Michael Jones

@mixaeljones

Being amongst nature is my happy place 🙂 I love sharing nature with others through my job as Heathland Education Officer and in my free time. Wannabe naturalist. Attempted photographer. Occasional writer. Citizen scientist.

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Michael Jones@mixaeljones· 1d

One of the things I love about learning to moth trap is that so many moths turn up I’ve never heard of before. This marvellous Maple Prominent visited the garden and agreed to pose beautifully for a photo on the condition that I put a freshly picked squash in the background! #DailyNature #TeamMoth

Maple Prominent - a dark and light brown moth with white frost-like coloured ends to the wings on a grey slate with a yellow background.

Michael Jones@mixaeljones· 3d

Moth: Chinese Character Size: Tiny Super power: Looking like a bird poo! #DailyNature #TeamMoth

Chinese Character - a small, mostly white moth that resembles a bird poo.

Michael Jones@mixaeljones· 6d

And the winner of the Gremlins impersonation competition is… Vapourer Moth! Best not feed it after midnight! #DailyNature #TeamMoth

A close-up front on view of a Vapourer Moth, showing its massive feathery antennae

Michael Jones@mixaeljones· 8d

This Harebell enjoyed the first rain in a long time. Fleetingly refreshing! 🌧️ #WildFlowerHour @bsbibotany.bsky.social

A pale purple Harebell flower with droplets of rain

Michael Jones@mixaeljones· 9d

There’s been a Hummingbird Hawk-moth whizzing around my garden on and off for a couple of weeks. This is the first time I’ve managed to get a camera anywhere near it! I assume it’s the same moth, as it gave me a knowing nod before speeding off over the fence. #DailyNature #TeamMoth

Michael Jones@mixaeljones· 10d

My 3-year old daughter wasn’t sleepy, so she asked to go on a Nightjar walk. I was so excited that she wanted to share my favourite nature spectacle. It was wonderful being out on the heath together. She even pointed out the first Nightjar whilst I was distracted by an aeroplane! ✈️🤦‍♂️ #DailyNature

Michael Jones@mixaeljones· 11d

I got a few strange looks when I exclaimed “Look at that Old Lady in a spiderweb” earlier! It’s the first time I’ve encountered this moth. It’s a shame it had had its insides sucked out by an arachnid and been tangled in web for quite a while. #DailyNature #TeamMoth

A deceased Old Lady moth with a hollowed out body and spider-webbed wings. This moth is dead. It is no more. It has ceased to be! It’s expired and gone to meet its maker.

Michael Jones@mixaeljones· 12d

Well, I’ve now become that person who takes photos of moths in public toilets! Is this normal?? Today’s public convenience finds included (I think) Small China-mark, Dark-bordered Pearl and Common Wave. I was @nationaltrust.org.uk’s The Vyne in Hampshire. #DailyNature #TeamMoth

Small China-mark moth on a white toilet wall

Dark-Bordered Pearl moth on a white toilet wall

Michael Jones@mixaeljones· 13d

Earlier I went out butterfly spotting… But it unexpectedly started pouring with rain. It had been so long since I last experienced rain, that I dropped to my knees Shawshank Redemption style & absorbed as much petrichor as I could! This delicate Harebell seemed to enjoy the downpour! #DailyNature

A pale purple Harebell flower with droplets of rain on the petals and stem

Michael Jones@mixaeljones· 14d

I introduced my in-laws to the wonderful world of moth trapping in their garden. They were surprisingly understanding when I filled their fridge with moths! Photos show a Jersey Tiger Moth admiring its picture in a book and a fridge crammed full of moths (and chocolate!) 😀 #DailyNature #TeamMoth

A black and white-winged Jersey Tiger Moth perched on an index finger whilst being held above tiger moth illustrations in a moth book

An open fridge stuffed full of moths in plastic pots and more chocolate than I would have expected!

Michael Jones@mixaeljones· 15d

Day 2 of August’s #DailyNature comes from 2am! I was out checking the moth trap when I spotted two hedgehogs. 🦔 This wonderful thing was as snoozy as I was! 😴 What an amazing experience!

