Butterfly Conservation Yorkshire
@bcyorkshire.bsky.social
Surveying and Conserving Yorkshires' Butterflies and Moths
Reposted by Butterfly Conservation Yorkshire
What a year for Clouded Yellow!
A clip from YWT Skerne today.
@yorkswildlife.bsky.social
@savethebutterflies.bsky.social
@bcyorkshire.bsky.social
A clip from YWT Skerne today.
@yorkswildlife.bsky.social
@savethebutterflies.bsky.social
@bcyorkshire.bsky.social
August 11, 2026 at 6:26 PM
What a year for Clouded Yellow!
A clip from YWT Skerne today.
@yorkswildlife.bsky.social
@savethebutterflies.bsky.social
@bcyorkshire.bsky.social
A clip from YWT Skerne today.
@yorkswildlife.bsky.social
@savethebutterflies.bsky.social
@bcyorkshire.bsky.social
Dr Dave Wainwright said he felt an 'overwhelming feeling of relief' after discovering the hidden population of Dark Bordered Beauty at the National Trust's Wallington estate in Northumberland. Dave has spent his life searching for a second colony of one of England's rarest moths.
August 17, 2026 at 2:03 PM
Dr Dave Wainwright said he felt an 'overwhelming feeling of relief' after discovering the hidden population of Dark Bordered Beauty at the National Trust's Wallington estate in Northumberland. Dave has spent his life searching for a second colony of one of England's rarest moths.
The last Yorkshire 'inland' colony of Grayling survived at Liberty Steel railway sidings upto 3 years ago and have not been seen since. They lived amongst the extreme dry of track ballast but didn't survive the drought of 2022. Species holding on at various locations on Teesside like South Gare.
Climate change has winners and (more) losers on Dutch Butterfly Monitoring transects, and the Grayling is one of the losers. So far 2026 shows even less butterflies than 2025. Although the species is typical for dry habitats, this used to be in an Atlantic wet climate, which has gone.
August 17, 2026 at 1:33 PM
The last Yorkshire 'inland' colony of Grayling survived at Liberty Steel railway sidings upto 3 years ago and have not been seen since. They lived amongst the extreme dry of track ballast but didn't survive the drought of 2022. Species holding on at various locations on Teesside like South Gare.
The BBC ask our Nick and Les onto Look North to talk to Tom Ingle about why there are more butterflies this year plus the dramatic changes in Yorkshires Butterflies. Goto 20 mins in. All filmed at Les's butterfly reserve at Wenthillside, Pontefract www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/epis...
Look North (Yorkshire) - Evening News: 04/08/2026
The latest news, sport and weather for Yorkshire.
www.bbc.co.uk
August 4, 2026 at 7:09 PM
The BBC ask our Nick and Les onto Look North to talk to Tom Ingle about why there are more butterflies this year plus the dramatic changes in Yorkshires Butterflies. Goto 20 mins in. All filmed at Les's butterfly reserve at Wenthillside, Pontefract www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/epis...
We look back at the 2026 Butterfly season with less than 20% of season remaining in terms of butterfly numbers. 11 species had their best or 2nd best summers ever with representatives from every family. Gatekeeper for the Browns but it was also very much a Vanessid, Lycaenid and Pierid summer.
August 3, 2026 at 3:21 PM
We look back at the 2026 Butterfly season with less than 20% of season remaining in terms of butterfly numbers. 11 species had their best or 2nd best summers ever with representatives from every family. Gatekeeper for the Browns but it was also very much a Vanessid, Lycaenid and Pierid summer.
