Dave Shute
@hampshiredays.bsky.social
A long wished-for fungus seen yesterday in Beech woodland. Giant Club (Calvariadelphus pistillaris). This specimen was 15cm tall.
October 15, 2025 at 1:46 PM
A long wished-for fungus seen yesterday in Beech woodland. Giant Club (Calvariadelphus pistillaris). This specimen was 15cm tall.
Some superb Devil's Boletes (Rubroboletus satanus) in Hants this morning and not slug-damaged for once!
August 6, 2025 at 3:31 PM
Some superb Devil's Boletes (Rubroboletus satanus) in Hants this morning and not slug-damaged for once!
Nice to find Sundew Plume moth (Buckleria paludum) in the New Forest yesterday though it was struggling to hang onto its perch in the wind!
July 21, 2025 at 12:36 PM
Nice to find Sundew Plume moth (Buckleria paludum) in the New Forest yesterday though it was struggling to hang onto its perch in the wind!
Nice to catch 2 of the fast-declining Garden Tiger moths at the weekend.
July 15, 2025 at 1:05 PM
Nice to catch 2 of the fast-declining Garden Tiger moths at the weekend.
During two moth-trapping sessions in the last week on chalk grassland sites I have attracted the nationally scarce Horned Dor Beetle (Odonteus armiger). First a female and then this cracking male.
June 24, 2025 at 5:22 PM
During two moth-trapping sessions in the last week on chalk grassland sites I have attracted the nationally scarce Horned Dor Beetle (Odonteus armiger). First a female and then this cracking male.
Finally, for December I have chosen a close-up of a large harvestman, Phalangium opilio. Merry Christmas to all.
December 11, 2024 at 3:00 PM
Finally, for December I have chosen a close-up of a large harvestman, Phalangium opilio. Merry Christmas to all.
The Hampshire coast provided November's highlight, the tiny Solar-powered Sea Slug (Elysia viridis).
December 11, 2024 at 2:58 PM
The Hampshire coast provided November's highlight, the tiny Solar-powered Sea Slug (Elysia viridis).
October's choice is this attractive Rhododendron Leafhopper (Graphocephala fennahi).
December 11, 2024 at 2:55 PM
October's choice is this attractive Rhododendron Leafhopper (Graphocephala fennahi).
After following the growth stages of a Comma butterfly larva on my garden nettle patch, I was pleased to find this pupa in September.
December 11, 2024 at 2:53 PM
After following the growth stages of a Comma butterfly larva on my garden nettle patch, I was pleased to find this pupa in September.
For August, I have gone for the fearsome predatory Hornet Robberfly (Asilus crabroniformis).
December 11, 2024 at 2:51 PM
For August, I have gone for the fearsome predatory Hornet Robberfly (Asilus crabroniformis).
Another moth was July's highlight, the amazing Lappet.
December 11, 2024 at 2:49 PM
Another moth was July's highlight, the amazing Lappet.
The exquisite micro moth, Arched Marble (Olethreutes arcuella) was my June species, found during the day in woodland.
December 11, 2024 at 2:47 PM
The exquisite micro moth, Arched Marble (Olethreutes arcuella) was my June species, found during the day in woodland.
Highlight for May has to be my first ever daytime roosting Nightjar.
December 11, 2024 at 2:42 PM
Highlight for May has to be my first ever daytime roosting Nightjar.
Hard to choose an April highlight but I was pleased to find this striking little tortoise beetle Pilemostoma fastuosa, on chalk downland.
December 11, 2024 at 2:40 PM
Hard to choose an April highlight but I was pleased to find this striking little tortoise beetle Pilemostoma fastuosa, on chalk downland.
In March I found this large Cramp Ball Fungus Weevil (Platyrhinus resinous) on an ash stump.
December 11, 2024 at 2:37 PM
In March I found this large Cramp Ball Fungus Weevil (Platyrhinus resinous) on an ash stump.
A February highlight was this tiny Alder Goblet (Ciboria caucus) growing from a fallen Alder catkin.
December 11, 2024 at 2:33 PM
A February highlight was this tiny Alder Goblet (Ciboria caucus) growing from a fallen Alder catkin.
As the year draws to a close here is the first of 12 month-by-month Hampshire highlights of mine. Not many Waxwings made it into the county but here's one of a pair in January.
December 11, 2024 at 2:28 PM
As the year draws to a close here is the first of 12 month-by-month Hampshire highlights of mine. Not many Waxwings made it into the county but here's one of a pair in January.
I have now joined the great blue yonder like many others.
November 23, 2024 at 1:48 PM
I have now joined the great blue yonder like many others.