Ghostly hedgerows

Rosemary on May 28, 2026

Ghostly Hedgerows in Warwickshire: What’s Behind the Webs?

Some hedgerows and trees across Warwickshire have recently taken on a striking, almost ghost‑like appearance. Look closely and you’ll notice they’re wrapped in sheets of silken webbing, often filled with clusters of small caterpillars. These are the larvae of several species of ermine moth.

Which Species Create These Webs?

There are eight ermine moth species in the UK, but only a few produce the dramatic, communal webs now appearing in the countryside:

There is also an ermine moth whose caterpillars feed on apple.

These species can create extensive, ghostly sheets of silk that cover entire branches or even whole shrubs.

Ermine moths in hedgerow
Ermine moths on bird cherry
Ermine moths on bird cherry
Ermine moths from apple
Ermine moths in woodland

Why Do They Spin Such Large Webs?

By living together in large groups, the caterpillars gain protection through numbers. The dense webbing adds another layer of defence, making it harder for predators to reach them.

Are the Webs Harmful?

Not at all. The webs and caterpillars are harmless and usually appear from May to June. As summer progresses, the silk naturally breaks down and the affected shrubs or trees typically recover fully.

Wildlife also benefits — birds such as blue tits feed on the caterpillars, playing their part in the ecosystem.

What Happens Next?

Later in the summer, the caterpillars pupate and emerge as adult ermine moths. These moths are small, white or greyish, and marked with many tiny black dots — the pattern that gives them their “ermine” name.

Outputs from Warwickshire, Coventry and Solihull Local Nature Partnership Conference in February 2026

Rosemary on April 24, 2026

The conference focused on delivering the Local Nature Recovery Strategy (LNRS) across Warwickshire.

The following presentations are available:

  • David Lowe, Service Manager Ecology, Historic Environment & Landscape at Warwickshire County Council: Update on Warwickshire’s LNRS
  • Rory Johnson, Director and Meadows Adviser at Herefordshire Meadows
  • Sarah Barnsley, Natural Capital Assessment Partnership Manager: Hedgerows – Wild Wonders of Warwickshire.
  • Megan Gimber, Key Habitats Officer at PTES: Hedgerows and Sensitive Management
  • Sally Eadon, Agricultural Land Advisor at Warwickshire Wildlife Trust: Warwickshire Sustainable Farming Groups and Warwickshire Meadows Hub.

They can be accessed on the Local Nature Partnership web site.

Bluebells

Rosemary on April 19, 2026

Bluebells are now in bloom across Warwickshire, creating some spectacular spring displays. They are most often found in ancient and long‑established woodlands, as well as in hedgerows and roadside verges close to these habitats.

The native British bluebell (Hyacinthoides non‑scripta) occurs naturally from northwest Spain to the Netherlands, but around half of the global population is found in the UK. Despite its abundance here, the species faces a number of pressures, including the loss of suitable habitat and hybridisation with non‑native relatives.

Hybridisation with the so‑called Spanish bluebell (Hyacinthoides hispanica) has been a particular concern for many years. This non‑native species was introduced as a garden plant, possibly between the late 1600s and 1700s, and in fact originated in Portugal rather than Spain. It readily interbreeds with native bluebells, producing hybrids (Hyacinthoides × massartiana) that are now widespread in gardens and parks across the country.

Although hybrids are common, current research shows little evidence of widespread genetic dilution in wild populations. Only around 2% of native bluebell populations in natural habitats show signs of hybridisation. In addition, native British bluebells may be more fertile than their hybrid counterparts, suggesting they continue to hold a competitive advantage in the right conditions.

More information about bluebells.

Butterflies in the news

Rosemary on April 15, 2026

Header - Orange tip butterfly - Illuvis Pixabay

Britain’s butterflies made the BBC news this morning…

These reports draw on data from the UK Butterfly Monitoring Scheme (UKBMS), one of the largest and longest‑running citizen science programmes in the world. Since its launch in 1976, the scheme has collected more than 44 million butterfly records through 782,000 surveys carried out by volunteers across the UK.

Of the 59 native butterfly species monitored, long‑term trends show that 33 species have declined, 25 have increased, and one mountain species cannot be assessed due to insufficient data.

Experts attribute many of the declines to habitat loss, pollution and climate change, with the greatest impacts seen among rarer and more specialised species. In contrast, butterflies that can thrive in a wide range of habitats — including farmland, parks and gardens — are generally faring better and, in some cases, increasing in number.

You can read more about it here.

One species of butterfly that will be flying soon is the Orange Tip Butterfly.  Only males have the bright orange wing tips. Females lay eggs on specific caterpillar food plants, mainly on Cuckooflower and Garlic Mustard, and this species of butterfly is thriving, up by 42% since 1976.  Both species of caterpillar food plant are flowering at the moment.  Garlic Mustard grows in shady spots in woodlands and hedgerows whilst Cuckooflower prefers damp meadows.

Garlic Mustard in Tysoe

Header photo credit: Illuvis, Pixabay

The RSPB’s latest advice on what and when to feed garden birds:

Rosemary on April 10, 2026

The RSPB’s latest advice on what and when to feed garden birds:

Feed seasonally. Feed safely.

Some species of garden bird, such as Greenfinches, are experiencing serious declines because of a disease called trichomonosis. This is a highly contagious disease and can spread where birds gather in large numbers such as at bird feeders.  Numbers of Greenfinches, for example, have dropped by over 65% in the last three decades. 

We can all help stop the spread of disease among garden birds by making two simple changes in how we feed birds.

Feed seasonally

During summer and autumn, there’s a higher risk of disease spreading. But it’s also when there are more natural foods available to birds, such as seeds and insects.  From 1 May to 31 October, stop filling your bird feeders with seeds or peanuts.  You can continue to offer garden birds small amounts of mealworms, fatballs or suet.  From 1 November to 30 April you can feed your birds a full range of bird foods, including seeds and peanuts.

Feed safely

  • Clean your bird feeders and water baths at least once a week. 
  • Place your bird feeders in a different spot every week. 
  • Avoid putting feeders under places where birds roost, such as under trees. 
  • Don’t use bird feeders with flat surfaces, such as bird tables, window feeders and feeders with trays. 
  • Feed in moderation. 
  • Keep food as dry as possible.
  • Change water in bird baths daily. 
  • Help birds find their own food. 

Find out more from the RSPB website