Three 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.

It 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.

An exciting find at Penryn Campus today! This Large Tortoiseshell was spotted and filmed by @grahancock.bsky.social 🎥 George Hancock

Down 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.

The bad news: #BigButterflyCount is over for another year 😞 The good news: You can still submit the results of any counts done between 17 July and 9 August until the end of this month! 🙌 Submit any pending counts at 👉 https://butrfli.es/3SVFepj 📷: Brian Valentine

No 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.

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

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

It'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! 👉 https://butrfli.es/3SVFepj Where will you be doing yours?

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 · 2w 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 · 2mo ago

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