Butterfly Conservation Bedfordshire & Northamptonshire
@bcbedsnorthants.bsky.social
The Beds & Northants branch of Butterfly Conservation. Working towards a better future for our butterflies & moths. Tag us in your pictures and videos using #bcbedsnorthants! Check out our other online platforms here: https://linktr.ee/bcbedsnorthants
On Sunday 28th, our very own @davebjames.bsky.social joined Mischa Cross, Wildlife Trust BCN to host an event at Pitsford Water. The group got to handle some moths and counted 11 butterfly species in the meadows. Check out our Instagram for a full recap. #butterflyconservation #bcbedsnorthants
Great finds!
Steven Wright@stevenwright58.bsky.social · last mo.At last,we found some Elms with white Letter and Purple Hairstreak #butterflies Keeps the 5 H'streak year possibility alive for 2026. Brown next? Bucknell Wood, #Northamptonshire @bcbedsnorthants.bsky.social Bonus sighting of aberrant Silver Washed fritillary !! @savebutterflies.bsky.social
Join our very own @davebjames.bsky.social and Mischa Cross from the Wildlife Trust BCN tomorrow for a fantastic free talk and walk on moths and butterflies. There's still time to book - we hope to see lots of you there! #bcbedsnorthants #butterflyconservation #savebutterflies
The Purple Emperors are definitely out and about now! Don't forget to log on iRecord and tag us inyour pictures!
Steve Clark@zippyclark.bsky.social · 2mo agoThe best photo I could get of a Purple Emperor in a #Bedfordshire wood this morning @bcbedsnorthants.bsky.social. The humidity made them too flighty for a decent pic, and this one was very reluctant to open its wings, until I stood up of course!
Looking for White-letter Hairstreaks in the Northamptonshire countryside. Finally one came down from the tops of the elm trees low enough so I could film it 😀 @bcbedsnorthants.bsky.social @savebutterflies.bsky.social
Northants County Butterfly Recorder @davebjames.bsky.social will be at Glapthorn Cow Pastures tomorrow. Black Hairstreak sightings are decreasing - please note that spotting one is not a given. However, there will likely be many other beautiful woodland species. #bcbedsnorthants #savebutterflies
ONE MONTH TO GO 📆🦋 Will you be joining us for the world’s biggest survey of butterflies? Spend 15 minutes outside counting butterflies and help take nature's pulse by taking part in the #BigButterflyCount from 17 July – 9 August. You'll find it surprisingly, surprisingly pleasant. 🍃
53 species in the trap last night, for me the biggest surprise was a beautiful Privet Hawk-moth (Sphinx ligustri). UK's largest resident Hawk-moth. What amazing detail in the intricately textured, overlapping scales of the wing. #moths @bc-cambs-essex.bsky.social #savebutterflies
Don’t forget to check your Buddleia for the colourful Mullein moth caterpillar 🐛 @bcbedsnorthants.bsky.social
Field Trip: Black Hairstreaks Join Northamptonshire Butterfly Recorder and acting Committee Chair Dave James for questions about and help spotting Black Hairstreaks at Glapthorn Cow Pastures. Everyone welcome! #butterflies #savebutterflies #butterflyconservation #bcbedsnorthants
The Mother Shipton is a beautiful species with great folklore. Have you spotted any in our counties? Left us know in the comments!
Steven Wright@stevenwright58.bsky.social · 2mo agoMother Shipton nectaring on Clover at KIlsby Lane Local Wildlife Site . @bcwarwickshire.bsky.social
A great poster showing the Painted Lady’s journey 🦋😀 Have you spotted one recently?
Catalan Butterfly Monitoring Scheme@catalanbms.org · 2mo agoThese days, you may have seen many Painted Ladies (Vanessa cardui) 👀🦋 But did you know they make an extraordinary journey of more than 10,000 km between Africa and Europe, across successive generations? 🌍 🔗 Download the poster here: catalanbms.org/en/recursos/
White Admiral in Hazelborough Wood, looks like just emerged as just moving around on the branch, along with Painted Ladies and Emperor dragonfly @bcbedsnorthants.bsky.social @upperthames.bsky.social @savebutterflies.bsky.social
We run field trips, talks and events throughout the year - check out our website (link in bio) for more details!
