2026
3 days at Porthgwarra / Pendeen, West Cornwall was enjoyable - highlights 1 Band-rumped Storm-petrel this morning - enjoyed by many, 10 Sabine's Gulls, 2 juv LT Skua, 20 Great Shears, 100+ Cory's - I spent rather too much time scanning Manx lines today for Barolo, without success!
1291
alanlewiswildlife.bsky.social @alanlewiswildlife.bsky.social · 27/08/2026
Black V Moth this evening @dungenessbirdobs.bsky.social thanks to DW and Bob Arnfield - they always seem to be rather worn when they get here and so perhaps better photographed against a white background! No AI used in this image!
190
Reposted by @alanlewiswildlife.bsky.social
Harry Witts @hwitts.bsky.social · 26/08/2026
Very exciting to kick this up at Colne Point, Essex on Saturday, just moments after remarking how I didn’t think I’d recognise a grasshopper new to Britain. Sphingonotus caerulans, the second British, and likely first natural record. Found with @graemelyons.bsky.social and @josscarr.bsky.social
Excellent photos by Joss Carr
38813
alanlewiswildlife.bsky.social @alanlewiswildlife.bsky.social · 26/08/2026
This very dark Dark Crimson Underwing [to sugar/light] was the highlight of an evening on 25/8/26 with @saturdaycatbird.bsky.social at Pamber Forest, N. Hampshire, along with 8 (!) Small Black Arches (background only is AI, it was on a white sheet by the Lepi-LED in this pic)
181
alanlewiswildlife.bsky.social @alanlewiswildlife.bsky.social · 23/08/2026
European Praying Mantis - one of the latest orthopteroids to colonise Britain; after a few 'false starts' in southern counties:
0311
Reposted by @alanlewiswildlife.bsky.social
Migrant Lepidoptera (GB & Ireland) @migrantmothuk.bsky.social · 21/08/2026
1/2 After what seems like an entire summer of northerly winds we may finally see the return of N African air from Tues-Thurs next week. Low pressure to the west of Iberia over the weekend should start to pull up the warm air (& insects) into S Europe, hopefully reaching SW Britain by Tues #teammoth
Sun 23/8Mon, 24/8Tues, 25/8Weds, 26/8
2258
alanlewiswildlife.bsky.social @alanlewiswildlife.bsky.social · 19/08/2026
A few more from Freshwater Bay @portlandbirdobs.bsky.social from Sunday night: Herald, Small Marbled (15 trapped here), Blair's Mocha and Tufted Oak Knot-horn (A. tumidana):
0111
alanlewiswildlife.bsky.social @alanlewiswildlife.bsky.social · 18/08/2026
Repositioned again, night 116/8/26, with thanks to @portlandbirdobs.bsky.social for this superb Pale Shoulder and a pristine Bedstraw Hawkmoth; a very fat female Convolvulus HM was 1/5 trapped at Freshwater Bay; outnumbering Striped HM at all coastal locations in the SW now?
1342
alanlewiswildlife.bsky.social @alanlewiswildlife.bsky.social · 18/08/2026
Repositioned to Hartland Point, North Devon, night 15/8/26 with @saturdaycatbird.bsky.social - strong northerly breeze (not good) but 5 of the very local Scarce Blackneck (3 to MV, 2 to LED) appeared and a bonus box fresh Devonshire Wainscott; 5 Convolvulus, 2 Striped Hawks etc:
0181
alanlewiswildlife.bsky.social @alanlewiswildlife.bsky.social · 18/08/2026
Verge Crickets - Porthgwarra, Cornwall, night of 14/8/26 - the second image is the first one I saw, a wingless one, calling under a rosette of plantain at the base of the kerb, by the small cottage above the cove and easily trapped; the first image of a winged individual to MV in the CP.... 1/2
2212
alanlewiswildlife.bsky.social @alanlewiswildlife.bsky.social · 17/08/2026
Friday night 14/8/26 at Porthgwarra, Cornwall targeting migrant moths with @saturdaycatbird.bsky.social - although the hoped for Slender Burnished Brass failed to appear to lure, compensation to light included a nice Convolvulus Hawk, a Porter's Rustic and at least 4 Grass Eggar:
0101
alanlewiswildlife.bsky.social @alanlewiswildlife.bsky.social · 17/08/2026
Other highlights at Freshwater Bay @portlandbirdobs.bsky.social last night included Golden Twinspot and 3 Ni Moths amongst a deluge of the commoner migrants and a selection of the resident species.
