Dorset butterfly updates
Martin Warren, ex Chief Executive of Butterfly Conservation, recently led a training day on counting the webs in which Marsh Fritillary caterpillars grow. Continue reading
Butterfly Conservation volunteers joined forces with Dorset Wildlife Trust volunteers recently to harvest seed from Perryfields, one of Butterfly Conservation’s Reserves on Portland. Continue reading
Rosy Footman. Photo: Paul Freedman
Davina and Paul were watering their garden at Ulwell in the evening on 3/08/21 when they spotted this Rosy Footman moth.
In the dying light it is difficult to get a sharp image but this photo still shows the beauty of this small moth.
It has one generation, mid June-early Aug and can sometimes be found at rest on twigs and foliage of woody plants during the day.
Box Moth . Photo: David Wareham
David sent us this photo and tells us:
I found this Box Moth whilst walking along the cliff top at Bournemouth on 25/07/21. Although not an uncommon species, I had never seen one before so it was a great surprise when another flew in my kitchen window the following evening.
Flies from late July through to mid-September in one generation.
Six-spot Burnet moths, Mating. Photo: Brian Arnold
Brian spotted this mating pair of Six-spot Burnet moths while he was doing the transect walk at Durlston East on 22/07/21.
This species can be found in a variety of flowery habitats from late June -August, thistles and knapweeds are favoured, though they can be found on a wide range of other flowers.
The Chalkhill Blue is a butterfly which gives us some concern in Dorset, where its range seems to have decreased, especially in some areas. We need help to check places where it has been previously seen. Continue reading
This amazing butterfly was photographed on 26 June 2021 on Fontmell Down in north Dorset. Continue reading
It only takes 15 minutes to join in with the annual UK-wide Big Butterfly Count, which runs from 16 July to 8 August 2021. Continue reading
Glanville Fritillary. Photo; Mark Pike
Several excellent photos of two Glanville Fritillaries – a species not expected to be found in Dorset – were sent in to us by Mark Pike on 30 May. Continue reading
We are working on bringing you the full 2020 Butterfly Report, which has sent us trawling through our database of butterfly records. The number of butterflies counted from the mid 1990s to May 2021 is 5,608,000, Continue reading