The scorpion crop circle that stung the maker

The Scorpion Crop Circle at East Field
The “Scorpion” crop circle at East Field (near Alton Barnes, Wiltshire) in late July 2010 stands out as one of the most dramatic and controversial episodes of the crop circle era. Terry Roderick was reportedly caught in the act of making part of the formation by Dave Evans (“Cosmic Dave”) and a Norwegian film crew, though the footage was never released. The formation was later completed in stages, raising questions about whether Terry alone finished it or if other circle makers stepped in to protect the mystery.

The Scorpion Formation
• Date & Location: July 2010, East Field near Alton Barnes, Wiltshire — one of the most famous crop circle sites in the world.
• Design: A large scorpion-like pictogram, striking in its segmented body and tail, regarded as one of the season’s most memorable designs.
• Cultural Context: The years 2009–2010 are often described as the last great peak of the crop circle phenomenon, when formations were at their most elaborate and public interest remained high despite growing scepticism.

The Incident
• Terry Roderick Caught: Eyewitness accounts suggest Terry was discovered mid‑construction by Dave Evans (known in the scene as “Cosmic Dave”) and a Norwegian film crew. Evans captured several long‑exposure photographs from the top of Knapp Hill, showing makers active in East Field.
• Unreleased Footage: The Norwegian crew reportedly filmed Terry (who also Identified Terry as the maker) still working on the circle but chose not to release the footage, possibly to avoid undermining the mystery or alienating believers.

Stage Construction:
• Stage 1: Terry was caught during the initial phase of the design.
• Stages 2 & 3: The formation was expanded on subsequent nights. It remains unclear whether Terry himself returned or if sympathetic circle makers completed it to maintain the illusion of a “mystical” origin.

Why It Matters
• Belief vs. Exposure: The Scorpion case highlights the tension between circle makers as artists/pranksters and believers seeking paranormal explanations.
• Community Dynamics: Some makers may have finished the design in solidarity, attempting to preserve the credibility of crop circles as unexplained phenomena.
• Historical Significance: The Scorpion is emblematic of the late era of crop circles, when artistry, secrecy, and myth collided in public debate.

Key Takeaway
The Scorpion crop circle was not just another formation — it became a flashpoint in the debate over authenticity, blending artistry, secrecy, and myth. Whether Terry alone or a collective completed it, the event underscores how crop circles were as much about human drama and belief systems as about the patterns themselves.

Unedited raw images of the scorpion forming by makers, as captured by Cosmic Dave 
Cosmic Dave(C)2010

Stage one - where Terry gets caught

Stage two - additions are made

Stage three - the completion

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Terry Roderick - one of the best circle makers in Wiltshire

You can sense Dave's frustration 

How It All Unfolded
It began with Cosmic Dave perched high on Knapp Hill, camera in hand, capturing long‑exposure shots of makers moving in East Field. Realizing the significance of what he was witnessing, Dave wasted no time. He phoned a trusted researcher, who in turn alerted Roy Lerand and Igor Byttebier:

At that very moment, Roy, a Norwegian filmmaker, was in Wiltshire shooting a documentary on crop circles. His project would later air on Norwegian television and be released as a DVD titled Crop Circles: Embrace the Mystery. Strangely, that DVD has since all but vanished, becoming nearly impossible to find. Some suggest its disappearance was no accident — that the film contained inaccuracies.
Digging through archives, I hoped to uncover the missing footage. Instead, I found only a single screen shot from the documentary and Igor’s own confirmation that they had indeed received that urgent phone call in the early hours, warning them of a circle forming in East Field.
When Roy and Igor arrived, they did more than observe. They interviewed Terry Roderick right there in the field — while Terry, bashful but unflinching, continued to shape the Scorpion formation. His assistants fled into the night, but Terry simply carried on, talking to the filmmakers as if nothing were amiss.
The result was extraordinary: a rare moment where the veil between mystery and human hand was lifted, yet never fully revealed.
The Unreleased Truth
And here lies the frustration: the footage exists, but remains locked away. The documentary aired, the DVD was pressed, and then — silence. No public release of the raw material, no chance for the wider world to see Terry at work.
Oh dear Roy… please, release the footage!

Igor filmed by Roy as they entered East Field. Sadly the footage has been supressed

Im still searching the archives - if I find anymore I will update this page.

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