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andrewpbf.bsky.social

@andrewpbf.bsky.social
29 followers 11 following 86 posts
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andrewpbf.bsky.social @andrewpbf.bsky.social · 09/08/2026
With so many Clouded Yellows around it was a surprise to see this lovely male Brimstone in the garden this morning. @bc-cornwall.bsky.social @marcusrhodes.bsky.social
Brimstone butterfly
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Reposted by @andrewpbf.bsky.social
Cornwall Butterfly Conservation @bc-cornwall.bsky.social · 07/08/2026
We've been sent this striking photo of an albino Meadow Brown (ab. grisea-argentacea). Seen near Coverack last week by Peter Wood. 📷 Peter Wood
A Meadow Brown butterfly basking in the grass. Its wings and body are completely white, except for a patch of bright orange in the middle of each forewing.

Photo: Peter Wood
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andrewpbf.bsky.social @andrewpbf.bsky.social · 07/08/2026
Fortunately I had no plans to use that socket...
Swallows nest
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Reposted by @andrewpbf.bsky.social
Cornwall Butterfly Conservation @bc-cornwall.bsky.social · 24/07/2026
On 11th July, we had a field trip to Carrine Common, a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and Special Area of Conservation (SAC) managed by Natural England. The highlight of the walk was a close encounter with two Purple Hairstreak butterflies.
A Purple Hairstreak butterfly perched on an Oak leaf. The underside of its wings are silvery-grey, with a white streak across them and a small orange eyespot on the hindwing.

Photo: Sophie Headland
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andrewpbf.bsky.social @andrewpbf.bsky.social · 18/07/2026
Nothing like a walk along the coast path near Looe in Cornwall when the sun is out. The cliffside tracks are alive with butterflies right now—spotted a Common Blue, a Small Copper, and a Wall today. @bc-cornwall.bsky.social @marcusrhodes.bsky.social
Small CopperWall BrownCommon Blue
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andrewpbf.bsky.social @andrewpbf.bsky.social · 18/07/2026
Clouded Yellows have been appearing in good numbers across Cornwall this year, riding on warm winds from southern Europe. Look out for their glowing orange-yellow wings, edged with a bold black border. @bc-cornwall.bsky.social @marcusrhodes.bsky.social
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Reposted by @andrewpbf.bsky.social
Cornwall Butterfly Conservation @bc-cornwall.bsky.social · 27/06/2026
Join our Chair at Crofthandy and United Downs Raceway tomorrow to hear all about our Jewels in the Cornish Mining Landscape project, alongside a fab line-up of other speakers!
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andrewpbf.bsky.social @andrewpbf.bsky.social · 27/06/2026
The Ringlet’s gold-rimmed eyespots aren’t just for show — they can help confuse birds and deflect attacks away from the body, so a butterfly may end up a bit battered but still live to fly another day. @bc-cornwall.bsky.social
Ringlet butterfly
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andrewpbf.bsky.social @andrewpbf.bsky.social · 21/06/2026
Penlee Battery in East Cornwall is a great place to see Marbled Whites. 188 seen there this morning. The species occurs across much of Cornwall, though it is largely absent from the far south-west. Males are black and white, while females show a yellow-orange underside. @bc-cornwall.bsky.social
Female Marbled WhiteMale Marbled White
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Reposted by @andrewpbf.bsky.social
Dr Marcus Rhodes @marcusrhodes.bsky.social · 14/06/2026
Silver-studded Blues at Trevilley Cliff, Nanjizal, yesterday.
A male Silver-studded Blue butterfly perched with open wings. The upper side of its wings are royal blue with a black border.A male Silver-studded Blue butterfly nectaring from the purple flowers of Bell Heather.Maritime grassland and heath around the rugged, granite coastline of Nanjizal Bay.
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andrewpbf.bsky.social @andrewpbf.bsky.social · 13/06/2026
60 Silver-studded Blues at Poldice Valley today! Significant colonies inhabit Cornwall’s heathlands (many on old mining sites) & coastal dunes, mostly in the west. This nationally rare species still faces tough battles against developers on dunes to keep habitats safe. @bc-cornwall.bsky.social
Silver-studded blue butterflySilver-studded blue butterfly
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Reposted by @andrewpbf.bsky.social
Dr Marcus Rhodes @marcusrhodes.bsky.social · 07/06/2026
Heath Fritillaries from today's @bc-cornwall.bsky.social field trip to Greenscoombe Wood. Currently, the only Cornish site for this rare and lovely butterfly, following a successful reintroduction.
