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Christopher Blakey

@christopherblakey.com
598 followers 658 following 95 posts

🎵 Theomousikos, Wycliffe Hall/University of Oxford 🦉 Wildlife watcher, recorder, and educator 📸 Mostly local photography- Oxfordshire (ex Durham) 🦋 Creator of durhammoths.org 🌐 christopherblakey.com 📷 instagram.com/thewildlifewatcher

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Christopher Blakey @christopherblakey.com · 25/05/2026
A few traps in a wood just outside of Oxford over the weekend yielded a good number of moths, including several interesting micros. By far the stand-out was this rather smart Denisia albimaculea- a first for me, and for the county! @upperthames.bsky.social #teammoth
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Christopher Blakey @christopherblakey.com · 20/09/2025
Trapping around Cothill Fen this week produced some nice moths including Clifden Nonpareil! Evergestis limbata was the rarest to turn up, and it was nice to see Vestal and other migrants #teammoth @freshwaterhabitats.bsky.social @upperthames.bsky.social @bbowt.bsky.social @migrantmothuk.bsky.social
Evergestis limbataVestalClifden NonpareilClifden Nonpareil
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Christopher Blakey @christopherblakey.com · 08/07/2025
A surprising moth came to my light on Friday– the rarely-seen monster Tineid, Morophaga choragella. It's only been seen once in Durham (1862). I was also surprised by the number of Marbled White Spot– all 4 previous county records are of singles, and I got 7! #teammoth #mothsmatter #ukwildlife
Morophaga choragellaAethes rubigana– a very smart TortrixBlomer's RivuletMarbled White Spot!
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Christopher Blakey @christopherblakey.com · 13/06/2025
Four nice micros from an afternoon stroll around Wynyard Woodland Park (VC66) last week: Dichrorampha alpinana, Schreckensteinia festaliella, Pammene regiana, and a beautiful Ptylocoma lecheana. All new to me! #teammoth #ukwildlife
Dichrorampha alpinanaPammene regianaSchreckensteinia festaliellaPtylocoma lecheana
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Christopher Blakey @christopherblakey.com · 08/06/2025
Delighted to have found Phtheochroa rugosana in Durham- the first modern adult record! An amazingly intricate moth, and a candidate for our rarest breeder due to the scarcity of White Bryony here. Keith Dover and I were following up on historic reports recently confirmed by larval records. #teammoth
Phtheochroa rugosana lateral viewPhtheochroa rugosana dorsal view
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Christopher Blakey @christopherblakey.com · 09/05/2025
A few mothing highlights from April around County Durham. Phylloporia bistrigella is rare in the county, and I was delighted to find one again. Coleophora pyrrhulipennella case was a chance find- a new site, the third county record, and the first in 35 years. #teammoth #ukwildlife #moth #insect
Scarce ProminentYellow-barred BrindleColeophora pyrrhulipennellaPhylloporia bistrigella
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Christopher Blakey @christopherblakey.com · 04/04/2025
The last night of March brought some nice moths to my traps. Red Sword-grass was a long-awaited first for me, and I've only seen Pine Beauty and Semioscopis avellanella once before! Taken in County Durham (VC66) in forest on the edge of moorland. #teammoth #mothsmatter #ukwildlife
Pine BeautyRed Sword-grassSemioscopis avellanellaRed Sword-grass
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Christopher Blakey @christopherblakey.com · 24/03/2025
The end of last week finally saw some warmer nights in Durham, so I headed out to a favourite local spot with two traps in tow. Nothing I wasn't expecting, but a decent haul nonetheless (115 moths/18 species), and Yellow Horned is one I look forward to every year. #teammoth #mothsmatter ##ukwildlife
Yellow HornedEngrailedOak BeautyShoulder Stripe
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Christopher Blakey @christopherblakey.com · 06/02/2025
40 moths/5 species earlier this week in a local Birch woodland. Pale-brindled Beauty made up most of the numbers, though a lone Spring Usher was my favourite of the night. Durham, VC66. #teammoth #mothsmatter #ukwildlife
Spring UsherPale-brindled Beauty on my sheet
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Christopher Blakey @christopherblakey.com · 15/01/2025
I found the flightless female Mottled Umber climbing over my bag as I went to pack up- a first for me! I never realised how striking they are #teammoth
Female Mottled UmberFemale Mottled Umber
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Christopher Blakey @christopherblakey.com · 15/01/2025
The frost finally broke in Durham this week, so I headed out to a local woodland with the LED light for a few hours. 23 moths of 5 species was better than expected- Mottled Umber did most of the heavy lifting numbers-wise. Finally, the first moth records of the year! #teammoth #ukwildlife
Mottled Umber male sitting on Birch
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Christopher Blakey @christopherblakey.com · 13/01/2025
An early year favourite, but one that doesn't seem to wander too far up in Durham. I've only ever had one in the garden trap, meanwhile down the road in an ancient birch woodland...
