Ed Pritchard
@edpritchard.bsky.social
Some big counts of Wigeon (1776) Lapwing (1328) and Golden Plover (1720) on Cowpen Marsh this morning for WeBS despite the less than favourable weather @teesbirds.bsky.social @durhambirdclub.bsky.social
December 14, 2025 at 8:18 PM
Some big counts of Wigeon (1776) Lapwing (1328) and Golden Plover (1720) on Cowpen Marsh this morning for WeBS despite the less than favourable weather @teesbirds.bsky.social @durhambirdclub.bsky.social
Quite a smart diving beetle (approx 19mm) Colymbetes fuscus, found yesterday in a drain at #Saltholme whilst trying to figure a bit more control of the water in Firestation Field...I love the intricate dark markings on the pale sandy-coloured elytra @teesbirds.bsky.social
December 10, 2025 at 9:06 PM
Quite a smart diving beetle (approx 19mm) Colymbetes fuscus, found yesterday in a drain at #Saltholme whilst trying to figure a bit more control of the water in Firestation Field...I love the intricate dark markings on the pale sandy-coloured elytra @teesbirds.bsky.social
Reposted by Ed Pritchard
As #NationalTreeWeek comes to a close, we're highlighting the wonderful Dark Bordered Beauty 🌳🦋
This threatened moth, which resembles crackled bark and leaves, can be found on damp, lightly wooded heathland.
📷: Ilia Ustyantsev, George Tordoff, Martin Wain
#MothsMatter #TeamMoth
This threatened moth, which resembles crackled bark and leaves, can be found on damp, lightly wooded heathland.
📷: Ilia Ustyantsev, George Tordoff, Martin Wain
#MothsMatter #TeamMoth
November 30, 2025 at 10:00 AM
As #NationalTreeWeek comes to a close, we're highlighting the wonderful Dark Bordered Beauty 🌳🦋
This threatened moth, which resembles crackled bark and leaves, can be found on damp, lightly wooded heathland.
📷: Ilia Ustyantsev, George Tordoff, Martin Wain
#MothsMatter #TeamMoth
This threatened moth, which resembles crackled bark and leaves, can be found on damp, lightly wooded heathland.
📷: Ilia Ustyantsev, George Tordoff, Martin Wain
#MothsMatter #TeamMoth
Whooper on the main lake at Saltholme currently @teesbirds.bsky.social
November 29, 2025 at 12:02 PM
Whooper on the main lake at Saltholme currently @teesbirds.bsky.social
I believe these are Common Inkcap fungi from Stockton in the last week. I was surprised to read that they can lift paving slabs and break through tarmac...I was pretty excited to find some doing just that. Apparently their strength comes from their hyphae aligning vertically @teesbirds.bsky.social
November 13, 2025 at 9:27 PM
I believe these are Common Inkcap fungi from Stockton in the last week. I was surprised to read that they can lift paving slabs and break through tarmac...I was pretty excited to find some doing just that. Apparently their strength comes from their hyphae aligning vertically @teesbirds.bsky.social
Jack snipe from the Wildlife Watchpoint hide just now at #Saltholme @teesbirds.bsky.social @durhambirdclub.bsky.social
October 19, 2025 at 10:38 AM
Jack snipe from the Wildlife Watchpoint hide just now at #Saltholme @teesbirds.bsky.social @durhambirdclub.bsky.social
Holidaying down in Sussex at Pett Level this week. Trapping slow for the first 2 days with cold nights, a Delicate the best of only 13sp (34moths). The last 2 days have been amazing with 37sp (162 moths) including 6 lifers to light, and another with what I think is Psyche casta #teammoth
September 26, 2025 at 8:04 PM
Holidaying down in Sussex at Pett Level this week. Trapping slow for the first 2 days with cold nights, a Delicate the best of only 13sp (34moths). The last 2 days have been amazing with 37sp (162 moths) including 6 lifers to light, and another with what I think is Psyche casta #teammoth
