Clare Boyes
@pickeletto.bsky.social
Grief-stricken mum of Douglas (http://douglasboyes.co.uk). We shared passion for insects & Bellowhead. Particularly obsessed by solitary wasps and bees. VC47 recorder, Bees, Wasps, Butterflies. MRes Ento student at HAU.
Four years ago today since Douglas died. We miss him every moment of every day. Loved so much by his family and many friends; a respected scientist and moth-er; a wearer of great shirts; and a Bellowhead superfan.
September 26, 2025 at 8:55 AM
Four years ago today since Douglas died. We miss him every moment of every day. Loved so much by his family and many friends; a respected scientist and moth-er; a wearer of great shirts; and a Bellowhead superfan.
One of the garden oaks is covered with galls this year, of at least three species. Other nearby oaks have very few
September 16, 2025 at 1:24 PM
One of the garden oaks is covered with galls this year, of at least three species. Other nearby oaks have very few
Small Coppers in the garden yesterday.
August 30, 2025 at 10:18 AM
Small Coppers in the garden yesterday.
Roe Deer just bounded past. I've been picking them up on my cameras a lot this year but rarely see them in the flesh
August 12, 2025 at 6:35 PM
Roe Deer just bounded past. I've been picking them up on my cameras a lot this year but rarely see them in the flesh
A Wall in the garden today, keeping company with 2 lizards.
August 2, 2025 at 6:00 PM
A Wall in the garden today, keeping company with 2 lizards.
I was going to trim back the vegetation around my garden sandpit, but 3 Field Digger Waps (Mellinus arvensis)are nesting under the vegetation so I wont'! They predate flies so plenty of food for their offspring. Doesn't do to be too tidy!
August 1, 2025 at 1:48 PM
I was going to trim back the vegetation around my garden sandpit, but 3 Field Digger Waps (Mellinus arvensis)are nesting under the vegetation so I wont'! They predate flies so plenty of food for their offspring. Doesn't do to be too tidy!
Douglas would have been 29 today. This photo was taken on his MSc field trip to the Canary Islands. He left such a huge hole in our lives, which can never be filled #grief
July 28, 2025 at 6:22 AM
Douglas would have been 29 today. This photo was taken on his MSc field trip to the Canary Islands. He left such a huge hole in our lives, which can never be filled #grief
3 Silver-washed Fritillaries nectaring on knapweed in the garden just now. Certainly justifies leaving lots of wild areas. Shame it's not included in Big Butterfly Count, but lots of other butterflies to include
July 25, 2025 at 1:19 PM
3 Silver-washed Fritillaries nectaring on knapweed in the garden just now. Certainly justifies leaving lots of wild areas. Shame it's not included in Big Butterfly Count, but lots of other butterflies to include
This Meal Moth (Pyralis farinalis) was on the sitting room wall this morning (had left the window open). Think Douglas only recorded it once before
July 20, 2025 at 7:10 AM
This Meal Moth (Pyralis farinalis) was on the sitting room wall this morning (had left the window open). Think Douglas only recorded it once before
And as if that wasn't enough a Grayling landed on the car
July 17, 2025 at 4:11 PM
And as if that wasn't enough a Grayling landed on the car
Found a new Wood White site in Montgomeryshire today when out surveying. 4 or 5 seen and huge amount of Bird's-Foot Trefoil
July 17, 2025 at 4:10 PM
Found a new Wood White site in Montgomeryshire today when out surveying. 4 or 5 seen and huge amount of Bird's-Foot Trefoil
Leopard Moth from Sunday's moth trap. Don't usually see them as pristine as this
July 16, 2025 at 7:56 PM
Leopard Moth from Sunday's moth trap. Don't usually see them as pristine as this
Bit surprised (but probably not as much as the ladybird!) to find an Adonis Ladybird in a packet of fresh dill as I cooked supper. It had a lucky escape but not sure how to record its location. The dill was from Norfolk, it's now in Mid-Wales.
