Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Ed Horncastle @edhorncastle.bsky.social · 15d

A male adder returned close to its hibernaculum. Dartmoor.
@argroupsuk.bsky.social

1 4

Ed Horncastle @edhorncastle.bsky.social · 28d

Extraordinary. Congratulations.

Ed Horncastle @edhorncastle.bsky.social · Aug 26

More than Ive seen before on my local patch on Dartmoor. Very welcome.

1

Ed Horncastle @edhorncastle.bsky.social · Aug 13

Maybe the counting using a UV torch would be better for these large bushes/hedges.

Ed Horncastle @edhorncastle.bsky.social · Aug 13

Thanks Martin. This bush is very rarely cut so has new growth all over. As it grows I wonder about the consistency of mainly looking below 2m (due to the proportion of the new growth being below 2m reducing with time as it grows). Anecdotally I have seen more high egg laying over the last few years

1

Ed Horncastle @edhorncastle.bsky.social · Aug 13

When searching for Brown Hairstreak eggs in the winter advice is to look between shin and chest height. Is this because that's often where the newer growth is? @savebutterflies.bsky.social @martinswarren.bsky.social On my local hedge I see egg laying above this up to the top of the hedge at 4m.

Brown Hairstreak looking for egg laying sites about 3m up in a large blackthorn hedge.

1 6

Ed Horncastle @edhorncastle.bsky.social · Aug 12

About 10 clouded yellows in a couple of fields on North East Dartmoor. My 2nd highest number up here. In the heat it felt very Mediterranean. @bcdevon.bsky.social

10

Ed Horncastle @edhorncastle.bsky.social · Aug 12

My first Brown Hairstreak of the year a mile from my house. This female was searching for the perfect spot on the blackthorn to lay her eggs @bcdevon.bsky.social @savebutterflies.bsky.social

5 26

Ed Horncastle @edhorncastle.bsky.social · Jul 13

Cant you bend one of them back?

1 1

Ed Horncastle @edhorncastle.bsky.social · Jul 13

The whole family has been around today. A real treat. Hope they stay a while longer. #Birds

9

Ed Horncastle @edhorncastle.bsky.social · Jul 12

Spotted flycatchers in the garden on the power cable this morning. A beautiful sight #Birds

2 17

Ed Horncastle @edhorncastle.bsky.social · Jul 9

Beautiful Brimstones around today. Lots of peacocks too. Silver-washed fritillaries in the greatest numbers Ive ever seen but the white admiral season is almost over.

1 13

Ed Horncastle @edhorncastle.bsky.social · Jul 2

White admirals are my favourite. An absolute pleasure to see so many today in numerous woodland clearings @savebutterflies.bsky.social

1 13

Ed Horncastle @edhorncastle.bsky.social · Jul 2

So many butterflies today. 18 species including 50+ silver-washed, 20+ White admirals, 10+ purple hairstreaks, 10+ Red Admirals and 10+ newly emerged peacocks. Feel very lucky. @savebutterflies.bsky.social @bcdevon.bsky.social

10

Ed Horncastle @edhorncastle.bsky.social · Jun 30

Purple hairstreak numbers increasing. About 30 this evening. 15 in my favourite tree. Far away for my camera. I love watching them fight for sunny spots. A thrill to see them spiral and a treat to see which way around they land and the different shades they appear. @savebutterflies.bsky.social

10

Ed Horncastle @edhorncastle.bsky.social · Jun 30

I was a little giddy! Just about managed it!

Ed Horncastle @edhorncastle.bsky.social · Jun 28

That's incredible. Must have been attracted by the vivos!

Ed Horncastle @edhorncastle.bsky.social · Jun 28

So chilled. Awesome Rob

1 1

Ed Horncastle @edhorncastle.bsky.social · Jun 28

Amazing

1

Ed Horncastle @edhorncastle.bsky.social · Jun 28

What a shot!

1 1

Ed Horncastle @edhorncastle.bsky.social · Jun 28

White admiral females looking for egg laying sites this afternoon at Bovey valley woods. Weaving their way in and out of branches in the shade where honey suckle is growing. Very different to the way I usually see them gliding down from the tops of the trees. @savebutterflies.bsky.social

10

Ed Horncastle @edhorncastle.bsky.social · Jun 27

Thanks. I was very lucky! Beautiful purple

1

Ed Horncastle @edhorncastle.bsky.social · Jun 27

Thamks. The upper was very orange so I think it probably was.

1

Ed Horncastle @edhorncastle.bsky.social · Jun 26

Autocorrect got the spelling wrong

1

Ed Horncastle @edhorncastle.bsky.social · Jun 26

Is this a f. Hutchinson Marcus?

1