Reposted by Dr Marcus RhodesCornwall Butterfly Conservation @bc-cornwall.bsky.social · 01/10/2026October marks the start of conservation season for Cornwall's butterflies! We have a packed programme of volunteer days on offer across our priority landscapes of Bodmin Moor and the Mining Districts around Redruth. Sign-up & get involved at volunteer.butterfly-conservation.org/opportunitie... 042
Reposted by Dr Marcus RhodesCornwall Butterfly Conservation @bc-cornwall.bsky.social · 30/09/2026Have you checked out the new mural on Perranporth Library? Painted by street artist Mark Anthony, aka ATM, it depicts the Silver-studded Blue and Grizzled Skipper butterflies, both of which breed on nearby Gear Sands, along with their larval foodplants. 1135
Reposted by Dr Marcus RhodesRichard Fox @richardfoxbc.bsky.social · 23/09/2026📣 New paper alert. Latest study by @mingrui-li.bsky.social as part of his PhD @uniexecec.bsky.social on the impact of public access to land on #CitizenScience butterfly recording. 🥾⛔️📋🦋 @savebutterflies.bsky.social @ukceh.bsky.social link.springer.com/article/10.1...link.springer.comModelling spatial deficits in citizen science recording: a case study from UK butterflies - Journal of Insect ConservationAbstract Citizen science data are increasingly used to infer species distributions and monitor biodiversity at large spatial scales. However, recording effort is often uneven across space, potentially... 2218
Reposted by Dr Marcus RhodesCornwall Butterfly Conservation @bc-cornwall.bsky.social · 20/09/2026Did you hear our Chair @marcusrhodes.bsky.social talking about the #BigButterflyCount results on BBC Radio Cornwall this morning? Catch-up on BBC Sounds (interview starts at 3hr:43min) www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...bbc.co.ukBBC Sounds - Music. Radio. PodcastsListen without limits, with BBC Sounds. Catch the latest music tracks, discover binge-worthy podcasts, or listen to radio shows - all whenever you want. 042
Reposted by Dr Marcus RhodesCornwall Butterfly Conservation @bc-cornwall.bsky.social · 19/09/2026Our Chair @marcusrhodes.bsky.social will be on BBC Radio Cornwall tomorrow morning to discuss the results of the #BigButterflyCount. Listen in at 09:40am to hear how Cornwall's butterflies have fared this year. 0122
Reposted by Dr Marcus RhodesCornwall Butterfly Conservation @bc-cornwall.bsky.social · 17/09/2026There have been several exciting reports of Queen of Spain Fritillary from across Cornwall in recent weeks. If you are lucky enough to see one of these rare visitors, please send us the record via iRecord or email records@cornwall-butterfly-conservation.org.uk 0185
Reposted by Dr Marcus RhodesPenwith Birder @penwithbirder.bsky.social · 17/09/2026Bit of a struggle walking to Cot but worth it for this Queen of Spain fritillary 3212
Reposted by Dr Marcus RhodesButterfly Conservation @savebutterflies.bsky.social · 16/09/2026This year's #BigButterflyCount results show it was a very good summer for many of our widespread butterfly species. But how will the extreme heat and drought impact next year's populations? ☀️🦋 Dr Dan Hoare, Director of Nature Recovery, breaks down the results. 0379
Reposted by Dr Marcus RhodesCornwall Butterfly Conservation @bc-cornwall.bsky.social · 16/09/2026Did you take part in the #BigButterflyCount this summer? The results are now in! Find out which species were this year's winners and losers. 🦋🦋🦋 butterfly-conservation.org/news-and-blo...butterfly-conservation.orgBig Butterfly Count results 2026: Heatwaves help butterflies but could kill caterpillarsThe results of Butterfly Conservation's 2026 Big Butterfly Count have revealed it was a great summer for butterflies, but what comes next could be dire.With the Met Office confirming it ‘increasingly ... 033
Dr Marcus Rhodes @marcusrhodes.bsky.social · 12/09/2026Thrilled to find a Queen of Spain Fritillary in Cot Valley, St Just, this afternoon! My first encounter with this wonderful butterfly on British soil. 61217
