Steve Andrews's Blog, page 3
February 23, 2020
Natterjack Toads are very rare in the UK but breed in pools at the side of the road in Portugal
Natterjacks like temporary pools and puddles
Natterjack Toad (Photo by Bernard DUPONT)
The Natterjack Toad (Epidalea calamita) is one of the rarest amphibians in the UK and only found in several scattered colonies in coastal areas in England, Scotland and one in Wales where it has been reintroduced. It is the only native species of toad in Ireland where it lives in a few locations. In many
Natterjack Toad (Photo by Bernard DUPONT)
The Natterjack Toad (Epidalea calamita) is one of the rarest amphibians in the UK and only found in several scattered colonies in coastal areas in England, Scotland and one in Wales where it has been reintroduced. It is the only native species of toad in Ireland where it lives in a few locations. In many
February 19, 2020
Searching for Birthwort with the Spanish Festoon Butterfly
Searching for Birthwort with the Spanish Festoon Butterfly
Spanish Festoon (Photo: Steve Andrews)
The Spanish Festoon (Zerynthia rumina) is a very pretty butterfly in the Papilionidae or Swallowtail butterfly family. It has strikingly patterned wings of yellow, red and dark brown with zig-zag markings on its hindwings. It is found in Spain, Portugal, North Africa and southern France. I have
Spanish Festoon (Photo: Steve Andrews)
The Spanish Festoon (Zerynthia rumina) is a very pretty butterfly in the Papilionidae or Swallowtail butterfly family. It has strikingly patterned wings of yellow, red and dark brown with zig-zag markings on its hindwings. It is found in Spain, Portugal, North Africa and southern France. I have
February 16, 2020
The Angel of Death
The Angel of Death
Angel of Death (Azrael) by Evelyn De Morgan (Public Domain)
It was in the not too distant future when the nightmare scenario devastated the western world, and led to the final collapse of life as we know it. A 100% lethal mutated virus had been spawned in the labs of insane scientists. There was no known cure for the Angel of Death, which spread by contact, as well as via
Angel of Death (Azrael) by Evelyn De Morgan (Public Domain)
It was in the not too distant future when the nightmare scenario devastated the western world, and led to the final collapse of life as we know it. A 100% lethal mutated virus had been spawned in the labs of insane scientists. There was no known cure for the Angel of Death, which spread by contact, as well as via
February 15, 2020
Where Does All The Plastic Go? Gets Media Coverage
My protest song about plastic pollution entitled Where Does All The Plastic Go? has had some great media coverage, but it needs a lot more. The song has been featured in a national newspaper in Portugal and in a recent book from Italy. It would be wonderful if the British mainstream media would report on it too.
The Portugal News
Last September, The Portugal News included an article
The Portugal News
Last September, The Portugal News included an article
November 11, 2019
My Protest Songs and Songs About the Environment
With the ongoing Climate Crisis and serious threat of extinction for so many species I have been writing and performing protests songs and songs that draw attention to the environment and to dangers to the wildlife of the world. I have four songs like this on my recent album Songs of the Now and Then, which is released in CD format and as a digital release on bandcamp, and was produced by 
October 28, 2019
Grass growing after the rain is a help to some butterfly species
After the rains in Portugal
New grass blades - Photo: Steve Andrews
Drought-stricken Portugal has at last had the autumn rains arrive. The land is swiftly going green again. One type of plant that quickly recovers and shoots from dormant seeds is any one of most species of grass. This is wonderful news for many butterfly species that need grass for their caterpillars.
Speckled Wood -
New grass blades - Photo: Steve Andrews
Drought-stricken Portugal has at last had the autumn rains arrive. The land is swiftly going green again. One type of plant that quickly recovers and shoots from dormant seeds is any one of most species of grass. This is wonderful news for many butterfly species that need grass for their caterpillars.
Speckled Wood -
October 24, 2019
How a Supermarket Shrub Border Could Be A Butterfly Garden
My idea for a butterfly garden at the local supermarket
The shrub border and ground overlooking the supermarket
Every time I go to my nearest Continente supermarket branch here in Quinta do Conde, Portugal, I spend some time looking at the wildlife and plants growing in on a bank that overlooks the store and is planted in parts as a shrub border. Clumps of Lantana when in bloom attract
The shrub border and ground overlooking the supermarket
Every time I go to my nearest Continente supermarket branch here in Quinta do Conde, Portugal, I spend some time looking at the wildlife and plants growing in on a bank that overlooks the store and is planted in parts as a shrub border. Clumps of Lantana when in bloom attract
October 19, 2019
The Butterfly Guy
You can call me "The Butterfly Guy."
Steve Andrews The Butterfly Guy in Lisbon
I am becoming known for being a “Butterfly Guy,” because I rear butterflies and share my achievements on social media. I also gave a talk on the subject of Butterfly Gardening to a gardening club in the Algarve a year or so back, and wrote about the subject for Mediterranean Gardening and Outdoor Living magazine.
Steve Andrews The Butterfly Guy in Lisbon
I am becoming known for being a “Butterfly Guy,” because I rear butterflies and share my achievements on social media. I also gave a talk on the subject of Butterfly Gardening to a gardening club in the Algarve a year or so back, and wrote about the subject for Mediterranean Gardening and Outdoor Living magazine.
September 15, 2019
What Do Butterflies Do In A Drought in Portugal When Their Food-plants Are Dead?
How do Small Coppers and Meadow Browns survive a drought?
Small Copper (Lycaena phlaeas) Photo in Public Domain/Pixabay
As I walk the burning sandy path through local scrub and woodland here in Portugal I often wonder where do the remaining butterfly females lay their eggs? The once lush vegetation has been shrivelled in the heat of the ongoing drought and what is left is tinder-dry and
Small Copper (Lycaena phlaeas) Photo in Public Domain/Pixabay
As I walk the burning sandy path through local scrub and woodland here in Portugal I often wonder where do the remaining butterfly females lay their eggs? The once lush vegetation has been shrivelled in the heat of the ongoing drought and what is left is tinder-dry and
July 6, 2019
Watching the Desertification of Portugal
Climate Breakdown and Desertification
Dried up pond (Photo: Steve Andrews)
I have been living in Portugal since late 2014 and over the years have been watching the changes in the weather and to the countryside. Every year we have had very hot weather and wildfires and droughts are becoming the new ‘normal’ here due to Climate Breakdown. It is getting worse and I feel I am watching the early
Dried up pond (Photo: Steve Andrews)
I have been living in Portugal since late 2014 and over the years have been watching the changes in the weather and to the countryside. Every year we have had very hot weather and wildfires and droughts are becoming the new ‘normal’ here due to Climate Breakdown. It is getting worse and I feel I am watching the early