Judith Barnard 🦋@butterfliesonfilm.bsky.social · 2mo agoAlthough our field trip this morning in Salcey Forest began with rain showers, it turned out to be a very successful one! Once the sun came out, over 25 Wood White were spotted and, for the first time, Black Hairstreaks. Full report in a future newsletter. @bcbedsnorthants.bsky.social
Quite a few 2nd generation Commas (13) & first Meadow Browns on our transect at Priory Park this morning. Also a few faded Painted Ladies & a nest of Peacock caterpillars. Only 3 Whites but a couple of Common Blues @ukbms.bsky.social @bcbedsnorthants.bsky.social
Make sure you cast your vote for Britain's Favourite Butterfly with @savebutterflies.bsky.social ! Today's nominations feature Branch Conservation Officer Huw's favourite, the 'emerald emperor' that us the Green Hairstreak, who may be little but is very beautiful!
Lots of Wood White, Large Skippers and Speckled Woods in Hazelborough Forest this morning. Didn't find any Black Hairstreak in the location seen last year, but still early in the season for them. @bcbedsnorthants.bsky.social
Beautiful video from committee member Judith as always. Check out these absolutely lovely Black Hairstreaks!
Judith Barnard 🦋@butterfliesonfilm.bsky.social · 2mo agoBlack Hairstreaks in Salcey Forest this morning including a recently emerged one, with its pupal case, at the end @bcbedsnorthants.bsky.social @upperthames.bsky.social @savebutterflies.bsky.social @wildlifebcn.org
An easy way to support butterfly conservation is to walk a transect. Transects are predetermined routes where the goal is to record both butterflies and weather conditions. If you are interested, contact our Conservation Officer via our website - link in bio! #savebutterflies #bcbedsnorthants
Make sure you cast your vote for Britain's Favourite Butterfly with @savebutterflies.bsky.social ! Today's nominations feature Branch Membership Secretary Chris' favourite, the dainty but bold Small Copper, who is rather uncommon meaning sightings always feel special!
More painted ladies from a few days ago - so stunning!
Judith Barnard 🦋@butterfliesonfilm.bsky.social · 2mo agoA quick visit to my favourite ditch this morning and found it full of Painted Ladies, well at least 10 😄 Behind Harlestone Firs, Northampton @bcbedsnorthants.bsky.social @savebutterflies.bsky.social
Large White caterpillars 🐛 on Garlic Mustard in my garden. @bcbedsnorthants.bsky.social
Well, we planted the Mulleins for the Mullein moths & they are now busy munching their way through the leaves & flower spikes - I hope they leave some flowers! @bcbedsnorthants.bsky.social
Painted ladies are having a tremendous year by all accounts! Drop your photos and videos in the comments 🦋
Judith Barnard 🦋@butterfliesonfilm.bsky.social · 2mo agoQuite a few Painted Ladies seen today on my local path in Northampton. Rarely seen any there before! @bcbedsnorthants.bsky.social @savebutterflies.bsky.social
Great results from the Priory Park transect today, along with some gorgeous photos! Transects are an easy way to get involved - drop us a message for more info!
Emma Whitfield@emmawhitfield.bsky.social · 2mo ago12 species on transect at Priory Park including a Green Hairstreak which is new for the transect. 24 Painted Ladies so it will be interesting to see if they lay eggs on the Thistles. Also Common Blue, Brown Argus, Brimstone & a few Speckled Woods. @ukbms.bsky.social @bcbedsnorthants.bsky.social
Make sure you cast your vote for Britain's Favourite Butterfly with @savebutterflies.bsky.social ! Today's nominations feature Branch Web Officer and Treasurer Judith's fave, the glorious Orange-tip, which she loves for the underwing camouflage and how easy they are to spot for new enthusiasts!
We love a Duke of Burgundy spot! Some great photos from Emma out in Kensworth Quarry, Dunstable, Bedfordshire 😍
Emma Whitfield@emmawhitfield.bsky.social · 3mo agoTrip to Kensworth Quarry in the heat today & found 2 Duke of Burgundy & lots of Small Blues, also a female Brimstone flying around a Buckthorn bush & lots of Common Blues @bcbedsnorthants.bsky.social
