Butterfly and moth enthusiast, working to conserve these lovely insects in Europe and beyond. Advisor to Butterfly Conservation Europe and author of ‘Butterflies’ published by Bloomsbury.https://bsky.app/profile/martinswarren.bsky.socialhttps://bsky.app/profile/martinswarren.bsky.social/post/3mwlpnulcpc2fJust like old times for me in Harlow Carr gardens near Harrogate, Yorkshire. several Small Tortoiseshells mingling with Red Admirals, Commas and a few Peacock and Painted Lady. More STs (3) than I have seen all year down south! @bcyorkshire.bsky.social @savebutterflies.bsky.social28 Sep 2026 16:17 +0000at://did:plc:l5fbkblpx4v2jpbjpy6bagna/app.bsky.feed.post/3mwlpnulcpc2fhttps://bsky.app/profile/martinswarren.bsky.social/post/3mwid2evyvs2zMy guess is that it’s a rejection by the female. She will usually mate quite quickly if she is going to. Her constant wing fluttering is trying to waft not interested pheromones over the male but he is taking a while to get the message! [contains quote post or other embedded content]27 Sep 2026 07:54 +0000at://did:plc:l5fbkblpx4v2jpbjpy6bagna/app.bsky.feed.post/3mwid2evyvs2zhttps://bsky.app/profile/martinswarren.bsky.social/post/3mwdctlsjg22uPlease sign if you love European wildlife [contains quote post or other embedded content]25 Sep 2026 08:06 +0000at://did:plc:l5fbkblpx4v2jpbjpy6bagna/app.bsky.feed.post/3mwdctlsjg22uhttps://bsky.app/profile/martinswarren.bsky.social/post/3mwbuwok2s22hDon’t often see a worn Hummer but this one looks as though it has been in the wars. Still zipping around in our Buddleia though. We are down to a max of two at any one time now! (Was up to five a month ago)24 Sep 2026 18:25 +0000at://did:plc:l5fbkblpx4v2jpbjpy6bagna/app.bsky.feed.post/3mwbuwok2s22hhttps://bsky.app/profile/martinswarren.bsky.social/post/3mw4ikxiqjs2qPainted Ladies are gathering along the Dorset coast today, having vanished from my garden a few weeks ago. They will head south to France at altitude, probably waiting for favourable winds that are due tomorrow @dorsetbutterflies.bsky.social22 Sep 2026 15:00 +0000at://did:plc:l5fbkblpx4v2jpbjpy6bagna/app.bsky.feed.post/3mw4ikxiqjs2qhttps://bsky.app/profile/martinswarren.bsky.social/post/3mvzzo7ludc2wWow, that’s a lot of butterflies and may be a record for a UK transect! I feel sure this year will break all records for this migrant species? @ukbms.bsky.social @dorsetbutterflies.bsky.social @savebutterflies.bsky.social @richardfoxbc.bsky.social [contains quote post or other embedded content]21 Sep 2026 15:28 +0000at://did:plc:l5fbkblpx4v2jpbjpy6bagna/app.bsky.feed.post/3mvzzo7ludc2whttps://bsky.app/profile/martinswarren.bsky.social/post/3mvzsos3ips2cThis feels a bit like fiddling while Rome burns and may have some adverse unintended consequences. Its a shame that tried and tested ‘vintage’ conservation does not get similar investment https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/sep/21/gene-edited-butterflies-vaccines-ash-trees-uk-science-projects-30m-funding?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other21 Sep 2026 13:23 +0000at://did:plc:l5fbkblpx4v2jpbjpy6bagna/app.bsky.feed.post/3mvzsos3ips2c