Butterfly Conservation (Dorset Branch)
@dorsetbutterflies.bsky.social
We are the Dorset Branch of Butterfly Conservation. Butterfly Conservation (BC) is a UK-wide organisation with 32 branches working together to help butterflies and moths.
www.dorsetbutterflies.com
www.dorsetbutterflies.com
Reposted by Butterfly Conservation (Dorset Branch)
A very cold but sunny lunchtime walk at Southbourne Undercliff today, with air temperatures only 6C but probably warmer on the promenade.
Yet there was still "Butterfly" activity to see.
4 Clouded Yellow eggs plus 2 caterpillars found and amazingly a Red Admiral out basking.
Southbourne
Dorset.
Yet there was still "Butterfly" activity to see.
4 Clouded Yellow eggs plus 2 caterpillars found and amazingly a Red Admiral out basking.
Southbourne
Dorset.
November 20, 2025 at 5:19 PM
A very cold but sunny lunchtime walk at Southbourne Undercliff today, with air temperatures only 6C but probably warmer on the promenade.
Yet there was still "Butterfly" activity to see.
4 Clouded Yellow eggs plus 2 caterpillars found and amazingly a Red Admiral out basking.
Southbourne
Dorset.
Yet there was still "Butterfly" activity to see.
4 Clouded Yellow eggs plus 2 caterpillars found and amazingly a Red Admiral out basking.
Southbourne
Dorset.
Reposted by Butterfly Conservation (Dorset Branch)
Well it's 21st November and I saw 2 male Clouded Yellows today at Southbourne, Bournemouth. There were probably more looking at other photos. Beautiful sunny day on the coast.
November 21, 2025 at 4:36 PM
Well it's 21st November and I saw 2 male Clouded Yellows today at Southbourne, Bournemouth. There were probably more looking at other photos. Beautiful sunny day on the coast.
Reposted by Butterfly Conservation (Dorset Branch)
4 Clouded Yellow on the wing along the seafront at lunchtime. Looks promising for adults flying locally into December. @dorsetbutterflies.bsky.social
November 21, 2025 at 2:43 PM
4 Clouded Yellow on the wing along the seafront at lunchtime. Looks promising for adults flying locally into December. @dorsetbutterflies.bsky.social
Reposted by Butterfly Conservation (Dorset Branch)
For 30 years there has been one species firmly at the top of my hit-list: Crimson Speckled. 30 years ago they had an almost mythical status, now more regular of course. So I was beyond elated to find this in one of the traps this morning!!! @migrantmothuk.bsky.social @dorsetmoths.bsky.social
November 15, 2025 at 9:40 AM
For 30 years there has been one species firmly at the top of my hit-list: Crimson Speckled. 30 years ago they had an almost mythical status, now more regular of course. So I was beyond elated to find this in one of the traps this morning!!! @migrantmothuk.bsky.social @dorsetmoths.bsky.social
Reposted by Butterfly Conservation (Dorset Branch)
Good turn out for our first Brown Hairstreak egg count at Lydlinch Common.Eggs thin in the ground though with just 13 found in 2 hrs by 9 people. But we did find a nice double and a dew covered Drinker moth caterpillar. @dorsetbutterflies.bsky.social
November 15, 2025 at 1:30 PM
Good turn out for our first Brown Hairstreak egg count at Lydlinch Common.Eggs thin in the ground though with just 13 found in 2 hrs by 9 people. But we did find a nice double and a dew covered Drinker moth caterpillar. @dorsetbutterflies.bsky.social
Reposted by Butterfly Conservation (Dorset Branch)
Yesterday the wonderful Phil Sterling came to Studland to tell us about some unique moths of Purbeck, and we’ve got some real goodies and some real weirdos. Who’d have thought Bagworms were so devious! @dorsetbutterflies.bsky.social @dorsetmoths.bsky.social
November 13, 2025 at 9:51 AM
Yesterday the wonderful Phil Sterling came to Studland to tell us about some unique moths of Purbeck, and we’ve got some real goodies and some real weirdos. Who’d have thought Bagworms were so devious! @dorsetbutterflies.bsky.social @dorsetmoths.bsky.social
Reposted by Butterfly Conservation (Dorset Branch)
The 2025 season goes on down here in Swanage. A rather tatty Painted Lady today 13 November @dorsetbutterflies.bsky.social
November 13, 2025 at 12:10 PM
The 2025 season goes on down here in Swanage. A rather tatty Painted Lady today 13 November @dorsetbutterflies.bsky.social
Huge thanks to Nigel Spring who is stepping down as Chair after many years of superb leadership of our Branch. We are grateful that he is staying on the Committee and as Reserves Manager. A true great of conservation @savebutterflies.bsky.social
November 8, 2025 at 7:17 PM
Huge thanks to Nigel Spring who is stepping down as Chair after many years of superb leadership of our Branch. We are grateful that he is staying on the Committee and as Reserves Manager. A true great of conservation @savebutterflies.bsky.social
Caroline Bulman explains action to save priority butterflies in Dorset, especially the Duke of Burgundy which is now found on only 6 small sites. It has died out from several nature reserves and requires careful management. Action is now being taken on the last few sites under a special grant.
