Mike Hetherington
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mikemoths.bsky.social
Mike Hetherington
@mikemoths.bsky.social
2K followers 480 following 380 posts
Moths, birds, herps & other wildlife. My own photos.
Dorset, UK or travelling.
MSc Biological Recording
Dorset Moths https://www.dorsetmoths.co.uk/
Wildlife blog https://vitrealis.blogspot.com/
FSC Associate Tutor
RSPB volunteer. MCIEEM
Posts Replies Media Videos
mikemoths.bsky.social
Good to see a Dipper on the River Lim (Dorset, UK) today. This small river has a recent history of pollution from sewage discharges.
@dorsetbirdclub.bsky.social
#birds #pollution #rivers
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
A small bird with a dark brown back and striking white breast and throat pauses while hunting for food in shallow water at the edge of a small river. Record photo taken in poor light through intervening vegetation!
November 15, 2025 at 4:02 PM
mikemoths.bsky.social
A single Gem was the best migrant moth last night here in West Dorset, UK. Also three Olive-tree Pearl, 11 Rusty-dot Pearl and 4 White-point.
@dorsetmoths.bsky.social
@dorsetbutterflies.bsky.social
@migrantmothuk.bsky.social
#teammoth
Gem Olive-tree Pearl - Palpita vitrealis
November 14, 2025 at 9:12 AM
mikemoths.bsky.social
Enjoyable morning helping to survey larvae of the rare Speckled Footman #moth.
Also seen were a smart Heath Assassin Bug Coranus subapterus and Heath Potter Wasp Eumenes coarctatus nest.
@dorsetmoths.bsky.social
Black and spiny Speckled Footman larva curled up on white Cladonia lichen. Heath Assassin Bug Heath Potter Wasp’s pot-shaped nest.
November 4, 2025 at 2:51 PM
mikemoths.bsky.social
Smooth Snake warming up at @rspb.bsky.social Arne, Dorset, UK this morning. (Photo taken under licence.) @arc-trust.bsky.social
A coiled-up small olive-brown snake with regular dark spots along the body and characteristic dark patch on the head.
October 17, 2025 at 12:43 PM
mikemoths.bsky.social
A smart #caddis also turned up in the moth trap this morning - Halesus radiatus, new for me. West Dorset, UK.
@dorsetwildlife.bsky.social
#Trichoptera
October 11, 2025 at 4:58 PM
mikemoths.bsky.social
Three weeks on, our local young Sika Deer is still sticking close to its bovine minders. Is this normal deer behaviour? West Dorset, UK.
@dorsetwildlife.bsky.social
October 11, 2025 at 4:42 PM
mikemoths.bsky.social
There are some great #moths around in autumn. This morning's highlights were Merveille du Jour (living up to its name) and Blair's Mocha (probably resident around here). West Dorset, UK.
@dorsetmoths.bsky.social
@dorsetbutterflies.bsky.social
#teammoth
Merveille du Jour - 'wonder of the day' - Griposia aprilina (but it doesn't fly in April!) Blair's Mocha - Cyclophora puppilaria
October 11, 2025 at 10:59 AM
mikemoths.bsky.social
Red Admiral larva crossing the road (slowly), West Dorset UK.
@dorsetbutterflies.bsky.social
October 5, 2025 at 4:49 PM
mikemoths.bsky.social
Always exciting to see the massive Convolvulus Hawk-moth, one of our most spectacular migrant #moth arrivals. Last night in West Dorset (VC9).
@dorsetmoths.bsky.social @migrantmothuk.bsky.social
#teammoth
October 2, 2025 at 12:50 PM
mikemoths.bsky.social
Our local cattle seem to have adopted a young Sika Deer. West Dorset, UK. Thanks to @lukephillips.bsky.social for the revised identification!
@dorsetwildlife.bsky.social
September 21, 2025 at 3:20 PM
mikemoths.bsky.social
An arrival of autumn moths here in West Dorset, UK last night including Frosted Orange, Black Rustic, Feathered Brindle and Dusky Thorn. @dorsetmoths.bsky.social
#teammoth
Frosted Orange Black Rustic Feathered Brindle Dusky Thorn
September 19, 2025 at 8:47 AM
mikemoths.bsky.social
It wasn't only moths that were attracted to the light last night. Nice to see this small Common Toad - West Dorset, UK.