Dr Marcus Rhodes @marcusrhodes.bsky.social · 08/09/2026I did a double take with this Clouded Yellow at Penryn Campus this afternoon: noticeably much paler than the others it was flying with. It appears to be male, so not f. helice, but based on the bold, black wing margins, I'm pretty sure it's Colias croceus. 2262
Dr Marcus Rhodes @marcusrhodes.bsky.social · 03/09/2026Mating Clouded Yellows at Tater Du last Monday. 1515
Dr Marcus Rhodes @marcusrhodes.bsky.social · 02/09/2026Along the coast path from Mousehole to St Loy on Bank Holiday Monday. 2350
Reposted by Dr Marcus RhodesJohn Walters @johnwalterswildife.bsky.social · 29/08/2026Highlight of a seawatch this afternoon at St Ives Island, Cornwall were 52 Ocean Sunfish Mola mola the most I have ever seen in one day and just shy of the record count for the site! www.youtube.com/watch?v=QDtw...youtube.comOcean Sunfish Mola mola St Ives Island 29August2026edit longYouTube video by John Walters 211321
Reposted by Dr Marcus RhodesUKBMS @ukbms.bsky.social · 27/08/2026Just published: UK and England butterfly population indicators using UKBMS data. These show a long-term decline in the all-species index in the UK of 18% and a 37% decline for habitat specialists in the UK. Check out the full statistics here ⬇️ www.gov.uk/government/s... 25440
Reposted by Dr Marcus RhodesButterfly Conservation Norfolk @norfolkbutterflies.bsky.social · 27/08/2026Peacock caterpillars normal food plant is Common Nettle so one of our transect walkers was surprised to see them feeding on Marsh Thistle. Anyone else noticed this change of behavior? 📷️ Tessa Needham 1306
Reposted by Dr Marcus RhodesCharlotte Wright @charlottewright.bsky.social · 26/08/2026Delighted this huge team effort is out! By surveying >20,000 people from >100 countries, we used to butterflies to show that aesthetic biases distort scientific research & environmental policy. Understanding this bias is a key step towards more balanced decision-making 🦋 www.doi.org/10.1016/j.cu... 47828
Reposted by Dr Marcus RhodesCornwall Butterfly Conservation @bc-cornwall.bsky.social · 26/08/2026We're at Porthpean Community BioBlitz Festival this weekend! Join us for a butterfly walk on Saturday morning (10:30am-12:00pm). www.therockpoolproject.co.uk/community-bi... 052
Reposted by Dr Marcus RhodesCornish Choughs 〓〓 @cornishchoughs.bsky.social · 26/08/2026Well done to our brilliant and resilient Cornish choughs - taking over Cornwall! www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...bbc.co.ukRSPB reports record-breaking Cornish chough numbersRSPB England says 161 Choughs have been counted - 32 more than the 129 recorded last year. 44312
Dr Marcus Rhodes @marcusrhodes.bsky.social · 25/08/2026Brilliant to see this spotlight on Fal Rivers to Reef - one of the transformational projects that has emerged out of the Cornwall & Isles of Scilly Nature Recovery Strategy. www.theguardian.com/environment/...theguardian.com‘Small changes can make a big difference’: how getting farmers, fishers and beavers together could save a Cornish riverA local initiative is testing simple ways to stop algal blooms in the River Fal threatening some of England’s most biodiverse marine habitats 03815
Dr Marcus Rhodes @marcusrhodes.bsky.social · 23/08/2026With autumn just around the corner, we are starting to think about habitat management again @bc-cornwall.bsky.social. A busy weekend of site visits around Camborne-Redruth and the Carnon Valley planning conservation work for our Jewels in the Cornish Mining Landscape project. 1170
Reposted by Dr Marcus RhodesUK Butterflies @ukbutterflies.bsky.social · 23/08/2026Well done Naomi Addleton on finding a Holly Blue larva feeding on Erica cinerea (Bell Heather) in the New Forest. This is the first record of the use of this foodplant in the UK. Just look how pink the larva is - perfectly matching the plant! And a Lasius ant to boot! 013930
