Andy Martin
@andos13.bsky.social
🦋 Wildlife sightings from Dorset & beyond : Volunteer BC Dorset : UKBMS Transect walker🚶
Reposted by Andy Martin
Nice to meet up with Andy M and walk the transect today in glorious sunshine.
We're going to continue it through Oct.
Numbers well down from the highs of mid Sept but still plenty to see.
CY, SC, CB, PL and Whites about.
More CY and CB eggs and larva found as well.
Southbourne
Dorset
We're going to continue it through Oct.
Numbers well down from the highs of mid Sept but still plenty to see.
CY, SC, CB, PL and Whites about.
More CY and CB eggs and larva found as well.
Southbourne
Dorset
October 4, 2026 at 4:24 PM
Nice to meet up with Andy M and walk the transect today in glorious sunshine.
We're going to continue it through Oct.
Numbers well down from the highs of mid Sept but still plenty to see.
CY, SC, CB, PL and Whites about.
More CY and CB eggs and larva found as well.
Southbourne
Dorset
We're going to continue it through Oct.
Numbers well down from the highs of mid Sept but still plenty to see.
CY, SC, CB, PL and Whites about.
More CY and CB eggs and larva found as well.
Southbourne
Dorset
Enjoyable walk at Durlston Country Park lunchtime even though a little overcast. Highlights - lots of Hummingbird hawk-moth on budliea, late Adonis Blue and lovely 3rd gen Wall. @dorsetbutterflies.bsky.social
September 28, 2026 at 3:23 PM
Enjoyable walk at Durlston Country Park lunchtime even though a little overcast. Highlights - lots of Hummingbird hawk-moth on budliea, late Adonis Blue and lovely 3rd gen Wall. @dorsetbutterflies.bsky.social
Even with an onshore breeze and intermittent 🌞 at Southbourne lunchtime I still managed to count 59 Clouded Yellows on our Seafront transect. On the undercliff sectons many were sheltering from the wind among the grass. @dorsetbutterflies.bsky.social
September 24, 2026 at 4:05 PM
Even with an onshore breeze and intermittent 🌞 at Southbourne lunchtime I still managed to count 59 Clouded Yellows on our Seafront transect. On the undercliff sectons many were sheltering from the wind among the grass. @dorsetbutterflies.bsky.social
Reposted by Andy Martin
Out at Southbourne today, and on the transect there was an total count of 153 Clouded Yellows.
There were more outside the transect walk.
It's the most we've had in a single count since we started recording in 2022.
Simply amazing.
Also 3rd brood Small Copper, Whites and C'mon Blue.
Sbourne
Dorset
There were more outside the transect walk.
It's the most we've had in a single count since we started recording in 2022.
Simply amazing.
Also 3rd brood Small Copper, Whites and C'mon Blue.
Sbourne
Dorset
September 21, 2026 at 3:16 PM
Out at Southbourne today, and on the transect there was an total count of 153 Clouded Yellows.
There were more outside the transect walk.
It's the most we've had in a single count since we started recording in 2022.
Simply amazing.
Also 3rd brood Small Copper, Whites and C'mon Blue.
Sbourne
Dorset
There were more outside the transect walk.
It's the most we've had in a single count since we started recording in 2022.
Simply amazing.
Also 3rd brood Small Copper, Whites and C'mon Blue.
Sbourne
Dorset
Reposted by Andy Martin
Mating Long-tailed Blues on Portsdown today
September 15, 2026 at 1:44 PM
Mating Long-tailed Blues on Portsdown today
Reposted by Andy Martin
Week 24 and it was back out on the butterfly transect today.
Just like the rest of Southern England there's Clouded Yellows everywhere, what a year we're having, with 10 helice spotted. Larva and eggs found as well.
Only a few Whites and 2 Painted Lady seen for other species.
Southbourne
Dorset
Just like the rest of Southern England there's Clouded Yellows everywhere, what a year we're having, with 10 helice spotted. Larva and eggs found as well.
Only a few Whites and 2 Painted Lady seen for other species.
Southbourne
Dorset
September 9, 2026 at 4:30 PM
Week 24 and it was back out on the butterfly transect today.
Just like the rest of Southern England there's Clouded Yellows everywhere, what a year we're having, with 10 helice spotted. Larva and eggs found as well.
Only a few Whites and 2 Painted Lady seen for other species.
Southbourne
Dorset
Just like the rest of Southern England there's Clouded Yellows everywhere, what a year we're having, with 10 helice spotted. Larva and eggs found as well.