A Heath Fritillary butterfly perched on Heather with its wings closed. The underside of its wings are chequered with orange and cream.A Heath Fritillary butterfly basking on a Bramble leaf. The upper side of its open wings are chequered orange and dark brown.Two Heath Fritillary butterflies basking next to each other on Bramble.
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Reposted by @andrewpbf.bsky.social
leonwr.bsky.social @leonwr.bsky.social · 08/06/2026
Trip to Greenscombe wood on the edge of the Tamar today for the endangered heath fritillary. Fantastic wood looks managed well & 30 plus fritillary seen. Huge thanks to @andrewpbf.bsky.social with his info wouldn't of found it otherwise !!. 6 spot fly best birds seen. #UKBirding #Cornwallbutterflys.
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andrewpbf.bsky.social @andrewpbf.bsky.social · 07/06/2026
CBC field trip to Greenscoombe Wood today: despite heavy cloud and rain forecast, we saw an amazing 83 Heath Fritillaries. Imagine if it had been sunny! The overcast conditions meant the butterflies stayed settled, making them easy to spot, count, and photograph. @bc-cornwall.bsky.social
Heath FritillaryHeath Fritillary
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andrewpbf.bsky.social @andrewpbf.bsky.social · 02/06/2026
Ian Howarth reports 20 Heath Fritillaries at Greenscombe Wood today - one of the UK’s rarest butterflies—near extinction in the 1970s, now recovering thanks to conservation. Also: Small Heath, Ringlet, Red Admiral and ~24 Painted Ladies. Thanks to Ian for his photo/report. @bc-cornwall.bsky.social
Heath Fritillary
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andrewpbf.bsky.social @andrewpbf.bsky.social · 29/05/2026
Large skippers have been flying in Cornwall for a couple of weeks now. The male has a thick black line through the centre of the upper forewing—actually a scent brand used to attract females. @bc-cornwall.bsky.social @savebutterflies.bsky.social @marcusrhodes.bsky.social
Large skipperLarge skipperLarge skipper
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andrewpbf.bsky.social @andrewpbf.bsky.social · 28/05/2026
Marsh fritillaries flying today on Bodmin Moor. Living in damp meadows and boggy grassland, needing Devil’s-bit Scabious to survive. Like the pearl-bordered and small pearl-bordered fritillaries, they're under threat—with populations down 66% in England since 1990. @bc-cornwall.bsky.social
Marsh fritillary
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andrewpbf.bsky.social @andrewpbf.bsky.social · 26/05/2026
Bunny’s Hill, Cardinham, this morning: a whopping 217 Small Pearl-bordered Fritillaries in just 45 minutes, in blazing temperatures. Absolutely incredible. @bc-cornwall.bsky.social @marcusrhodes.bsky.social @savebutterflies.bsky.social
Small pearl
Small pearl
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andrewpbf.bsky.social @andrewpbf.bsky.social · 24/05/2026
Pearls still around on Bodmin Moor. Numbers seriously down, though. Increasing numbers of Small Pearls. Too hot!! @bc-cornwall.bsky.social @saverflies.bsky.social @marcusrhodes.bsky.social
Pearl bordered fritillary 
Small Pearl
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andrewpbf.bsky.social @andrewpbf.bsky.social · 23/05/2026
No Pearls on the Coast Path this afternoon—flight season’s over for the pearl‑bordered fritillaries along the Cornwall coast. But consoled to find this Large Skipper soaking up the sun instead. @bc-cornwall.bsky.social @marcusrhodes.bsky.social @savebutterflies.bsky.social
Large Skipper
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andrewpbf.bsky.social @andrewpbf.bsky.social · 15/05/2026
While their caterpillars rely entirely on violets, adult Pearl-bordered Fritillaries need plenty of early spring nectar to fuel their flights. Bugle, dandelion, bluebells are vital, and they also happily visit newly blossomed bird's-foot-trefoil. @bc-cornwall.bsky.social @marcusrhodes.bsky.social
Pearl-bordered fritillary nectaring on newly blossomed birds-foot-trefoil.
