Another fascinating visit to the @durotrigesdig.bsky.social dig near Winterbourne Kingston. They are discovering so much about late iron age culture and the arrival of Roman people in Dorset. Thank you all for sharing what you are discovering. @bournemouthuni.bsky.social

The front garden meadow is reaching a high summer crescendo right now. These few square meters bring our family untold joy. @dorsetflora.bsky.social @bsbibotany.bsky.social @wildflowerhour.bsky.social

Met this magnificent Beech tree on Anglesey - a real monster. @ancienttreeforum.bsky.social @angleseyfloragroup.bsky.social

Back to work in north Dorset after a break and welcomed by a sea of Dyers greenweed (Genista tinctoria) @dorsetflora.bsky.social @bsbibotany.bsky.social

Early Marsh-orchid (Dactylorhiza incarnata) and Marsh helleborine (Epipactis palustris) from Newborough Warren today. The whole place is a botanical paradise. @bsbibotany.bsky.social

Newborough dunes and woods. Lots of botanical goodness, including Dune fescue (new to me). Big sky, big sand.

Inspiring morning at Hooke Park, where forestry meets architecture. Thanks to @woodlandheritage.bsky.social for organising the open day.

1st Clouded yellow of the year and masses of Peacock caterpillars - I can't remember a better year for these. @savebutterflies.bsky.social @dorsetbutterflies.bsky.social

Brimstone caterpillars today, hanging out on mid-ribs of Alder buckthorn leaves. On the same bush there was evidence of parasitism too in the form of small black and white pupae where once there was a young caterpillar. @savebutterflies.bsky.social @dorsetbutterflies.bsky.social

Moth trapping on the high chalk near Chettle yielded a couple of species I don't see in the clay vale. Pretty chalk carpet and Green arches. @dorsetmoths.bsky.social @dorsetbutterflies.bsky.social

Small blue laying eggs on Kidney vetch in newly created habitat. Seed was sown directly onto a raw chalk path. Build it and they will come! @dorsetbutterflies.bsky.social @savebutterflies.bsky.social

Brown day - 1st Meadow brown of the year and the first Small heath seen on this site in north Dorset since 2018! @dorsetbutterflies.bsky.social @savebutterflies.bsky.social

Bacon and eggs. Common bird's-foot trefoil (Lotus corniculatus). Insect powerhouse - somewhere in the region of 120 insect species rely on it for nectar, pollen, foliage, seeds and sap. Often found lurking in lawns, awaiting reprieve from the mower to raise its flowery head.

The Marsh fritillaries were really enjoying Corky-fruited water dropwort (Oenanthe pimpinelloides)nectar this morning. The eggs I watched being laid a couple of weeks ago have coloured up nicely. @dorsetbutterflies.bsky.social @savebutterflies.bsky.social

Long but rewarding search for Duke of Burgundy north of Giant Hill today. Turned up 3. Then shown this mating pair as we headed down to Cerne for liquid refreshment. @dorsetbutterflies.bsky.social @savebutterflies.bsky.social @nationaltrust.org.uk

Big, showy, Medlar flowers.

Duke of Burgundy building in number on the Giant. 14 on timed count today. Then a single Duke and 2 Marsh fritillary on a new site nearby. @dorsetbutterflies.bsky.social @nationaltrust.org.uk @savebutterflies.bsky.social

And so the next generation begins..... @savebutterflies.bsky.social @dorsetbutterflies.bsky.social

Brilliant to meet with enthusiastic ecologists from @nationaltrust.org.uk the new owners of Giant Hill, the only sizeable Duke of Burgundy site in Dorset. We discussed plans for sensitive grazing and habitat restoration in this key site. One fresh Duke seen in cloudy weather, plus Marsh Fritillary

Butterfly of the day - Small blue. A butterfly with a spectacular ability to arrive into a newly created habitat that includes Kidney vetch. @dorsetbutterflies.bsky.social

My first timed count of the year for Duke of Burgundy on Giant Hill today. 7 in an hour, along with 13 other species. Marsh fritillary flying as well. Fingers crossed for a good year. @dorsetbutterflies.bsky.social @nationaltrust.org.uk @savebutterflies.bsky.social

Lift off for Marsh fritillary in north Dorset. Seen on several sites in the Blackmoor Vale today. @dorsetbutterflies.bsky.social @savebutterflies.bsky.social

Look out look out, the Painted Ladies are coming!

