Martin East

@theboygriffin Well done, glad you saw them.

Great trip to Orlestone Forest where I added Large Tortoiseshell to my UK butterfly list. Perfect conditions with 7-8 different individuals seen between Birchett and Faggs Wood 🦋

@avonorchids I can’t see any evidence of rings, but the lower part of the legs are mostly obscured in my photos.

@MartinEast3 Were you able to confirm that the bird was unringed, so likely to be wild rather than one of the many that have been released in the UK.

Turtle Dove at Watercress Farm, North Somerset today.

@walker_pop @savebutterflies @CanonUKandIE Many thanks indeed Pup.

@MartinEast3 @savebutterflies @CanonUKandIE I think the bottom left one is my favourite of all the dozens I’ve seen from Dudley. The burnished copper colour is fantastic and looks very fresh.

I couldn't resist a trip to see the Large Copper butterflies that have appeared in a park in Dudley, West Midlands in the last week. About 10 of them seen. @savebutterflies @CanonUKandIE @ukbutterflies @britishbutterflies @wildlife_uk

Scarce Blue-tailed Damselfly pair mating at Watercress Farm, North Somerset. I believe that the female is a rare blue form example. @UKdragonflies @BDSdragonflies @AllanChard

@bell_suze @savebutterflies @CanonUKandIE Many thanks Sue.

@MartinEast3 @savebutterflies @CanonUKandIE They're so pretty, thank you for sharing the lovely pictures of them Martin. 🥰🦋🦋

@NSLBirding @savebutterflies @CanonUKandIE Many thanks Wayne. You should get to see them!

@MartinEast3 @savebutterflies @CanonUKandIE Wow excellent shots

@duncan_dine Even more unexpected than the Large Coppers I saw yesterday in Dudley.!

Absolutely never had Citrus Swallowtail butterfly on my Bingo Card for our Cheltenham Gloucestershire garden this afternoon

@EddieWr99671067 @savebutterflies @CanonUKandIE Thanks Eddie

@MartinEast3 @savebutterflies @CanonUKandIE Lovely Martin 👍 😊 👌

@AllanChard @savebutterflies @CanonUKandIE Thanks Allan

@MartinEast3 @savebutterflies @CanonUKandIE Great photos 👍

@theboygriffin @savebutterflies @CanonUKandIE Undoubtedly an unofficial release. Appears that larvae were introduced as empty pupal cases have been seen.

@MartinEast3 @savebutterflies @CanonUKandIE Hadn’t heard about them. Organised or random release?

@avonorchids @ukorchids @HardyOrchidSoc OK, thanks for that. I believe that I have seen reports of Dune Helleborine at Kenfig. I’ll try to confirm. However, I accept that this is probably BLH.

@MartinEast3 @ukorchids @HardyOrchidSoc Never heard of Dune Helleborines occurring at Kenfig, sure you don't mean neerlandica Broad-leaved? Your pic looks to me to be a Broad-leaved which is infinitely variable colour wise

Visited Kenfig NR this week. This was close to Broad-leaved Helleborines and where I had been told there were Dune Helleborines. Is this a DH, or a hybrid BLH x DH? It looks paler and greener than the BLH. Help with the ID appreciated. @ukorchids @avonorchids @hardyorchidsoc

@avonorchids @ukorchids Thanks.

@MartinEast3 @ukorchids Southern marsh is probably the default option

Hi, could I have some help please with the ID of this orchid, seen today at Kenfig NNR, growing very close to the Fen Orchids, so a usually damp environment. The lip seems to have just two lobes with no central lobe. It also seems to have a prominent hood. @ukorchids @avonorchids

@PaulSelby18 @Mariposa_Nature @dunnjons @thenewgalaxy @europebutterfly Did you find False Comma? I’ve booked to go on the trip next year.

The inaugural @Mariposa_Nature holiday to Serbia ended yesterday at 131 butterfly species. A near record for these week long trips, demonstrating the sheer biodiversity of Serbia. There are still 4 places left for next year, but they are selling out fast! mariposanature.com/tours/butterfl…

Bird’s Nest Orchid in Gloucestershire yesterday. @ukorchids

A new orchid for me, a lovely Sword-leaved Helleborine in Gloucestershire a few days ago. @ukorchids

@stevepreddy Hi Steve, the female was taken on 16.8.24 & the male 29.8.24.

@MartinEast3 Martín, I don’t suppose you know the date these were taken, do you?

Does anyone have photos of Common Hawker (Aeshna juncea) from any of the Mendip sites e.g. Waldegrave Pool, Charterhouse, Smitham Chimney? I’m working on a thing for the British Dragonfly Society for which these would be useful. Thanks.