Dr Marcus Rhodes
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marcusrhodes.bsky.social
Dr Marcus Rhodes
@marcusrhodes.bsky.social
3.1K followers 840 following 460 posts

Ecologist in pursuit of butterflies. Postdoctoral Research Associate at the University of Exeter, Cornwall working on nature recovery and species' responses to climate change. He/Him

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Environmental science 38%
Biology 30%
Posts Replies Media Videos

Reposted by Marcus W. Rhodes

arc-trust.bsky.social
Amphibian and Reptile Conservation @arc-trust.bsky.social · 17h
We’ve published our response to the "Lost Frogs report".

Read our statement here: https://www.arc-trust.org/lost-frogs-report-comment-from-amphibian-and-reptile-conservation-trust

Reposted by Marcus W. Rhodes

garyh-56.bsky.social
garyh-56.bsky.social @garyh-56.bsky.social · 4d
I found the first Clouded Yellow caterpillars of 2026 today on the transect.
Only 2 seen, but clear evidence that they continue to overwinter at Southbourne despite what the British winter weather is throwing at them.

Southbourne
Dorset

Reposted by Marcus W. Rhodes

vannabartlett.bsky.social
Vanna Bartlett @vannabartlett.bsky.social · 4d
Spent most of yesterday staring at specimens down the microscope but when I had a chance to venture into the garden I was amazed to see my first butterfly of the year - a Red Admiral basking in sunshine on the shed.

Today we are back to dull dreary weather in Norwich.
A Red Admiral butterfly sitting with its wings spread wide open on a grey painted wooden shed in bright sunshine. There are tall shrubs behind the shed with a mix of bare branches and evergreen leaves and a big patch of blue sky. Close up of the Red Admiral butterfly sitting on grey painted wood. The wings of the butterfly are dark blackish brown with a broad red band across the middle of the forewing, running top to bottom and a red band along the rear edge of the hind wing. There are several large white spots on the black area of the forewing towards the tips.

marcusrhodes.bsky.social
Dr Marcus Rhodes @marcusrhodes.bsky.social · 5d
An intrepid band of volunteers braved the rain today for Cornwall Butterfly Conservation's work party at Wheal Maid. We were removing encroaching Gorse, Sallow and Cotoneaster from a south-facing slope to restore the heathland for Grayling and Silver-studded Blues.
@savebutterflies.bsky.social
Cornwall Butterfly Conservation volunteers cutting scrub in the rain. Before: a heathland-covered slope encroached with Gorse, Sallow and Cotoneaster. After: Gorse, Sallow and Cotoneaster have been removed from the slope, exposing the heathland and patches of bare ground.

marcusrhodes.bsky.social
Dr Marcus Rhodes @marcusrhodes.bsky.social · 11d
Yay! A Lesser Celandine on the verge of opening at Pengelly this afternoon - my first of the year.
The heart-shaped leaves of Lesser Celandine growing amongst moss with a single yellow flower beginning to open.

Reposted by Marcus W. Rhodes

portlandbirdobs.bsky.social
Portland Bird Observatory @portlandbirdobs.bsky.social · 13d
Some lepidoptera interest in the Obs garden: first butterfly of the year - a Red Admiral - on the wing just now; yesterday, the first presumed migrant moth of the year - a Turnip - from the moth-traps
Red Admiral, 16th January 2026 Turnip Moth, 15th January 2026

Reposted by Marcus W. Rhodes

mothyblackburn.bsky.social
Tim Blackburn @mothyblackburn.bsky.social · 15d
A photo from my friend's garden on the slope of Highgate hill in London today. Quite early even for a Brimstone...
A Brimstone butterfly with sunlight and ivy leaves.

marcusrhodes.bsky.social
Dr Marcus Rhodes @marcusrhodes.bsky.social · 19d
Cornwall Butterfly Conservation volunteers were at Fellover today for our first work party of the New Year. A mild, sunny winter's day bearing the promise of spring: we were serenaded by a Song Thrush as we carried out Bracken management for Pearl-bordered Fritillaries.
Cornwall Butterfly Conservation volunteers carrying out habitat management on a steep, Bracken-covered hillside. Before: a narrow path traversing a Bracken-covered hillside with scattered trees. After: Bracken litter and Brambles have been cut each side of the path to promote Violet germination and create a warm, sunny microclimate for the Fritillary caterpillars.