Reposted by Dr Marcus RhodesBirdGuides @birdguides.bsky.social · 22/08/2026Southern England has been treated to a record-breaking influx of Queen of Spain Fritillary in recent weeks, sparking discussion that the butterfly could become established in Britain: f.mtr.coolRecord Queen of Spain Fritillary influx to EnglandSouthern England has been treated to a record-breaking arrival of Queen of Spain Fritillary butterflies in recent weeks, sparking hopes that the species could become established in Britain. 33210
Reposted by Dr Marcus RhodesMats Ittonen @matsittonen.bsky.social · 19/08/2026New paper! Insects commonly time dormancy based on daylength, and responses to daylength have evolved in range-expanding populations facing novel daylength calendars. But how crucial is this for expanding species tracking climate niches? Maybe less than you’d think. (1/6) doi.org/10.1098/rspb...doi.orgFitness effects of local seasonal adaptation depend on the timing of reproduction in a range-expanding butterflyAbstract. Local seasonal adaptation across latitudes is ubiquitous, but its fitness consequences are rarely estimated in the field. Using a common-garden f 175
Dr Marcus Rhodes @marcusrhodes.bsky.social · 17/08/2026Three Small Tortoiseshells on my walk to the hide at Drift Reservoir yesterday. Sadly, my highest count of this once common butterfly in the last two years. 3506
Reposted by Dr Marcus RhodesEmilie Ellis @e-ellis1.bsky.social · 17/08/2026🦋 I’m recruiting a fully funded PhD student at the University of Helsinki: understanding how butterflies respond to climate change across Europe. Apply by 30 Sept: Full details: jobs.helsinki.fi/job-invite/5... Please share! #ecology #job #phdjobs.helsinki.fiDoctoral Researcher (PhD student) in Butterfly Ecology and Climate Change across EuropeDoctoral Researcher (PhD student) in Butterfly Ecology and Climate Change across Europe 07480
Dr Marcus Rhodes @marcusrhodes.bsky.social · 17/08/2026Atlantic Bluefin Tuna hunting off Land's End yesterday. 0291
Dr Marcus Rhodes @marcusrhodes.bsky.social · 14/08/2026Dark Bordered Beauty moth rediscovered in Northumberland after 70 years butterfly-conservation.org/news-and-blo...butterfly-conservation.orgConservationist describes 'highlight of his career' rediscovering rare moth colony after 70 yearsA Butterfly Conservation ecologist who has spent his life searching for a second colony of one of England's rarest moths has said it was the 'highlight of his career' when he achieved his dream.Dr Dav... 210020
Dr Marcus Rhodes @marcusrhodes.bsky.social · 13/08/2026It may be hot outside, but for these Peacock butterflies, winter has already begun! Found in the entrance to an old mine at Cabilla Wood on Saturday, they will overwinter here until next spring. 4302
Reposted by Dr Marcus RhodesCornwall Butterfly Conservation @bc-cornwall.bsky.social · 10/08/2026An exciting find at Penryn Campus today! This Large Tortoiseshell was spotted and filmed by @grahancock.bsky.social 🎥 George Hancock 0347
Dr Marcus Rhodes @marcusrhodes.bsky.social · 09/08/2026Down the Lizard today on the hunt for Marsh Fritillary caterpillars. After the dismal flight season they've had this year, it was a considerable relief to find three larval webs on Goonhilly Downs this afternoon. 0304
Reposted by Dr Marcus RhodesLuke Phillips @lukephillips.bsky.social · 08/08/2026Just BBQing in the garden and got a visit from a Long-tailed Blue!! Totally taken by surprise and no phone to hand for even a rubbish picture. We have Everlasting Pea in the garden so will keep tabs on that! Bridport in West Dorset. @dorsetbutterflies.bsky.social 0405
Dr Marcus Rhodes @marcusrhodes.bsky.social · 09/08/2026No second generation Small Pearl-bordered Fritillaries at Pendrift Bottom on Bodmin Moor yesterday, but we were treated to some excellent views of low down Purple Hairstreaks. 1362
Reposted by Dr Marcus RhodesCornwall Butterfly Conservation @bc-cornwall.bsky.social · 07/08/2026We've been sent this striking photo of an albino Meadow Brown (ab. grisea-argentacea). Seen near Coverack last week by Peter Wood. 📷 Peter Wood 18316
