BC Upper Thames

A quick Brown Hairstreak egg survey today at the recently colonised site at Bugs Bottom, Caversham. 10 found in total. Great to see a butterfly that is doing well!

Don't forget to book your place @savebutterflies.bsky.social @ldnwildlifetrust.bsky.social @hnhsoc.bsky.social @lnhs.bsky.social @upperthames.bsky.social @bc-cambs-essex.bsky.social @hertswildlifetrust.bsky.social

It's always lovely this time of year to grab your wellies, coat and torch, and go for a woodland walk to look for those wonderful winter moth species!

Looking good!

A very enjoyable UTB Members Day and a big thank you to the 4 excellent speakers. And a thank you to all UTB members working behind the scenes to make the day run smoothly and of course all who attended!

Evergestis limbata

Vestal

Clifden Nonpareil

Clifden Nonpareil

Trapping around Cothill Fen this week produced some nice moths including Clifden Nonpareil! Evergestis limbata was the rarest to turn up, and it was nice to see Vestal and other migrants #teammoth @freshwaterhabitats.bsky.social @upperthames.bsky.social @bbowt.bsky.social @migrantmothuk.bsky.social

It wouldn't have been seen in this area a few years ago, but it is a butterfly that is extending its range fairly rapidly.

Brown Hairstreak, adult and egg, recorded on the outskirts of Caversham, near Reading, Berks, today.

The annual Barberry Carpet survey yesterday, at the only Upper Thames site. 22 larvae from 23 bushes sampled, so seems to be holding on okay. A couple of Vestal also seen which is always a nice bonus!

Just a sliver of deadwood with some bark on? Fresh from the rearing pot, a Red Sword-grass Xylena vetusta. Caterpillar swept from meadowsweet & fed on it. what a docile spectacular #moth Oxon, Hinksey Hts fen. @freshwaterhabitats.bsky.social @upperthames.bsky.social

Doing moth trapping in the UK this weekend?
Can you help us gather lots of images of moths on egg cartons from your trap?
Help us develop a tool making moth recording easier for more people
Tks! #mothsmateer #teammoth
@richardfoxbc.bsky.social @savebutterflies.bsky.social
@upperthames.bsky.social

I'm thinking this is the last Gatekeeper sighting of 2025 for me. @upperthames.bsky.social Walking on the water at 50 Acre Piece. 16/08/25

Silver-spotted Skippers, seen yesterday at Aston Rowant NNR, Oxon.
@savebutterflies.bsky.social @upperthames.bsky.social

Adonis and Chalkhill Blues from Aston Rowant NNR, Oxon, and Common Blue from Hazelborough Woods, Northants today.
@savebutterflies.bsky.social @upperthames.bsky.social

@upperthames.bsky.social . Thanks to Grahame Hawker for guiding us at 50 Acre Piece today. Despite overcast and cool weather we saw plenty of the target species. My first ever Grayling. And a Potter Wasp "pot". A valuable addition to the mosaic of habitats in transition.

A pale brown butterfly with white "streaks" through both its upper and hind wings. The edge of the hind wing is tinged orange and it has a small "tail" sticking out near the bottom. It's perched on a piece of dried brown grass, facing to the right of the photo. Its black eye is visible, as are its orange tipped black and white striped antennae. Its legs are also striped. The background is a messy mix of mostly green blades of grass.

Delighted to spot this pristine Brown Hairstreak butterfly this morning in the Lye Valley, Oxford, the first adult I've ever seen there!
#Recorded #UKWildlife #WildlifePhotos #inverts #OX3
@friendlyevalley.bsky.social @tverc1.bsky.social @upperthames.bsky.social

In roughly the centre of the photo a small blue butterfly is sitting on a purple flower with its wings closed. It's facing to the left of the photo, and its striped antenna and left eye is visible. The underwing has a number of small mostly black dots, while the hindwing has a row of orange heart shapes markings. Front left is another Marjoram flower, not fully in focus, while the background is a mix of diffuse greens and purples from other flowers.

The "scrapes" we created and sowed with native plants in the amenity grassland at Rock Edge are proving popular with the last of the summer's butterflies. Here a Common Blue (Polyommatus icarus) is nectaring on the copious Marjoram still in flower.
#UKButterflies @upperthames.bsky.social #Oxford

Chalkhill Blue in cop

Adonis Blue male

Silver Spotted Skipper

Common Blue male and female

Added Adonis Blue and Silver Spotted Skipper to species sighted in '25 . Aston Rowant NNR today in better weather than was forecast. @upperthames.bsky.social

A light brown butterfly with a bright orange patch on each forewing is nestled down in grass. There are several bits of dead grass covering it. It's facing towards the op of the photo.

OK, so it's a dreadful photo, BUT, it's the first adult Brown Hairstreak (Thecla betulae) butterfly we've *ever* seen at Rock Edge. We routinely count the eggs over winter, but until now, the adults have remained elusive...
#UKButterflies #UKWildlife @upperthames.bsky.social @judywebb.bsky.social

No, its a Tree-lichen Beauty

An orange butterfly with black markings on its wings, and black wing tips with white markings is facing away from the camera, resting on a large white Bindweed flower. Its body is brown with black stripes. Its antennae are visible against the white flower. There are thin green tendrils appearing bottom left. One curls round to the left about two thirds of the way up the photo, and one disappears under the white flower.

Great to spot this fresh Painted Lady (Vanessa cardui) butterfly in the Valley this morning. Not seen many here this year. Is anyone else seeing them? 🤔
#UKButterflies #inverts #UKWildlifePhotos #recorded
@upperthames.bsky.social

Silver-spotted Skipper beginning to emerge at Aston Rowant NNR. Six counted 25/7/25.
@rowantnnr.bsky.social @upperthames.bsky.social @savebutterflies.bsky.social

Stunning male second brood Adonis Blue. Aston Rowant NNR 25/7/25
@rowantnnr.bsky.social @upperthames.bsky.social @savebutterflies.bsky.social

My 46th species of UK butterfly yesterday at Grangelands, Bucks; Silver-spotted Skipper. Also, Chalkhill Blues. @upperthames.bsky.social @savebutterflies.bsky.social

Chalkhill Blue. Aston Rowant NNR 25/7/25
@rowantnnr.bsky.social @upperthames.bsky.social @savebutterflies.bsky.social

Today's the day ! It's launch day for the #BigButterflyCount . . .

Get out between now and 10th August for 15 minutes and count the butterflies you see & help the great citizen science of @savebutterflies.bsky.social ! Get involved at bigbutterflycount.org

With only 1 prev record (‘24) at Watermead, I watched the same small Oak beside the R.Thame for 1/2hr & was rewarded with a single PURPLE HAIRSTREAK…
+ only the 3rd rec. of BROWN ARGUS here on the bank.

@chilternsnature.bsky.social @upperthames.bsky.social #butterflies #nature #wildlifephotography

In #LyeValley #fen rare Parsley Water Dropwort Oenanche lachenalii is doing exceptionally well & in cooler mizzly rain I managed a closer look at the wings of a Green Veined white butterfly, never noticed spots before.. @friendlyevalley.bsky.social @bsbibotany.bsky.social @upperthames.bsky.social

Surveying for Striped Lychnis larvae at Dairy Lane, Henley, today. 823 dark mullein flower spikes produced 113 larvae. 64 were final instar of which 75% had Tachinid eggs attached.