I was thrilled to see Narrow-bordered bee hawk-moth on my butterfly transect in north Dorset today. Last seen flying on this site in 2014. @ukbms.bsky.social @dorsetbutterflies.bsky.social @dorsetmoths.bsky.social @savebutterflies.bsky.social

Fairy shrimps from a ditch on a north Dorset farm. We found 4 females in a brief search this evening, but the owners have seen many more, at times, in recent years. Incredible creatures. Hydroporus tessellatus and H.planus also present. @freshwaterhabitats.bsky.social

Back in the winter, we moved about 50 Brown hairstreak eggs to safety from a hedge that needed management. Just checked in with them and found larvae looking well. @dorsetbutterflies.bsky.social @savebutterflies.bsky.social

A hat trick of first sightings this morning in north Dorset, all from the same spot. Green hairstreak, Small copper and Dingy skipper, warming up on a sunny bank, sheltered from the wind. @dorsetbutterflies.bsky.social @savebutterflies.bsky.social

Massive year for Holly blue locally in Dorset. Long time since I have seen so many. What might it mean for the second brood? @dorsetbutterflies.bsky.social @savebutterflies.bsky.social

Herb Paris, Toothwort and some splendid trees nr Ashmore in Dorset today.

I have been noticing lots of very heavily marked rosettes of Common spotted orchid (Dactylorhiza fuchsii) this spring. Could it be a stress response from last years drought or something else? @bsbibotany.bsky.social @wildflowerhour.bsky.social @dorsetflora.bsky.social

In the Oak lands of north Dorset, there must be millions of seedling Oak trees trying their chances. The result of last seasons mast year. How many will prosper?

Sea shanties at the brewery.

If you've ever wondered what you might see on a Dorset Flora Group field trip, please read the new article on our Dorset Heath blog with details of the interesting things seen at Holes Bay over the past two summers. Botanical Treasures of the Holes Bay Path dorsetflora.wixsite.com/pubs/post/03...

And so another transect walking season begins. 20 of 4 species and eggs of Orange tip and Brimstone. Wild pear in full flower. Cracking start to the year. @dorsetbutterflies.bsky.social @ukbms.bsky.social

First steps in the late evening.

Having tried a few times to establish it, I was chuffed to find a young Mistletoe plant today on an apple planted winter 2017/18. @bsbibotany.bsky.social @orchardnotes.com

Wild daffodils at their peak.

Marsh fritillary larvae out and busy in the morning sun. North Dorset. @dorsetbutterflies.bsky.social @savebutterflies.bsky.social

Cherry plum blossom to lift the spirits.

Marsh fritillary larvae enjoying some of the first sunshine of the year in Buckland Newton. @dorsetbutterflies.bsky.social @savebutterflies.bsky.social

Looking north from Dartmoor

Striking yellow of freshly coppiced Alder buckthorn in the foreground against the bright white of a fresh Willow pollard behind.

Wild service..... youtube.com/watch?v=7sjO...

What does 50 yrs of butterfly monitoring tell you? In this case its a puzzle. The dramatic rise of the Silver-studded Blue, Plebejus argus, over 50 yrs at Studland Heath, UK. @ukbutterflies.bsky.social @dorsetbutterflies.bsky.social @savebutterflies.bsky.social www.dispar.org/reference.ph...

Streaker's dream - a triple today. @dorsetbutterflies.bsky.social

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

Dog sick slime mould Didymium spongiosum from today's walk after the rain.

Very exciting. www.nationaltrust.org.uk/support-us/a...

Masquerade

Plant based wind speed indicator.