Tree of the Month, April '24, a big elm on Dinan Way - European White (Ulmus laevis) or American Elm? This tree was spotted 4 winters ago, but wrongly ID'ed as hornbeam. Local butterfly expert Max Anderson has been searching for elms and thought this was one - it is!
More info on FB

Last night I found a whopping 19 White-letter Hairstreak caterpillars across 4 brand new locations in Exmouth! Butterfly Conservation 🦋 BC Devon Branch Exmouth Wildlife Group

Inspired by Max Anderson, I took a UV pen out this evening and had a look at some Elms for White-letter Hairstreak caterpillars. Once it was properly dark, I found a couple of WLH caterpillars fluorescing quite nicely.
A bonus Barn Owl was also seen.
Babraham, Cambs.
BC Cambs and Essex

Last night I discovered yet another new location for White-letter Hairstreaks in East Devon - over 3 miles from the nearest record! Easy peasy! BC Devon Branch Butterfly Conservation 🦋 ClintonDevonEstates

Around a year ago, I recorded the first ever White-letter Hairstreak in Exmouth. Last night, during a UV torch survey, I found another new location 2 miles away! This new and exciting survey technique is so powerful and very accessible! BC Europe Butterfly Conservation 🦋

And we're off! A new location discovered for White-letter Hairstreaks in Exmouth! My first night of UV torch surveys this season has been an astounding success! BC Devon Branch Butterfly Conservation 🦋

During the Greenwings butterfly tour to Spain last week, we caught a glimpse of a Large Tortoiseshell and spent some time watching as they investigated Poplar branches for egg laying... incredible!

Holly Blues have kicked into gear this past week. Females are already out and laying eggs on Holly flower buds. BC Devon Branch Butterfly Conservation 🦋

Guests on the Greenwings northern & central Spain tour also enjoyed watching a Swallowtail 'sniff out' some Fennel before laying, with 6 eggs found in total.

An emphasis of the Greenwings northern & central Spain tour is helping guests understand the ecology of the species they're seeing, including the food plants being used. Finding Spring Ringlets laying on Sheep's-fescue has been a particular highlight.

Really enjoying co-leading the Greenwings butterfly tour in northern & central Spain with Dr. Simon Spencer and Max Anderson. Lots of specialties seen, including Spanish Greenish Black-tip, Spanish Festoon, Iberian Scarce Swallowtail, Iberian Sooty Copper and Panoptes Blue.

During our Greenwings butterfly trip to Spain, one of the most abundant species was the Panoptes Blue. We even spotted an egg-laying female, high up on the slopes, and found its teeny-tiny egg, wedged in at the base of flower buds and leaves of Thyme.

One of my highlights of the Greenwings butterfly tour in Spain this week has been the Spanish Festoon. Not only did we find adults on the wing, but we also found plenty of eggs and even a first instar caterpillar!

I've had a wonderful week in Spain co-leading the @greenwings butterfly tour. We found some stunning species, and spent lots of time learning about their behaviour and ecology!

As the buds begin to burst of thier hosts my local Brown and Purple Hairstreaks are beginning to hatch. No sign of the caterpillars hopefully safely tucked up in a bud. UV torch in a few weeks time shall confirm.Butterfly Conservation Kent & SE London Beckenham Place Park Ranger

Nice to see an overwintered Small Copper caterpillar from the garden this afternoon. Must be getting close to pupation now.. Butterfly Conservation 🦋 BC Devon Branch

Andalucía has so much to offer in late March, even when the weather is cloudy and windy! Chapman's Green Hairstreak, Provence Hairstreak & Panoptes Blue...

Have you ever seen 'glow-in-the-dark' caterpillars?

Join us for a #SaveDevonsTrees online event with @Maxando from Butterfly Conservation 🦋, who will shed some (UV) light on the subject of fluorescing caterpillars!

Event on Wednesday 10 April, 7pm. Book here 👉
buff.ly/3x952Dw