Natural History Wanderings

The BBC reports three rare species in the UK: a Short-snouted Seahorse, Flame Brocade Moth and an “Extinct” Solitary Bee

A juvenile Short-snouted Seahorse was recently discovered in the Thames River at Greenwich. That the seahorse is a juvenile means it is likely that a breeding colony is nearby.  These seahorses are normally found along the south coast. This is the furthest upriver finding to date. Read more at BBC  Rare seahorse found in the River Thames, London.

The charity Butterfly Conservation  reports that the Flame Brocade Moth, which is usually found in the Mediterranean has started a new colony in the UK.  Researchers from the charity believe there has been an unusually high number of migrant species due to recent warm weather. This year’s migration season is possibly the best in years.  It takes the insects three or four days to fly to the UK with the help of a tailwind.  The new colony’s site is being kept secret to protect the moths. Read more at BBC  Rare flame brocade moth is established in the UK

The solitary bee, Halictus eurygnathus, was last seen in Britain 65 years ago.  It was recently found at seven sites on the South Downs in East Sussex.. Read more at BBC: Sussex South Downs is home to ‘extinct’ bee species