The Upper Thames Branch of Butterfly Conservation; the national charity saving butterflies, moths and our environmenthttps://bsky.app/profile/upperthames.bsky.socialhttps://bsky.app/profile/upperthames.bsky.social/post/3mrahdfjgms2nBeware the yellow peril! Death amongst the ragwort.22 Jul 2026 13:43 +0000at://did:plc:jbjommtjwtazpypspspyekse/app.bsky.feed.post/3mrahdfjgms2nhttps://bsky.app/profile/upperthames.bsky.social/post/3mraeb4w6ec2nBrown Hairstreak at Bugs Bottom, Caversham. A butterfly that is definitely increasing in its range and has been on this site for at least three years now.22 Jul 2026 12:48 +0000at://did:plc:jbjommtjwtazpypspspyekse/app.bsky.feed.post/3mraeb4w6ec2nhttps://bsky.app/profile/upperthames.bsky.social/post/3mpvrjfuj4c2jAnother Striped Lychnis survey today, this time at Butterfly Conservations lovely Holtspur Bottom Reserve. 535 dark mullein flower spikes produced 171 larvae. Far better than last year's 11 larvae. Afterwards had a look through the plentiful bedstraw for Hummingbird Hawk larvae and soon found one.05 Jul 2026 14:21 +0000at://did:plc:jbjommtjwtazpypspspyekse/app.bsky.feed.post/3mpvrjfuj4c2jhttps://bsky.app/profile/upperthames.bsky.social/post/3mpj7imcy7s23Striped Lychnis caterpillars are now out on the dark mullein plants in the Chilterns area. We do lots of larval surveys for this scarce moth to help monitor the population. If you spot one please do irecord!30 Jun 2026 14:26 +0000at://did:plc:jbjommtjwtazpypspspyekse/app.bsky.feed.post/3mpj7imcy7s23https://bsky.app/profile/upperthames.bsky.social/post/3mpj6s2tfic23Purple Emperors at Bernwood Forest yesterday30 Jun 2026 14:14 +0000at://did:plc:jbjommtjwtazpypspspyekse/app.bsky.feed.post/3mpj6s2tfic23https://bsky.app/profile/upperthames.bsky.social/post/3mmhmw6ghvs2tLarge Skippers spotted today in Oxfordshire. Seems early!22 May 2026 19:06 +0000at://did:plc:jbjommtjwtazpypspspyekse/app.bsky.feed.post/3mmhmw6ghvs2thttps://bsky.app/profile/upperthames.bsky.social/post/3mmhmobebdc2tGrapholita pallifrontana is now on the wing in Oxfordshire. This lovely little moth is an Upper Thames priority species.22 May 2026 19:01 +0000at://did:plc:jbjommtjwtazpypspspyekse/app.bsky.feed.post/3mmhmobebdc2thttps://bsky.app/profile/upperthames.bsky.social/post/3mly6lspxvk2bPuss Moth found in a garden in Caversham, Berks. Always a stunning moth, and a very funky caterpillar too!16 May 2026 15:39 +0000at://did:plc:jbjommtjwtazpypspspyekse/app.bsky.feed.post/3mly6lspxvk2bhttps://bsky.app/profile/upperthames.bsky.social/post/3mlnxif3bzc2bMore Drab Looper surveys today. 13 recorded in the woods around Frilsham, West Berks. Also a rather nice Four-spotted carrion beetle. Several hours spent on Ashampstead Common drew a blank, DL seems to be gone from there sadly.12 May 2026 14:05 +0000at://did:plc:jbjommtjwtazpypspspyekse/app.bsky.feed.post/3mlnxif3bzc2bhttps://bsky.app/profile/upperthames.bsky.social/post/3mlgmsv42js2nPainted Lady numbers seem to be starting to ramp up now in the Upper Thames09 May 2026 16:06 +0000at://did:plc:jbjommtjwtazpypspspyekse/app.bsky.feed.post/3mlgmsv42js2nhttps://bsky.app/profile/upperthames.bsky.social/post/3mlgmpr2ci22nDrab looper are on the wing now in West Berkshire.09 May 2026 16:04 +0000at://did:plc:jbjommtjwtazpypspspyekse/app.bsky.feed.post/3mlgmpr2ci22nhttps://bsky.app/profile/upperthames.bsky.social/post/3mklg3nckxc2jGood numbers of Grizzled and Dingy Skippers at Lardon Chase yesterday.28 Apr 2026 20:24 +0000at://did:plc:jbjommtjwtazpypspspyekse/app.bsky.feed.post/3mklg3nckxc2j