One of the most striking butterflies that I saw in Austria was the Black-veined White. Large and bold, and truly stunning up close. It went extinct in England in 1925. There is work taking place to potentially reintroduce it. You can't say it wouldn't be a welcome gem to have back!

As a butterfly lover I had to spend part of my birthday yesterday looking for them. Yet it was a death of one which brought me most joy! 😂 A Meadow Brown snared by a crab spider. I did also delight at live Purple Hairstreaks and Silver-washed Fritillaries. Found in the lovely Bedford Purlieus wood.

Far fewer species in the Peterborough garden moth trap today. Only 33. However it was worth it for this gorgeous Palpita vitrealis. I've only seen it a few times before. A lovely sheen to its wings. #teammoth

Starting to make my way through my photo backlog. Here are photos from April of the stunning Pasque Flowers that I saw near Peterborough. That combination of purple and gold is magical. They gave me hope when I needed it. The natural world keeps growing & regenerating, inspiring me to do the same.

Green is the theme it seems! A few days ago I found this stunning Musk Beetle on my walk home from work in Peterborough. More fabulous urban wildlife in the Nene Valley. Not seen this species before. It shows that you can have excellent wildlife in urban settings.

Another Peterborough moth trap, another new moth for me. Delighted to catch several Tree-lichen Beauty. Wanted to see it for a while. On 74 species at the moment, will go over 80 when fridge micros are done. Chinese Character always makes me smile. #teammoth

New garden and new moths! Moved back East to Peterborough. A new moth for me this morning: Toadflax Brocade. On 75 species, expecting to go over 80 and maybe close to 90. Heat made sleeping hard but mothing exciting! Always a joy when the trap is full up. #teammoth

Amazing to see huge swarms of Cockchafer beetles in Ailsworth yesterday evening. Never seen that before. There were so many swarming around the trees. Zooming around over the grass in the park.

Another first for me in Austria were hundreds of trees wrapped in Ermine moth webs. Seen hedges coated in the UK but never found whole trees. Incredible to see. Amazing how much webbing these tiny caterpillars produce. Fascinating to see the entire trunk wrapped up, like clingfilm! #teammoth

Bidding a fond farewell to Austria today. I'll miss waking up to Grinbergspitze mountain each morning. Mayrhofen is an incredible place to stay. I can't wait to return and explore other parts of the Alps. They're such a special landscape.

Further evidence of the complete system collapse with regards our rivers. Nothing works or is fit for purpose. It is desperately sad. Campaigner threatened with prosecution by Environment Agency after waterway cleanup www.theguardian.com/environment/...

Campaigner threatened with prosecution by Environment Agency after waterway cleanup

Paul Powlesland told he acted illegally after organising volunteers to remove litter, weed and silt from River Roding

theguardian.com

Blink and you'll miss it! Just watched a Dipper pair flying through this waterfall to reach their nest. Incredible to witness. Such remarkable birds.

A final high alpine walk for me as my Austrian Alps holiday draws to a close. Reached my highest point of the trip at 2278 metres. Awe inspiring views of the Zillertal Alps. Amazing wildflowers everywhere, including lots of Bird's-eye Primrose. Mazarine Blue and Ring Ouzel the other highlights.

A more sedate day today, to ease my aching legs. 6 miles along the valley floor. Beautiful chapels and churches. Lovely rivers and waterfalls. Screaming Swifts and gliding White Admirals the highlights.

Today was all about the alpine flowers. Up above 2000 metres in the Austrian Alps. Alpine Snowbell, Globeflower, Trumpet Gentian and many more I could not identify. A kaleidoscope of colour. Pure magic.

Breathtaking walk in the Stilluptal valley today. More lovely butterflies, including Thors Fritillary which was new for me. Large Blue and Chequered Skipper also great to see. Some cool beetlew too and the ever present wildflowers.

This is fantastic. We need more of this. Properly monitored and quantified. But we need decision makers to listen. The science isn't new. It is about giving nature space to do its thing. When we take everything, as we normally do, we make problems for ourselves www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home...

