Katty Baird
@kattyponder.bsky.social
Moths, spiders, other small things. Entomologist. Ecologist at Forest Research. Author of Meetings with Moths.
Based in East Lothian, Scotland. Often outdoors.
Based in East Lothian, Scotland. Often outdoors.
TISSUE! Triphosa dubitata. The first of this season's adults have arrived in underground in Scotland.
A moth I still get excited about each and every time I find one 😀
It was hanging out with "a wisdom" of Old Lady. Also very lovely.
#HibernatingHeralds #MothsMatter
A moth I still get excited about each and every time I find one 😀
It was hanging out with "a wisdom" of Old Lady. Also very lovely.
#HibernatingHeralds #MothsMatter
July 21, 2025 at 8:23 PM
TISSUE! Triphosa dubitata. The first of this season's adults have arrived in underground in Scotland.
A moth I still get excited about each and every time I find one 😀
It was hanging out with "a wisdom" of Old Lady. Also very lovely.
#HibernatingHeralds #MothsMatter
A moth I still get excited about each and every time I find one 😀
It was hanging out with "a wisdom" of Old Lady. Also very lovely.
#HibernatingHeralds #MothsMatter
What an impressive insect!
Urocerus gigas, Giant Woodwasp, a species I've long wanted to see and it didn't disappoint.
Four females ovipositing on a logpile today, Berwickshire.
Urocerus gigas, Giant Woodwasp, a species I've long wanted to see and it didn't disappoint.
Four females ovipositing on a logpile today, Berwickshire.
July 20, 2025 at 6:45 PM
What an impressive insect!
Urocerus gigas, Giant Woodwasp, a species I've long wanted to see and it didn't disappoint.
Four females ovipositing on a logpile today, Berwickshire.
Urocerus gigas, Giant Woodwasp, a species I've long wanted to see and it didn't disappoint.
Four females ovipositing on a logpile today, Berwickshire.
135 Rannoch Brindled Beauty on a fencepost-focused hike in Glen Prosen last weekend with @markcubitt.bsky.social
About 100 more than we've recorded in the previous few years! 🧡🤍🖤
#MothsMatter #TeamMoth
About 100 more than we've recorded in the previous few years! 🧡🤍🖤
#MothsMatter #TeamMoth
April 8, 2025 at 7:55 PM
135 Rannoch Brindled Beauty on a fencepost-focused hike in Glen Prosen last weekend with @markcubitt.bsky.social
About 100 more than we've recorded in the previous few years! 🧡🤍🖤
#MothsMatter #TeamMoth
About 100 more than we've recorded in the previous few years! 🧡🤍🖤
#MothsMatter #TeamMoth
Enjoyed a quick poke around some magnificent old oaks this morning. Was rewarded by a single smart Phosphuga atrata.
Hope to be back in search of some woody specialists soon. And moths, obvs.
#DalkeithCountryPark
Hope to be back in search of some woody specialists soon. And moths, obvs.
#DalkeithCountryPark
March 25, 2025 at 7:45 PM
Enjoyed a quick poke around some magnificent old oaks this morning. Was rewarded by a single smart Phosphuga atrata.
Hope to be back in search of some woody specialists soon. And moths, obvs.
#DalkeithCountryPark
Hope to be back in search of some woody specialists soon. And moths, obvs.
#DalkeithCountryPark
No anemones for me today, but I have finally remembered to post for #WildflowerHour! Primrose and Scurvy Grass blooming plentifully on some glorious Berwickshire coastline this afternoon.
March 23, 2025 at 7:58 PM
No anemones for me today, but I have finally remembered to post for #WildflowerHour! Primrose and Scurvy Grass blooming plentifully on some glorious Berwickshire coastline this afternoon.
2 Oak Beauty in local woods yesterday - at least doubling the number ever recorded in E.Lothian.
Also 📷 of Yellow Horned, Twin Spotted Quaker, Clouded Drab & Engrailed.
Oak B is exciting by its rarity here, but a fresh Engrailed is hard to beat. #MothsMatter
Also 📷 of Yellow Horned, Twin Spotted Quaker, Clouded Drab & Engrailed.
Oak B is exciting by its rarity here, but a fresh Engrailed is hard to beat. #MothsMatter
March 8, 2025 at 10:40 AM
2 Oak Beauty in local woods yesterday - at least doubling the number ever recorded in E.Lothian.
Also 📷 of Yellow Horned, Twin Spotted Quaker, Clouded Drab & Engrailed.
Oak B is exciting by its rarity here, but a fresh Engrailed is hard to beat. #MothsMatter
Also 📷 of Yellow Horned, Twin Spotted Quaker, Clouded Drab & Engrailed.