Only a few Whites and 2 Painted Lady seen for other species.
Southbourne
Dorset
Reposted by Andy Martin
A mallow skipper is camping in the garden already for a week or so, busy chasing other butterflies. And while cleaning up the moth trap this morning a female southern small white came sunning in front of me. (1/3)
September 5, 2026 at 9:29 PM
A mallow skipper is camping in the garden already for a week or so, busy chasing other butterflies. And while cleaning up the moth trap this morning a female southern small white came sunning in front of me. (1/3)
This Dragonfly was cruising along the overcliff at Southbourne today. Managed a quick picture possible ID Lesser Emporer which would be a first for me. Happy to be corrected as not an expert 😀 @britishnatureguide.bsky.social @britishdragonflies.bsky.social
August 26, 2026 at 4:16 PM
This Dragonfly was cruising along the overcliff at Southbourne today. Managed a quick picture possible ID Lesser Emporer which would be a first for me. Happy to be corrected as not an expert 😀 @britishnatureguide.bsky.social @britishdragonflies.bsky.social
Brief visit to @dorsetwildlife.bsky.social Fontmell Down to see how the Dorset colony of Silver-spotted Skipper is coping with the ☀️weather. Happy to say 3 seen making best use of the limited vegitation. @dorsetbutterflies.bsky.social
August 10, 2026 at 3:11 PM
Brief visit to @dorsetwildlife.bsky.social Fontmell Down to see how the Dorset colony of Silver-spotted Skipper is coping with the ☀️weather. Happy to say 3 seen making best use of the limited vegitation. @dorsetbutterflies.bsky.social
Reposted by Andy Martin
A reminder for Dorset folk that my second Marvellous Moths event in Corfe Castle is on Sunday 9:30-11:00
Hope to see some of you there
Hope to see some of you there
August 6, 2026 at 2:08 PM
A reminder for Dorset folk that my second Marvellous Moths event in Corfe Castle is on Sunday 9:30-11:00
Hope to see some of you there
Hope to see some of you there
Just had a brief walk along an urban street in Poole Dorset. Every garden budliea contains 4 of 5 Painted Lady, also a couple of Jersey Tiger moth 😀 @dorsetbutterflies.bsky.social
July 21, 2026 at 10:39 AM
Just had a brief walk along an urban street in Poole Dorset. Every garden budliea contains 4 of 5 Painted Lady, also a couple of Jersey Tiger moth 😀 @dorsetbutterflies.bsky.social
☀️ 23c for walk at Badbury Rings this morning. Lot's 🦋 to see on this lovely patch of Dorset chalk downland, inc Chalk-hill blue, Clouded Yellow and Hummingbird hawk moth. @dorsetbutterflies.bsky.social
July 20, 2026 at 3:31 PM
☀️ 23c for walk at Badbury Rings this morning. Lot's 🦋 to see on this lovely patch of Dorset chalk downland, inc Chalk-hill blue, Clouded Yellow and Hummingbird hawk moth. @dorsetbutterflies.bsky.social
Reposted by Andy Martin
The Big Butterfly Count 2026 is here and butterflies need our help! 🦋
From now until 9 August, spend just 15 minutes outside counting the butterflies you see and help us take nature's pulse.
The best part? Anyone, anywhere can take part. Count yourself in 👉 https://butrfli.es/3SVFepj
From now until 9 August, spend just 15 minutes outside counting the butterflies you see and help us take nature's pulse.
The best part? Anyone, anywhere can take part. Count yourself in 👉 https://butrfli.es/3SVFepj
July 17, 2026 at 7:00 AM
The Big Butterfly Count 2026 is here and butterflies need our help! 🦋
From now until 9 August, spend just 15 minutes outside counting the butterflies you see and help us take nature's pulse.
The best part? Anyone, anywhere can take part. Count yourself in 👉 https://butrfli.es/3SVFepj
From now until 9 August, spend just 15 minutes outside counting the butterflies you see and help us take nature's pulse.
