The exceptionally mild weather of the last few days (this is being written on 26 February) has taken our sightings-so-far-this-year to an incredible level. Continue reading
Butterflies galore
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Tag Archives: First sightings
Watch out for March butterflies
Red Admiral. Photo: Lyn Pullen
With the recent snow, it’s a bit difficult to believe in sunshine or butterflies, but they will turn up. This website has so far had four species reported Continue reading
First Meadow Brown takes us to 29 species in Dorset
Meadow Brown. Photo: Elaine Conlon
Elaine Conlon’s photo of a Meadow Brown at Badbury Rings on 30 May is our first record of a Meadow Brown for 2016, beating the first sighting in 2015 by a clear week. We now have 29 species which have taken to the wing in Dorset this year. Continue reading
Small Copper is latest of sixteen species now out
Small Coppper. Photo: Chris Becker (2013)
First sightings are now coming in thick and fast – what a wonderful time of year this is! Continue reading
Two more species out in Dorset
Peacock. Photo: Brian Arnold
We now have six species reported in Dorset in 2016, and surprisingly, we have an earlier sighting of a Small White than a Peacock. Continue reading
Up to 28 species so far this year
Female Ringlet. Photo: Ken Dolbear
Dorset is a great place for butterflies. Our very varied geology, plus being on the south coast, combine to give us around 45 species either resident or as a reliable migrant (“around” because this list includes the Wood White and the Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary, both of which are possibly becoming extinct in the County).
As of 24 May, 28 of these species have been reported on the wing. May has added:
- Marsh Fritillary
- Adonis Blue
- Duke of Burgundy
- Lulworth Skipper
- Ringlet
- Dark Green Fritiallary.
You can keep up with the first sightings on our First Sightings page.
17 species out!
Just in case you haven’t discovered our First Sightings page yet, this is the current state of play in Dorset: Continue reading
11 species of butterfly now out in Dorset
Pair of Peacocks. Photo: Brian Arnold
The recent few days of good weather have brought the butterflies out. Species reported to our website are: Brimstone; Clouded Yellow; Comma; Holly Blue; Large White; Orange Tip; Peacock; Red Admiral; Small Tortoiseshell; Small White and Speckled Wood.