A curled-up hedgehog, lying asleep on a patio. You can see its eyes, nose and a claw poking out of the prickles. There is another hedgehog in the background amongst fallen leaves

Michael Jones@mixaeljones· 16d

I don’t see many Small Tortoiseshells, so it was brilliant to meet this one to celebrate day 1 of August’s #DailyNature! (It was a bonus that it sat still for a photo!) #butterfly #BigButterflyCount @savebutterflies.bsky.social

A Small Tortoiseshell butterfly with wings closed perched on a light purple flower head. The butterfly’s long curved proboscis is plunged into the flower to sup on the nectar. The background is a blurred green from a variety of plants

Michael Jones@mixaeljones· Jul 12

Drinker moth in the garden moth trap for the first time last night. What an amazing creature! It left me a present or two in the pot. I guess I’m going to be an uncle! Has anyone ever raised a family of Drinker moths?? Advice please 🙂 #TeamMoth #MothsMatter #DailyNature #Moth

Drinker moth - a fluffy, golden moth with two irregular white spots and some dark lines on the wings. It is sat on a piece of dark grey slate

Two white almost spherical moth eggs with a pale green circle and spot in a translucent black plastic specimen pot

Michael Jones@mixaeljones· Jul 11

This Pantaloon Bee has been returning to the same flower each evening for the last week or so to have a snooze. He’s not there tonight. Perhaps off watching the football somewhere! 🐝 ⚽️ #bee #DailyNature @royentsoc.bsky.social

A male Pantaloon Bee snoozing on the purple flowers of Verbena. You’re going to have to take my word for it when I say it’s asleep!

Michael Jones@mixaeljones· Jun 9

Today I encountered a #bee I’ve been keeping an eye out for years - Wool Carder Bee. I was running nature sessions at a local school and spotted it in the herb garden. I think the children found my jumping up and down with excitement somewhat amusing! 🐝 🥳 #30DaysWild - Day9

A chunky bee with yellow spots on the side of its abdomen nectaring on a light purple flower

A chunky bee with yellow spots on the side of its abdomen resting on a light purple flower

Michael Jones@mixaeljones· Jun 4

Sometimes you don’t even have to go looking for nature - It just hops onto your finger! This teeny-tiny #cricket paid me a visit on its way somewhere to do something important. #30DaysWild

A tiny cricket with large hind legs and long antenna sat on a person’s thumb

Michael Jones@mixaeljones· Jun 3

I love that looking closely at something in nature pretty much always reveals something else that’s amazing. Earlier, I watched a Silver-studded Blue #butterfly fluttering past and it landed about 10cm away from a Sand Lizard! 🦋 🦎 #30DaysWild - Day 3 #TakeACloserLook @savebutterflies.bsky.social

A blue-winged butterfly with black and white fringes perched on a piece of dead wood. There is heather in the background

A spotty lizard sat on light green moss. There is heather in the background

Michael Jones@mixaeljones· Jun 2

I took a group of school children out on their local heath this morning and we spotted lots of fab dragonflies. Highlights were a Downy Emerald and this amazing Golden-ringed Dragonfly! The children were fascinated by such a close-up view. #30DaysWild - Day 2 @britishdragonflies.bsky.social

A black and yellow dragonfly perched on an oak twig. Green oak leaves are in the background

A close up of the head and thorax of a black and yellow dragonfly perched on an oak twig. Green oak leaves are in the background

Michael Jones@mixaeljones· Jun 1

A few years ago I got an Alder Buckthorn for my parents in the hope of attracting Brimstones into their garden. Today I got a message from my mum saying something was eating her tree. It was covered in about 50 Brimstone caterpillars 🐛 Result! #30DaysWild - Day 1 @savebutterflies.bsky.social

A light green caterpillar with a pale stripe running the length of its body finishing off the last of a leaf it has been eating

Five green caterpillars eating the leaves of an Alder Buckthorn tree. The leaves are showing signs of being munched. There is a faded brown wooden fence behind.

