Clare Boyes
@pickeletto.bsky.social
Grief-stricken mum of Douglas (http://douglasboyes.co.uk). We shared passion for insects & Bellowhead. Particularly obsessed by solitary wasps and bees. VC47 recorder, Bees, Wasps, Butterflies. MRes Ento student at HAU.
Reposted by Clare Boyes
@sarahwhild.bsky.social @earthwormuk.bsky.social @peskypb.bsky.social @rockwolf74.bsky.social @pickeletto.bsky.social @lancefly.bsky.social @flygirlnhm.bsky.social @beetlequeen.bsky.social
Please share widely
Please share widely
November 11, 2025 at 5:41 PM
Four years ago today since Douglas died. We miss him every moment of every day. Loved so much by his family and many friends; a respected scientist and moth-er; a wearer of great shirts; and a Bellowhead superfan.
September 26, 2025 at 8:55 AM
Four years ago today since Douglas died. We miss him every moment of every day. Loved so much by his family and many friends; a respected scientist and moth-er; a wearer of great shirts; and a Bellowhead superfan.
One of the garden oaks is covered with galls this year, of at least three species. Other nearby oaks have very few
September 16, 2025 at 1:24 PM
One of the garden oaks is covered with galls this year, of at least three species. Other nearby oaks have very few
Small Coppers in the garden yesterday.
August 30, 2025 at 10:18 AM
Small Coppers in the garden yesterday.
Bit of a treat today with a family of Spotted Flycatchers in the garden. Not sure if there are 5 or 6. Many years since we've seen them here
August 15, 2025 at 12:47 PM
Bit of a treat today with a family of Spotted Flycatchers in the garden. Not sure if there are 5 or 6. Many years since we've seen them here
Roe Deer just bounded past. I've been picking them up on my cameras a lot this year but rarely see them in the flesh
August 12, 2025 at 6:35 PM
Roe Deer just bounded past. I've been picking them up on my cameras a lot this year but rarely see them in the flesh
A Wall in the garden today, keeping company with 2 lizards.
August 2, 2025 at 6:00 PM
A Wall in the garden today, keeping company with 2 lizards.
I was going to trim back the vegetation around my garden sandpit, but 3 Field Digger Waps (Mellinus arvensis)are nesting under the vegetation so I wont'! They predate flies so plenty of food for their offspring. Doesn't do to be too tidy!
August 1, 2025 at 1:48 PM
I was going to trim back the vegetation around my garden sandpit, but 3 Field Digger Waps (Mellinus arvensis)are nesting under the vegetation so I wont'! They predate flies so plenty of food for their offspring. Doesn't do to be too tidy!
Douglas would have been 29 today. This photo was taken on his MSc field trip to the Canary Islands. He left such a huge hole in our lives, which can never be filled #grief
July 28, 2025 at 6:22 AM
Douglas would have been 29 today. This photo was taken on his MSc field trip to the Canary Islands. He left such a huge hole in our lives, which can never be filled #grief
3 Silver-washed Fritillaries nectaring on knapweed in the garden just now. Certainly justifies leaving lots of wild areas. Shame it's not included in Big Butterfly Count, but lots of other butterflies to include
July 25, 2025 at 1:19 PM
3 Silver-washed Fritillaries nectaring on knapweed in the garden just now. Certainly justifies leaving lots of wild areas. Shame it's not included in Big Butterfly Count, but lots of other butterflies to include
This Meal Moth (Pyralis farinalis) was on the sitting room wall this morning (had left the window open). Think Douglas only recorded it once before
July 20, 2025 at 7:10 AM
This Meal Moth (Pyralis farinalis) was on the sitting room wall this morning (had left the window open). Think Douglas only recorded it once before
And as if that wasn't enough a Grayling landed on the car
July 17, 2025 at 4:11 PM
And as if that wasn't enough a Grayling landed on the car
Found a new Wood White site in Montgomeryshire today when out surveying. 4 or 5 seen and huge amount of Bird's-Foot Trefoil
July 17, 2025 at 4:10 PM
Found a new Wood White site in Montgomeryshire today when out surveying. 4 or 5 seen and huge amount of Bird's-Foot Trefoil
Leopard Moth from Sunday's moth trap. Don't usually see them as pristine as this
July 16, 2025 at 7:56 PM
Leopard Moth from Sunday's moth trap. Don't usually see them as pristine as this
Bit surprised (but probably not as much as the ladybird!) to find an Adonis Ladybird in a packet of fresh dill as I cooked supper. It had a lucky escape but not sure how to record its location. The dill was from Norfolk, it's now in Mid-Wales.
