Dr Marcus Rhodes
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Dr Marcus Rhodes
@marcusrhodes.bsky.social
3.1K followers 810 following 430 posts
Ecologist in pursuit of butterflies. Postdoctoral Research Associate at the University of Exeter, Cornwall working on nature recovery and species' responses to climate change. He/Him
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Back on Bodmin Moor this weekend with Cornwall Butterfly Conservation. This time, we were working at Fellover, another site for Pearl-bordered Fritillaries, managing Gorse and Bracken in an area between the two existing colonies. @savebutterflies.bsky.social
Cornwall Butterfly Conservation volunteers preparing for habitat management. Before: a hillside of Bracken heavily encouraged by Gorse. After: Gorse bushes have been removed (retaining some for shelter) to open up the area of Bracken.
November 9, 2025 at 9:09 PM
marcusrhodes.bsky.social
Cley Marshes this evening. Swirling flocks of Golden Plover, ten Marsh Harriers arriving to roost, and an impressive murmuration of Starlings.
The view from the West Bank at Cley across the Glaven saltmarsh towards Cley Windmill and Blakeney Church.
November 4, 2025 at 6:13 PM
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Back in the land of Geese #Norfolk
November 2, 2025 at 5:46 PM
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Cornwall Butterfly Conservation volunteers were working at Church Hay Down today. We are slowly chipping away at the Gorse on this former Marsh Fritillary site in the hope that the butterfly will recolonise from just across the road. @savebutterflies.bsky.social
Cornwall Butterfly Conservation volunteers cutting Gorse. Before: an small area of Purple Moor Grass and Rush Pasture heavily encroached by Gorse. After: the Gorse has been cleared from the Purple Moor Grass and Rush Pasture with the cut material stacked into piles ready for removal.
October 28, 2025 at 8:35 PM
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Atlantic Salmon leaping at Rogie Falls last month. An incredible feat of endurance and captivating to watch.
October 27, 2025 at 7:13 PM
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For the last few days of the trip, we headed west in search of eagles on the Isle of Skye. We were lucky enough to see both White-tailed Eagle and Golden Eagle, along with Hen Harrier, Black Guillemot, Divers and (what I'm fairly certain were) Twite.
A White-tailed Eagle in flight. The distinctive large, yellow beak and white tail are clearly visible. A group of three Red-throated Divers in Staffin Bay. The towering basalt cliffs at Ruhba Hunish under a brooding sky.
October 26, 2025 at 10:13 PM
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We also spent several days venturing out on the hills to explore the moorland and Cairngorm Plateau. Lekking Black Grouse were a first for me and a truly unforgettable experience!
Two male Black Grouse standing off to each other at a lek. Each bird has glossy, black plumage, red eye wattles, and is holding its tail fanned out to reveal the white underside. A mottled grey Ptarmigan hunkered down amongst granite boulders. A Red Grouse poking its mottled russet head above the heather. Loch Eanaich under brooding skies and a brilliant rainbow, nestled in a deep, glacial valley between Sgòr Gaoith and Braeriach.
October 26, 2025 at 9:10 PM
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I've only just got round to sorting my photos from Scotland last month, so here's a short thread of some highlights. We were based along Strathspey for a week and a half, providing some wonderful opportunities for exploring Caledonian pine forests.
A Red Squirrel eating from a squirrel feeder. A Crested Tit with its black bib and distinctive black and white quiff perched in the branches of a Scots Pine tree. A Scotch Argus butterfly perched amongst grasses. Its dark brown wings are open revealing a row of eyespots set in a band of orange. Rays of sunshine breaking through Caledonian pine forest in the Cairngorms National Park.
October 26, 2025 at 8:28 PM
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Atlantic Bluefin Tuna hunting off Land's End a couple of weeks ago.
October 20, 2025 at 4:09 PM
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Bracken management at De Lank today with Cornwall Butterfly Conservation - another Pearl-bordered Fritillary site on Bodmin Moor. Encouraging to see lots of Violets beneath the Bracken litter where we were working. Let's hope the Fritillaries find them next spring! @savebutterflies.bsky.social
Cornwall Butterfly Conservation volunteers managing Bracken habitat for the Pearl-bordered Fritillary. Before: a clearing surrounded by woodland and densely carpeted with dead Bracken litter. After: pathways have been cleared through the Bracken litter to expose Violets (the food plant of Pearl-bordered Fritillary) and encourage further germination.
October 18, 2025 at 6:54 PM
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Cornwall Butterfly Conservation volunteers were on Bodmin Moor today for our first work party of the winter. Bracken management and coppicing for Pearl-bordered Fritillaries in the Camel Valley at Jordan. @savebutterflies.bsky.social
Cornwall Butterfly Conservation volunteers raking Bracken litter to encourage Violet germination and suppress grass growth. Before: a woodland glade filled with Bracken and closely surrounded by trees. After: pathways have been cut through the Bracken to expose Violets and scallops have been created along the edges of the glade with coppicing.
October 13, 2025 at 7:19 PM
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We're a small, friendly group of volunteers and always keen for extra helping hands. If you're looking for a fun and rewarding activity to fill the winter months, do think about signing up for a few conservation days!

