Mike Hetherington
LightNews LightNews
banner
mikemoths.bsky.social
Mike Hetherington
@mikemoths.bsky.social
2K followers 480 following 380 posts
Moths, birds, herps & other wildlife. My own photos.
Dorset, UK or travelling.
MSc Biological Recording
Dorset Moths https://www.dorsetmoths.co.uk/
Wildlife blog https://vitrealis.blogspot.com/
FSC Associate Tutor
RSPB volunteer. MCIEEM
Posts Replies Media Videos
mikemoths.bsky.social
Want to see a Smooth Snake?
Find out how in my latest blog: vitrealis.blogspot.com/2025/11/smoo...

#naturewriting
#reptiles
#snakes
How to See a Smooth Snake
Smooth Snake - RSPB Arne, Dorset, UK Smooth Snakes are the rarest, the hardest to find and (for me) the coolest of Britain's reptiles.  Th...
vitrealis.blogspot.com
November 19, 2025 at 11:50 AM
mikemoths.bsky.social
Good to see a Dipper on the River Lim (Dorset, UK) today. This small river has a recent history of pollution from sewage discharges.
@dorsetbirdclub.bsky.social
#birds #pollution #rivers
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
A small bird with a dark brown back and striking white breast and throat pauses while hunting for food in shallow water at the edge of a small river. Record photo taken in poor light through intervening vegetation!
November 15, 2025 at 4:02 PM
mikemoths.bsky.social
A single Gem was the best migrant moth last night here in West Dorset, UK. Also three Olive-tree Pearl, 11 Rusty-dot Pearl and 4 White-point.
@dorsetmoths.bsky.social
@dorsetbutterflies.bsky.social
@migrantmothuk.bsky.social
#teammoth
Gem Olive-tree Pearl - Palpita vitrealis
November 14, 2025 at 9:12 AM
mikemoths.bsky.social
Enjoyable morning helping to survey larvae of the rare Speckled Footman #moth.
Also seen were a smart Heath Assassin Bug Coranus subapterus and Heath Potter Wasp Eumenes coarctatus nest.
@dorsetmoths.bsky.social
Black and spiny Speckled Footman larva curled up on white Cladonia lichen. Heath Assassin Bug Heath Potter Wasp’s pot-shaped nest.
November 4, 2025 at 2:51 PM
mikemoths.bsky.social
Can you see Grizzly Bears and Orcas in the same day? Find out in my latest blog: vitrealis.blogspot.com/2025/10/griz...
#naturewriting #canadawildlife #orcas
Grizzly Bears, Orcas and more - in a Day?
Grizzly Bears (above) and Orcas (aka Killer Whales), the two wildlife stars of Canada's Pacific Northwest, were top of my 'must see' list ...
vitrealis.blogspot.com
October 18, 2025 at 3:28 PM
mikemoths.bsky.social
Smooth Snake warming up at @rspb.bsky.social Arne, Dorset, UK this morning. (Photo taken under licence.) @arc-trust.bsky.social
A coiled-up small olive-brown snake with regular dark spots along the body and characteristic dark patch on the head.
October 17, 2025 at 12:43 PM
mikemoths.bsky.social
A smart #caddis also turned up in the moth trap this morning - Halesus radiatus, new for me. West Dorset, UK.
@dorsetwildlife.bsky.social
#Trichoptera
October 11, 2025 at 4:58 PM
mikemoths.bsky.social
Three weeks on, our local young Sika Deer is still sticking close to its bovine minders. Is this normal deer behaviour? West Dorset, UK.
@dorsetwildlife.bsky.social
October 11, 2025 at 4:42 PM
mikemoths.bsky.social
There are some great #moths around in autumn. This morning's highlights were Merveille du Jour (living up to its name) and Blair's Mocha (probably resident around here). West Dorset, UK.
@dorsetmoths.bsky.social
@dorsetbutterflies.bsky.social
#teammoth
Merveille du Jour - 'wonder of the day' - Griposia aprilina (but it doesn't fly in April!) Blair's Mocha - Cyclophora puppilaria
October 11, 2025 at 10:59 AM
mikemoths.bsky.social
Red Admiral larva crossing the road (slowly), West Dorset UK.
@dorsetbutterflies.bsky.social
October 5, 2025 at 4:49 PM
mikemoths.bsky.social
Always exciting to see the massive Convolvulus Hawk-moth, one of our most spectacular migrant #moth arrivals. Last night in West Dorset (VC9).
@dorsetmoths.bsky.social @migrantmothuk.bsky.social
#teammoth
October 2, 2025 at 12:50 PM
mikemoths.bsky.social
Wetland birding off the beaten track in Costa Rica.