marcusrhodes.bsky.social
Dr Marcus Rhodes @marcusrhodes.bsky.social · 23d
Snakelocks Anemones revealed on the low tide at Kennack Sands this afternoon.
A Snakelocks Anemone in a shallow rockpool. Its long, green tentacles are tipped with purple. A Snakelocks Anemone in a shallow rockpool. Its long, green tentacles are tipped with purple. Low tide at Kennack Sands exposing the sandy beach with sea cliffs beyond.

marcusrhodes.bsky.social
Dr Marcus Rhodes @marcusrhodes.bsky.social · 23d
Eek! We are forecast to hit double figures in Cornwall tomorrow.

marcusrhodes.bsky.social
Dr Marcus Rhodes @marcusrhodes.bsky.social · 23d
Frogspawn and the first Daffodil fields in bloom down on the Lizard around Goonhilly this afternoon. Quite the contrast to snowy Norfolk!
A clump of frogspawn in a shallow puddle. A field of yellow Daffodils in bloom. The wet heaths of Goonhilly Downs looking towards Croft Pascoe.

Reposted by Pieter Vantieghem, Marcus W. Rhodes

europebutterfly.bsky.social
Butterfly Conservation Europe @europebutterfly.bsky.social · 23d
We have a new blog on our efforts to save one of Europe's most threatened butterflies: the Nevada Grayling (Pseudochazara williamsi), found in just a few locations in southern Spain.
www.bc-europe.eu/webpage.php?...
Nevada Grayling by Sam Ellis

Reposted by Marcus W. Rhodes

arc-trust.bsky.social
Amphibian and Reptile Conservation @arc-trust.bsky.social · 23d
We’ve published our latest statement on reintroductions, assisted colonisation and the importance of evidence-led conservation.
You can read our latest statement here ⬇️
https://www.arc-trust.org/News/ensuring-amphibian-and-reptile-releases-contribute-to-natures-recovery

marcusrhodes.bsky.social
Dr Marcus Rhodes @marcusrhodes.bsky.social · 24d
This Woodcock was an unexpected find yesterday. Spotted out of the car window hiding in a roadside hedge (and hoping that it hadn't been seen).
A cryptically-patterned Woodcock crouched amongst vegetation at the base of a hedge. Photo: Logan Ody

marcusrhodes.bsky.social
Dr Marcus Rhodes @marcusrhodes.bsky.social · 24d
Heading back to Cornwall after a wintery final few days in Norfolk.
A garden with snow covered trees, shrubs and lawn. A bench on a snowy Kelling Heath looking down to Weybourne and the North Sea beyond. The sandy expanse of Holkham Beech with the winter sun setting behind the pine woods.

marcusrhodes.bsky.social
Dr Marcus Rhodes @marcusrhodes.bsky.social · 28d
Seventeen species in flower for our #NewYearPlantHunt around Kelling Water Meadow and Quags this afternoon. A large raft of Scoter on the sea off Kelling Hard.
The grazing marshes of Kelling Water Meadow (with its pond) and Kelling Quags, with the shingle beach of Kelling Hard beyond. Viewed from the base of Muckleburgh Hill.

Reposted by Marcus W. Rhodes

dorsetbutterflies.bsky.social
Butterfly Conservation (Dorset Branch) @dorsetbutterflies.bsky.social · 28d
lets start the New Year with some good news. Many thanks to all our wonderful volunteers who have helped manage this crucial site with help of the fabulous private owner www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Rare butterfly numbers reach record levels says charity
Marsh Fritillary butterfly numbers have more than doubled at Lydlinch Common during an annual survey
www.bbc.co.uk

marcusrhodes.bsky.social
Dr Marcus Rhodes @marcusrhodes.bsky.social · 29d
Wishing folks a Happy New Year and all the very best for 2026!
The black sailing barge "Juno" moored in the tidal creek at Blakeney Quay with an open expanse of saltmarsh in the background.

marcusrhodes.bsky.social
Dr Marcus Rhodes @marcusrhodes.bsky.social · 29d
Along the sea wall from Blakeney to Cley today. Skeins of Pink-footed Geese arriving onto the Fresh Marshes at Wiveton and a flyby from two Glossy Ibises.
The vast expanse of saltmarsh and tidal creeks at Blakeney Harbour. A reed-fringed pool at Blakeney Freshes. Reedbeds along the River Glaven at Cley with the Cley Windmill behind.

marcusrhodes.bsky.social
Dr Marcus Rhodes @marcusrhodes.bsky.social · Dec 30
A little Christmas project finished this afternoon: laying the hedge in Mum's garden. We planted these as whips back in the winter of 2018/19 and it's incredible how they've grown. Laying them now should help to thicken up the hedge and improve its structure for wildlife.
A mixed, native hedge growing along a garden fence. The trunk of each plant has been partially severed at its base (leaving a tongue of living wood intact) and laid over to one side. A mixed, native hedge growing along a garden fence. The trunk of each plant has been partially severed at its base (leaving a tongue of living wood intact) and laid over to one side.