Reposted by Butterfly Conservation Yorkshire
Who said moths are dull and eat clothes? Royal Mail stamps issue, release date 9th July
July 3, 2026 at 7:23 PM
Who said moths are dull and eat clothes? Royal Mail stamps issue, release date 9th July
Reposted by Butterfly Conservation Yorkshire
New #OpenAccess research by @benoitevol.bsky.social et al. in #RESInsectConsDiv reports on the genomic distinctiveness and #conservation #genomics of the British #swallowtail butterfly (#Papilio machaon britannicus)
doi.org/10.1111/icad.70102
#WholeGenomeSequencing
doi.org/10.1111/icad.70102
#WholeGenomeSequencing
July 2, 2026 at 1:05 PM
New #OpenAccess research by @benoitevol.bsky.social et al. in #RESInsectConsDiv reports on the genomic distinctiveness and #conservation #genomics of the British #swallowtail butterfly (#Papilio machaon britannicus)
doi.org/10.1111/icad.70102
#WholeGenomeSequencing
doi.org/10.1111/icad.70102
#WholeGenomeSequencing
Reposted by Butterfly Conservation Yorkshire
Where the Red Admiral (V atalanta) has a good year on Dutch Butterfly Monitoring transects, Peacock (dagpauwoog, A io) and Comma (gehakkelde aurelia, P c-album) are only doing so-so. The Small tortoiseshell (kleine vos, A urticae) has been down for the last ten years.
July 13, 2026 at 2:01 PM
Where the Red Admiral (V atalanta) has a good year on Dutch Butterfly Monitoring transects, Peacock (dagpauwoog, A io) and Comma (gehakkelde aurelia, P c-album) are only doing so-so. The Small tortoiseshell (kleine vos, A urticae) has been down for the last ten years.
Reposted by Butterfly Conservation Yorkshire
Male and female Clouded Yellow. Grafton Wood, Worcs 20/7/26.
@westmbms-99.bsky.social @worcswt.bsky.social @savebutterflies.bsky.social
@westmbms-99.bsky.social @worcswt.bsky.social @savebutterflies.bsky.social
July 20, 2026 at 6:34 PM
Male and female Clouded Yellow. Grafton Wood, Worcs 20/7/26.
@westmbms-99.bsky.social @worcswt.bsky.social @savebutterflies.bsky.social
@westmbms-99.bsky.social @worcswt.bsky.social @savebutterflies.bsky.social
Yorkshire's Butterflies Spring 2026: After a record breaking 2025 numbers are only down 7% but 35% up on 5 year average. It illustrates the carry over with good numbers of Lycaenid species but also poor survival in last year's drought of Small Tort. Wall & Small Heath docs.google.com/document/d/1...
June 19, 2026 at 11:20 AM
Yorkshire's Butterflies Spring 2026: After a record breaking 2025 numbers are only down 7% but 35% up on 5 year average. It illustrates the carry over with good numbers of Lycaenid species but also poor survival in last year's drought of Small Tort. Wall & Small Heath docs.google.com/document/d/1...
Our latest Argus newsletter is now available at drive.google.com/file/d/1gIbB...
June 12, 2026 at 9:32 PM
Our latest Argus newsletter is now available at drive.google.com/file/d/1gIbB...
Reposted by Butterfly Conservation Yorkshire
Occupancy-trend of the Chequered Skipper (bont dikkopje, C palaemon) in NL. After a long period of gradual decline distribution in 2024 and 2025 fell by almost 50%, esp. small populations were abandoned. Helas 2026 showed little recovery as far as we can tell now.
June 6, 2026 at 8:51 AM
Occupancy-trend of the Chequered Skipper (bont dikkopje, C palaemon) in NL. After a long period of gradual decline distribution in 2024 and 2025 fell by almost 50%, esp. small populations were abandoned. Helas 2026 showed little recovery as far as we can tell now.
Yorkshire's monitored sites after the huge influx a week ago are still recording 2-5 Painted ladies per 1km. An abundance we've not seen since late July 2019. All set for an Explosion! www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Get set for a painted lady summer: big year for orange butterflies in Britain
Migrant insects have been seen in large numbers along east coast thanks to heatwave and benign southerly winds
www.theguardian.com
June 6, 2026 at 7:22 AM
Yorkshire's monitored sites after the huge influx a week ago are still recording 2-5 Painted ladies per 1km. An abundance we've not seen since late July 2019. All set for an Explosion! www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Reposted by Butterfly Conservation Yorkshire
And another paper that's likely to spark debate
"Biodiversity offsetting, if properly implemented, can be an effective tool for pollinator conservation"
besjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
"Biodiversity offsetting, if properly implemented, can be an effective tool for pollinator conservation"
besjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
The effectiveness of biodiversity offsetting for wild pollinator conservation
We show that even small differences in the composition of floral resources can result in significantly higher wild pollinator abundances and species richness in offset grasslands. Since our reference...
besjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com
June 3, 2026 at 4:50 PM
And another paper that's likely to spark debate
"Biodiversity offsetting, if properly implemented, can be an effective tool for pollinator conservation"
besjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
"Biodiversity offsetting, if properly implemented, can be an effective tool for pollinator conservation"
besjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
Reposted by Butterfly Conservation Yorkshire
Our Holly Blue caterpillars on the Alder Buckthorn have now acquired a couple of Black Garden Ants in attendance. The ants feed from the caterpillar’s honey gland. @bcwarwickshire.bsky.social @savebutterflies.bsky.social
June 2, 2026 at 7:21 PM
Our Holly Blue caterpillars on the Alder Buckthorn have now acquired a couple of Black Garden Ants in attendance. The ants feed from the caterpillar’s honey gland. @bcwarwickshire.bsky.social @savebutterflies.bsky.social
Reposted by Butterfly Conservation Yorkshire
A nocturnal trip into my local woods with a UV torch turned up half a dozen Purple Emperor pupa shining like led’s
May 29, 2026 at 4:30 PM
A nocturnal trip into my local woods with a UV torch turned up half a dozen Purple Emperor pupa shining like led’s
Reposted by Butterfly Conservation Yorkshire
I must have taken 100s of photos of Purple Emperor larvae over the years, but this one, from today, is probably my favourite ... showing just how camouflaged a fully grown larva is against a leaf of its foodplant (Salix caprea, Goat Willow, in this case).
May 26, 2026 at 5:49 PM
I must have taken 100s of photos of Purple Emperor larvae over the years, but this one, from today, is probably my favourite ... showing just how camouflaged a fully grown larva is against a leaf of its foodplant (Salix caprea, Goat Willow, in this case).
Reposted by Butterfly Conservation Yorkshire
Great footage of Brown Hairstreak larva interacting with ants on tonights Springwatch. Starts @42 minutes @bc-hertsmiddx.bsky.social @savebutterflies.bsky.social
www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/epis...
www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/epis...
Springwatch - 2026: Episode 2
Chris Packham and Michaela Strachan continue to celebrate the season at National Trust Crom in Northern Ireland, revealing a hidden world playing out in the reed beds.
www.bbc.co.uk
May 26, 2026 at 9:30 PM
Great footage of Brown Hairstreak larva interacting with ants on tonights Springwatch. Starts @42 minutes @bc-hertsmiddx.bsky.social @savebutterflies.bsky.social
www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/epis...
www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/epis...
Reposted by Butterfly Conservation Yorkshire
Really valuable piece of research. We have used scrapes successfully on the old limestone quarries on Portland. A very different habitat but the vegetation recovers quickly and is also colonised by suitable ants, Lasius alienus. Sadly we do not have the resources to do enough to help SSB in big way
May 14, 2026 at 4:22 PM
Really valuable piece of research. We have used scrapes successfully on the old limestone quarries on Portland. A very different habitat but the vegetation recovers quickly and is also colonised by suitable ants, Lasius alienus. Sadly we do not have the resources to do enough to help SSB in big way
Reposted by Butterfly Conservation Yorkshire
Hundreds of Painted Lady butterflies in East Yorkshire today, along with smaller numbers of Silver Y moths and Red Admirals @migrantmothuk.bsky.social
May 5, 2026 at 7:25 PM
Hundreds of Painted Lady butterflies in East Yorkshire today, along with smaller numbers of Silver Y moths and Red Admirals @migrantmothuk.bsky.social
Reposted by Butterfly Conservation Yorkshire
Richard Lewington's Moths and Butterflies of the British Isles. Pre-order your copy today. Due to be published 12/11/2026.
RRP: £75.00. Just add to your cart to get an instant £10.00 discount and free delivery too! *** UK Only ***
wildernessbooks.co.uk/products/ric...