Blog at vitrealis.blogspot.com/2025/09/expl...
#naturewriting #costarica #birding #birds
Exploring Costa Rica's Undiscovered Wetland
Pinnated Bittern - Medio Queso Mention Costa Rica as a birding destination and you'll quickly start hearing about cloud forests like Monteve...
vitrealis.blogspot.com
September 26, 2025 at 3:27 PM
mikemoths.bsky.social
Our local cattle seem to have adopted a young Sika Deer. West Dorset, UK. Thanks to @lukephillips.bsky.social for the revised identification!
@dorsetwildlife.bsky.social
September 21, 2025 at 3:20 PM
mikemoths.bsky.social
An arrival of autumn moths here in West Dorset, UK last night including Frosted Orange, Black Rustic, Feathered Brindle and Dusky Thorn. @dorsetmoths.bsky.social
#teammoth
Frosted Orange Black Rustic Feathered Brindle Dusky Thorn
September 19, 2025 at 8:47 AM
mikemoths.bsky.social
It wasn't only moths that were attracted to the light last night. Nice to see this small Common Toad - West Dorset, UK.
September 19, 2025 at 7:26 AM
Reposted by Mike Hetherington
markuseichhorn.bsky.social
Saving the bees does not include honeybees. Honeybees are effectively livestock and part of the problem.
The island that banned hives: can honeybees actually harm nature?
On a tiny Italian island, scientists conducted a radical experiment to see if the bees were causing their wild cousins to decline
www.theguardian.com
September 18, 2025 at 10:50 AM
Reposted by Mike Hetherington
dorsetbutterflies.bsky.social
Fantastic sighting of Death's-head Hawk-moth in Swanage, apparently one playing a tune through its proboscis! www.dorsetbutterflies.com/2025/09/deat...
Death’s-Head Hawkmoth, Swanage
Brian had surprise when on 8/09/25 this huge scary looking moth (though harmless) landed in his garden and he tells us: Crash landed in Swanage overnight! It squeaked when I picked it up!! A Death&…
www.dorsetbutterflies.com
September 10, 2025 at 10:35 AM
mikemoths.bsky.social
Good numbers of moths here in West Dorset, UK last night (181 or 46 species). New for the year included Lilac Beauty, Pale Eggar, Nutmeg and Centre-barred Sallow.
@dorsetmoths.bsky.social
Lilac Beauty Pale Eggar Nutmeg Centre-barred Sallow
September 6, 2025 at 5:13 PM
mikemoths.bsky.social
Painted Lady basking in the sun between rain showers this morning. West Dorset, UK.
@dorsetbutterflies.bsky.social
September 4, 2025 at 3:46 PM
mikemoths.bsky.social
Canary-shouldered Thorn. What's not to like? West Dorset, UK. @dorsetmoths.bsky.social @dorsetbutterflies.bsky.social
#teammoth
Looking into the face of a Canary-shouldered Thorn moth - dark eyes and spreading antennas stand out in front of its yellow, fluffy thorax
August 15, 2025 at 8:45 AM
mikemoths.bsky.social
Orca pod and Humpback Whale in the Johnstone Strait, off Vancouver Island BC Canada 🇨🇦. The seas here host a remarkable diversity of marine mammals. #canada #wildlife
Three Orcas (one large adult and two smaller individuals) surfacing, one blowing a spout of spray. Tail of diving Humpback Whale close to a rocky shore.
August 12, 2025 at 6:43 AM
mikemoths.bsky.social
Grizzly Bear female searching for food on the shore of Knight Inlet BC Canada 🇨🇦. A few weeks to wait before the salmon arrive.
#Canada #wildlife
Grizzly Bear female foraging for food on seaweed-covered rocks on the shore of Knight Inlet, British Columbia, Canada.
August 11, 2025 at 6:29 AM
mikemoths.bsky.social
Orcas, Steller’s Sea-lion and Humpback Whale. Just a typical afternoon in the Johnstone Strait, Bc, 🇨🇦
July 27, 2025 at 3:52 AM
mikemoths.bsky.social
Boat into Knight Inlet, Great Bear Rainforest BC 🇨🇦. Two Grizzly Bear mums with cubs, watched from a respectful distance. Magical. #biodiversity
Female Grizzly Bear on a rocky shoreline with a small bear cub peering out behind her.
July 27, 2025 at 3:48 AM
mikemoths.bsky.social
Cedar Waxwing may be a common resident species on Vancouver Island BC 🇨🇦, but it’s an exciting bird to see for a visiting UK birder.
#BirdsofCanada
July 27, 2025 at 2:54 AM