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Christopher Blakey @christopherblakey.com · 17/12/2024
I use a 30000 mAh, 25W power bank running at ~12V and a constant voltage/current step up/down module. If used on a trap, I can adjust the current to get the maximum power whilst ensuring the battery lasts overnight. If I'm staying with the light, I run at full power and switch batteries ~3hrs.
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Christopher Blakey @christopherblakey.com · 17/12/2024
I've had success with 3w LEDs in a few configurations– if you're OK with a bit of soldering then it's a good option! I've recorded 500+ species to these lights using traps and sheets over the last 3 years. Have a look here petermobbs.wordpress.com?s=moth for more on this sort of set-up. #teammoth
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Christopher Blakey @christopherblakey.com · 14/12/2024
3 of at least 11 Heralds I found roosting in the ancient undercroft of Finchale Priory, Durham. I wonder how long they've been roosting here! #teammoth #HibernatingHerald #ukwildlife #mothsmatter #insect #moth
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Christopher Blakey @christopherblakey.com · 29/11/2024
Another of one of the Jack Snipe I found this week not far from home in Durham. I've come across quite a few birds locally this winter. #UKBirding #UKwildlife #bird
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Christopher Blakey @christopherblakey.com · 26/11/2024
There's a small marshy spring near me that holds Jack Snipe every year. I found two sitting today, including one sat relatively clear of vegetation, and it let me creep right up to it without moving an inch! One of my favourite sights in the cold season. Durham, UK. #UKBirding #UKwildlife #bird
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Christopher Blakey @christopherblakey.com · 25/11/2024
Beech-green Carpet was a new species for me this year- three came to my LED light one night in a Durham ancient woodland. #teammoth #ukwildlife #mothsmatter #insect #moth
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Christopher Blakey @christopherblakey.com · 24/11/2024
I was very pleased to find Barred Carpet this summer at its only modern site in County Durham. #teammoth #ukwildlife #mothsmatter #insect #moth
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Christopher Blakey @christopherblakey.com · 21/11/2024
Another mothing highlight this year was finding day-flying Manchester Treble-bar on the Durham moors. Absolutely exquisite things! #teammoth #ukwildlife #mothsmatter #insect #moth #wild #macro 🦋🌿
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Christopher Blakey @christopherblakey.com · 20/11/2024
It seems a good time to be posting some 2024 mothing highlights. This June I finally caught up with Grass Wave in Durham, which is only known from one 10km square on the edge of the moors. This one sat obligingly as the sun set. #ukwildlife #teammoth #mothsmatter #insect #moth #wild #macro 🦋🌿
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Christopher Blakey @christopherblakey.com · 18/11/2024
I've not recorded many adult Mottled Umber this year- here's one from a few years ago, taken in a Durham woodland. #ukwildlife #teammoth #mothsmatter #insect #moth #wild #macro 🦋🌿
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Christopher Blakey @christopherblakey.com · 19/10/2024
A few from the last week in woodland around Durham. Rhigognostis incarnatella at a new site was the highlight- always a stunning moth! Agonopterix nervosa was a surprise- the latest VC66 record by 2 weeks. Nice standard autumn stuff besides #ukwildlife #teammoth #insect #moth #wild #macro 🦋🌿
Rhigognostis incarnatella- from a nearby site a few years ago, as this week's was very flightyDecember Moth at the sheetAgonopterix nervosaA trap site
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Christopher Blakey @christopherblakey.com · 27/09/2024
Here are some rather pretty Narrow-winged Pug caterpillars from the Durham and Cumbrian moors this month- part of my tentative efforts to get better at finding moth larvae! #ukwildlife #teammoth #insect #moth #wild #macro #eupithecia #eupitheciananata 🦋🌿
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Christopher Blakey @christopherblakey.com · 19/08/2024
Well done! The previous R. erxlebella is mine from a few weeks ago- it seems to be a good year for them!
