Hundreds of cowslips are now flowering at Lyscombe, with even more still to flower! From a few dozen last spring to this, a great indication that the grazing is working. All we need now is some Duke of Burgundy's to find them 🤞 @dorsetwildlife.bsky.social @dorsetbutterflies.bsky.social

This April, some of England's largest landowners are obliged to publish estate management plans, through being members of the National Estate for Nature. The privately-owned Clinton Devon Estate has published its plan early, and it looks really good: 1/ clintondevon.com/wp-content/u...

Did you watch Dirty Business? I can't believe how much water companies have gotten away with. They're putting profit before public health - it’s a scandal and the Government MUST take action! Sick of sewage? Add your name to the petition today: you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/en...

Don’t forget - you have until midnight tonight to place your Teemill order and get FREE UK delivery! 🙌 Browse our new wildflower designs, along with the rest of our beautifully illustrated clothing range, here 💐👉 bit.ly/4b0EEw3 ~ Jack

Can you find, identify & record 100 wild plants in 2026? BSBI is confident that (with our support) yes, you can! Beginner botanists, will you accept the challenge? Sign up today for #100Plants2026 challenge: bsbi.org/take-part/ac... Check out the webinars & #WildFlowerID help we've prep'd for you!

⏰ LIMITED OFFER ⏰ The first 2 people to join Dorset Wildlife Trust for half price will receive a signed copy of The Good Bug by @georgemcgavin.bsky.social 🐞📖 Join here 👉 dorsetwildlifetrust.org.uk/halfpriceoffer Then DM us on Bluesky to claim your book! Remember, once they're gone, they're gone!

Are you planning to undertake a project in 2026 which involves collecting plant-related data? Would you like <£1,000 towards your costs? Apply for a #BSBIPlantStudyGrant! Here's how: bsbi.org/learn/grants... Read how a #BSBIGrant helped Katherine research ancient meadows: bsbi.org/blog/2026/01...

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

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

The Lyscombe longhorns keeping cool in the shade this week @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

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

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

This moth is proving tricky to ID. Dog's tooth, dusky brocade, alder moth?! Anyone got a suggestion? @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

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

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...

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

Bluebells under the oaks at Lyscombe today 🙂 @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

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

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

Delighted to find this female black redstart hanging out at Lyscombe chapel this afternoon 😀 @dorsetbirdclub.bsky.social @dorsetwildlife.bsky.social

Never been a more important time to join your local Wildlife Trust and support action for nature 💚 🙌🏻 www.wildlifetrusts.org/blog/craig-b...

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

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

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

Willow warbler recorded on my merlin app today at wareham forest. Along the woodlark trail. I was too busy talking to hear it 🤦 @dorsetbirdclub.bsky.social

The first early dog-violets of the year flowering amongst a sea of primroses at Lyscombe 😀 @dorsetwildlife.bsky.social @dorsetflora.bsky.social @bsbibotany.bsky.social

A few things from last week at Lyscombe. Longhorns, first oil beetle of the year, amazing standing dead wood and glorious snowdrops 🙂 @dorsetwildlife.bsky.social

Great news for beavers! 🦫 We are delighted to have received the first-ever licence for a wild beaver release in England. We've introduced beavers at three places in our care through licensed, enclosed releases and have seen the amazing benefits these incredible animals provide.

Tension rises as we await the 1st #BeeFlyWatch sighting of 2025! Judging by the weather where I am at the moment it's going to be a while yet ... but as soon as you do start seeing bee-flies please get a photo & add a record - full details + ID guides available at dipterists.org.uk/bee-fly-watch

Wonderful to see this barn owl at Lyscombe last week. They are becoming a fairly regular sighting here 🙂 @dorsetbirdclub.bsky.social @dorsetwildlife.bsky.social

📣Suitable for someone looking to begin a career in practical wildlife conservation. ✅Gain knowledge & experience working with skilled reserves teams to work with & lead volunteers ✅In-house & external training in chainsaw use, brush cutter & First Aid & more. www.wildlifebcn.org/volunteering...

This is what can be achieved. Landscape-scale habitat restoration in Scotland 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 🌳 #Rewilding

Public Perception Survey for releasing White-tailed Eagles in Exmoor. 🦉 forms.office.com/pages/respon...

Great news. Useful link for those wanting to help www.wildlifetrusts.org/appeals/roth...

A great moment at Lyscombe yesterday. 12 longhorn cattle welcomed onto site to begin grazing the SSSI chalk downland part of the reserve. They already look at home 😊