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andrewpbf.bsky.social @andrewpbf.bsky.social · 10/05/2026
Cornwall Butterfly Conservation's field trip to Pendrift on Bodmin Moor today was special: 70 Pearl‑bordered Fritillaries seen, plus 7 Small PBFs. A lovely sight but seeing Small PBFs reminds us sadly our Pearls have only a few days left to fly. @bc-cornwall.bsky.social @savebutterflies.bsky.social
Pearl-bordered fritillary nectaring on Bluebells.
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andrewpbf.bsky.social @andrewpbf.bsky.social · 09/05/2026
Pearl-bordered fritillary nectaring on bluebell at Fellover Brake, Bodmin Moor. Following a very wet winter, cold easterly winds the past few weeks, and only the occasional sunny spell, numbers are running well below typical levels. @savebutterflies.bsky.social @bc-cornwall.bsky.social
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andrewpbf.bsky.social @andrewpbf.bsky.social · 29/04/2026
Pearl-bordered Fritillary snacking on Sheep's-bit. One of 44 seen on Cornish coast path this morning. Rain on the way unfortunately. @savebutterflies.bsky.social @bc-cornwall.bsky.social @marcusrhodes.bsky.social
Pearl-bordered Fritillary snacking on Sheep's-bit
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andrewpbf.bsky.social @andrewpbf.bsky.social · 28/04/2026
Pearl-bordered fritillaries are finally out on Bodmin Moor. In Cornwall they first appear on the Coast Path near Looe, then at Marsland near Bude, and finally on Bodmin – a sequence shaped by altitude, temperature, exposure and microclimate. @savebutterflies.bsky.social @bc-cornwall.bsky.social
Pearl-bordered fritillary on Bodmin Moor
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Reposted by @andrewpbf.bsky.social
Dr Marcus Rhodes @marcusrhodes.bsky.social · 26/04/2026
Pearl-bordered Fritillaries on the undercliffs at Murrayton this morning. At this coastal site, they make use of glades created by the frequent landslips.
A Pearl-bordered Fritillary butterfly basking on Ivy. Its wings are bright orange with black spots, dashes, and chevrons.The undercliffs at Murrayton: a mix of scrub and open areas with Ivy and Bracken.The undercliffs at Murrayton: a mix of scrub and open areas with Ivy and Bracken. Looe (St George's) Island is visible in the distance.
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andrewpbf.bsky.social @andrewpbf.bsky.social · 26/04/2026
26 Pearls seen at Marsland Hard Hills yesterday afternoon, matching last year’s peak count, so we’re hopeful for an even better year this year. @savebutterflies.bsky.social @bc-cornwall.bsky.social @marcusrhodes.bsky.social
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andrewpbf.bsky.social @andrewpbf.bsky.social · 24/04/2026
Strong cold easterly winds on Cornwall Coast Path for over a week. Yet Pearl-bordered Fritillaries show big spirit! 20 seen today—small in size, but mighty! Come on you Pearls! @savebutterflies.bsky.social @bc-cornwall.bsky.social @marcusrhodes.bsky.social
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andrewpbf.bsky.social @andrewpbf.bsky.social · 18/04/2026
15 Pearl-bordered fritillaries this afternoon on the Cornwall coast path. Lovely to see them again. @savebutterflies.bsky.social @marcusrhodes.bsky.social @bc-cornwall.bsky.social
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Reposted by @andrewpbf.bsky.social
Dr Marcus Rhodes @marcusrhodes.bsky.social · 04/03/2026
Cornwall Butterfly Conservation's Open Day is next week! We have some great speakers lined up for the day including @richardfoxbc.bsky.social on climate change, Adrian Spalding discussing Sandhill Rustics & Lesley Strong talking about the Cornish Mining World Heritage Site. Hope to see you there!