Another new one for #VC66 i think with these records of Coleophora atriplicis on Grass-leaved Orache from some of the restored saltmarsh on Teesside. It seems to be doing pretty well with several cases found @teesbirds.bsky.social #teammoth
September 13, 2025 at 7:48 AM
Another new one for #VC66 i think with these records of Coleophora atriplicis on Grass-leaved Orache from some of the restored saltmarsh on Teesside. It seems to be doing pretty well with several cases found @teesbirds.bsky.social #teammoth
Hoping for another Convolvulus Hawk-moth, almost a year to the day since last year's first for site, when we run a Moth Morning at #Saltholme this coming Sunday starting 0930 @teesbirds.bsky.social @durhambirdclub.bsky.social #teammoth
September 4, 2025 at 12:18 PM
Hoping for another Convolvulus Hawk-moth, almost a year to the day since last year's first for site, when we run a Moth Morning at #Saltholme this coming Sunday starting 0930 @teesbirds.bsky.social @durhambirdclub.bsky.social #teammoth
I've only seen one Small Ranunculus adult before so it was a delight to finally get two in the #Saltholme trap this week. Just around the corner 10 larvae were still present on and around prickly lettuce, some wandering, presumably finished feeding, hope they turn up in a future trap #teammoth
August 16, 2025 at 12:05 PM
I've only seen one Small Ranunculus adult before so it was a delight to finally get two in the #Saltholme trap this week. Just around the corner 10 larvae were still present on and around prickly lettuce, some wandering, presumably finished feeding, hope they turn up in a future trap #teammoth
On common fleabane at #Saltholme today, couldn't find it in time for the moth morning, but Apodia martinii sat nicely for a picture. This was the third #VC66 record but it's worth scanning the foodplant wherever it is found as it is likely to be more widespread #teammoth @teesbirds.bsky.social
August 10, 2025 at 7:07 PM
On common fleabane at #Saltholme today, couldn't find it in time for the moth morning, but Apodia martinii sat nicely for a picture. This was the third #VC66 record but it's worth scanning the foodplant wherever it is found as it is likely to be more widespread #teammoth @teesbirds.bsky.social
A recent trip to Devon had so many moth highlights. Rosy footman has been on my wanted list for ages, Devonshire Wainscot was just ace, Mullein Wave, so beautiful, and the fabulous mines of Enteucha acetosae, one of the smallest moths in the world - wingspan can be just 3mm #teammoth
August 8, 2025 at 5:44 AM
A recent trip to Devon had so many moth highlights. Rosy footman has been on my wanted list for ages, Devonshire Wainscot was just ace, Mullein Wave, so beautiful, and the fabulous mines of Enteucha acetosae, one of the smallest moths in the world - wingspan can be just 3mm #teammoth
Good to see a bit of attention on the Cleveland find. Exceptional find by @sidwemn.bsky.social keep checking those whites! @teesbirds.bsky.social @durhambirdclub.bsky.social
Rarity finders: Southern Small White in Cleveland
Careful scrutiny during a major influx of Large and Small Whites paid off for Martyn Sidwell with what may prove to be a first British record:
Careful scrutiny during a major influx of Large and Small Whites paid off for Martyn Sidwell with what may prove to be a first British record:
Rarity finders: Southern Small White in Cleveland
Careful scrutiny during a major influx of Large and Small White butterflies paid off for Martyn Sidwell with the first British record of Southern Small White.
