@benjmatkinson.bsky.social
Lyscombe ranger for Dorset Wildlife Trust (views on here are my own). Interested in all things nature conservation, but especially birds, botany, butterflies, coppicing and rewilding.
Some fantastic fungi have appeared at Lyscombe recently.
White coral, masses of honey fungus, fairy ink-caps and the gorgeous coloured, and quite rare, splendid waxcap!
@dorsetwildlife.bsky.social
White coral, masses of honey fungus, fairy ink-caps and the gorgeous coloured, and quite rare, splendid waxcap!
@dorsetwildlife.bsky.social
October 29, 2025 at 8:35 PM
Some fantastic fungi have appeared at Lyscombe recently.
White coral, masses of honey fungus, fairy ink-caps and the gorgeous coloured, and quite rare, splendid waxcap!
@dorsetwildlife.bsky.social
White coral, masses of honey fungus, fairy ink-caps and the gorgeous coloured, and quite rare, splendid waxcap!
@dorsetwildlife.bsky.social
Reposted
HUGE numbers of Adonis Blue at Fontmell Down in North Dorset today, over 200 in 30 mins, one every 5m in places. Just like the old days. Also 4 Silver-spotted Skipper. Grazing looks perfect, but mighty dry. Well done @dorsetwildlife.bsky.social
August 22, 2025 at 3:01 PM
HUGE numbers of Adonis Blue at Fontmell Down in North Dorset today, over 200 in 30 mins, one every 5m in places. Just like the old days. Also 4 Silver-spotted Skipper. Grazing looks perfect, but mighty dry. Well done @dorsetwildlife.bsky.social
Nice to see a family group of spotted flycatchers at Lyscombe on Friday. There were two wheatear hanging out on site this week as well. @dorsetbirdclub.bsky.social @dorsetwildlife.bsky.social
August 23, 2025 at 6:02 PM
Nice to see a family group of spotted flycatchers at Lyscombe on Friday. There were two wheatear hanging out on site this week as well. @dorsetbirdclub.bsky.social @dorsetwildlife.bsky.social
The Lyscombe longhorns keeping cool in the shade this week
@dorsetwildlife.bsky.social
@dorsetwildlife.bsky.social
July 11, 2025 at 12:32 PM
The Lyscombe longhorns keeping cool in the shade this week
@dorsetwildlife.bsky.social
@dorsetwildlife.bsky.social
Chocks away! A day of drone flying at Lyscombe today. Getting some footage to showcase the reserve and help illustrate our plans for the site.
@dorsetwildlife.bsky.social
@dorsetwildlife.bsky.social
July 2, 2025 at 7:24 PM
Chocks away! A day of drone flying at Lyscombe today. Getting some footage to showcase the reserve and help illustrate our plans for the site.
@dorsetwildlife.bsky.social
@dorsetwildlife.bsky.social
A pair of small blues seen mating yesterday at Lyscombe. A potential second brood in a few weeks time?
Exciting to find this species already doing well on the reserve, suitable habitat will increase significantly over the coming years 😀
@dorsetwildlife.bsky.social
@dorsetbutterflies.bsky.social
Exciting to find this species already doing well on the reserve, suitable habitat will increase significantly over the coming years 😀
@dorsetwildlife.bsky.social
@dorsetbutterflies.bsky.social
July 1, 2025 at 9:41 PM
A pair of small blues seen mating yesterday at Lyscombe. A potential second brood in a few weeks time?
Exciting to find this species already doing well on the reserve, suitable habitat will increase significantly over the coming years 😀
@dorsetwildlife.bsky.social
@dorsetbutterflies.bsky.social
Exciting to find this species already doing well on the reserve, suitable habitat will increase significantly over the coming years 😀
@dorsetwildlife.bsky.social
@dorsetbutterflies.bsky.social
A small skipper nectaring on rough hawkbit today at Lyscombe. @dorsetwildlife.bsky.social @dorsetbutterflies.bsky.social
June 19, 2025 at 6:59 PM
A small skipper nectaring on rough hawkbit today at Lyscombe. @dorsetwildlife.bsky.social @dorsetbutterflies.bsky.social
A good moth trap at Lyscombe this week. Some nice finds including a grass rivulet, a rare moth in Dorset whose larvae feed on the seed capsules of yellow rattle. 3 hawk-moths elephant, small elephant and privet 🙂@dorsetwildlife.bsky.social @dorsetmoths.bsky.social @dorsetbutterflies.bsky.social
June 13, 2025 at 9:18 AM
A good moth trap at Lyscombe this week. Some nice finds including a grass rivulet, a rare moth in Dorset whose larvae feed on the seed capsules of yellow rattle. 3 hawk-moths elephant, small elephant and privet 🙂@dorsetwildlife.bsky.social @dorsetmoths.bsky.social @dorsetbutterflies.bsky.social
This moth is proving tricky to ID. Dog's tooth, dusky brocade, alder moth?! Anyone got a suggestion?