Oak B is exciting by its rarity here, but a fresh Engrailed is hard to beat. #MothsMatter
A morning hanging around some veteran oak and beech in neglected parkland habitat, #EastLothian
Lots of broken limbs, burrs, excrescences and decay.
Vapourer eggs, Phosphuga atrata, Dicranopalpus ramosus agg. Segestria senoculata - just a few of the things discovered.
Lots of broken limbs, burrs, excrescences and decay.
Vapourer eggs, Phosphuga atrata, Dicranopalpus ramosus agg. Segestria senoculata - just a few of the things discovered.
March 2, 2025 at 9:05 PM
A morning hanging around some veteran oak and beech in neglected parkland habitat, #EastLothian
Lots of broken limbs, burrs, excrescences and decay.
Vapourer eggs, Phosphuga atrata, Dicranopalpus ramosus agg. Segestria senoculata - just a few of the things discovered.
Lots of broken limbs, burrs, excrescences and decay.
Vapourer eggs, Phosphuga atrata, Dicranopalpus ramosus agg. Segestria senoculata - just a few of the things discovered.
The fungus from a week ago has grown!😲 #HibernatingHeralds
February 16, 2025 at 7:17 PM
The fungus from a week ago has grown!😲 #HibernatingHeralds
Long overdue outing with @markcubitt.bsky.social checking up on his local #HibernatingHeralds and soaking up some misty winter tree vibes.
Highlight = TWO (yes, 2!) Tissue - mega rare moth in Scotland this year.
But mainly it was just good to be outside, in the toe-numbing dreichness.
#MothsMatter
Highlight = TWO (yes, 2!) Tissue - mega rare moth in Scotland this year.
But mainly it was just good to be outside, in the toe-numbing dreichness.
#MothsMatter
February 15, 2025 at 7:55 PM
Long overdue outing with @markcubitt.bsky.social checking up on his local #HibernatingHeralds and soaking up some misty winter tree vibes.
Highlight = TWO (yes, 2!) Tissue - mega rare moth in Scotland this year.
But mainly it was just good to be outside, in the toe-numbing dreichness.
#MothsMatter
Highlight = TWO (yes, 2!) Tissue - mega rare moth in Scotland this year.
But mainly it was just good to be outside, in the toe-numbing dreichness.
#MothsMatter
#HibernatingHerald find of the day! In a Scottish copper mine.
This is the first time I've seen a Herald engulfed in a candyfloss like beard of a fungi. Very different to the usual entomopathenogenic fungi we see on moths in caves.
Anyone know what it might be?
#fungi #mycelia #insect #cave #moth
This is the first time I've seen a Herald engulfed in a candyfloss like beard of a fungi. Very different to the usual entomopathenogenic fungi we see on moths in caves.
Anyone know what it might be?
#fungi #mycelia #insect #cave #moth
February 8, 2025 at 7:37 PM
Dancing over duckweed at dusk! #WorldWetlandDay
Small China-mark (Cataclysta lemnata) is a moth with aquatic larvae. I saw my first last year, at Bawsinch SWT Edinburgh.
We had close-up views in light traps in the morning, but even better was watching them doing their thing at dusk 🤍
#MothsMatter
Small China-mark (Cataclysta lemnata) is a moth with aquatic larvae. I saw my first last year, at Bawsinch SWT Edinburgh.
We had close-up views in light traps in the morning, but even better was watching them doing their thing at dusk 🤍
#MothsMatter
February 2, 2025 at 2:34 PM
Dancing over duckweed at dusk! #WorldWetlandDay
Small China-mark (Cataclysta lemnata) is a moth with aquatic larvae. I saw my first last year, at Bawsinch SWT Edinburgh.
We had close-up views in light traps in the morning, but even better was watching them doing their thing at dusk 🤍
#MothsMatter
Small China-mark (Cataclysta lemnata) is a moth with aquatic larvae. I saw my first last year, at Bawsinch SWT Edinburgh.
We had close-up views in light traps in the morning, but even better was watching them doing their thing at dusk 🤍
#MothsMatter
For #BlueBugs Monday it has to be the lovely Clifden Nonpareil.
I'm lucky this big, furry, flappy moth has taken up residence in nearby woods.
Those wings!
Memories of sharing these blue (&grey &black) beauties with good friends brings a smile to my face.
100% joy! 😊 💙 🦋
#MothsMatter #MothMonday
I'm lucky this big, furry, flappy moth has taken up residence in nearby woods.
Those wings!
Memories of sharing these blue (&grey &black) beauties with good friends brings a smile to my face.