volunteer.butterfly-conservation.org/opportunitie...
Cornwall Butterfly Conservation volunteers clearing scrub at West Basset Stamps.
October 9, 2025 at 8:37 PM
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Around Camborne and Redruth, we will be working within the Cornish Mining World Heritage Site to manage scrub, Cotoneaster and Buddleia at sites supporting Silver-studded Blue, Grayling and Dingy Skipper.
A male Silver-studded Blue butterfly perched on the purple flowers of Bell Heather. The underside of its closed wings are pale blue with black and orange spots. The outer row of hindwing spots have metallic, silvery-blue centres.
October 9, 2025 at 7:59 PM
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We also have two days planned at a site for Marsh Fritillary, helping to remove Gorse that is encroaching onto the breeding habitat.
An orange Marsh Fritillary butterfly resting with closed wings on a grass stem.
October 9, 2025 at 7:44 PM
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On Bodmin Moor, we will be doing Bracken management at several sites around St Breward that support Pearl-bordered Fritillary and Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary.
A Pearl-bordered Fritillary butterfly nectaring from the blue flowers of Bugle. It has orange wings dotted with black spots, dashes and chevrons.
October 9, 2025 at 7:37 PM
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Delighted to see my first Basking Sharks in the Moray Firth off Nairn yesterday. We reckon there were at least three individuals feeding on the outgoing tide.
The tips of a Basking Shark dorsal fin and tail fin visible above the waves.
September 6, 2025 at 8:54 AM
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I last visited Craigellachie NNR nine years ago to survey Scotch Argus for the University of York's Refugia Project. As I was staying in the adjacent Aviemore Hostel last night, it was only fitting to call in on them this morning!
A Scotch Argus butterfly perched on vegetation. It has dark brown (almost black) wings each with a band of orange encompassing a row of eyespots. A Scotch Argus butterfly basking on a rock. Craigellachie National Nature Reserve: open Birch woodland cloaking a steep hillside and crag.
August 31, 2025 at 2:27 PM
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A couple of Clouded Yellows around Helston this afternoon.
A bright yellow Clouded Yellow butterfly nectaring from the pink flowers of Red Clover.
August 25, 2025 at 5:31 PM
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Autumn Lady's-tresses in the dunes at Upton Towans yesterday. #WildflowerHour
Two Autumn Lady's-tresses orchids growing in short turf. Each flower spike has a spiral of delicate, white flowers running up the stem. The dunes at Upton Towans with the golden sands of St Ives Bay and the lighthouse at Godrevy beyond.
August 24, 2025 at 7:32 PM
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Back at Goonhilly Downs today continuing with our Marsh Fritillary survey plots. Two new larval webs found and mapped ahead of habitat management this winter.
A group of Marsh Fritillary caterpillars feeding on a Devil's-bit Scabious leaf. Each caterpillar is black with ochre spines and prolegs. A Marsh Fritillary larval web: a mat of white silk dotted with frass, tucked into the base of a Molinia tussock. Volunteers searching for Marsh Fritillary larval webs across an area of wet heathland at Goonhilly Downs.
August 24, 2025 at 7:09 PM
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Grey Seal pups on the north coast today!
Four white Grey Seal pups lying on a sandy beach along with three adult female.
August 23, 2025 at 6:56 PM
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On the hunt for Marsh Fritillaries at Goonhilly Downs today! We were delighted to find five larval webs (which will help to inform habitat management this winter).
A Marsh Fritillary larval web covering a Devil's-bit Scabious plant. An aggregation of Marsh Fritillary caterpillars in their communal web. Each caterpillar is greyish-black with ochre spines and prolegs. Volunteers searching for Marsh Fritillary caterpillars on Goonhilly Downs (an area of wet, tussocky heathland) with the satellite dishes of Goonhilly Earth Station visible in the background.
August 16, 2025 at 5:08 PM
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Happy hour at the sap run on Penryn Campus.
August 15, 2025 at 5:05 PM
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Grayling out in their hundreds on Goonhilly Downs yesterday.
A Grayling butterfly nectaring on the pale-pink flowers of Cornish Heath. Its forewing is raised above the mottled grey hindwing revealing two black eyespots surrounded by orange. A mottled Grayling butterfly perched on the ground amongst short grasses. The extensive heathland of Goonhilly Downs with wind turbines and the satellite dishes of Goonhilly Earth Station visible in the distance.
August 10, 2025 at 7:54 PM
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I'm giving a talk for the Trevithick Society this Friday!

Jewels in the Cornish Mining Landscape

Come hear about the butterflies of Cornish mining sites and the work that Butterfly Conservation is doing to protect them.

19:30 Friday 8th August
King Edward Mine, Troon
£2 admission for non-members
A male Silver-studded Blue butterfly basking on a blade of grass with its royal blue wings open.
August 6, 2025 at 4:29 PM