Edward Pollard
@epollard
🌲 Biodiversity conservationist living in Cambridge, UK. 🦋 Cambridgeshire butterfly recorder so this account will mainly about butterflies and other general natural history
Corner of a field in SW France that was retired 2 1/2 years ago Already good cover of vegetation, & oaks coming up along the fringe. Thistles this year proving to be a valuable nectar source.
Annual Chalk Hill Blue pilgrimage to Devil's Dyke, Newmarket yesterday. Feels like we are past peak numbers, but still plenty about. Numbers have recovered to some degree since the 2024 washout, but what will this drought do?
Dug my trusty old hammock out of storage. Unused for 15 years. Going to try it out this weekend. Will report back on a) do I even know how to put it up yet. b) how much sleep will I get @marcelocegonha.bsky.social
Red Helen Swallowtail, Indian Red Admiral, Common Fivering (had some camera issues, so low res only)
Out and about on the islands offshore from Kamumotp, Japan Chestnut Tiger.
Challenging conditions in a hot and humid Kamumoto, Japan this morning. A pocket full of lifers, including Chinese Yellow Swallowtail (Papilio xuthus) and Tropical Fritillary (Argynnis hyperbius) @sbbtrust.bsky.social
A good number of Chalk Hill Blue on the Fleam Dyke (Cambs) transect this week. Warm weather, and easterly winds are forecast. Could this mean recolonisation of Magog Down....? Will they cross the 6km of farmland?
At the Guildhall today. Being watched over by Gog and Magog @magogdown.bsky.social
Nice to see a street in Cambridge take pride in their colony or Bee Orchids. They have marked it off and put up a little sign. Cluster of 20+ spikes Thanks @rogerhorton.bsky.social @ukorchids.bsky.social
Generally Cambridge orchids seems to be struggling this year. Too dry? Not many Bees, and the Lizard didn't make it. But these Pyramidal at Coldhams Common are nice, and a smattering of Common Spotted at Barnwell East @ukorchids.bsky.social
A couple of downpours in Cambridge today. They are literally off the charts
Mega Cambridge garden odonata while I was hanging the laundry. Norfolk Hawker! @britishdragonflies.bsky.social
This shows the importance of the south-west corner of the airfield Red outline an existing local nature reserve, the lakes is a de facto nature reserve
Northern Marsh Orchid. Maidenvale Nature Reserve, Darlington. 30+ spikes at a small post industrial green space on the edge of the town.
Feeling hot? Imagine dipping your feet in the cool of the River Tees.
I love rummaging though my parents' bookshelves to see what wonders they kept. @richardkbroughton.bsky.social @themarshtit.bsky.social @sheldonbirds.bsky.social
From the archives for #wildflowerhour Moon Carrot on Lime Kiln Hill, Cambridge.
I just had one in the Cotswolds! Assumed it was a wasp until iNat told me otherwise
Patch tick! Wall Brown at Magog Down on the fringes of Cambridge. There have been several sightings over the past few days. This is a male. A female was seen in another area of the Down a couple of days ago. Did they meet? is this the start of a recolonisation? @magogdown.bsky.social
Also from the Cotswolds. A lovely Viviparous Lizard @arc-trust.bsky.social (record submitted to iRecord)
Just had a few days offline. There's been some warm, sunny weather in Cambridgeshire. Love the anticipation of waiting to see what butterfly records are waiting for verification in iRecord... I'll report back
Pop down the hill from where I am staying in Gloucestershire into a random field And find a Dingy Skipper
This is my Great Uncle, William Henry James Sturrock. I share a middle name with him. Born in Croydon, moved to Australia in 1913. Just after the start of WW1 he signed up. Survived Gallipoli, only to die when billeted behind the lines in N France, Mar 1917. #anzacday #lestweforget
Waresley Wood in Cambridgeshire doing its glorious Ancient Woodland thing today. @ukorchids.bsky.social @wildlifebcn.org @brianecambs.bsky.social
A few changes to a garden can make an enormous difference. Watching Secret Garden reminded me of this illustration by Marton Zsoldos.