RRP: £75.00. Just add to your cart to get an instant £10.00 discount and free delivery too! *** UK Only ***
wildernessbooks.co.uk/products/ric...
May 4, 2026 at 7:50 PM
Richard Lewington's Moths and Butterflies of the British Isles. Pre-order your copy today. Due to be published 12/11/2026.
RRP: £75.00. Just add to your cart to get an instant £10.00 discount and free delivery too! *** UK Only ***
wildernessbooks.co.uk/products/ric...
RRP: £75.00. Just add to your cart to get an instant £10.00 discount and free delivery too! *** UK Only ***
wildernessbooks.co.uk/products/ric...
Reposted by Butterfly Conservation Yorkshire
📣 Our recent paper, led by Luke Evans, assesses evidence for links between insect abundance & populations of insect-eating birds & bats. link.springer.com/article/10.1... #teammoth 🌍 @savebutterflies.bsky.social 1/3
Assessing direct effects of insect change on insectivore populations in the United Kingdom - Biodiversity and Conservation
Declines in insect abundance are a cause for concern, with potential downstream impacts on ecosystem function. Insects are key food resources for insectivorous vertebrates, with evidence that reductio...
link.springer.com
April 26, 2026 at 10:24 AM
📣 Our recent paper, led by Luke Evans, assesses evidence for links between insect abundance & populations of insect-eating birds & bats. link.springer.com/article/10.1... #teammoth 🌍 @savebutterflies.bsky.social 1/3
Reposted by Butterfly Conservation Yorkshire
This female Brimstone was laying eggs on the Buckthorn hedge I planted in my Sheffield garden. Plant it and they will come! 🦋
April 26, 2026 at 11:43 AM
This female Brimstone was laying eggs on the Buckthorn hedge I planted in my Sheffield garden. Plant it and they will come! 🦋
Reposted by Butterfly Conservation Yorkshire
#SundayScience | Dark Bordered Beauty Moths 🦋
Discover the conservation of the rare Dark Bordered Beauty moth with Georgina Lindsay in this #SundayScience.
Learn how RZSS breeds and reintroduces this striking species to safeguard its future.
▶️ youtu.be/4noTrJyUwSc
Discover the conservation of the rare Dark Bordered Beauty moth with Georgina Lindsay in this #SundayScience.
Learn how RZSS breeds and reintroduces this striking species to safeguard its future.
▶️ youtu.be/4noTrJyUwSc
More Moths Please
YouTube video by Biological Recording Company
youtu.be
April 26, 2026 at 5:41 PM
#SundayScience | Dark Bordered Beauty Moths 🦋
Discover the conservation of the rare Dark Bordered Beauty moth with Georgina Lindsay in this #SundayScience.
Learn how RZSS breeds and reintroduces this striking species to safeguard its future.
▶️ youtu.be/4noTrJyUwSc
Discover the conservation of the rare Dark Bordered Beauty moth with Georgina Lindsay in this #SundayScience.
Learn how RZSS breeds and reintroduces this striking species to safeguard its future.
▶️ youtu.be/4noTrJyUwSc
We need your help with the BCY Argus Newsletter
The Yorkshire Branch general editor feels that it is time to step back.They are happy to stay on for twelve months and support whoever takes on the role. Mail:[email protected] www.yorkshirebutterflies.org.uk/publications...
The Yorkshire Branch general editor feels that it is time to step back.They are happy to stay on for twelve months and support whoever takes on the role. Mail:[email protected] www.yorkshirebutterflies.org.uk/publications...
April 16, 2026 at 7:04 PM
We need your help with the BCY Argus Newsletter
The Yorkshire Branch general editor feels that it is time to step back.They are happy to stay on for twelve months and support whoever takes on the role. Mail:[email protected] www.yorkshirebutterflies.org.uk/publications...
The Yorkshire Branch general editor feels that it is time to step back.They are happy to stay on for twelve months and support whoever takes on the role. Mail:[email protected] www.yorkshirebutterflies.org.uk/publications...