Goodnight Tweets, thanks for all the likes tonight 💚

thanks to @suillia.bsky.social this is actually Zophomyia temula

Beautiful as this Early bumblebee is, I was actually hoping for Wool carder bees on the masses of Stachys byzantina at NT Kingston Lacy , but I couldn't spot a single one☹️ @dorsetwildlife.bsky.social @britishnatureguide.bsky.social

Pollen beetles and S.Scripta , on every other flower in the kitchen garden at NT Kingston Lacy @dorsetwildlife.bsky.social @britishnatureguide.bsky.social @teamdiptera.bsky.social

Ashy Mining bee,Red-tailed bumblebee,vestal cuckoo bee, Common Carder #Beautifulbees #ntkingstonlacy @dorsetwildlife.bsky.social @bumblebeetrust.bsky.social @britishnatureguide.bsky.social

Myathropa florea hoverfly . good numbers at NT Kingston Lacy today @dorsetwildlife.bsky.social @britishnatureguide.bsky.social @teamdiptera.bsky.social

Considering the bad storms and high winds here last week it was amazing to see literally hundreds of hoverflies feeding in the poppies and on many other flowers at NT Kingston Lacy today @dorsetwildlife.bsky.social @dipteristsforum.bsky.social @britishnatureguide.bsky.social

The oxeye daisies were covered in insects today at NT KingstonLacy but I only found one longhorn moth ,a Yellow Barred or Nemophora degeerella @dorsetmoths.bsky.social @dorsetwildlife.bsky.social @britishnatureguide.bsky.social

This fly is a common species but it's a first for me #NTKingstonLacy @teamdiptera.bsky.social @suillia.bsky.social @dorsetwildlife.bsky.social

When the sun appeared at NTKingston Lacy his afternoon so did Meadow Browns. A good few among the Moon daisies or Ox eye Daisies to be correct @dorsetwildlife.bsky.social @savebutterflies.bsky.social @britishnatureguide.bsky.social @bsbibotany.bsky.social

My first Small Tortoiseshells seen in a couple of years.Two at Kingston Lacy in the kitchen garden @savebutterflies.bsky.social @dorsetwildlife.bsky.social @britishnatureguide.bsky.social

Beetles spotted at NT Kington Lacy today @dorsetwildlife.bsky.social @britishnatureguide.bsky.social

I'm sure I should've known, but I didn't , that this yellow lady bird is a freshly emerged Seven spot ladybird. They turn red within a day. Spotted at @NTKingstonLacy @dorsetwildlife.bsky.social @ukladybirds.bsky.social

Came home today to see the #DorsetCouncil contractors had cut the verges but top marks to the operator who left the lovely wild poppy that sprang up a week ago outside my home .💚Thank you ! @dorsetwildlife.bsky.social @bsbibotany.bsky.social

I needed to go into my potting shed this morning and glanced as I always do at the Robin's nest in the corner of the bench and it was empty 6 fledged. I can hear soft sounds at the bottom of my garden in the wild patch over the low wall and both Robins are feeding them. So 🤞

My Robins are looking a bit weary now having 6 mouths to feed in their nest in my potting shed. Had a very quick phone pic when they were both out finding food . They are in safely between the wall and seed trays ! @dorsetwildlife.bsky.social @britishnatureguide.bsky.social

I'm thinking about having my first bath. Shall I shan't I ? #coaltit #juv @dorsetbirdclub.bsky.social @dorsetwildlife.bsky.social @rspb.bsky.social @britishnatureguide.bsky.social

There must have been hundreds of azure damselflies in the pond below this fallen tree at #KnollGardens but only a few Large Reds. @britishdragonflies.bsky.social @dorsetwildlife.bsky.social

Ménage à trois even in the world of Odonata @britishdragonflies.bsky.social @dorsetwildlife.bsky.social @britishnatureguide.bsky.social @joelashton.bsky.social

As soon as I spotted a bee hanging in this bush I knew It would the the victim of a crab spider. #KnollGardens @dorsetwildlife.bsky.social @britishspiders.bsky.social

My first and only Large Skipper of this year at Knoll gardens famous for grasses .Thought there should be more on such a perfect day for them 🤔 @dorsetbutterflies.bsky.social @dorsetwildlife.bsky.social @joelashton.bsky.social

Mr and Mrs Banded Demoiselle #KnollGardens @britishdragonflies.bsky.social @dorsetwildlife.bsky.social @britishnatureguide.bsky.social

It took a while for this Broad bodied Chaser to perch for pics but when it did it chose a nice flower bud @dorsetwildlife.bsky.social @britishdragonflies.bsky.social @britishnatureguide.bsky.social

Good to see Blackbirds in the garden again.These two juvs have got very bossy with the small birds on the ground especially the finches enjoying daisies and flower seeds . One always seems nervous of using the bird bath , prefers to watch!😅 @dorsetbirdclub.bsky.social @dorsetwildlife.bsky.social

When the seed feeder is bare, eat daisies💚 @dorsetwildlife.bsky.social @dorsetbirdclub.bsky.social @britishnatureguide.bsky.social @rspb.bsky.social through closed window so as not to disturb

Possibly Dipogon subintermedius, a very tiny spider wasp , hunting in the huge bug hotel at Knoll Gardens today. I sometimes wonder why I try to capture these tiny critters but I just have to try. 😅 @dorsetwildlife.bsky.social @ianbeavis.bsky.social @britishnatureguide.bsky.social

Not looking very Blue but a Blue -tailed damselfly all the same. Hartland moor @britishdragonflies.bsky.social @dorsetwildlife.bsky.social