November 8, 2025 at 3:42 PM
Caroline Bulman explains action to save priority butterflies in Dorset, especially the Duke of Burgundy which is now found on only 6 small sites. It has died out from several nature reserves and requires careful management. Action is now being taken on the last few sites under a special grant.
Wonderful to see so many butterfly and moth enthusiasts at our AGM and Members Day. Great to hear so much super work being done by our dedicated volunteers
November 8, 2025 at 3:23 PM
Wonderful to see so many butterfly and moth enthusiasts at our AGM and Members Day. Great to hear so much super work being done by our dedicated volunteers
Reposted by Butterfly Conservation (Dorset Branch)
Rather bedraggled helice form of Clouded Yellow at Chapmans Pool in south Dorset just now. This remarkable long season goes on @dorsetbutterflies.bsky.social @savebutterflies.bsky.social @richardfoxbc.bsky.social
November 8, 2025 at 11:11 AM
Rather bedraggled helice form of Clouded Yellow at Chapmans Pool in south Dorset just now. This remarkable long season goes on @dorsetbutterflies.bsky.social @savebutterflies.bsky.social @richardfoxbc.bsky.social
Reposted by Butterfly Conservation (Dorset Branch)
Crimson Speckled currently settled in the Crown Estate Field
November 8, 2025 at 11:11 AM
Crimson Speckled currently settled in the Crown Estate Field
Reposted by Butterfly Conservation (Dorset Branch)
We heard some wonderful stories of amazing recovery of Dukes in Sussex from Neil Hulme and Kent from Dan Tuson, and latest survey methods from Sue Clarke. Very inspiring
November 7, 2025 at 6:57 PM
We heard some wonderful stories of amazing recovery of Dukes in Sussex from Neil Hulme and Kent from Dan Tuson, and latest survey methods from Sue Clarke. Very inspiring
Reposted by Butterfly Conservation (Dorset Branch)
It was so good to hear that in other parts of the country, concerted efforts at both site and landscape level have returned Duke of Burgundy to old haunts and newly created habitat. There is hope in Dorset yet!
We heard some wonderful stories of amazing recovery of Dukes in Sussex from Neil Hulme and Kent from Dan Tuson, and latest survey methods from Sue Clarke. Very inspiring
November 7, 2025 at 10:21 PM
It was so good to hear that in other parts of the country, concerted efforts at both site and landscape level have returned Duke of Burgundy to old haunts and newly created habitat. There is hope in Dorset yet!