0140
alanlewiswildlife.bsky.social @alanlewiswildlife.bsky.social · 17/08/2026
Passenger - Freshwater Bay, @portlandbirdobs.bsky.social last night - that's 3 trapped in the area in the last few days, but still exciting when you turn over an egg box and this thing is sat there!
1473
alanlewiswildlife.bsky.social @alanlewiswildlife.bsky.social · 15/08/2026
Porthgwarra, Cornwall overnight produced 3 Verge Crickets (1 winged to MV, 2 singing, at least 1 wingless), 1 Porters Rustic, 11 Striped Hawks, 1 Convolvulus, 2 Cosmopolitan, 1 Small Marbled, 1 SBS, 1 BS, 5 White-speck, 1 vitrealis @migrantmothuk.bsky.social #teammoth
0273
alanlewiswildlife.bsky.social @alanlewiswildlife.bsky.social · 15/08/2026
Verge Cricket singing from this crevice on a bolder beach at Porthgwarra, Cornwall overnight; also 2 others trapped, one a MV and one singing one at the kerb edge
2301
Reposted by @alanlewiswildlife.bsky.social
Bob Chapman @bobchapman.bsky.social · 13/08/2026
A picture of today's male Verge Cricket attracted to light in Dibden Purlieu, S. Hants last night. Looking increasingly likely to be calling from a verge near you in the next few years. @hantsbic.bsky.social
1349
alanlewiswildlife.bsky.social @alanlewiswildlife.bsky.social · 12/08/2026
Small Black Arches [again] - evening of 11/8/26 at Pamber Forest, Hampshire, with @saturdaycatbird.bsky.social - this very local moth is obviously reliable here, even late in its flight season:
060
alanlewiswildlife.bsky.social @alanlewiswildlife.bsky.social · 12/08/2026
Dark Crimson Underwing to sugar at Pamber Forest, evening 11/8/26 with @saturdaycatbird.bsky.social - images 2 and 3 unmanipulated, first image is a 'moth plank shot', but using AI to add the original background back!
070
alanlewiswildlife.bsky.social @alanlewiswildlife.bsky.social · 11/08/2026
Dark-bordered Pearl- 3 seen at Pamber Forest, Hampshire 10/8/26 (1 at sugar, 2 to light) and a Small Ranunculus to light in urban Basingstoke (10/8/26). Both formerly very rare species, but now widespread in Hampshire:
090
alanlewiswildlife.bsky.social @alanlewiswildlife.bsky.social · 11/08/2026
Quality over quantity, moth trapping with @saturdaycatbird.bsky.social on the evening of 10/8/26 at Pamber Forest, Hampshire - Light Crimson Underwing and Red Underwing to sugar and Small Black Arches to Lepi-LED
0101
alanlewiswildlife.bsky.social @alanlewiswildlife.bsky.social · 09/08/2026
@portlandbirdobs.bsky.social is such a great area for inverts and the micro-moth diversity is amazing; here are Eyed Totrix (wanderer from Wormwood colonies), Samphire Knothorn (food plant is Golden Samphire), Madder Pearl and Yellow Marbled Pearl, the latter 3 from 8/8/26 [AI backgrounds]:
0100
alanlewiswildlife.bsky.social @alanlewiswildlife.bsky.social · 08/08/2026
Long-tailed Blue - Portsdown Hill, another image from this morning's session; amazingly territorial - this male would attack rival males and the two would spiral up high in the air together; it chased any other butterflies, including Painted Lady - feisty little things!
1343
alanlewiswildlife.bsky.social @alanlewiswildlife.bsky.social · 08/08/2026
Long-tailed Blues at Portsdown Hill, Hampshire 8/8/26 - an enjoyable few hours with at least three of these, although hard to get a good upperwing shot - third image suggests we might get another emergence later in the autumn, if she can find the nearby everlasting peas..
