Not as pretty, but just as crucial. The cattle also create bare ground. Great for insects like mining bees and butterflies, and ideal for wildflowers to germinate in.
Those cow pats are important too. Full of dung beetles which are food for things like bats, hedgehogs and birds.

They still have plenty of work to do munching away on the SSSI, but the downland is already benefitting from their grazing. Plenty of wildflowers amongst the grasses.

The Lyscombe longhorns keeping cool in the shade this week
@dorsetwildlife.bsky.social

Chocks away! A day of drone flying at Lyscombe today. Getting some footage to showcase the reserve and help illustrate our plans for the site.
@dorsetwildlife.bsky.social

A pair of small blues seen mating yesterday at Lyscombe. A potential second brood in a few weeks time?
Exciting to find this species already doing well on the reserve, suitable habitat will increase significantly over the coming years 😀
@dorsetwildlife.bsky.social
@dorsetbutterflies.bsky.social

A small skipper nectaring on rough hawkbit today at Lyscombe. @dorsetwildlife.bsky.social @dorsetbutterflies.bsky.social

A figure of eighty moth (Tethea ocularis)

A privet hawk-moth (Sphinx ligustri) on a common knapweed (Centaurea nigra) flower.

Grass rivulet moth (Perizoma albulata)

A good moth trap at Lyscombe this week. Some nice finds including a grass rivulet, a rare moth in Dorset whose larvae feed on the seed capsules of yellow rattle. 3 hawk-moths elephant, small elephant and privet 🙂@dorsetwildlife.bsky.social @dorsetmoths.bsky.social @dorsetbutterflies.bsky.social

Thank you!

Thank you!

This moth is proving tricky to ID. Dog's tooth, dusky brocade, alder moth?! Anyone got a suggestion?
@dorsetmoths.bsky.social @mothiduk.bsky.social

I was priveleged to see this calf born last week at Lyscombe.
Longhorn's are known for being easy calvers and this first time mum was no exception. Looking forward to seeing this and the other calves grow up and enjoy exploring Lyscombe. @dorsetwildlife.bsky.social

A short visit to @dorsetwildlife.bsky.social Higer Hyde Heath today. Very pleased to see a couple of silver-studded blues, sand lizards a smooth snake and a hairy rove beetle!
@dorsetbutterflies.bsky.social

Dorset Flora Group Events 2025

Our 2025 Events Programme is out now!
Many thanks to Tom Smith for his hours of work in pulling this together, and also to all our event hosts. There's a whopping 29 on the list – for all the important details, please see the full programme here:
derc.org.uk/dorset-flora...

A beautiful day in the sunshine at Lyscombe. Great to spot a green hairstreak, lots of dingy skippers too. Early purple orchids flowering, wild garlic and a spotted flycatcher 😀
@dorsetwildlife.bsky.social @dorsetbutterflies.bsky.social @dorsetbirdclub.bsky.social @dorsetflora.bsky.social

Bluebells under the oaks at Lyscombe today 🙂
@dorsetwildlife.bsky.social

The first of the seasons bird surveys this morning at Lyscombe. 3 wheatears down in the bowl. Corn buntings, whitethroats, willow warblers and a garden warbler also heard.
@dorsetbirdclub.bsky.social

Brilliant to now have some ponies at Lyscombe 😀

Some early spider orchids from Dancing ledge on the Dorset coast at the end of March. There will be loads more flowering by now I'm sure. @bsbibotany.bsky.social @dorsetflora.bsky.social @ukorchids.bsky.social

Do you love connecting people with wildlife? 👀🦋 We have an exciting opportunity to join the centres team, based at Kingcombe Visitor Centre sitting within Kingcombe National Nature Reserve. 🙌 Find out more here 👉 bit.ly/3XQxcxH ~Jack

Closing date: Thurs 10 April

Delighted to find this female black redstart hanging out at Lyscombe chapel this afternoon 😀 @dorsetbirdclub.bsky.social @dorsetwildlife.bsky.social

Nature as a scapegoat has to stop – it's time to address nature security | The Wildlife Trusts This week marks five years since Craig Bennett joined The Wildlife Trusts as Chief Executive. He reflects on the seismic changes in that time – from a global pandemic to environmental policy shifts – ...

Never been a more important time to join your local Wildlife Trust and support action for nature 💚
🙌🏻
www.wildlifetrusts.org/blog/craig-b...

My first 2 swallows of the year today over Lyscombe 😀 @dorsetbirdclub.bsky.social @dorsetwildlife.bsky.social

Thank you very much Brian!
That does seem by far the most likely. I'll record it as a lesser, still a good record for the site 😀

Bluebells and blue turkey tails at Lyscombe today 😀
@dorsetwildlife.bsky.social @bsbibotany.bsky.social

Found this today at Lyscombe, initially thought lesser stag beetle but on second glance could it be a female stag? Red tinge to the elytra @coleopsoc.bsky.social @brianecambs.bsky.social

Jay on grassland with the bird's face lit up by sunlight. Image credit reads: Jay © Tom Streeter/ BTO

Sneak peek of exciting news! 😀 In April, we’re launching a new UK-wide pilot survey of birds in greenspaces & we need your help! 🐦 We’ll be looking for people to record birds in greenspaces like parks, cemeteries & sports pitches. 📝 Keep an eye on our social media for updates on how to take part.

People and wildlife busy at Lyscombe today! Walkers passing through on a long distance challenge event. Violet oil beetles laying eggs and marsh marigolds flowering, with greenfinch, skylark and chiffchaff singing 😀
@dorsetwildlife.bsky.social @dorsetbirdclub.bsky.social @dorsetflora.bsky.social

Willow warbler recorded on my merlin app today at wareham forest. Along the woodlark trail.
I was too busy talking to hear it 🤦
@dorsetbirdclub.bsky.social

If you, or anyone you know, likes birdwatching and struggle with poor mental health. I’d love to send over a free e-copy of Bird Therapy (pdf) to read. It can be helpful to know you’re not alone. Message me if you’d like one, and please also consider sharing this post. 💛

#booksky #birdtherapy

The first early dog-violets of the year flowering amongst a sea of primroses at Lyscombe 😀 @dorsetwildlife.bsky.social @dorsetflora.bsky.social @bsbibotany.bsky.social