@dorsetmoths.bsky.social @mothiduk.bsky.social
@dorsetmoths.bsky.social @mothiduk.bsky.social
June 10, 2025 at 2:48 PM
This moth is proving tricky to ID. Dog's tooth, dusky brocade, alder moth?! Anyone got a suggestion?
@dorsetmoths.bsky.social @mothiduk.bsky.social
@dorsetmoths.bsky.social @mothiduk.bsky.social
I was priveleged to see this calf born last week at Lyscombe.
Longhorn's are known for being easy calvers and this first time mum was no exception. Looking forward to seeing this and the other calves grow up and enjoy exploring Lyscombe. @dorsetwildlife.bsky.social
Longhorn's are known for being easy calvers and this first time mum was no exception. Looking forward to seeing this and the other calves grow up and enjoy exploring Lyscombe. @dorsetwildlife.bsky.social
May 28, 2025 at 7:25 PM
I was priveleged to see this calf born last week at Lyscombe.
Longhorn's are known for being easy calvers and this first time mum was no exception. Looking forward to seeing this and the other calves grow up and enjoy exploring Lyscombe. @dorsetwildlife.bsky.social
Longhorn's are known for being easy calvers and this first time mum was no exception. Looking forward to seeing this and the other calves grow up and enjoy exploring Lyscombe. @dorsetwildlife.bsky.social
A short visit to @dorsetwildlife.bsky.social Higer Hyde Heath today. Very pleased to see a couple of silver-studded blues, sand lizards a smooth snake and a hairy rove beetle!
@dorsetbutterflies.bsky.social
@dorsetbutterflies.bsky.social
May 25, 2025 at 12:39 PM
A short visit to @dorsetwildlife.bsky.social Higer Hyde Heath today. Very pleased to see a couple of silver-studded blues, sand lizards a smooth snake and a hairy rove beetle!
@dorsetbutterflies.bsky.social
@dorsetbutterflies.bsky.social
Reposted
Our 2025 Events Programme is out now!
Many thanks to Tom Smith for his hours of work in pulling this together, and also to all our event hosts. There's a whopping 29 on the list – for all the important details, please see the full programme here:
derc.org.uk/dorset-flora...
Many thanks to Tom Smith for his hours of work in pulling this together, and also to all our event hosts. There's a whopping 29 on the list – for all the important details, please see the full programme here:
derc.org.uk/dorset-flora...
March 31, 2025 at 3:22 PM
Our 2025 Events Programme is out now!
Many thanks to Tom Smith for his hours of work in pulling this together, and also to all our event hosts. There's a whopping 29 on the list – for all the important details, please see the full programme here:
derc.org.uk/dorset-flora...
Many thanks to Tom Smith for his hours of work in pulling this together, and also to all our event hosts. There's a whopping 29 on the list – for all the important details, please see the full programme here:
derc.org.uk/dorset-flora...
A beautiful day in the sunshine at Lyscombe. Great to spot a green hairstreak, lots of dingy skippers too. Early purple orchids flowering, wild garlic and a spotted flycatcher 😀
@dorsetwildlife.bsky.social @dorsetbutterflies.bsky.social @dorsetbirdclub.bsky.social @dorsetflora.bsky.social
@dorsetwildlife.bsky.social @dorsetbutterflies.bsky.social @dorsetbirdclub.bsky.social @dorsetflora.bsky.social
April 29, 2025 at 5:06 PM
A beautiful day in the sunshine at Lyscombe. Great to spot a green hairstreak, lots of dingy skippers too. Early purple orchids flowering, wild garlic and a spotted flycatcher 😀
@dorsetwildlife.bsky.social @dorsetbutterflies.bsky.social @dorsetbirdclub.bsky.social @dorsetflora.bsky.social
@dorsetwildlife.bsky.social @dorsetbutterflies.bsky.social @dorsetbirdclub.bsky.social @dorsetflora.bsky.social
Bluebells under the oaks at Lyscombe today 🙂
@dorsetwildlife.bsky.social
@dorsetwildlife.bsky.social
April 28, 2025 at 9:11 PM
Bluebells under the oaks at Lyscombe today 🙂
@dorsetwildlife.bsky.social
@dorsetwildlife.bsky.social
The first of the seasons bird surveys this morning at Lyscombe. 3 wheatears down in the bowl. Corn buntings, whitethroats, willow warblers and a garden warbler also heard.
@dorsetbirdclub.bsky.social
@dorsetbirdclub.bsky.social
April 15, 2025 at 11:32 AM
The first of the seasons bird surveys this morning at Lyscombe. 3 wheatears down in the bowl. Corn buntings, whitethroats, willow warblers and a garden warbler also heard.