Cornwall Butterfly Conservation Open Day
Saturday 14th March
10am-4pm
All welcome
St Erme Community Centre, Castle Field, Trispen, Truro TR4 9BD
- Free entry
- Informative talks
- Learn about our local butterflies
- Wildlife stalls
- Cakes and drinks
- BYO lunch
- Donations welcome
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andrewpbf.bsky.social @andrewpbf.bsky.social · 04/03/2026
I thought it was just a battered Small Tortoiseshell on a muddy patch… but something wasn’t quite right. Then it clicked—it was far too big! My first-ever Large Tortoiseshell, emerging in the sun after months of Cornish rain. @savebutterflies.bsky.social @marcusrhodes.bsky.social
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andrewpbf.bsky.social @andrewpbf.bsky.social · 18/02/2026
Come and Join Us! @marcusrhodes.bsky.social @savebutterflies.bsky.social
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andrewpbf.bsky.social @andrewpbf.bsky.social · 16/02/2026
Come and Join Us!
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Reposted by @andrewpbf.bsky.social
Dr Marcus Rhodes @marcusrhodes.bsky.social · 15/02/2026
Cornwall Butterfly Conservation volunteers had a rather sodden time of it on Bodmin Moor today. We were planting Common Dog Violets to increase the breeding habitat along a new corridor connecting two colonies of Pearl-bordered Fritillaries. At least they've had a good watering in!
Cornwall Butterfly Conservation volunteers planting Violets in rain and fog on a Bracken-covered hillside with scattered Oak trees.Cornwall Butterfly Conservation volunteers stood huddled in the rain on a Bracken-covered slope, discussing the planting plan for Violets.Cornwall Butterfly Conservation volunteers planting Violets along a mown path through the Bracken and scattered Oak trees.Trays of Common Dog Violet plug plants next to a patch of Violets planted amongst Bracken litter.
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andrewpbf.bsky.social @andrewpbf.bsky.social · 22/08/2025
Lots of Small Heaths near Garrow Tor this afternoon. @savebutterflies.bsky.social
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andrewpbf.bsky.social @andrewpbf.bsky.social · 09/08/2025
The brimstone butterfly's leaf-like wing is such a good disguise. @savebutterflies.bsky.social
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andrewpbf.bsky.social @andrewpbf.bsky.social · 06/08/2025
Sunlight and nectar. @savebutterflies.bsky.social
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andrewpbf.bsky.social @andrewpbf.bsky.social · 02/08/2025
Clouded Yellow sipping nectar from Birds-foot trefoil. First I’ve seen this year in Cornwall. @savebutterflies.bsky.social
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andrewpbf.bsky.social @andrewpbf.bsky.social · 26/07/2025
Why so few Small Tortoiseshells? @savebutterflies.bsky.social
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andrewpbf.bsky.social @andrewpbf.bsky.social · 18/07/2025
Common Blue on Bird’s-foot trefoil. @savebutterflies.bsky.social
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andrewpbf.bsky.social @andrewpbf.bsky.social · 10/07/2025
Brimstone- not seen many this year … @savebutterflies.bsky.social
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andrewpbf.bsky.social @andrewpbf.bsky.social · 08/07/2025
Large White. @savebutterflies.bsky.social
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andrewpbf.bsky.social @andrewpbf.bsky.social · 08/07/2025
This is a very strange photo. I took about 5 shots of this Peacock and they all turned out looking like the butterfly had been pasted onto a grass background. @savebutterflies.bsky.social
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andrewpbf.bsky.social @andrewpbf.bsky.social · 03/07/2025
Essex Skipper sipping Lavender nectar near Peddars way. @savebutterflies.bsky.social @norfolkbutterflies.bsky.social
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andrewpbf.bsky.social @andrewpbf.bsky.social · 03/07/2025
Wall Brown seen near Peddars Way today. @savebutterflies.bsky.social @norfolkbutterflies.bsky.social
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andrewpbf.bsky.social @andrewpbf.bsky.social · 02/07/2025
Essex Skipper seen on Peddars Way today. @savebutterflies.bsky.social @norfolkbutterflies.bsky.social
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andrewpbf.bsky.social @andrewpbf.bsky.social · 21/06/2025
Brimstone @savebutterflies.bsky.social
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andrewpbf.bsky.social @andrewpbf.bsky.social · 18/06/2025
Luckless quest for early Clouded Yellows at East Coombe near Lansallos - but saw these 3 surprises instead @savebutterflies.bsky.social
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andrewpbf.bsky.social @andrewpbf.bsky.social · 18/06/2025
Brimstone @savebutterflies.bsky.social
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andrewpbf.bsky.social @andrewpbf.bsky.social · 17/06/2025
The Ringlet’s white fringe. @savebutterflies.bsky.social
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