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
Saw a female on Tuesday and first Orange tip today!
First steps in the late evening.
County floras - These three are for Dorset. A wealth of botanical recording made so wonderfully accessible.
I love a good shelfie, especially fruit related! The Lost Orchards by Liz Copas and Nick Poole has to be a current fav though - close to home and my heart.
Wow, where is that? Willow or poplar?
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.
Masquerade
Plant based wind speed indicator.
Frigid cattle checks at dawn.
