William Bishop
banner
wjrpb.bsky.social
William Bishop
@wjrpb.bsky.social
Mid Herts moth-er and generalist naturalist. Fascinated by almost everything except the “quintessence of dust”.
I bought this at the distillery about 25 years ago and stuck in a cupboard with the intention of drinking it after I retired. I retired 2 years ago. Today’s the day. The cork fell apart as I pulled it out. But the whisky, it’s gorgeous. #whisky. Single malt ♥️, the finest drink ever conceived.
November 9, 2025 at 6:20 PM
Reposted by William Bishop
Did you know some of the world’s most threatened plants can’t be stored in our seed bank at –20° C? 🌱

This makes them highly vulnerable to extinction, but cryopreservation could be their lifeline. Go behind the scenes to learn how 👇

🎧 Learn more in our latest podcast episode: ow.ly/Q1Nl50XlYTF
November 6, 2025 at 12:37 PM
Aggregation of Heralds on a concrete roof and a female Plumed Prominent from last night in Suffolk. #TeamMoth.
November 8, 2025 at 8:11 AM
Only 6 of 6 this morning, windy again last night. But a Streak is first since 2021, for me (and Herts on website). So a nice surprise as I had wondered if they were gone now. 1st garden Sprawler of year. #TeamMoth.
November 5, 2025 at 6:03 AM
Someone has sent me messages by private chat. As the app won’t let me access them please note I cannot read or reply. Soz.
November 4, 2025 at 11:04 AM
If you love moth trapping, or any other study of natural history (a particular group or perhaps everything), and you are curious about how it all works but don’t have a strong scientific background you really should read this book. You will be both amazed and probably slightly worried. Give it a go.
October 14, 2025 at 12:29 PM
84 of 25 last night. Blair’s Shoulder-knot and Beaded Chestnut were new autumn moths. 2nd and better marked Green-brindled Crescent. #TeamMoth. Tonight looks reasonable so hopefully a few more new ones to come. 🤞.
October 14, 2025 at 10:23 AM
Slightly more fungi coming up in Herts now, so better outing with fungus group. Whippendell Wood yesterday. #fungi.
October 13, 2025 at 11:33 AM
48 of 11 last night. Mostly LgYU. First Merv of the year. Several Black Rustics and a couple of Cypress Carpets. #TeamMoth. Still several autumn species I haven’t had yet.
October 13, 2025 at 11:22 AM
Finding a Banksi on the wall of your house can rather exciting and worth serious money. Mine was a beetle though, Chrysolina banksi. Still a nice thing to see. #coleoptera.
October 6, 2025 at 1:38 PM
A long expected and much wanted garden tick. Such a neat little moth. Autumnal Rustic. #TeamMoth. Not ideal conditions as very windy, but my first trap in 2 weeks after being away and an itch that needed scratching as I was missing trapping.
October 4, 2025 at 10:32 PM
“Bahhh”. Further bulletins as warranted. Fair Isle.
September 25, 2025 at 3:53 PM
The trap was empty this morning but the lounge wall tonight turned up the goods. Just what you need while having a pint of Puffin (beer). Pearly Underwing. #TeamMoth. #FairIsle.
September 24, 2025 at 5:30 PM
Sunrise Fair Isle. A Wogan at the moth trap unfortunately #TeamMoth
September 24, 2025 at 6:12 AM
First afternoon on Fair Isle. Several of these guys, Rush Veneers, around in the heather. Told not to expect Mothfest this far north. #TeamMoth.
September 23, 2025 at 8:40 PM
58 of 20 last night. Nothing new but a few migrants. Dark Sword-grass, Clancy’s Rustic, L-album Wainscot and 4-spotted Footman. A couple of Rush Veneers too. #TeamMoth.
September 19, 2025 at 10:24 AM
27 of 19, on the night of the tatty moth. My latest ever Oncocera semirubella and a Riband Wave that looked like it had been in a war zone. #TeamMoth.
September 17, 2025 at 12:04 PM
12 of 9 last night. Almost surprised there was anything given the wind. First garden Black Rustic. Such a smart moth in its sleek black costume like a comic superhero ♥️. Definitely a favourite. #TeamMoth.
September 16, 2025 at 9:58 AM
Now the rain has at last got into the ground the fungi have started coming up in Herts. A few from the weekend with the Herts & Beds Fungi Group #fungi.
September 15, 2025 at 5:21 PM
Yesterday I put out some stuff about moths and trapping at Panshanger Park Heritage Day where I survey for them to show the public what we do. Hopefully to encourage a bit of moth appreciation. #TeamMoth. #Panshangerpark.
September 14, 2025 at 7:43 AM
Only 14 of 12 last night, a big drop in numbers. A very worn Clancy’s Rustic was the first I have seen this year. #TeamMoth.
September 14, 2025 at 7:37 AM
Only 3h40min last night before the rain. Got smacked in the face by a L-album Wainscot that then flew off again. On turning the trap over to tap it out found a very worn Plumed Fan-foot under the rim. Persistence pays with mothing. Nfm & nfg #TeamMoth.
September 10, 2025 at 9:08 AM
Reposted by William Bishop
Last night was looking fairly boring in Tring, Herts until this worn moth was found in the last trap. I am hoping this is a Portland Ribbon Wave. A potential county first for Herts
September 8, 2025 at 11:49 AM
I like these things. Hypoxylon howeianum. They start out looking like miniature versions of those expensive chocolate truffles then turn into little hedgehogs. Fungus season arrives. #fungi.
September 7, 2025 at 5:08 PM