bit.ly
August 7, 2025 at 8:46 PM
Good to see a bit of attention on the Cleveland find. Exceptional find by @sidwemn.bsky.social keep checking those whites! @teesbirds.bsky.social @durhambirdclub.bsky.social
In the #Saltholme trap last night, Rush Veneer, the second site record, i think there's been a few around #VC66 already this year, though they peak in the first half of Sept usually. We'll have our next 'Moth Morning' on Sunday from half 9 @teesbirds.bsky.social @durhambirdclub.bsky.social #teammoth
August 7, 2025 at 3:33 PM
In the #Saltholme trap last night, Rush Veneer, the second site record, i think there's been a few around #VC66 already this year, though they peak in the first half of Sept usually. We'll have our next 'Moth Morning' on Sunday from half 9 @teesbirds.bsky.social @durhambirdclub.bsky.social #teammoth
Overnight at #Saltholme we had Bactra robustana, Nationally Scarce B, which is a third county record although there's quite a lot of Sea Club Rush locally and I'm sure we could find more with some more adventurous trapping @teesbirds.bsky.social @durhambirdclub.bsky.social #teammoth
July 24, 2025 at 5:02 PM
Overnight at #Saltholme we had Bactra robustana, Nationally Scarce B, which is a third county record although there's quite a lot of Sea Club Rush locally and I'm sure we could find more with some more adventurous trapping @teesbirds.bsky.social @durhambirdclub.bsky.social #teammoth
Finally found galls on Rosebay Willowherb from Mompha sturnipennella in our work compound. An adult in spring 2023 at Saltholme was the 1st for #VC66 so nice to show breeding. I feel there may be more Mompha spp about than records suggest #teammoth @teesbirds.bsky.social @durhambirdclub.bsky.social
July 23, 2025 at 6:56 PM
Finally found galls on Rosebay Willowherb from Mompha sturnipennella in our work compound. An adult in spring 2023 at Saltholme was the 1st for #VC66 so nice to show breeding. I feel there may be more Mompha spp about than records suggest #teammoth @teesbirds.bsky.social @durhambirdclub.bsky.social
Best of the #Saltholme trap this morning was this Schoenobius gigantella, a moth of reedbeds. It is the second site (and #VC66) record and may still be the most northerly UK location for this species @teesbirds.bsky.social @durhambirdclub.bsky.social #teammoth
July 20, 2025 at 7:49 AM
Best of the #Saltholme trap this morning was this Schoenobius gigantella, a moth of reedbeds. It is the second site (and #VC66) record and may still be the most northerly UK location for this species @teesbirds.bsky.social @durhambirdclub.bsky.social #teammoth
Weather is not set to be great, but we'll be running a moth trap tonight for a moth morning event on Sunday at #Saltholme pictures are some of our previous July records @teesbirds.bsky.social @durhambirdclub.bsky.social #teammoth
July 19, 2025 at 7:35 AM
Weather is not set to be great, but we'll be running a moth trap tonight for a moth morning event on Sunday at #Saltholme pictures are some of our previous July records @teesbirds.bsky.social @durhambirdclub.bsky.social #teammoth
Not sure i can believe it, a great year for insect migration continues. Two definite highlights from this morning in Stockton #VC66, Golden Twin-spot and my third record of Kent Black Arches, all this year...there's so much time for more #teammoth @teesbirds.bsky.social @durhambirdclub.bsky.social
July 18, 2025 at 9:47 AM
Not sure i can believe it, a great year for insect migration continues. Two definite highlights from this morning in Stockton #VC66, Golden Twin-spot and my third record of Kent Black Arches, all this year...there's so much time for more #teammoth @teesbirds.bsky.social @durhambirdclub.bsky.social
Nice to see two Brown Argus at #Saltholme today near to the Visitor Centre. Sightings on site earlier in the year were a bit sparse, despite the decent weather @teesbirds.bsky.social @durhambirdclub.bsky.social @savebutterflies.bsky.social
July 10, 2025 at 5:10 PM
Nice to see two Brown Argus at #Saltholme today near to the Visitor Centre. Sightings on site earlier in the year were a bit sparse, despite the decent weather @teesbirds.bsky.social @durhambirdclub.bsky.social @savebutterflies.bsky.social
We will be running a moth session this Saturday morning, the 12th July at Saltholme...fingers crossed! @teesbirds.bsky.social @durhambirdclub.bsky.social #teammoth
July 9, 2025 at 5:14 PM
We will be running a moth session this Saturday morning, the 12th July at Saltholme...fingers crossed! @teesbirds.bsky.social @durhambirdclub.bsky.social #teammoth
Delighted with two larvae from Red Campion in my garden...Rivulet, feeding on the ripening seeds, its presence given away by frass, ejected from the seedhead. The other I think, is The Campion, this individual close to pupation. Two excellent reasons for growing Red Campion #teammoth
July 8, 2025 at 8:55 PM
Delighted with two larvae from Red Campion in my garden...Rivulet, feeding on the ripening seeds, its presence given away by frass, ejected from the seedhead. The other I think, is The Campion, this individual close to pupation. Two excellent reasons for growing Red Campion #teammoth
A wee bit late for my first #Wildflowerhour but, I saw the best example of fasciation I think I've seen, the other day, in a plant of Pineappleweed, in the playground at work
July 6, 2025 at 8:09 PM
A wee bit late for my first #Wildflowerhour but, I saw the best example of fasciation I think I've seen, the other day, in a plant of Pineappleweed, in the playground at work
