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
Lucky you, trebles all round tonight then!
Streaker's dream - a triple today. @dorsetbutterflies.bsky.social
December 13, 2025 at 4:08 PM
Lucky you, trebles all round tonight then!
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Many thanks to @bcpcouncil.bsky.social for completing the pre Christmas planned transect land management. Nice suprise of 3 Painted Lady (Library pic) on the Undercliff lunchtime. Maybe migrants after recent warm southerly winds. @dorsetbutterflies.bsky.social @migrantmothuk.bsky.social
December 13, 2025 at 3:16 PM
Many thanks to @bcpcouncil.bsky.social for completing the pre Christmas planned transect land management. Nice suprise of 3 Painted Lady (Library pic) on the Undercliff lunchtime. Maybe migrants after recent warm southerly winds. @dorsetbutterflies.bsky.social @migrantmothuk.bsky.social
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Pristine Painted Lady Old Castle Rd on brambles entrance to the sailing club 12:30 @migrantmothuk.bsky.social @dorsetmoths.bsky.social
December 12, 2025 at 12:59 PM
Pristine Painted Lady Old Castle Rd on brambles entrance to the sailing club 12:30 @migrantmothuk.bsky.social @dorsetmoths.bsky.social
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I just supported this appeal for the NT to buy this vital butterfly site. The surrounding arable land will be converted to flower-rich grassland, greatly expanding the butterfly and wildlife habitat in the centre of the Dorset Downs. Please help if you can www.nationaltrust.org.uk/support-us/a...
Donate to the Cerne Abbas Nature Appeal
Donate to the Cerne Abbas Appeal so together, we can help restore the land, habitats and species that live there.
www.nationaltrust.org.uk
December 10, 2025 at 7:11 PM
I just supported this appeal for the NT to buy this vital butterfly site. The surrounding arable land will be converted to flower-rich grassland, greatly expanding the butterfly and wildlife habitat in the centre of the Dorset Downs. Please help if you can www.nationaltrust.org.uk/support-us/a...
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The sun is out, and I am most glad. Brown hairstreak egg searching today. Looks like a big year! @dorsetbutterflies.bsky.social @savebutterflies.bsky.social
December 10, 2025 at 1:00 PM
The sun is out, and I am most glad. Brown hairstreak egg searching today. Looks like a big year! @dorsetbutterflies.bsky.social @savebutterflies.bsky.social
Brown Hairstreak egg count at Alners Gorse this Saturday with @martinswarren.bsky.social if you have sharp eyes. Booking essential 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
December 9, 2025 at 6:00 PM
Brown Hairstreak egg count at Alners Gorse this Saturday with @martinswarren.bsky.social if you have sharp eyes. Booking essential www.dorsetbutterflies.com/events/
The appeal to buy Giant Hill for conservation is underway but still far from the target. Please support if you can, to help the National Trust buy this vital site for butterflies www.nationaltrust.org.uk/support-us/a...
Donate to the Cerne Abbas Nature Appeal
Donate to the Cerne Abbas Appeal so together, we can help restore the land, habitats and species that live there.
www.nationaltrust.org.uk
December 5, 2025 at 1:57 PM
The appeal to buy Giant Hill for conservation is underway but still far from the target. Please support if you can, to help the National Trust buy this vital site for butterflies www.nationaltrust.org.uk/support-us/a...
Great news that the National Trust hopes to buy Giant Hill, one of the most important butterfly sites in Dorset. Please support the appeal if you can. Our Branch have been monitoring the site for decades and helping to maintain species like the Duke of Burgundy www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
National Trust launches fundraiser to help buy land around Cerne Giant
Deal expected to pave way for further scientific study, boost conservation and open up access to Dorset chalk figure
www.theguardian.com
December 3, 2025 at 8:18 AM
Great news that the National Trust hopes to buy Giant Hill, one of the most important butterfly sites in Dorset. Please support the appeal if you can. Our Branch have been monitoring the site for decades and helping to maintain species like the Duke of Burgundy www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
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Another day another work party to save the Duke of Burgundy in Dorset. This time at Giant Hill to clear encroaching scrub and open up cowslip rich downland @dorsetbutterflies.bsky.social @savebutterflies.bsky.social
November 27, 2025 at 9:39 AM
Another day another work party to save the Duke of Burgundy in Dorset. This time at Giant Hill to clear encroaching scrub and open up cowslip rich downland @dorsetbutterflies.bsky.social @savebutterflies.bsky.social
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Four new species for Dorset (and a belated one for Britain) are among the highlights of the Dorset Moths Annual Report 2024. Free PDF downland from dorsetmoths.co.uk
#teammoth
@dorsetmoths.bsky.social
@dorsetbutterflies.bsky.social
@migrantmothuk.bsky.social
@savebutterflies.bsky.social
#teammoth
@dorsetmoths.bsky.social
@dorsetbutterflies.bsky.social
@migrantmothuk.bsky.social
@savebutterflies.bsky.social
November 27, 2025 at 2:42 PM
Four new species for Dorset (and a belated one for Britain) are among the highlights of the Dorset Moths Annual Report 2024. Free PDF downland from dorsetmoths.co.uk
#teammoth
@dorsetmoths.bsky.social
@dorsetbutterflies.bsky.social
@migrantmothuk.bsky.social
@savebutterflies.bsky.social
#teammoth
@dorsetmoths.bsky.social
@dorsetbutterflies.bsky.social
@migrantmothuk.bsky.social
@savebutterflies.bsky.social
Great stuff, well done all. This is part of our Farming in Protected Landscapes project with Hilfield Friary. AIM is to save our last 6 Duke sites
Another day another work party to save the Duke of Burgundy in Dorset. This time at Giant Hill to clear encroaching scrub and open up cowslip rich downland @dorsetbutterflies.bsky.social @savebutterflies.bsky.social
November 27, 2025 at 5:55 PM
Great stuff, well done all. This is part of our Farming in Protected Landscapes project with Hilfield Friary. AIM is to save our last 6 Duke sites
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Really positive landowner workshop yesterday to discuss how to save the Duke of Burgundy in Dorset. Heart-warming that so many farmers want to help this lovely little butterfly and restore biodiversity. Gives me great hope we can do it @dorsetbutterflies.bsky.social @savebutterflies.bsky.social
November 19, 2025 at 2:04 PM
Really positive landowner workshop yesterday to discuss how to save the Duke of Burgundy in Dorset. Heart-warming that so many farmers want to help this lovely little butterfly and restore biodiversity. Gives me great hope we can do it @dorsetbutterflies.bsky.social @savebutterflies.bsky.social
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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.
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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