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
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
Grizzled Skipper now out in Dorset. Three seen at Badbury Rings today by Tracy Whincup
April 7, 2025 at 7:56 PM
Grizzled Skipper now out in Dorset. Three seen at Badbury Rings today by Tracy Whincup
A Branch member just sent this pic: “I watched this Brimstone flying close to the ground, it landed, and suddenly keeled over, and lay flat. It didn't move, so I gently touched it, but it didn't react. It seemed like it had just died right in front of me!” Anyone seen this or have any ideas??
April 5, 2025 at 3:14 PM
A Branch member just sent this pic: “I watched this Brimstone flying close to the ground, it landed, and suddenly keeled over, and lay flat. It didn't move, so I gently touched it, but it didn't react. It seemed like it had just died right in front of me!” Anyone seen this or have any ideas??
And now Holly Blue is out, seen at Winspit yesterday (library pic)
March 31, 2025 at 6:42 PM
And now Holly Blue is out, seen at Winspit yesterday (library pic)
STOP PRESS 2. Large Tortoiseshell seen at Studland by Phyl England. One of a several sightings along the south coast, suggesting it may be a genuine migrant @richardfoxbc.bsky.social
March 29, 2025 at 7:55 AM
STOP PRESS 2. Large Tortoiseshell seen at Studland by Phyl England. One of a several sightings along the south coast, suggesting it may be a genuine migrant @richardfoxbc.bsky.social
Large Tortoiseshell seen near Turners Puddle Heath by Warren Port, one of our Dorset Butterflies recorders yesterday. We have his permission to share.
March 20, 2025 at 7:17 AM
Large Tortoiseshell seen near Turners Puddle Heath by Warren Port, one of our Dorset Butterflies recorders yesterday. We have his permission to share.
A big loser last year was the Adonis Blue, which seems to be in long term decline in Dorset. The reasons are a puzzle! The habitats exist, but we think the host plant Horseshoe Vetch may be declining
March 6, 2025 at 9:35 PM
A big loser last year was the Adonis Blue, which seems to be in long term decline in Dorset. The reasons are a puzzle! The habitats exist, but we think the host plant Horseshoe Vetch may be declining
Marsh Fritillary also did OK in Dorset, but results varied between sites. It is likely that each site fluctuates independently because of the impact of a specific parasite that can cause huge mortality to caterpillars
March 6, 2025 at 9:27 PM
Marsh Fritillary also did OK in Dorset, but results varied between sites. It is likely that each site fluctuates independently because of the impact of a specific parasite that can cause huge mortality to caterpillars
A rare success story last year was the Lulworth Skipper which seemed to be on the up after a 5+ year low
March 6, 2025 at 9:17 PM
A rare success story last year was the Lulworth Skipper which seemed to be on the up after a 5+ year low
Full house for our South Dorset Recorders Meeting. Some great talks coming up
March 6, 2025 at 7:08 PM
Full house for our South Dorset Recorders Meeting. Some great talks coming up
A lovely image of what you might see when doing a butterfly transect that creates data for the UK Butterfly Monitoring Scheme. You can leave your troubles behind and enjoy these lovely creatures. Do get in touch if you want to be involved in this vital Citizen Science work in Dorset
February 28, 2025 at 9:53 PM
A lovely image of what you might see when doing a butterfly transect that creates data for the UK Butterfly Monitoring Scheme. You can leave your troubles behind and enjoy these lovely creatures. Do get in touch if you want to be involved in this vital Citizen Science work in Dorset
Some good news is that the Lulworth Skipper is now recovering after a long low period when we were worried for its future. But we do not know the reasons why!
February 28, 2025 at 7:28 PM
Some good news is that the Lulworth Skipper is now recovering after a long low period when we were worried for its future. But we do not know the reasons why!
Dorset is lucky to have over 100 transects that are walked regularly during the year. Over 290 people are involved. All data go to the UK Butterfly Monitoring Scheme and used locally
February 28, 2025 at 7:14 PM
Dorset is lucky to have over 100 transects that are walked regularly during the year. Over 290 people are involved. All data go to the UK Butterfly Monitoring Scheme and used locally
Red Admiral clearly out in front on our sightings page. The sun is out today, who will see the first butterfly? www.dorsetbutterflies.com/sightings/re...
February 18, 2025 at 9:51 AM
Red Admiral clearly out in front on our sightings page. The sun is out today, who will see the first butterfly? www.dorsetbutterflies.com/sightings/re...
There may be few butterflies at this time of year but some moths like the winter, including these wonderful furry December Moths. There are also November moths and Winter Moths .......
December 19, 2024 at 4:42 PM
There may be few butterflies at this time of year but some moths like the winter, including these wonderful furry December Moths. There are also November moths and Winter Moths .......