Michael Jones@mixaeljones· May 15

The Nightingale I found within walking distance of my house is still there after a month. And today… finally… it revealed itself! 😀🎶 #bird #heathland

Nightingale - a brown and off-white bird with beak open in full song, perched on a diagonal bramble stem. In the background are green leaves, spiky brambles and spiky gorse

Michael Jones@mixaeljones· May 11

Carpets aplenty in the #moth trap at the weekend! Well, only one of each, but you know what I mean! Sharp-angled Carpet Red-green Carpet Green Carpet #TeamMoth #MothsMatter #Moths

Sharp-angled Carpet - a brown and white moth with intricate patterning perched on a slate grey paving slab

Red-green Carpet - a mostly green moth, almost plectrum-shaped on a slate grey paving slab

Green Carpet - a mostly green moth, with black splodges and wiggly white lines, perched on a slate grey paving slab

Michael Jones@mixaeljones· May 8

Always a delight to spot a Grizzled Skipper and even more so when it sticks around for closer inspection. They’re usually a bit whizzy! 😀 #Butterfly #Butterflies @savebutterflies.bsky.social

Grizzled Skipper - a dark brown-winged butterfly with white chequered markings and a brown hairy body, perched on the ground.

Grizzled Skipper - a butterfly with light brown and white chequered closed wings perched on dark green gorse. The background is a lighter green

Michael Jones@mixaeljones· May 4

I spotted this amazing Lime Hawk-moth on the floor outside my local pub - perhaps it had one too many lager and limes! 🍺 🍋‍🟩 It’s the first time I’ve seen the adult moth. What a stunner! #TeamMoth #MothsMatter #DailyNature #PubNature @savebutterflies.bsky.social

Lime Hawk-moth - a stunning green and peach-winged moth, with angled wings like a stealth bomber perched on a light purple-flowered Lilac plant

Michael Jones@mixaeljones· May 3

A sneaky peek of things to come on a Surrey Heathland this week! #WildflowerHour #Heather @bsbibotany.bsky.social

Bell Heather - Three purple flowers on a dark green leaved stem

Michael Jones@mixaeljones· Apr 27

Perfect #butterfly weather yesterday brought new sightings of Duke of Burgundy, Green Hairstreak and Dingy Skipper. I love the explosion of life at this time of year! @savebutterflies.bsky.social

Duke of Burgundy - a brown and orange butterfly with a chequerboard patterning sits with wings open on a pale green leaf

Green Hairstreak- a shimmering green butterfly rests with wings closed on a light green leaf. The butterfly has black and white striped legs and antennae

Dingy Skipper - a mostly dark brown butterfly with paler brown patterning resting open winged on grass and small sticks

Michael Jones@mixaeljones· Apr 17

I was mostly looking for Beechmast Candlesnuff and think there might be some here too! 🍄‍🟫 🕯️ #FungiFriends #FungiFriday

A close-up view of tiny white cupped mushrooms on beechmast. On the top corner there are some black fungi resembling burnt candle wicks - a bright yellow circle has been added to the photo to highlight these

Michael Jones@mixaeljones· Apr 17

I think this one is Stalked Hairy Fairy Cup - what a fab name and super tiny! 🍄‍🟫 I’ve been keeping a close eye out for fungi on beechmast for ages and finally found some! #FungiFriends #FungiFriday

Lots of tiny white and off-white cupped mushrooms on a dark brown beechmast. The beechmast is on a carpet of feathery light green moss

A close-up view of tiny white and off-white cupped mushrooms on a brown beechmast. Both the mushrooms and beechmast appear hairy

Michael Jones@mixaeljones· Apr 13

I was joined at dinner by this tiny little creature! I had no idea there was such a thing as a Turtle Shieldbug (Podops inuncta) Is anyone up for a #ShieldbugYearList?? It’ll be a great way to help me learn more about #Shieldbugs #Pentatomidae

A Turtle Shieldbug - A top-down view of a bronze-brown bug, with rounded back end, in a translucent plastic collection pot

A Turtle Shieldbug - A side-on view of a bronze-brown bug, with rounded back end, on the corner of a square wooden post

Michael Jones@mixaeljones· Apr 11

This Pine Ladybird is number 7️⃣ for my #LadybirdYearList 🐞 #UKLadybirds #Ladybird

Pine Ladybird. A black ladybird with three irregular-shaped red spots on a recess in a tree branch

Michael Jones@mixaeljones· Apr 9

Amazing! I’ve just heard a Nightingale within walking distance of my house. I love that sound, but usually have to travel to experience the immense joy it brings. Bonus Chiffchaff for good measure. Sound up as loud as you can get it!