Reposted by Butterfly Conservation (Dorset Branch)
Fantastic turnout for our Duke of Burgundy workshop for land advisors in Dorset. So much interest in saving this lovely butterfly which is down to 6 small colonies in Dorset. Funded thanks to Farming in Protected Landscapes grant with Hilfield Friary and @dorsetbutterflies.bsky.social
November 6, 2025 at 11:43 AM
Fantastic turnout for our Duke of Burgundy workshop for land advisors in Dorset. So much interest in saving this lovely butterfly which is down to 6 small colonies in Dorset. Funded thanks to Farming in Protected Landscapes grant with Hilfield Friary and @dorsetbutterflies.bsky.social
Amazing record of a Deaths-head Hawk-moth in Swanage. Well done Phyl @dorsetmoths.bsky.social
November 7, 2025 at 9:11 AM
Amazing record of a Deaths-head Hawk-moth in Swanage. Well done Phyl @dorsetmoths.bsky.social
A reminder that our AGM is this Saturday in Cerne Abbas. Please join us if you can www.dorsetbutterflies.com/events/
Events
Please book with the event leader in advance – anytime up to the afternoon before the event. Please include your mobile phone number and email address, as we may have to contact you if number…
www.dorsetbutterflies.com
November 6, 2025 at 7:59 AM
A reminder that our AGM is this Saturday in Cerne Abbas. Please join us if you can www.dorsetbutterflies.com/events/
Reposted by Butterfly Conservation (Dorset Branch)
A meagre 14 moths of 7sp last night in Corfe Castle, but worth it for two Feathered Thorns #Teammoth @dorsetbutterflies.bsky.social @dorsetmoths.bsky.social
November 5, 2025 at 11:41 AM
A meagre 14 moths of 7sp last night in Corfe Castle, but worth it for two Feathered Thorns #Teammoth @dorsetbutterflies.bsky.social @dorsetmoths.bsky.social
Reposted by Butterfly Conservation (Dorset Branch)
I found three Brown Hairstreak eggs today during a casual search at the Dorset patch....still too much leaf on the Blackthorn bushes at present to search for more! @dorsetbutterflies.bsky.social
October 30, 2025 at 7:45 PM
I found three Brown Hairstreak eggs today during a casual search at the Dorset patch....still too much leaf on the Blackthorn bushes at present to search for more! @dorsetbutterflies.bsky.social
Reposted by Butterfly Conservation (Dorset Branch)
Saving Brown hairstreak eggs from the flail today. Relocating them on the same site where they can hatch next spring and progress as caterpillars. 55 eggs from 105 mins search bodes well for the coming winter survey. @dorsetbutterflies.bsky.social @savebutterflies.bsky.social
October 28, 2025 at 2:47 PM
Saving Brown hairstreak eggs from the flail today. Relocating them on the same site where they can hatch next spring and progress as caterpillars. 55 eggs from 105 mins search bodes well for the coming winter survey. @dorsetbutterflies.bsky.social @savebutterflies.bsky.social
Reposted by Butterfly Conservation (Dorset Branch)
It may be late October but still have a couple of Speckled Wood in my Poole garden 😀 @dorsetbutterflies.bsky.social
October 28, 2025 at 3:32 PM
It may be late October but still have a couple of Speckled Wood in my Poole garden 😀 @dorsetbutterflies.bsky.social
Reposted by Butterfly Conservation (Dorset Branch)
Here is some of the work we did today creating bays in the encroaching scrub, partly to create sheltered areas for males to set up territories and partly to encourage cowslips regeneration @dorsetbutterflies.bsky.social @savebutterflies.bsky.social
October 30, 2025 at 5:56 PM
Here is some of the work we did today creating bays in the encroaching scrub, partly to create sheltered areas for males to set up territories and partly to encourage cowslips regeneration @dorsetbutterflies.bsky.social @savebutterflies.bsky.social
Reposted by Butterfly Conservation (Dorset Branch)
Great to start our first task to save the Duke of Burgundy in Dorset. It’s reduced to 6 small colonies and we will be managing 5 of them under a Farming in Protected Landscapes grant. We are grateful to the private owners for permission and EUCAN and @dorsetbutterflies.bsky.social for expertise
October 30, 2025 at 10:26 AM
Great to start our first task to save the Duke of Burgundy in Dorset. It’s reduced to 6 small colonies and we will be managing 5 of them under a Farming in Protected Landscapes grant. We are grateful to the private owners for permission and EUCAN and @dorsetbutterflies.bsky.social for expertise
Reposted by Butterfly Conservation (Dorset Branch)
📢New paper: Night-flying insects over UK in decline, weather radar study reveals @universityofleeds.bsky.social with Rothamsted Insect Survey🦋🐝🪰🦟
Full story 👇
www.rothamsted.ac.uk/news/trillio...
Full story 👇
www.rothamsted.ac.uk/news/trillio...
October 27, 2025 at 10:12 AM
📢New paper: Night-flying insects over UK in decline, weather radar study reveals @universityofleeds.bsky.social with Rothamsted Insect Survey🦋🐝🪰🦟
Full story 👇
www.rothamsted.ac.uk/news/trillio...
Full story 👇
www.rothamsted.ac.uk/news/trillio...
Reposted by Butterfly Conservation (Dorset Branch)
Nice to see some late autumn butterflies enjoying the sunshine in the shelter from the cold NW wind today. South Somerset @savebutterflies.bsky.social
October 25, 2025 at 6:01 PM
Nice to see some late autumn butterflies enjoying the sunshine in the shelter from the cold NW wind today. South Somerset @savebutterflies.bsky.social