100% joy! 😊 💙 🦋
#MothsMatter #MothMonday
January 20, 2025 at 6:40 PM
For #BlueBugs Monday it has to be the lovely Clifden Nonpareil.
I'm lucky this big, furry, flappy moth has taken up residence in nearby woods.
Those wings!
Memories of sharing these blue (&grey &black) beauties with good friends brings a smile to my face.
100% joy! 😊 💙 🦋
#MothsMatter #MothMonday
I'm lucky this big, furry, flappy moth has taken up residence in nearby woods.
Those wings!
Memories of sharing these blue (&grey &black) beauties with good friends brings a smile to my face.
100% joy! 😊 💙 🦋
#MothsMatter #MothMonday
New spider book!🕷
@rlewington2.bsky.social has produced this beautiful guide to some of our UK species.
A while ago I provided 'models' of cave-dwelling sps. V. happy to get a copy of the finished book as thanks😊
Buy it. And make 2025 the year you get into spiders!
@britishspiders.bsky.social
@rlewington2.bsky.social has produced this beautiful guide to some of our UK species.
A while ago I provided 'models' of cave-dwelling sps. V. happy to get a copy of the finished book as thanks😊
Buy it. And make 2025 the year you get into spiders!
@britishspiders.bsky.social
January 7, 2025 at 9:06 PM
New spider book!🕷
@rlewington2.bsky.social has produced this beautiful guide to some of our UK species.
A while ago I provided 'models' of cave-dwelling sps. V. happy to get a copy of the finished book as thanks😊
Buy it. And make 2025 the year you get into spiders!
@britishspiders.bsky.social
@rlewington2.bsky.social has produced this beautiful guide to some of our UK species.
A while ago I provided 'models' of cave-dwelling sps. V. happy to get a copy of the finished book as thanks😊
Buy it. And make 2025 the year you get into spiders!
@britishspiders.bsky.social
Herald, Scoliopteryx libatrix, overwintering in a Scottish cave.
A widespread moth that can be discovered throughout the winter, whatever the weather. All you need is a torch 🔦and a dark place.
#HibernatingHeralds #MothsMatter #MothMonday
A widespread moth that can be discovered throughout the winter, whatever the weather. All you need is a torch 🔦and a dark place.
#HibernatingHeralds #MothsMatter #MothMonday
December 30, 2024 at 1:58 PM
Herald, Scoliopteryx libatrix, overwintering in a Scottish cave.
A widespread moth that can be discovered throughout the winter, whatever the weather. All you need is a torch 🔦and a dark place.
#HibernatingHeralds #MothsMatter #MothMonday
A widespread moth that can be discovered throughout the winter, whatever the weather. All you need is a torch 🔦and a dark place.
#HibernatingHeralds #MothsMatter #MothMonday
I've been researching the work of Alice Balfour (1850-1936) but there are other women with impressive lepidopteran legacies at National Museums Scotland.
Dorothy Jackson (1892-1973) began her ento career young & on moths. She left AMAZING records & paintings!
A research idea for '25?🤞#MothsMatter
Dorothy Jackson (1892-1973) began her ento career young & on moths. She left AMAZING records & paintings!
A research idea for '25?🤞#MothsMatter
December 27, 2024 at 7:17 PM
I've been researching the work of Alice Balfour (1850-1936) but there are other women with impressive lepidopteran legacies at National Museums Scotland.
Dorothy Jackson (1892-1973) began her ento career young & on moths. She left AMAZING records & paintings!
A research idea for '25?🤞#MothsMatter
Dorothy Jackson (1892-1973) began her ento career young & on moths. She left AMAZING records & paintings!
A research idea for '25?🤞#MothsMatter
Some of today's fun in highland Perthshire:
❄ Hair ice (I found some at last!)
🏔 lots of searching rock crevices...
🦋 ...eventually a single Herald in a small tunnel.
📚 Meetings with Moths on sale
❄ Hair ice (I found some at last!)
🏔 lots of searching rock crevices...
🦋 ...eventually a single Herald in a small tunnel.
📚 Meetings with Moths on sale
December 14, 2024 at 4:59 PM
Some of today's fun in highland Perthshire:
❄ Hair ice (I found some at last!)
🏔 lots of searching rock crevices...
🦋 ...eventually a single Herald in a small tunnel.
📚 Meetings with Moths on sale
❄ Hair ice (I found some at last!)
🏔 lots of searching rock crevices...
🦋 ...eventually a single Herald in a small tunnel.
📚 Meetings with Moths on sale
Trawling photos for an upcoming talk, I 'rediscovered' this Herald from Feb 2023.
During 8 years of the #HibernatingHerald survey I have seen (& counted) 12,000+ Heralds.