July 12, 2025 at 6:49 PM
Bit surprised (but probably not as much as the ladybird!) to find an Adonis Ladybird in a packet of fresh dill as I cooked supper. It had a lucky escape but not sure how to record its location. The dill was from Norfolk, it's now in Mid-Wales.
Purple Hairstreak roosted in Euphorbia by backdoor door last night. Saves me having to crane my neck, checking the tree tops!
July 10, 2025 at 10:30 AM
Purple Hairstreak roosted in Euphorbia by backdoor door last night. Saves me having to crane my neck, checking the tree tops!
Essex Skipper rescued from the polytunnel this afternoon along with Ringlet and Green-veined White
June 30, 2025 at 5:33 PM
Essex Skipper rescued from the polytunnel this afternoon along with Ringlet and Green-veined White
Rescued this Scarlet Tiger from the polytunnel this afternoon. They are becoming much more frequent.
June 26, 2025 at 5:51 PM
Rescued this Scarlet Tiger from the polytunnel this afternoon. They are becoming much more frequent.
The smallest Common Lizard I've seen. There were 3 basking in the garden. They must be only a few days old
June 26, 2025 at 12:34 PM
The smallest Common Lizard I've seen. There were 3 basking in the garden. They must be only a few days old
Fork-tailed Flower Bee (Anthophora furcata) buzzing round the Stachys in the garden. Not sure where it's nesting as the old stump it used completely disintegrated.
June 24, 2025 at 12:36 PM
Fork-tailed Flower Bee (Anthophora furcata) buzzing round the Stachys in the garden. Not sure where it's nesting as the old stump it used completely disintegrated.
Depressaria daucella caterpillar hiding in Hemlock Water Dropwort
June 23, 2025 at 3:05 PM
Depressaria daucella caterpillar hiding in Hemlock Water Dropwort
Two Small Scissor Bees (Chelostoma campanularum) resting in a Campanula flower this morning. They are waiting for the sun to shine and the wind to drop before they resume their flights up and down the flower spikes in search of females
June 23, 2025 at 11:51 AM
Two Small Scissor Bees (Chelostoma campanularum) resting in a Campanula flower this morning. They are waiting for the sun to shine and the wind to drop before they resume their flights up and down the flower spikes in search of females
Spent the day talking to visitors about insects and plants at Hurdley Hall today (open under NGS). Took the Clearwing lures and was rewarded by this Lunar Hornet Moth at the end of the afternoon.
June 22, 2025 at 6:04 PM
Spent the day talking to visitors about insects and plants at Hurdley Hall today (open under NGS). Took the Clearwing lures and was rewarded by this Lunar Hornet Moth at the end of the afternoon.
Another Clearwing! 4th species for the garden. This time, it's Currant Clearwing, the one I expected to see first. Douglas tried for it for 10 years without success. #gardenwildlife
June 22, 2025 at 7:21 AM
Another Clearwing! 4th species for the garden. This time, it's Currant Clearwing, the one I expected to see first. Douglas tried for it for 10 years without success. #gardenwildlife
Red-tipped Clearwing in the garden this afternoon which came to a pheromone lure. Moth species 802 for the garden - Douglas would have been so excited.
June 21, 2025 at 4:17 PM
Red-tipped Clearwing in the garden this afternoon which came to a pheromone lure. Moth species 802 for the garden - Douglas would have been so excited.
Chelostoma florisomne (Large Scissor Bee) has appeared in the first of this year's garden buttercups. Earliest date in the garden by 2 weeks
May 4, 2025 at 2:50 PM
Chelostoma florisomne (Large Scissor Bee) has appeared in the first of this year's garden buttercups. Earliest date in the garden by 2 weeks
Osmia bicornis (Red Mason Bee) settling down to make next year's bees. The females are emerging now, but the main emergence of the males was 10 days ago. I'm wondering if the recent rain, as well as warmer weather, is a cue for female emergence
April 21, 2025 at 2:10 PM
Osmia bicornis (Red Mason Bee) settling down to make next year's bees. The females are emerging now, but the main emergence of the males was 10 days ago. I'm wondering if the recent rain, as well as warmer weather, is a cue for female emergence