Mike Hetherington
LightNews LightNews
banner
mikemoths.bsky.social
Mike Hetherington
@mikemoths.bsky.social
2.1K followers 490 following 400 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
#naturewriting
February 17, 2026 at 1:05 PM
mikemoths.bsky.social
A short blog about Costa Rica's big lizards.
vitrealis.blogspot.com/2026/02/igua...
#herps #reptiles #costarica #addherper
Iguanas and Basilisks - Costa Rica's Big Lizards
Green Iguana - Muelle, Costa Rica As one of the world's most biodiverse countries, Costa Rica contains a huge variety of wildlife. Birds a...
vitrealis.blogspot.com
February 8, 2026 at 9:59 AM
mikemoths.bsky.social
First #butterfly of 2026 - this Peacock at @rspb.bsky.social Arne, Dorset this afternoon.

@dorsetbutterflies.bsky.social
@savebutterflies.bsky.social
February 4, 2026 at 1:28 PM
mikemoths.bsky.social
Open for business at a sunny @rspb.bsky.social Arne, Dorset this morning.
Cafe, notice and visitor information point on a sunny morning at Arne nature reserve, Dorset UK.
February 4, 2026 at 11:07 AM
Reposted by Mike Hetherington
dorsetwildlife.bsky.social
A lovely little reminder that spring is right round the corner! 💛~ Jack
mikemoths.bsky.social Mike Hetherington @mikemoths.bsky.social · 16d
Primroses in flower up the lane yesterday (West Dorset, UK). Spring is on the way!

@dorsetwildlife.bsky.social
@bsbibotany.bsky.social
#wildflowerhour
February 4, 2026 at 9:48 AM
mikemoths.bsky.social
Primroses in flower up the lane yesterday (West Dorset, UK). Spring is on the way!

@dorsetwildlife.bsky.social
@bsbibotany.bsky.social
#wildflowerhour
February 4, 2026 at 7:02 AM
mikemoths.bsky.social
Very much enjoying these gripping tales about practical conservation challenges involving a highly endangered (and very endearing) species.

Worth a listen.
#birds #conservation #nz

podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/k...
Full Steam Ahead
Podcast Episode · Kākāpō Files II · S2 E7 · 21m
podcasts.apple.com
January 31, 2026 at 9:19 PM
mikemoths.bsky.social
West Bay #sunrise this morning, Dorset UK.
January 28, 2026 at 9:30 AM
mikemoths.bsky.social
Bulb type affects #moth species composition. Interesting findings from @gardenmothscheme.bsky.social data.

@dorsetmoths.bsky.social
@savebutterflies.bsky.social

resjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/share/JXBTVF...
Effect of bulb type on moth trap catch and composition in UK gardens
You have to enable JavaScript in your browser's settings in order to use the eReader.
resjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com
January 15, 2026 at 11:50 AM
mikemoths.bsky.social
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Africa’s great elephant divide: countries struggle with too many elephants – or too few
In countries such as South Sudan, the great herds have all but disappeared. But further south, conservation success mean increasing human-wildlife conflict
www.theguardian.com
January 15, 2026 at 7:52 AM
mikemoths.bsky.social
CALL FOR 2025 RECORDS!
The moth traps are quiet, so it's the ideal time to submit your 2025 Dorset (VC9) moth records. More info about this at dorsetmoths.co.uk/help.php.
To be included in the 2025 Annual Report, records should be received by Saturday 28 February 2026.
@dorsetmoths.bsky.social
Canary-shouldered Thorn moth
January 9, 2026 at 9:37 AM
mikemoths.bsky.social
A sunny morning at Dorset's Radipole Lake reserve has prompted a new blog post about Bearded Tits (aka Bearded Reedlings):
vitrealis.blogspot.com/2026/01/Bear...
@dorsetbirdclub.bsky.social
#naturewriting
#birds
'Beardies' at Radipole Lake, Dorset
Bearded Tit - RSPB Radipole Lake, Dorset, UK - 6 January 2026 Surely one of the most charismatic of reedbed birds, as well as one of the m...
vitrealis.blogspot.com
January 6, 2026 at 3:54 PM
Reposted by Mike Hetherington
ukbutterflies.bsky.social
A refreshingly positive 'good news' story by M.S. Warren, S. Rich, and N. Haywood regarding the fortunes of the Silver-studded Blue over 50 years at Studland Heath National Nature Reserve, Dorset, UK. Detailed article at www.dispar.org/reference.ph... @martinswarren.bsky.social
December 13, 2025 at 8:28 PM
mikemoths.bsky.social
Early morning on Dartmoor - the wild heart of south west England.
December 13, 2025 at 1:41 PM
mikemoths.bsky.social
Excellent news - Giant Hill is a great place for butterflies and day-flying moths.

#teammoth

www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
National Trust launches fundraiser to help buy land around Cerne Giant
Deal expected to pave way for further scientific study, boost conservation and open up access to Dorset chalk figure
www.theguardian.com
December 3, 2025 at 7:56 AM
mikemoths.bsky.social
Four new species for Dorset (and a belated one for Britain) are among the highlights of the Dorset Moths Annual Report 2024. Free PDF downland from dorsetmoths.co.uk

#teammoth
@dorsetmoths.bsky.social
@dorsetbutterflies.bsky.social
@migrantmothuk.bsky.social
@savebutterflies.bsky.social
November 27, 2025 at 2:42 PM
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