BC Upper Thames
@upperthames.bsky.social
The Upper Thames Branch of Butterfly Conservation; the national charity saving butterflies, moths and our environment
A very enjoyable UTB Members Day and a big thank you to the 4 excellent speakers. And a thank you to all UTB members working behind the scenes to make the day run smoothly and of course all who attended!
October 27, 2025 at 9:07 AM
A very enjoyable UTB Members Day and a big thank you to the 4 excellent speakers. And a thank you to all UTB members working behind the scenes to make the day run smoothly and of course all who attended!
Brown Hairstreak, adult and egg, recorded on the outskirts of Caversham, near Reading, Berks, today.
September 16, 2025 at 4:10 PM
Brown Hairstreak, adult and egg, recorded on the outskirts of Caversham, near Reading, Berks, today.
The annual Barberry Carpet survey yesterday, at the only Upper Thames site. 22 larvae from 23 bushes sampled, so seems to be holding on okay. A couple of Vestal also seen which is always a nice bonus!
August 25, 2025 at 9:16 AM
The annual Barberry Carpet survey yesterday, at the only Upper Thames site. 22 larvae from 23 bushes sampled, so seems to be holding on okay. A couple of Vestal also seen which is always a nice bonus!
Surveying for Striped Lychnis larvae at Dairy Lane, Henley, today. 823 dark mullein flower spikes produced 113 larvae. 64 were final instar of which 75% had Tachinid eggs attached.
July 7, 2025 at 3:51 PM
Surveying for Striped Lychnis larvae at Dairy Lane, Henley, today. 823 dark mullein flower spikes produced 113 larvae. 64 were final instar of which 75% had Tachinid eggs attached.
A striped Lychnis near Henley yesterday. Sadly for this one it has a few Tachinid eggs attached.
July 3, 2025 at 2:52 PM
A striped Lychnis near Henley yesterday. Sadly for this one it has a few Tachinid eggs attached.
A Lappet recorded at one of the sites we survey in Berkshire.
Such a stunning moth and a good record. Berks records for this species are few and far between.
Such a stunning moth and a good record. Berks records for this species are few and far between.
June 29, 2025 at 9:41 AM
A Lappet recorded at one of the sites we survey in Berkshire.
Such a stunning moth and a good record. Berks records for this species are few and far between.
Such a stunning moth and a good record. Berks records for this species are few and far between.
Trapping last night at one of the rewilding sites we survey in Berks. Pleased to record two Light Crimson Underwing and a Buttoned Snout.
June 25, 2025 at 3:14 PM
Trapping last night at one of the rewilding sites we survey in Berks. Pleased to record two Light Crimson Underwing and a Buttoned Snout.
A White-letter Hairstreak at Bottom Wood, Mapledurham, Oxfordshire
June 19, 2025 at 3:07 PM
A White-letter Hairstreak at Bottom Wood, Mapledurham, Oxfordshire
White-letter Hairstreak very active this morning on this wych elm on the Berks/Oxfordshire border
June 14, 2025 at 12:19 PM
White-letter Hairstreak very active this morning on this wych elm on the Berks/Oxfordshire border
A Drab Looper in West Berks this afternoon. One of our priority Moth species. A dreary name but actually a rather charming and dainty little moth!
May 30, 2025 at 2:34 PM
A Drab Looper in West Berks this afternoon. One of our priority Moth species. A dreary name but actually a rather charming and dainty little moth!
Drab Looper are already on the wing in the Upper Thames
May 1, 2025 at 7:09 PM
Drab Looper are already on the wing in the Upper Thames
A stunning Oak Eggar larva seen in Oxfordshire yesterday
May 1, 2025 at 7:08 PM
A stunning Oak Eggar larva seen in Oxfordshire yesterday
Adonis Blue seen at Lardon Chase this morning. That is rather early!
April 30, 2025 at 1:21 PM
Adonis Blue seen at Lardon Chase this morning. That is rather early!