July 12, 2025 at 6:49 PM
Bit surprised (but probably not as much as the ladybird!) to find an Adonis Ladybird in a packet of fresh dill as I cooked supper. It had a lucky escape but not sure how to record its location. The dill was from Norfolk, it's now in Mid-Wales.
Purple Hairstreak roosted in Euphorbia by backdoor door last night. Saves me having to crane my neck, checking the tree tops!
July 10, 2025 at 10:30 AM
Purple Hairstreak roosted in Euphorbia by backdoor door last night. Saves me having to crane my neck, checking the tree tops!
Reposted by Clare Boyes
50% decline in the European Grassland Butterfly Indicator since 1991 www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/natu... @savebutterflies.bsky.social
July 1, 2025 at 1:08 PM
50% decline in the European Grassland Butterfly Indicator since 1991 www.naturetoday.com/intl/en/natu... @savebutterflies.bsky.social
Essex Skipper rescued from the polytunnel this afternoon along with Ringlet and Green-veined White
June 30, 2025 at 5:33 PM
Essex Skipper rescued from the polytunnel this afternoon along with Ringlet and Green-veined White
Rescued this Scarlet Tiger from the polytunnel this afternoon. They are becoming much more frequent.
June 26, 2025 at 5:51 PM
Rescued this Scarlet Tiger from the polytunnel this afternoon. They are becoming much more frequent.
The smallest Common Lizard I've seen. There were 3 basking in the garden. They must be only a few days old
June 26, 2025 at 12:34 PM
The smallest Common Lizard I've seen. There were 3 basking in the garden. They must be only a few days old
Reposted by Clare Boyes
Do you know a young person with an interest in insects? 🦋
The Douglas Boyes Fund aims to provide people aged 14-18 with access to entomology equipment, fostering their passion for insects and inspiring them to engage and share their interest with other young individuals 🔽
The Douglas Boyes Fund aims to provide people aged 14-18 with access to entomology equipment, fostering their passion for insects and inspiring them to engage and share their interest with other young individuals 🔽
Douglas Boyes Fund - Royal Entomological Society
The Douglas Boyes Fund has been established in honour of Douglas Boyes (1996-2021), an esteemed entomologist specialising in Lepidoptera. The Fund aims to provide young people aged 14-18 with access…
buff.ly
June 24, 2025 at 9:02 AM
Do you know a young person with an interest in insects? 🦋
The Douglas Boyes Fund aims to provide people aged 14-18 with access to entomology equipment, fostering their passion for insects and inspiring them to engage and share their interest with other young individuals 🔽
The Douglas Boyes Fund aims to provide people aged 14-18 with access to entomology equipment, fostering their passion for insects and inspiring them to engage and share their interest with other young individuals 🔽
Fork-tailed Flower Bee (Anthophora furcata) buzzing round the Stachys in the garden. Not sure where it's nesting as the old stump it used completely disintegrated.
June 24, 2025 at 12:36 PM
Fork-tailed Flower Bee (Anthophora furcata) buzzing round the Stachys in the garden. Not sure where it's nesting as the old stump it used completely disintegrated.
Depressaria daucella caterpillar hiding in Hemlock Water Dropwort
June 23, 2025 at 3:05 PM
Depressaria daucella caterpillar hiding in Hemlock Water Dropwort
Two Small Scissor Bees (Chelostoma campanularum) resting in a Campanula flower this morning. They are waiting for the sun to shine and the wind to drop before they resume their flights up and down the flower spikes in search of females
June 23, 2025 at 11:51 AM
Two Small Scissor Bees (Chelostoma campanularum) resting in a Campanula flower this morning. They are waiting for the sun to shine and the wind to drop before they resume their flights up and down the flower spikes in search of females
Spent the day talking to visitors about insects and plants at Hurdley Hall today (open under NGS). Took the Clearwing lures and was rewarded by this Lunar Hornet Moth at the end of the afternoon.
June 22, 2025 at 6:04 PM
Spent the day talking to visitors about insects and plants at Hurdley Hall today (open under NGS). Took the Clearwing lures and was rewarded by this Lunar Hornet Moth at the end of the afternoon.