The best part? Anyone, anywhere can take part. Count yourself in 👉 https://butrfli.es/3SVFepj
A brief early morning visit to Alners Gorse reserve. Brown Hairstreak proving to be a little shy but lots of butterflies to see. Return visit required 😀 @dorsetbutterflies.bsky.social
July 15, 2026 at 1:37 PM
A brief early morning visit to Alners Gorse reserve. Brown Hairstreak proving to be a little shy but lots of butterflies to see. Return visit required 😀 @dorsetbutterflies.bsky.social
Lulworth Skipper out in good numbers at Durlston Country Park this morning. This one displaying the iconic Lulworth cove markings. Thanks @barnold668.bsky.social for interesting guided walk. @dorsetbutterflies.bsky.social
July 12, 2026 at 4:30 PM
Lulworth Skipper out in good numbers at Durlston Country Park this morning. This one displaying the iconic Lulworth cove markings. Thanks @barnold668.bsky.social for interesting guided walk. @dorsetbutterflies.bsky.social
☀️ Lot's of White Admiral and one Purple Emporer at Abbots Wood this morning. It's my first grounded PE for a while 😀
June 22, 2026 at 2:41 PM
☀️ Lot's of White Admiral and one Purple Emporer at Abbots Wood this morning. It's my first grounded PE for a while 😀
Morning visit to Arne nature reserve @rspbengland.bsky.social Nice to see 50+ Silver-studded Blue 🦋 on the heath, only one female. @dorsetbutterflies.bsky.social
May 30, 2026 at 12:54 PM
Morning visit to Arne nature reserve @rspbengland.bsky.social Nice to see 50+ Silver-studded Blue 🦋 on the heath, only one female. @dorsetbutterflies.bsky.social
A few more sightings from this morning at Ulwell including my first Adonis Blue & 20+Brown Argus 😀
May 5, 2026 at 3:28 PM
A few more sightings from this morning at Ulwell including my first Adonis Blue & 20+Brown Argus 😀
At least 2 Marsh Fritillary on the hillside at Ulwell nr Swanage this morning. I did see one last year in the same spot. Assume continued release in same area. 🤔 @dorsetbutterflies.bsky.social @martinswarren.bsky.social
May 5, 2026 at 1:52 PM
At least 2 Marsh Fritillary on the hillside at Ulwell nr Swanage this morning. I did see one last year in the same spot. Assume continued release in same area. 🤔 @dorsetbutterflies.bsky.social @martinswarren.bsky.social
A great start to Spring for the Holly Blue 🦋 6 in my small urban garden this afternoon. Also had 2 Painted Lady Zoom past. 😀 @BC_Dorset @savebutterflies
May 3, 2026 at 4:02 PM
A great start to Spring for the Holly Blue 🦋 6 in my small urban garden this afternoon. Also had 2 Painted Lady Zoom past. 😀 @BC_Dorset @savebutterflies
Reposted by Andy Martin
Duke of Burgundy (Hamearis lucina) have finally emerged in Dorset.
May 1, 2026 at 8:58 PM
Duke of Burgundy (Hamearis lucina) have finally emerged in Dorset.
A few Spring butterflies seen at a blustery Martin Down this morning. Nice to see my first Green Hairstreak of the year 😀
April 23, 2026 at 12:59 PM
A few Spring butterflies seen at a blustery Martin Down this morning. Nice to see my first Green Hairstreak of the year 😀
Reposted by Andy Martin
Yay, my first Wall of the year, but the big surprise is that it’s a female. They usually come out a bit later to make sure there are plenty of males around to mate quickly. Seen on chalk ridge near Swanage @dorsetbutterflies.bsky.social
April 16, 2026 at 1:50 PM
Yay, my first Wall of the year, but the big surprise is that it’s a female. They usually come out a bit later to make sure there are plenty of males around to mate quickly. Seen on chalk ridge near Swanage @dorsetbutterflies.bsky.social
Reposted by Andy Martin
Looking like one of the best Springs in recent years but we can only be sure if you record the butterflies seen. We encourage the use of iRecord, an app you can download to your phone. Its free and simple to use. Do give it a try & thanks if you already use it
@savebutterflies.bsky.social
@savebutterflies.bsky.social
April 10, 2026 at 5:59 AM
Looking like one of the best Springs in recent years but we can only be sure if you record the butterflies seen. We encourage the use of iRecord, an app you can download to your phone. Its free and simple to use. Do give it a try & thanks if you already use it
@savebutterflies.bsky.social
@savebutterflies.bsky.social
Reposted by Andy Martin
👏 Hurray the cycle is complete. Adult Clouded Yellow x3 on our Southbourne transect today. All stages monitored overwinter to demonstrate successful overwintering. Thanks to all who helped 👍 @dorsetbutterflies.bsky.social
April 8, 2026 at 12:57 PM
👏 Hurray the cycle is complete. Adult Clouded Yellow x3 on our Southbourne transect today. All stages monitored overwinter to demonstrate successful overwintering. Thanks to all who helped 👍 @dorsetbutterflies.bsky.social