Several Garden Tiger larvae found on the Lambourn Downs today. Nice to see, not as easy one to find these days in the Upper Thames.
April 25, 2025 at 6:35 PM
Several Garden Tiger larvae found on the Lambourn Downs today. Nice to see, not as easy one to find these days in the Upper Thames.
BBOWT/BC ran a 'surveying for Hairstreaks course' yesterday with a practice UV light search for Black Hairstreak larvae in the evening. The surveys will form part of BBOWTs exciting RBOR project. An interesting and informative day, thank you to all who organised.
April 24, 2025 at 9:57 AM
BBOWT/BC ran a 'surveying for Hairstreaks course' yesterday with a practice UV light search for Black Hairstreak larvae in the evening. The surveys will form part of BBOWTs exciting RBOR project. An interesting and informative day, thank you to all who organised.
A Green-veined White enjoying a bit of mud puddling at Wytham Woods this afternoon. An underrated butterfly!
April 10, 2025 at 5:25 PM
A Green-veined White enjoying a bit of mud puddling at Wytham Woods this afternoon. An underrated butterfly!
A fair few Grizzled Skippers enjoying the sunshine at Aston Upthorpe, Oxfordshire, today.
April 7, 2025 at 3:52 PM
A fair few Grizzled Skippers enjoying the sunshine at Aston Upthorpe, Oxfordshire, today.
A Small Tortoiseshell at RSPB Otmoor, Oxfordshire yesterday. Nice to see, as they have become a bit of rare sight in the Upper Thames these days.
March 31, 2025 at 4:09 PM
A Small Tortoiseshell at RSPB Otmoor, Oxfordshire yesterday. Nice to see, as they have become a bit of rare sight in the Upper Thames these days.
One of winters simple pleasures. Take a torch and search the tree trunks for those winter species. Merry Christmas everyone!
December 16, 2024 at 2:10 PM
One of winters simple pleasures. Take a torch and search the tree trunks for those winter species. Merry Christmas everyone!
Upper Thames Branch have planted over 400 elms across the region to support the White-letter Hairstreak butterfly. This has included Wych elm but most of them have been dutch elm disease resistant varieties.
December 12, 2024 at 2:47 PM
Upper Thames Branch have planted over 400 elms across the region to support the White-letter Hairstreak butterfly. This has included Wych elm but most of them have been dutch elm disease resistant varieties.
UTB work hard for our butterflies, but we are of course equally invested in our wonderful moth species. Moths never get such a good press as butterflies, but they are great pollinators, a vital part of the ecosystem and of course fascinating and often very beautiful in their own right.
December 2, 2024 at 12:32 PM
UTB work hard for our butterflies, but we are of course equally invested in our wonderful moth species. Moths never get such a good press as butterflies, but they are great pollinators, a vital part of the ecosystem and of course fascinating and often very beautiful in their own right.
The UTB region is home to three-quarters of the 59 British butterfly species, including these beauties! Black Hairstreak, Wood White and Silver-spotted Skipper.
November 29, 2024 at 2:05 PM
The UTB region is home to three-quarters of the 59 British butterfly species, including these beauties! Black Hairstreak, Wood White and Silver-spotted Skipper.
The Upper Thames Branch of Butterfly Conservation covers the counties of Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire.
We monitor populations of butterflies and moths in our region, run work parties to improve habitat, give advice to landowners and help educate through talks and guided walks.
We monitor populations of butterflies and moths in our region, run work parties to improve habitat, give advice to landowners and help educate through talks and guided walks.
November 29, 2024 at 12:08 PM
The Upper Thames Branch of Butterfly Conservation covers the counties of Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire.
We monitor populations of butterflies and moths in our region, run work parties to improve habitat, give advice to landowners and help educate through talks and guided walks.
We monitor populations of butterflies and moths in our region, run work parties to improve habitat, give advice to landowners and help educate through talks and guided walks.