September 19, 2025 at 7:26 AM
mikemoths.bsky.social
Good numbers of moths here in West Dorset, UK last night (181 or 46 species). New for the year included Lilac Beauty, Pale Eggar, Nutmeg and Centre-barred Sallow.
@dorsetmoths.bsky.social
Lilac Beauty Pale Eggar Nutmeg Centre-barred Sallow
September 6, 2025 at 5:13 PM
mikemoths.bsky.social
Painted Lady basking in the sun between rain showers this morning. West Dorset, UK.
@dorsetbutterflies.bsky.social
September 4, 2025 at 3:46 PM
mikemoths.bsky.social
Canary-shouldered Thorn. What's not to like? West Dorset, UK. @dorsetmoths.bsky.social @dorsetbutterflies.bsky.social
#teammoth
Looking into the face of a Canary-shouldered Thorn moth - dark eyes and spreading antennas stand out in front of its yellow, fluffy thorax
August 15, 2025 at 8:45 AM
mikemoths.bsky.social
Orca pod and Humpback Whale in the Johnstone Strait, off Vancouver Island BC Canada 🇨🇦. The seas here host a remarkable diversity of marine mammals. #canada #wildlife
Three Orcas (one large adult and two smaller individuals) surfacing, one blowing a spout of spray. Tail of diving Humpback Whale close to a rocky shore.
August 12, 2025 at 6:43 AM
mikemoths.bsky.social
Grizzly Bear female searching for food on the shore of Knight Inlet BC Canada 🇨🇦. A few weeks to wait before the salmon arrive.
#Canada #wildlife
Grizzly Bear female foraging for food on seaweed-covered rocks on the shore of Knight Inlet, British Columbia, Canada.
August 11, 2025 at 6:29 AM
mikemoths.bsky.social
Orcas, Steller’s Sea-lion and Humpback Whale. Just a typical afternoon in the Johnstone Strait, Bc, 🇨🇦
July 27, 2025 at 3:52 AM
mikemoths.bsky.social
Boat into Knight Inlet, Great Bear Rainforest BC 🇨🇦. Two Grizzly Bear mums with cubs, watched from a respectful distance. Magical. #biodiversity
Female Grizzly Bear on a rocky shoreline with a small bear cub peering out behind her.
July 27, 2025 at 3:48 AM
mikemoths.bsky.social
Cedar Waxwing may be a common resident species on Vancouver Island BC 🇨🇦, but it’s an exciting bird to see for a visiting UK birder.
#BirdsofCanada
July 27, 2025 at 2:54 AM
mikemoths.bsky.social
Kinney Lake, Mount Robson Provincial Park, BC, Canada 🇨🇦

Worth the hike.
July 23, 2025 at 3:14 PM
mikemoths.bsky.social
My first Bee Wolf (Philanthus triangulum), filmed entombing its latest bee victim near heathland at @rspb.bsky.social Arne, Dorset UK today. Previously a rarity in England, its range has expanded significantly.
#Buglife
(Apologies to
@davegoulson.bsky.social!)
July 8, 2025 at 6:16 PM
mikemoths.bsky.social
Double Line, very much a moth of SW England’s woodlands, was the highlight of trapping at Killerton, Devon @nationaltrust.org.uk on Friday night.
@richardfoxbc.bsky.social
#teammoth
July 6, 2025 at 11:29 AM
mikemoths.bsky.social
A small migrant #moth arrival here in W Dorset UK last night (28/6) with Pearly Underwing new for the year, Small Mottled Willow (3), Diamond-back Moth (3), Rusty-dot Pearl (5), Olive-tree Pearl (2) and Silver Y (1)
@migrantmothuk.bsky.social
@dorsetmoths.bsky.social
#teammoth
Pearly Underwing Small Mottled Willow
June 29, 2025 at 2:35 PM
mikemoths.bsky.social
Another good night for moths in W Dorset, UK with 111 species and much wandering. New for the site were Sulphur Pearl (mainly grasslands), Silky and Brown-veined Wainscots (both wetland species) and Lunar-spotted Pinion.
@dorsetmoths.bsky.social
@dorsetbutterflies.bsky.social
#teammoth
June 29, 2025 at 2:30 PM