How eight beavers solved a decades-old Tube flooding problem

The creatures were reintroduced in 2023 after being hunted to extinction 400 years ago

independent.co.uk

Wonderful 8 mile walk exploring the Zillergrund valley. Up to Steinerkogl and down via Brandberg. Lots of lovely flowers and butterflies. Black-veined White and Birds nest orchid may have been the highlights. But there were so many delights. Just paradise!

Arrived in Mayrhofen for a week in the Austrian Alps. The Zillertal Valley is stunning. Feels like paradise. Views of the majestic mountains from my hotel room balcony. Can't wait to get walking the trails tomorrow. Excited to see what wildlife I can find.

Lots of wonderful wildlife in my parents garden. The Slow worm in the compost heap and Mullein moth caterpillars the highlights. The usual bat was out last night. Two hedgehogs seen recently. Painted Lady butterflies too. Ermine moth caterpillars on the apple and spindle. Newts in the pond.

Final day in Snowdonia. Climbed Moel Siabod. Lovely walk, although the ridge path up was tough. Especially in the hailstorms! Another Cuckoo heard. So many here. Such a stunning and special part of the world. Can't wait to return!

A more gentle walk today, after the exertion of yesterday. Starting in Trefriw and going round two lakes: Llyn Geirionydd and Llyn Crafnant. Lovely views and lots of bluebells. Soundtrack of Cuckoo's (four or five) and Willow Warblers. Just wonderful.

Marsh Fritillary for me! Get voting!

Patrick Barkham@patrickbarkham.bsky.social · 3mo ago

We're sometimes shy about allegiances but how will you vote? Please share! I'm a floating butterfly voter agonising between Purple Emperor, Brown Argus, Swallowtail, Brimstone and Large Tortoiseshell (so exciting it is back!) @savebutterflies.bsky.social www.theguardian.com/environment/...

Fantastic walk up Y Garn in Snowdonia. Up via Lyn Idwal and Devils Kitchen and down via steep ridge back. Amazing panoramic views. Tryfan a welcome constant brooding presence. Bilberry Bumblebee the wildlife highlight, a new species for me.

More thrilling urban wildlife seen today in Peterborough. A Peregrine perching on the block of flats opposite my office block. Lovely to watch it preening its feathers. Below by the road, the gory remains of its breakfast. I think it's a pigeons wing!

This morning on my daily walk to work in Peterborough I heard my first Cuckoo of the year. It brought genuine joy to my heart.

Wonderful trip to Old Sulehay and Barnack Hills and Holes. Pasque flowers, Bluebells, Wild Garlic, first ever Toothwort, Nightingales singing, first Willow Warblers singing, Nomad bees. The pure magic of spring! 😁

The miracles of migration will never cease to amaze me. And in a world of so much turmoil and uncertainty, it feels strangely comforting to see birds like this continuing to live out their lives. All is not lost and the world can still function.

Birds of Poole Harbour@harbourbirds.bsky.social · 4mo ago

Brilliant news, Our breeding female Osprey ‘CJ7’ has just landed at 18:29. Blimey, she must have had a tough days migrating today!!! One down, one to go, just need male 022 to arrive tomorrow and alls well. Watch our live Osprey Webcam here: www.birdsofpooleharbour.co.uk/osprey-news/...

I love this time of the year. The world is waking up. Intricate tiny details everywhere. The spring blossom is stunning. Blackthorn and willow an explosion of intricacy.

Not sure I can find the words after watching this. Of course I knew about the scandal. But this drama hits so hard. There aren't words strong enough to describe how I feel or how bad this situation is. www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio...

Dirty Business review – if this doesn’t incite righteous anger over our filthy water then nothing will

Based on the true story of amateur sleuths appalled at the dumping of sewage in our rivers, this drama starring David Thewlis is a blast of controlled fury – and could become the next Mr Bates vs the ...

theguardian.com