marcusrhodes.bsky.social
Dr Marcus Rhodes @marcusrhodes.bsky.social · Dec 27
Marsh Tit, Red Deer and a Hen Harrier were the highlights of an amble around Hempstead, Baconsthorpe and Bodham this afternoon.
A Marsh Tit perched in a thorn bush. It has a black cap, brown wings and a pale belly. A herd of eleven Red Deer in an arable field

marcusrhodes.bsky.social
Dr Marcus Rhodes @marcusrhodes.bsky.social · Dec 26
A Boxing Day walk amongst the veteran Sweet Chestnuts of Felbrigg Hall.
A knarled, veteran Sweet Chestnut backlit by golden winter sunlight.

Reposted by Marcus W. Rhodes

dorsetbutterflies.bsky.social
Butterfly Conservation (Dorset Branch) @dorsetbutterflies.bsky.social · Dec 26
Yikes, a Boxing Day Speckled Wood in Boscombe. The 2025 season will certainly break some records with flight periods! www.dorsetbutterflies.com/2025/12/spec...
Speckled Wood, Boscombe
Paul sent in this photo saying: I was rather surprised to see this fresh-looking Speckled Wood flying around near Boscombe Pier on Christmas Day, 25/12/2025. Yet more evidence of global heating I s…
www.dorsetbutterflies.com

marcusrhodes.bsky.social
Dr Marcus Rhodes @marcusrhodes.bsky.social · Dec 25
Wishing everyone a Merry Christmas from a bright and blustery Cley Marshes.
Brackish pools and marshes behind the shingle beach at Cley.

marcusrhodes.bsky.social
Dr Marcus Rhodes @marcusrhodes.bsky.social · Dec 22
Cley Marshes this afternoon.
Reeds backlit by the setting sun with Cley Windmill and Blakeney Church beyond. The West Bank at Cley and Glaven saltmarshes backlit by the late evening sun. A skein of Pink-footed Geese flying over the boardwalk through the reedbeds at Cley Marshes.

marcusrhodes.bsky.social
Dr Marcus Rhodes @marcusrhodes.bsky.social · Dec 22
Pink-footed Geese heading off to the fields from Cley Marshes this afternoon.

Reposted by Pieter Vantieghem, Marcus W. Rhodes

martinswarren.bsky.social
martinswarren.bsky.social @martinswarren.bsky.social · Dec 16
What does 50 yrs of butterfly monitoring tell you? In this case its a puzzle. The dramatic rise of the Silver-studded Blue, Plebejus argus, over 50 yrs at Studland Heath, UK. @ukbutterflies.bsky.social @dorsetbutterflies.bsky.social @savebutterflies.bsky.social

www.dispar.org/reference.ph...

marcusrhodes.bsky.social
Dr Marcus Rhodes @marcusrhodes.bsky.social · Dec 10
A Red Admiral on the wing at Penryn Campus this morning. This late in the year, every encounter feels extra special. Will it be my last butterfly of 2025?
A Red Admiral butterfly basking in winter sunshine on a patch of moss.

Reposted by Marcus W. Rhodes

eliaguariento.bsky.social
Elia Guariento @eliaguariento.bsky.social · Dec 9
Want to work on biodiversity in the Alps? ⛰️

We are offering several internship positions for the upcoming spring and summer in collaboration with the Biodiversity Monitoring South Tyrol 🕷️🦋🦇🐜🌼🦗🪱

biodiversity.eurac.edu/interns-want...
Interns wanted! - Biodiversity Monitoring South Tyrol
biodiversity.eurac.edu

Reposted by Marcus W. Rhodes

cornwall.exeter.ac.uk
University of Exeter, Cornwall @cornwall.exeter.ac.uk · Dec 8
A unique partnership between the University of Exeter and the National Trust received a prestigious award. The ‘Shaping Landscapes for People and Nature to Thrive’ partnership was a winner at the Knowledge Exchange UK Awards in the Strategic Partnerships category.

@renewbiodiversity.bsky.social
Exeter and National Trust partnership wins Knowledge Exchange award
A unique partnership between the University of Exeter and the National Trust has received a prestigious award. The 'Shaping Landscapes for People and Nature to Thrive' partnership was a winner at the Knowledge Exchange UK
news.exeter.ac.uk