Recently posted photos of these Brimstones but have now checked the vid.He seems very interested in the eggs she laid prematurely .Is this unusual behaviour? @martinswarren.bsky.social @dorsetwildlife.bsky.social @savebutterflies.bsky.social @joelashton.bsky.social @dorsetbutterflies.bsky.social

After not seeing any Small coppers in my garden last year it was lovely to see the 2nd this year enjoying the wild Moon daisies at mid -day. @dorsetwildlife.bsky.social @savebutterflies.bsky.social @bsbibotany.bsky.social

Sitting under the parasol I was entertained with young birds being fed and a Dunnock sunning. They may look sick or in a trance but it's just their way of maintaining their plumage as intense heat can drive away feather parasites like mites and lice. @dorsetwildlife.bsky.social @rspb.bsky.social

This male scorpion fly was a nice garden tick this afternoon .First one I've recorded in my garden in 43 years.Shame it hid under foliage and then flew off 🤷‍♀️ @dorsetwildlife.bsky.social @uk-soldierflies.bsky.social @britishnatureguide.bsky.social

The Orange -tip caterpillars are growing fast now,couldn't locate all 9 today but then there a lots of baby birds being fed in my garden at the moment.My mission is to try and find one pupating ,that's not easy as they can move quite a distance away from the food plant. @dorsetwildlife.bsky.social

The Coal tits fledglings 6 in all , are so confiding coming really close to me when they are waiting to to be fed . I've been watching them since the parents brought them to my garden last week , and have noticed they are fed mostly squirrel proof fat balls. @dorsetwildlife.bsky.social

Whilst perching on a waymarker post in the shade after a trek on the hot sun baked heath at Higher Hyde, this very large pony appeared out of nowhere and advanced straight at me and my meagre lunch! He wouldn't go away so I decided to move. However he closely followed me all the way to the gate .

The only butterfly that posed for me at Higher Hyde today was this Speckled Wood back at the car park. I actually only saw a white and two speckled woods all the three hours I was there. Too hot for them maybe but disappointing nevertheless. @dorsetwildlife.bsky.social @savebutterflies.bsky.social

Saw lots of Brown Silver-line moths at Higher Hyde today. Always good at settling behind grasses etc . Managed one arty pic with a clear view (well it is Dorset Arts Week this week 😅) @dorsetwildlife.bsky.social @britishnatureguide.bsky.social

It was too dark for good photos in the woods at Higher Hyde but it was nice to see my first Large Red damselflies around the water body that runs through . @dorsetwildlife.bsky.social @britishnatureguide.bsky.social @britishdragonflies.bsky.social

Broad bodied Chasers and Azure Damselflies were the only odonata on the big pond at Higher Hide today @dorsetwildlife.bsky.social @britishnatureguide.bsky.socialbritishdragonflies.bsky.social

noticed a small movement on the dark twig about 10 m off the track at DWT Higher hide with my camera lens and was just find it was my first Golden ringed dragonfly of the year @dorsetwildlife.bsky.social @britishnatureguide.bsky.social @britishdragonflies.bsky.social

Saw 4 Tree bumblebees chasing each other around this fallen tree trunk at DWT HigherHyde and one nectaring some way away on bramble flowers @dorsetwildlife.bsky.social @bumblebeetrust.bsky.social @britishnatureguide.bsky.social

A female Sand Lizard who was maybe sleepy in the intense heat today as she allowed me to walk past it without disappearing as they do . @dorsetwildlife.bsky.social @britishnatureguide.bsky.social

I struggled around Higher Hyde in 30c heat this afternoon , but was pleased to see a Tree Pipit who put on a display just for me! I didn't see a soul all the time I was there. #BirdsSeenIn2026 @dorsetwildlife.bsky.social @britishnatureguide.bsky.social @rspb.bsky.social

This juv Blackbird is taking liberties, occupying one of the chairs around my garden. 😅 @dorsetbirdclub.bsky.social @dorsetwildlife.bsky.social @rspb.bsky.social @britishnatureguide.bsky.social

Nomada ruficornis I believe.🤔 In my garden yesterday @ianbeavis.bsky.social @dorsetwildlife.bsky.social @britishnatureguide.bsky.social

A Gold fringed mason bee I think. Happy to be corrected @ianbeavis.bsky.social @dorsetwildlife.bsky.social @bumblebeetrust.bsky.social

Cantharis rustica, soldier beetle at Badbury Rings. A single one seen, unusual on a lovely warm day in May. @uk-soldierflies.bsky.social @dorsetwildlife.bsky.social

Mahonia the plant that keeps on giving. Winter /early Spring flowers for pollinators ,berries spring /summer for birds especially Blackbirds like this one. @dorsetbirdclub.bsky.social @dorsetwildlife.bsky.social @bsbibotany.bsky.social @rspb.bsky.social

I think this juv Blackbird was feeling the heat at mid day today @dorsetbirdclub.bsky.social @dorsetwildlife.bsky.social @rspb.bsky.social @britishnatureguide.bsky.social

Whilst enjoying a glass of wine alfresco , a Comma and a Painted Lady paid a visit. So today that's 2 Holly Blues . GV white ,Org Tip and these two tonight . Oh and my nfy Mint moth . @dorsetbutterflies.bsky.social @dorsetwildlife.bsky.social @joelashton.bsky.social

I've been disappointed to have only seen two Orange tip males in my garden this Spring despite me growing lots of honesty ,Dames Violet and Hedge Garlic . However, the lady must have visited as today I found eight cats' on the H.garlic 💚 @dorsetwildlife.bsky.social @dorsetbutterflies.bsky.social