2539
alanlewiswildlife.bsky.social @alanlewiswildlife.bsky.social · 07/08/2026
Queen of Spain Fritillary - Monk Sherborne, Hampshire; at least 2 seen well, fighting with passing Common Blues, resting on the track with some brief nectaring on Ragwort; also a nice pink-striped Vestal (also 3 worn ones yesterday):
0182
alanlewiswildlife.bsky.social @alanlewiswildlife.bsky.social · 04/08/2026
Ground Lackey - Suffolk Coast, 3/8/26 - after trapping a very worn individual on night of 2/8, I trapped this male at light on 3/8, thanks to @deansmatthew.bsky.social for the info:
0121
alanlewiswildlife.bsky.social @alanlewiswildlife.bsky.social · 04/08/2026
Black Storks in Suffolk - 3/8/26 - I was lucky to see these as they were elusive in the deep saltmarsh creeks before, with the temperature rising, they circled up and headed north:
0101
alanlewiswildlife.bsky.social @alanlewiswildlife.bsky.social · 04/08/2026
Sandhill Rustic - Suffolk Coast, 2/8/26 - many thanks to @deansmatthew.bsky.social for help wth this one, best located by finding them with a head torch, resting on the foodplant:
0140
alanlewiswildlife.bsky.social @alanlewiswildlife.bsky.social · 01/08/2026
Another box fresh Cosmopolitan from Freshwater Bay @portlandbirdobs.bsky.social last night, clearly breeding locally as with the Striped Hawks; rather a cold night and only ran an actinic and a lepi-LED to 00:30 but still getting quality moths; also 4 Bordered Straw, 2 P. vitrealis
0180
alanlewiswildlife.bsky.social @alanlewiswildlife.bsky.social · 01/08/2026
Purple Marbled at Freshwater Bay @portlandbirdobs.bsky.social last night - a nice 'purple one'! Left image unmanipulated by AI, but for the image on the RHS I used AI to 'mend' some scale damage on the left wing, cloning from the right wing!
090
alanlewiswildlife.bsky.social @alanlewiswildlife.bsky.social · 31/07/2026
AI does its thing!
030
alanlewiswildlife.bsky.social @alanlewiswildlife.bsky.social · 31/07/2026
Freshwater Bay @portlandbirdobs.bsky.social last night gave Cosmopolitan (2), Ni (2), Vestal (2), Striped HM (2), Eastern Bordered Straw (1), Scarce BS (2), Bordered Straw (6), Jersey Mocha (1), Small Marbled (1), this would have been remarkable a year ago, but not now @migrantmothuk.bsky.social
1241
alanlewiswildlife.bsky.social @alanlewiswildlife.bsky.social · 31/07/2026
Bordered Straw, Scarce Bordered Straw and Eastern Bordered Straw from Freshwater Bay @portlandbirdobs.bsky.social last night; the 'new normal' - they really didn't want to line up for a photo - very poorly behaved!
1160
alanlewiswildlife.bsky.social @alanlewiswildlife.bsky.social · 27/07/2026
South Devon - night 25-26/7 - from Portland I headed west with @saturdaycatbird.bsky.social and Mark H and we ran a variety of traps in a strong breeze and rain, not ideal but a single Devonshire Wainscot was in the very last trap as we packed up!
0101
alanlewiswildlife.bsky.social @alanlewiswildlife.bsky.social · 27/07/2026
Last few from @portlandbirdobs.bsky.social on 24/7 - (yet another!) Eastern Bordered Straw, Olive Pearl (my first of the year), Beach green Carpet (isolated outpost here) and Blackthorn Blister Moth (many thanks to MC for this one - a tiny thing!)
0121
alanlewiswildlife.bsky.social @alanlewiswildlife.bsky.social · 27/07/2026
Scarce Bordered Straw - 2 of the 3 trapped at Freshwater Bay, Portland on 24/07 to show the incredible variation in this species - my first of the year but which should become more frequent over the autumn @portlandbirdobs.bsky.social
0100
alanlewiswildlife.bsky.social @alanlewiswildlife.bsky.social · 27/07/2026
Cosmopolitan, White-speck and Ni Moth were all quality migrants from @portlandbirdobs.bsky.social on 25/7/26:
0111