Reposted by Dr Marcus RhodesButterfly Conservation @savebutterflies.bsky.social · 07/08/2026It's the final weekend to get out for the #BigButterflyCount and help take nature's pulse 🦋 You don't need to be an expert to make a big difference for butterflies and moths. All you need is 15 mins, a spot of sunshine and patience! 👉 butrfli.es/3SVFepj Where will you be doing yours? 14530
Reposted by Dr Marcus RhodesMark Tutton @marktutton.bsky.social · 06/08/2026Long-tailed Blue in Hampshire today - one of about half a dozen sparring males all in similar condition which suggests to me that they are probably recent arrivals? 2316
Reposted by Dr Marcus RhodesShawan Chowdhury @shawan-chowdhury.bsky.social · 06/08/2026Our new Nature Eco Evo paper documents range shifts in 1,758 butterfly species across 105 countries, primarily due to climate change. 🦋80% expanded 🦋27% contracted 🦋22% shifted elevation 🦋342 showed multiple shift types. doi.org/10.1038/s415... @monashbiol.bsky.social @monashscience.bsky.social 411667
Reposted by Dr Marcus Rhodesmartinswarren.bsky.social @martinswarren.bsky.social · 04/08/2026Its been another record year for Silver-studded Blue at Studland NNR with total count of 2164, just beating 2024. That's nearly a 12 fold increase over 16 years. The huge rise with little management is a puzzle and is explored in our paper dispar.org/reference.ph.... @ukbms.bsky.social 43913
Dr Marcus Rhodes @marcusrhodes.bsky.social · 02/08/2026I was delighted to meet this Small Tortoiseshell during my #BigButterflyCount in Camborne this afternoon. Increasingly, an uncommon sight these days. 3472
Reposted by Dr Marcus RhodesCraig Jones @craig63jones.bsky.social · 01/08/2026Sometimes the butterfly gods smile down on you... A bilateral gynandromorph Common Blue at Grafton Wood, Worcs 1/8/26. @westmbms-99.bsky.social @worcswt.bsky.social @savebutterflies.bsky.social @ukbutterflies.bsky.social 618636
Dr Marcus Rhodes @marcusrhodes.bsky.social · 30/07/2026I've been in Devon for a few days this week and was surprised to find several Small Pearl-bordered Fritillaries at Aish Tor yesterday. I would guess that a second generation is fairly unusual at this moorland site and symptomatic of the recent heatwaves. 1678
Reposted by Dr Marcus RhodesFlo | Naturstudium @flo-naturstudium.bsky.social · 16/07/2026Ein Haufen Schmetterlinge. 😄 Wohl Argus-Bläulinge (Plebejus argus) 3212
Dr Marcus Rhodes @marcusrhodes.bsky.social · 26/07/2026The second generation of Small Pearl-bordered Fritillaries on the wing at St Gothian Sands this evening. 1435
Reposted by Dr Marcus RhodesButterfly Conservation (Dorset Branch) @dorsetbutterflies.bsky.social · 25/07/2026STOP PRESS: Queen of Spain seen near Wareham www.dorsetbutterflies.com/2026/07/quee...dorsetbutterflies.comQueen of Spain Fritillary near Wareham24/07/26 A very rare sighting seen in a private field near Wareham of a Queen of Spain Fritillary feeding on clover. 15312
Dr Marcus Rhodes @marcusrhodes.bsky.social · 24/07/2026Arrived home yesterday evening to find this Unarmed Stick Insect nymph whilst deadheading the roses. The first I've seen in seven years living in Cornwall! 0320
Dr Marcus Rhodes @marcusrhodes.bsky.social · 23/07/2026A brilliant day out at Arne yesterday. Lots of Grayling and Dartford Warblers on the heaths, my first UK sighting of a Sand Lizard, and an Osprey fishing late afternoon to top it off. 0320
Dr Marcus Rhodes @marcusrhodes.bsky.social · 22/07/2026Some avian highlights from Brownsea Island yesterday. I particularly liked the Oystercatcher that had brazenly decided to nest in the café courtyard. 0140
Dr Marcus Rhodes @marcusrhodes.bsky.social · 21/07/2026Caught the ferry across to Brownsea Island today to see the Red Squirrels. 2202
Dr Marcus Rhodes @marcusrhodes.bsky.social · 21/07/2026Along the coast from Durlston to Dancing Ledge yesterday: so many Lulworth Skippers zipping about, eight Clouded Yellows and lots fresh Painted Ladies, a few Marbled Whites still on the wing, and the second generation of Wall just starting. 1494