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Christopher Blakey @christopherblakey.com · 07/07/2024
I found plenty of Gold Swift flying around at sunset on the edge of the Durham moors the other week. For my money, the best-looking swift species. #ukwildlife #teammoth #insect #moth #wild #macro 🦋🌿
Gold Swift
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Christopher Blakey @christopherblakey.com · 29/06/2024
A very lovely Blomer's Rivulet, caught in Derbyshire earlier in the month. Not a moth I've seen very often! #ukwildlife #teammoth #insect #moth #wild #macro 🦋🌿
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Christopher Blakey @christopherblakey.com · 20/06/2024
I found this stunning male Wheatear amongst a large family party in beautiful Cressbrook Dale last week. #ukwildlife #ukbirding #bird #peakdistrict 🌼🐦🪶
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Christopher Blakey @christopherblakey.com · 10/06/2024
Green Arches from my trap last week in a Durham ancient woodland. #ukwildlife #teammoth #insect #moth #wild #macro 🦋🌿
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Christopher Blakey @christopherblakey.com · 03/06/2024
Beautiful Snout have just started emerging in Durham, and I'm delighted to be getting them in my traps again! Here's one from the weekend- I've recorded this bilberry-lover in several new 10km squares over the past few years as it's spread north. #ukwildlife #teammoth #insect #moth #wild #macro 🦋🌿
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Christopher Blakey @christopherblakey.com · 28/05/2024
This Yellow-tail larvae made me stop in my tracks last week. The angry glowing red, the deep contrasting black, the excessive hair... just amazing. #micromoth #moth #teammoth #ukwildlife 🦋🌼🌱🐛
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Christopher Blakey @christopherblakey.com · 25/05/2024
I was very happy to find one of my favourite micro moths - Eulia ministrana (Brassy Tortrix) - resting on an Elder flower this morning. What a stunner! #micromoth #moth #teammoth #ukwildlife 🦋🌼🌱
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Christopher Blakey @christopherblakey.com · 19/05/2024
Only 4 moths in my garden trap this week, but 2 were very good to see. Puss Moth was a long-awaited first (although no records in my 10km grid square for 40 years). Oak Hook-tip still has less than 60 records in Durham, but seems to be establishing itself well #ukwildlife #teammoth #insect #moth 🦋🌳
Puss MothPuss MothOak Hook-tip
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Christopher Blakey @christopherblakey.com · 17/05/2024
Devon Carpet continues its northward expansion. I caught Durham's 4th this week over 20km from the nearest record (mine from last year)! Cream Wave was another highlight (only my second) and I always enjoy seeing the elaborate antenna of Incurvaria masculella #teammoth #ukwildife #insect #moth 🦋
Devon CarpetCream WaveIncurvaria masculella
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Christopher Blakey @christopherblakey.com · 15/05/2024
The lovely micro moth Esperia sulphurella, seen at dawn on an oak tree. I found double-figures of these shiny wonders around some wood piles in a local #durham nature reserve this week. #ukwildlife #teammoth #insect #moth 🦋☀️🌳
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Christopher Blakey @christopherblakey.com · 13/05/2024
One of many Orange-tip I found patrolling the glades in a local wood over the weekend. A common butterfly around me in #Durham, but always a joy to see in the early- morning light. #ukwildlife #butterfly #nature 🦋
Orange-tip
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Christopher Blakey @christopherblakey.com · 12/05/2024
Plenty of shiny Green Longhorn moth (Adela reaumurella) out yesterday, including these males sharing a gorse flower. #ukwildlife #teammoth #insect #moth #wildlife 🌼🦋
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Christopher Blakey @christopherblakey.com · 11/05/2024
Green Hairstreak on bilberry from the Durhan dales today- the moor was teaming with them! #ukwildlife #butterfly #insect 🦋
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Christopher Blakey @christopherblakey.com · 07/05/2024
