What's New with Michael Leigh-Mallory

Rearing the Eyed Hawk Moth (Smerinthus ocellata)

Added 26/07/2012 to Whisperer Blogs, Features & Articles

As a child I was always amazed at the array of both Butterfly and moth species found in the UK.

I reared Garden Tiger moths (commonly known as Woolly bears) caterpillars in jam jars and fed them copious amounts of dandelion leaves. Then watched in awe their journey and transition from larvae to adult moth.

Rearing the Eyed Hawk Moth (Smerinthus ocellata)

Added 26/07/2012 to General News

As a child I was always amazed at the array of both butterfly and moth species found in the UK.

I reared Garden Tiger moths (commonly known as Woolly bears) caterpillars in jam jars and fed them copious amounts of dandelion leaves. Then watched in awe their journey and transition from larvae to adult moth.

During the last few years and especially after the birth of my daughter Emily and son Harry, it has made me revisit those early years and I’m again rearing these magnificent species.

Mikes Badger Cam - Checking Out A New Sett

Added 07/06/2012 to Live Cams - Latest News

Over the next few months I will be trying to build a bigger picture of the badgers and their relationship to each other.

At present we have a total of x6 badgers visiting #MikesBadgerCam in the evenings for food.

Last night I set the trailcam over at a sett across the road from the main sett where the main camera is situated.

Mike's Badger Cam - A Grim Discovery

Added 06/03/2012 to Live Cams - Latest News

A few nights ago I was lying in bed listening to the sound of our local badgers playing and wickering from the sett just yards away. It’s not unusual to hear the squabbles and varied vocalisations coming from the local badgers when the sett is just 30 meters away from the house.

During the last couple of weeks the badgers visits have both increased in frequency and in numbers of badgers turning up...

Rearing the Spurge Hawk-Moth (Hyles Euphorbiae)

Added 01/11/2011 to Whisperer Blogs, Features & Articles

The Spurge Hawk-Moth is a rare sporadic migrant to the UK and also probably breeds here occasionally. Maybe with the effects of increasing global warming it will become a more permanent visitor. In fact in the 19th century larvae were found feeding on Euphorbiae species on the South coast.

It is considered relatively common in parts of Europe and can be seen....

Crane project goes from strength to strength

Added 01/11/2011 to Whisperer Blogs, Features & Articles

A few days ago I recieved an update from Damon Bridge RSPB.

We now have a good flock of 33 cranes floating around the Levels and Moors and more often than not on Aller Moor at the moment –The....

Iona and the quest for Corncrake!

Added 03/09/2011 to Whisperer Blogs, Features & Articles

Lying just a short distance from the Island of Mull is the beautiful island of Iona. Iona can be accessed by the Caledonian MacBrayne ferry from Fionnphort on the Isle of Mull. A regular service operates and it’s a short....

Up, Up And Away!

Added 01/09/2011 to Whisperer Blogs, Features & Articles

Excellent news regard the class of 2011.

Both White-tailed sea eagle chicks have fledged successfully from the nest I had a licence to film in 2011.....

The Butterfly Bush

Added 14/08/2011 to Whisperer Blogs, Features & Articles

The Butterfly Bush Buddleja Davidii the ultimate nectar source for Butterflies!

Most of us will have heard of this species and may already have a couple of bushes planted in the back garden....

Sea Eagle Update

Added 14/08/2011 to Whisperer Blogs, Features & Articles

Well its been a bit manic since i left the Isle of Mull in Scotland.

The birth of our Son Harry has taken up most of our time both day and night!

Good news so far on our eagles. Our chicks are going from strength to strength and will be thinking about that maiden flight sometime during the next couple of weeks....