This the only one patterned differently. (See photo of 'normal' moth to compare)
#MothMonday #MothsMatter #TeamMoth
During 8 years of the #HibernatingHerald survey I have seen (& counted) 12,000+ Heralds.
This the only one patterned differently. (See photo of 'normal' moth to compare)
#MothMonday #MothsMatter #TeamMoth
December 9, 2024 at 4:51 PM
Trawling photos for an upcoming talk, I 'rediscovered' this Herald from Feb 2023.
During 8 years of the #HibernatingHerald survey I have seen (& counted) 12,000+ Heralds.
This the only one patterned differently. (See photo of 'normal' moth to compare)
#MothMonday #MothsMatter #TeamMoth
During 8 years of the #HibernatingHerald survey I have seen (& counted) 12,000+ Heralds.
This the only one patterned differently. (See photo of 'normal' moth to compare)
#MothMonday #MothsMatter #TeamMoth
The #HibernatingHerald season continues, collecting annual counts from sites across SE Scotland.
Today a lengthy lunch break to treat a lucky friend to a spot of culvert crawling.
19 Heralds counted and then coffee and chat in the sunshine. Perfect.
#MothsMatter
Today a lengthy lunch break to treat a lucky friend to a spot of culvert crawling.
19 Heralds counted and then coffee and chat in the sunshine. Perfect.
#MothsMatter
November 28, 2024 at 6:14 PM
The #HibernatingHerald season continues, collecting annual counts from sites across SE Scotland.
Today a lengthy lunch break to treat a lucky friend to a spot of culvert crawling.
19 Heralds counted and then coffee and chat in the sunshine. Perfect.
#MothsMatter
Today a lengthy lunch break to treat a lucky friend to a spot of culvert crawling.
19 Heralds counted and then coffee and chat in the sunshine. Perfect.
#MothsMatter
An after-dark woodland stroll with a torch is worth it at any time of year. 🔦
Last night on some #EastLothian Sycamores:
🤍mating Winter Moths
🐞hibernating Orange Ladybirds
🕷hunting Drapetisca socialis.
Plus harvestmen, woodlice, earwig, slugs, snails, flies, owl... Try it!
Last night on some #EastLothian Sycamores:
🤍mating Winter Moths
🐞hibernating Orange Ladybirds
🕷hunting Drapetisca socialis.
Plus harvestmen, woodlice, earwig, slugs, snails, flies, owl... Try it!
November 23, 2024 at 6:17 PM
An after-dark woodland stroll with a torch is worth it at any time of year. 🔦
Last night on some #EastLothian Sycamores:
🤍mating Winter Moths
🐞hibernating Orange Ladybirds
🕷hunting Drapetisca socialis.
Plus harvestmen, woodlice, earwig, slugs, snails, flies, owl... Try it!
Last night on some #EastLothian Sycamores:
🤍mating Winter Moths
🐞hibernating Orange Ladybirds
🕷hunting Drapetisca socialis.
Plus harvestmen, woodlice, earwig, slugs, snails, flies, owl... Try it!
Actually, this has been my most exciting this year so far - bedroom ceiling! Didn't even need to get out of bed for it 🤣
(I hadn't been recently underground, so think it got there by natural means)
(I hadn't been recently underground, so think it got there by natural means)
November 20, 2024 at 11:59 AM
Actually, this has been my most exciting this year so far - bedroom ceiling! Didn't even need to get out of bed for it 🤣
(I hadn't been recently underground, so think it got there by natural means)
(I hadn't been recently underground, so think it got there by natural means)
Let's make my first post here a #HibernatingHerald post!
A few Heralds from recent culvert crawlings, as I do my annual counts.
I've now spent the past 8 winters sloshing through tunnels and crouching in caves in search of moths... not bored yet!
#MothsMatter #TeamMoth #MeetingsWithMoths
A few Heralds from recent culvert crawlings, as I do my annual counts.
I've now spent the past 8 winters sloshing through tunnels and crouching in caves in search of moths... not bored yet!
#MothsMatter #TeamMoth #MeetingsWithMoths
November 19, 2024 at 8:19 PM
Let's make my first post here a #HibernatingHerald post!
A few Heralds from recent culvert crawlings, as I do my annual counts.
I've now spent the past 8 winters sloshing through tunnels and crouching in caves in search of moths... not bored yet!
#MothsMatter #TeamMoth #MeetingsWithMoths
A few Heralds from recent culvert crawlings, as I do my annual counts.
I've now spent the past 8 winters sloshing through tunnels and crouching in caves in search of moths... not bored yet!
#MothsMatter #TeamMoth #MeetingsWithMoths