I've been monitoring this beautiful Willow Tit nest since I first heard them digging out an old Elder cavity in early April. The female is currently sitting on an enormous clutch of 11 eggs! @btobirds.bsky.social #ukwildlife #nest #ukbirds #nrs 🪶🥚
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Christopher Blakey @christopherblakey.com · 03/05/2024
Still relatively few moths flying in #Durham, but the species are starting to change. Nice to see some Prominents and a Purple Thorn at my light- also found a Herald earlier in the day. #ukwildlife #wildlife #teammoth 🦋🐛
Pale ProminentPurple ThornLesser Swallow ProminentHerald
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Christopher Blakey @christopherblakey.com · 29/04/2024
Very pleased to have a Long-eared Owl nest on my patch again this year! I went to check this morning and found the female sitting tight. I'll be monitoring this (cautiously) for @btobirds.bsky.social NRS. #ukwildlife #UKBirding
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Christopher Blakey @christopherblakey.com · 20/04/2024
Tried out a new site in #Durham this week full of damp birch woodland. 6 Scarce prominent was a record for me! #teammoth #ukwildlife #moths #insects
Scarce ProminentScarce ProminentEarly ThornShoulder Stripe
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Christopher Blakey @christopherblakey.com · 14/04/2024
Lunar Marbled Brown isn't common in VC66, but it can be numerous where it occurs. We had 30+ whilst trapping at an ancient woodland site on the edge of the #Durham dales this week, along with 5 Scarce Prominent, Pale Pinion, and other good things. #teammoth #ukwildlife #moths #insects
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Christopher Blakey @christopherblakey.com · 08/04/2024
Great to see Ring Ouzel back on breeding territory in the #Durham Dales. We found at least 6 individuals interacting at one spot today! #ukwildlife #ukbirding @btobirds.bsky.social
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Christopher Blakey @christopherblakey.com · 28/03/2024
Some brilliantly shiny Eriocraniidae from the #surrey hills this week. #teammoth #ukwildlife #insect #wildlife
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Christopher Blakey @christopherblakey.com · 26/03/2024
27 moths of 11 species in a garden overnight in West Sussex. I was particularly pleased to get my first Lunar Marbled Brown– not easy to get where I normally trap in County Durham! Nice also to get 3 Streamers, and a Frosted Green. #teammoth #ukwildlife
Lunar Marbled BrownFrosted GreenStreamerFrosted Green
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Christopher Blakey @christopherblakey.com · 25/03/2024
A fantastic morning out in #sussex and #surrey today– I was very pleased to find a pair of Lesser-spotted Woodpecker in the same wood as last year. Goshawk and singing Woodlark were best of the rest. #ukbirding #ukwildlife @sussexwildlife.bsky.social
Male Lesser-spotted WoodpeckerGoshawkWoodlark
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Christopher Blakey @christopherblakey.com · 05/03/2024
I left my trap at a local ancient woodland in #durham for a few hours last night. I've had good numbers of Yellow Horned here the past few years, and was glad to see that continuing this year. #teammoth #ukwildlife
Yellow HornedOak Beauty
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Christopher Blakey @christopherblakey.com · 23/02/2024
A beautiful Jack Snipe I found today– normally these take lots of patience, but it was the first thing I saw when I started scanning with my binoculars! I’d found birds here in previous years, so knew it was worth checking– they can be very faithful to particular spots. #UKBirding #ukwildlife #birds
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Christopher Blakey @christopherblakey.com · 20/02/2024
Engrailed was the most numerous moth in my trap this morning. I had a look at my records over the past few years trapping in this local ancient woodland in #Durham (VC66), and I’ve got more records of Engrailed than any other species. #teammoth #moths #ukwildlife
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