A couple of weeks ago this Scar Bank Gem was recorded at Weymouth by Paul Harris. One of many migrant moths seen in Dorset this year. @savebutterflies.bsky.social www.dorsetbutterflies.com/2024/11/scar...
November 24, 2024 at 6:24 PM
A couple of weeks ago this Scar Bank Gem was recorded at Weymouth by Paul Harris. One of many migrant moths seen in Dorset this year. @savebutterflies.bsky.social www.dorsetbutterflies.com/2024/11/scar...
Several work parties coming up this week on our reserves at Lankham Bottom and Broadcroft Quarry. Do come if you live locally. Photo of recent task to save the Duke of Burgundy www.dorsetbutterflies.com/events/
November 17, 2024 at 9:32 PM
Several work parties coming up this week on our reserves at Lankham Bottom and Broadcroft Quarry. Do come if you live locally. Photo of recent task to save the Duke of Burgundy www.dorsetbutterflies.com/events/
And on 22nd November we will be working at Broadcroft Quarry Butterfly Reserve, Portland on scrub regrowth, clematis and bramble.
If you think you may like to volunteer to help at either event, please visit our Events page for more info and to book your place. www.dorsetbutterflies.com/events/
If you think you may like to volunteer to help at either event, please visit our Events page for more info and to book your place. www.dorsetbutterflies.com/events/
November 13, 2024 at 7:15 PM
And on 22nd November we will be working at Broadcroft Quarry Butterfly Reserve, Portland on scrub regrowth, clematis and bramble.
If you think you may like to volunteer to help at either event, please visit our Events page for more info and to book your place. www.dorsetbutterflies.com/events/
If you think you may like to volunteer to help at either event, please visit our Events page for more info and to book your place. www.dorsetbutterflies.com/events/
Good evening, friends!
We have some volunteering events coming up next week - these are practical conservation tasks to improve habitats for butterflies and moths in Dorset.
On 20th November we will continue our work to reduce bramble and thorn scrub at Lankham Bottom Butterfly Reserve.
We have some volunteering events coming up next week - these are practical conservation tasks to improve habitats for butterflies and moths in Dorset.
On 20th November we will continue our work to reduce bramble and thorn scrub at Lankham Bottom Butterfly Reserve.
November 13, 2024 at 7:15 PM
Good evening, friends!
We have some volunteering events coming up next week - these are practical conservation tasks to improve habitats for butterflies and moths in Dorset.
On 20th November we will continue our work to reduce bramble and thorn scrub at Lankham Bottom Butterfly Reserve.
We have some volunteering events coming up next week - these are practical conservation tasks to improve habitats for butterflies and moths in Dorset.
On 20th November we will continue our work to reduce bramble and thorn scrub at Lankham Bottom Butterfly Reserve.
We would like to recut this area and also extend it to enlarge the habitat.
Many thanks to all our volunteers.
If you'd like to get involved with our practical conservation tasks in Dorset, please visit the Events page on our website www.dorsetbutterflies.com to find out more. (4/4)
Many thanks to all our volunteers.
If you'd like to get involved with our practical conservation tasks in Dorset, please visit the Events page on our website www.dorsetbutterflies.com to find out more. (4/4)
November 11, 2024 at 5:35 PM
We would like to recut this area and also extend it to enlarge the habitat.
Many thanks to all our volunteers.
If you'd like to get involved with our practical conservation tasks in Dorset, please visit the Events page on our website www.dorsetbutterflies.com to find out more. (4/4)
Many thanks to all our volunteers.
If you'd like to get involved with our practical conservation tasks in Dorset, please visit the Events page on our website www.dorsetbutterflies.com to find out more. (4/4)
This may to be to our advantage as it produces a mosaic of woodland clearings which will be good for butterflies.
Out of this disaster, it would be good to see some benefit! We had several very successful meetings on the site last winter and opened up a large swathe of grassland. (3/4)
Out of this disaster, it would be good to see some benefit! We had several very successful meetings on the site last winter and opened up a large swathe of grassland. (3/4)
November 11, 2024 at 5:35 PM
This may to be to our advantage as it produces a mosaic of woodland clearings which will be good for butterflies.
Out of this disaster, it would be good to see some benefit! We had several very successful meetings on the site last winter and opened up a large swathe of grassland. (3/4)
Out of this disaster, it would be good to see some benefit! We had several very successful meetings on the site last winter and opened up a large swathe of grassland. (3/4)
This had been an open grassland area for hundreds of years but had become scrubbed over and the grass very rank. There has been a large amount of Ash dieback in the woodland plantation either side which has been cleared by FE. (2/4)
November 11, 2024 at 5:35 PM
This had been an open grassland area for hundreds of years but had become scrubbed over and the grass very rank. There has been a large amount of Ash dieback in the woodland plantation either side which has been cleared by FE. (2/4)