@dorsetbirdclub.bsky.social
@dorsetbirdclub.bsky.social
Brilliant to now have some ponies at Lyscombe 😀
Last week we welcomed 3 konik ponies to Lyscombe nature reserve. Konik ponies are a hardy primitive breed, originally from Poland. Their close resemblance to the now-extinct wild horse, the tarpan, makes them ideal for conservation grazing and rewilding projects like Lyscombe. 🐎
April 10, 2025 at 5:05 PM
Brilliant to now have some ponies at Lyscombe 😀
Some early spider orchids from Dancing ledge on the Dorset coast at the end of March. There will be loads more flowering by now I'm sure. @bsbibotany.bsky.social @dorsetflora.bsky.social @ukorchids.bsky.social
April 8, 2025 at 4:41 PM
Some early spider orchids from Dancing ledge on the Dorset coast at the end of March. There will be loads more flowering by now I'm sure. @bsbibotany.bsky.social @dorsetflora.bsky.social @ukorchids.bsky.social
Reposted
Do you love connecting people with wildlife? 👀🦋 We have an exciting opportunity to join the centres team, based at Kingcombe Visitor Centre sitting within Kingcombe National Nature Reserve. 🙌 Find out more here 👉 bit.ly/3XQxcxH ~Jack
Closing date: Thurs 10 April
Closing date: Thurs 10 April
April 7, 2025 at 11:08 AM
Do you love connecting people with wildlife? 👀🦋 We have an exciting opportunity to join the centres team, based at Kingcombe Visitor Centre sitting within Kingcombe National Nature Reserve. 🙌 Find out more here 👉 bit.ly/3XQxcxH ~Jack
Closing date: Thurs 10 April
Closing date: Thurs 10 April
Delighted to find this female black redstart hanging out at Lyscombe chapel this afternoon 😀 @dorsetbirdclub.bsky.social @dorsetwildlife.bsky.social
April 7, 2025 at 2:55 PM
Delighted to find this female black redstart hanging out at Lyscombe chapel this afternoon 😀 @dorsetbirdclub.bsky.social @dorsetwildlife.bsky.social
Reposted
Never been a more important time to join your local Wildlife Trust and support action for nature 💚
🙌🏻
www.wildlifetrusts.org/blog/craig-b...
🙌🏻
www.wildlifetrusts.org/blog/craig-b...
Nature as a scapegoat has to stop – it's time to address nature security | The Wildlife Trusts
This week marks five years since Craig Bennett joined The Wildlife Trusts as Chief Executive. He reflects on the seismic changes in that time – from a global pandemic to environmental policy shifts – ...
www.wildlifetrusts.org
April 4, 2025 at 4:42 PM
Never been a more important time to join your local Wildlife Trust and support action for nature 💚
🙌🏻
www.wildlifetrusts.org/blog/craig-b...
🙌🏻
www.wildlifetrusts.org/blog/craig-b...
My first 2 swallows of the year today over Lyscombe 😀 @dorsetbirdclub.bsky.social @dorsetwildlife.bsky.social
April 2, 2025 at 7:48 PM
My first 2 swallows of the year today over Lyscombe 😀 @dorsetbirdclub.bsky.social @dorsetwildlife.bsky.social
Bluebells and blue turkey tails at Lyscombe today 😀
@dorsetwildlife.bsky.social @bsbibotany.bsky.social
@dorsetwildlife.bsky.social @bsbibotany.bsky.social
March 27, 2025 at 8:08 PM
Bluebells and blue turkey tails at Lyscombe today 😀
@dorsetwildlife.bsky.social @bsbibotany.bsky.social
@dorsetwildlife.bsky.social @bsbibotany.bsky.social
Found this today at Lyscombe, initially thought lesser stag beetle but on second glance could it be a female stag? Red tinge to the elytra @coleopsoc.bsky.social @brianecambs.bsky.social
March 27, 2025 at 7:22 PM
Found this today at Lyscombe, initially thought lesser stag beetle but on second glance could it be a female stag? Red tinge to the elytra @coleopsoc.bsky.social @brianecambs.bsky.social
Reposted
Sneak peek of exciting news! 😀 In April, we’re launching a new UK-wide pilot survey of birds in greenspaces & we need your help! 🐦 We’ll be looking for people to record birds in greenspaces like parks, cemeteries & sports pitches. 📝 Keep an eye on our social media for updates on how to take part.
March 26, 2025 at 6:00 PM
Sneak peek of exciting news! 😀 In April, we’re launching a new UK-wide pilot survey of birds in greenspaces & we need your help! 🐦 We’ll be looking for people to record birds in greenspaces like parks, cemeteries & sports pitches. 📝 Keep an eye on our social media for updates on how to take part.
People and wildlife busy at Lyscombe today! Walkers passing through on a long distance challenge event. Violet oil beetles laying eggs and marsh marigolds flowering, with greenfinch, skylark and chiffchaff singing 😀
@dorsetwildlife.bsky.social @dorsetbirdclub.bsky.social @dorsetflora.bsky.social
@dorsetwildlife.bsky.social @dorsetbirdclub.bsky.social @dorsetflora.bsky.social
March 23, 2025 at 12:41 PM
People and wildlife busy at Lyscombe today! Walkers passing through on a long distance challenge event. Violet oil beetles laying eggs and marsh marigolds flowering, with greenfinch, skylark and chiffchaff singing 😀
@dorsetwildlife.bsky.social @dorsetbirdclub.bsky.social @dorsetflora.bsky.social
@dorsetwildlife.bsky.social @dorsetbirdclub.bsky.social @dorsetflora.bsky.social