It's the final week of the #BigButterflyCount! There is still time to take part (or do extra counts) before close of play on Sunday 9th August! To get involved, visit bigbutterflycount.butterfly-conservation.org

Dr Marcus Rhodes@marcusrhodes.bsky.social · 4d ago

I was delighted to meet this Small Tortoiseshell during my #BigButterflyCount in Camborne this afternoon. Increasingly, an uncommon sight these days.

The second generation of Small Pearl-bordered Fritillaries on the wing at St Gothian Sands this evening.

Another Clouded Yellow from yesterday. This time a pale female (helice) form. Cornwall. #butterflies #Cornwall

A male Brimstone on the wing a few days ago in our Bodmin moor garden. #butterflies #Cornwall

@bc-cornwall.bsky.social Clouded Yellow today in Camborne by surgery in Rectory Road.

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.

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

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

The #BigButterflyCount is officially underway! Over the next 3 weeks, we need you to get out for the count across Cornwall! Find out more & get involved at bigbutterflycount.butterfly-conservation.org

One more sleep until the #BigButterflyCount! Did you hear Cornwall Butterfly Conservation's Sue Allen talking about the count on BBC Radio Cornwall today? Catch-up at www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/... (interview starts at 10:43).

The #BigButterflyCount begins this Friday! Catch our very own Sue Allen on @chaosradio.bsky.social Breakfast Show at 8:15 tomorrow morning to hear all about taking part!

The #BigButterflyCount begins this Friday! Catch our very own Sue Allen on @chaosradio.bsky.social Breakfast Show at 8:15 tomorrow morning to hear all about taking part!

We're approaching the end of the Silver-studded Blue season in Cornwall, with numbers now rapidly tailing off. I counted just nine at Wheal Maid this morning.

Green Hairstreaks and Silver-studded Blues at Wheal Busy this afternoon. The latter has a fairly small population at this site, which has contracted in recent years, so I'm pleased that they are still persisting.

Silver-studded Blues gathering to roost at Poldice in the evening sun.

An evening wander at Upton Towans yesterday. Silver-studded Blues were all tucked up for the night at 6pm, but the Dark Green Fritillaries were still active. I met with a couple of Dune Villa Beeflies too.

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

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!

Dr Marcus Rhodes@marcusrhodes.bsky.social · last mo.

Looking forward to talking about the amazing butterflies found on Cornish mine sites at this family-friendly event tomorrow!

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

The Painted Lady influx may have quietened down somewhat in the last week or two, but the next generation is well underway! There were lots of webs and caterpillars on thistles at Trevilley, Sennen, last Saturday.

Sadly, we have decided to cancel tomorrow's (16th June) planned field trip to Cubert Common due to forecast rain. Our next trip will now be Upton Towans on Thursday 25th June. www.cornwall-butterfly-conservation.org.uk/events.html

Silver-studded Blues gathering to roost at Penrose this evening and a welcome encounter with a Small Tortoiseshell - the latter only my fourth sighting this year.

Silver studded Blues. Holywell Bay 🟰🟰 @savebutterflies.bsky.social @britishnatureguide.bsky.social #butterflies

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 Blues at Trevilley Cliff, Nanjizal, yesterday.

Ban butterfly-killing pesticides for good ❌ Despite repeated promises to ban them, the UK Government has quietly granted yet another 'emergency' license to spray butterfly-killing pesticides across our fields this summer.

60 butterflies. One favourite. The nation has spoken... Britain's Favourite Butterfly is the mighty Peacock! 👑🦋 #BritainsFavouriteButterfly

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.

We had a fantastic trip to Greenscoombe Wood yesterday! Despite overcast conditions, we managed to see over eighty Heath Fritillaries.

Dr Marcus Rhodes@marcusrhodes.bsky.social · 2mo ago

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.

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