Sign in

benjmatkinson.bsky.social

@benjmatkinson.bsky.social
126 followers 133 following 57 posts

Lyscombe ranger for Dorset Wildlife Trust (views on here are my own). Interested in all things nature conservation, but especially birds, botany, butterflies, coppicing and rewilding.

PostsRepliesMedia
Reposted by @benjmatkinson.bsky.social
Dorset Wildlife Trust @dorsetwildlife.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
A major milestone for nature recovery in Dorset! 🎉 Lyscombe nature reserve has been designated a King’s Series National Nature Reserve (NNR), in partnership with Natural England. 🌿
1225
Reposted by @benjmatkinson.bsky.social
Dorset Wildlife Trust @dorsetwildlife.bsky.social · 20/08/2026
✨ A very successful morning searching for marsh fritillary larval webs! ✨ We spent the morning surveying Lyscombe nature reserve for the larval webs of this rare and threatened butterfly. 🦋 And we were absolutely thrilled with what we found…
1172
benjmatkinson.bsky.social @benjmatkinson.bsky.social · 24/07/2026
The Lyscombe longhorns enjoying an area known as the coombe today. @dorsetwildlife.bsky.social
1164
benjmatkinson.bsky.social @benjmatkinson.bsky.social · 22/07/2026
Hummingbird hawkmoth enjoying the downland flowers today at Lyscombe. Seems like a fantastic year for them and other migrant species. Clouded yellows absolutely everywhere this week! @dorsetbutterflies.bsky.social @dorsetwildlife.bsky.social @dorsetmoths.bsky.social
0164
benjmatkinson.bsky.social @benjmatkinson.bsky.social · 22/07/2026
Thrilled to find marsh fritillary larval webs at Lyscombe today! Confirmed breeding at the reserve 😀 @dorsetbutterflies.bsky.social @dorsetwildlife.bsky.social
3257
benjmatkinson.bsky.social @benjmatkinson.bsky.social · 17/07/2026
A good day on Cerne Giant today helping the National Trust rangers survey for Duke of Burgundy feeding damage. Plenty found and quite a few marsh fritillary larval webs spotted as well! @dorsetbutterflies.bsky.social
0162
Reposted by @benjmatkinson.bsky.social
Guy Shrubsole @guyshrubsole.bsky.social · 14/07/2026
Appalling: Church of England votes against plan to rewild 30% of its land by 2030 @wildcard.land have run a noble campaign trying to get the CofE to see sense But this demonstrates exactly why Ministers can't rely on landowners to voluntarily support 30by30: www.theguardian.com/world/2026/j...
theguardian.com
Church of England votes against plan to rewild 30% of its land by 2030
Campaigners criticise C of E for failing to show moral leadership as one of country’s biggest landowners
43609256
benjmatkinson.bsky.social @benjmatkinson.bsky.social · 15/06/2026
A glorious day for a butterfly transect. The meadows in Lyscombe bottom looking incredible. Meadow browns, small heaths and marbled whites most numerous. Common blues, large + small skippers, small copper and small tortoiseshell seen also. @dorsetwildlife.bsky.social @dorsetbutterflies.bsky.social
0204
benjmatkinson.bsky.social @benjmatkinson.bsky.social · 28/05/2026
Adonis blue seen at Lyscombe today 😀 @dorsetwildlife.bsky.social @dorsetbutterflies.bsky.social
0265
benjmatkinson.bsky.social @benjmatkinson.bsky.social · 15/05/2026
A few highlights from this week at Lyscombe. A relatively healthy ash tree, common blues and brown argus butterflies and stonechats feeding chicks. @dorsetwildlife.bsky.social
A large multi-stemmed ash tree in leaf. Growing within a hedgerow into a clear blue skyA newly emerged common blue butterfly nectaring from a yellow bird's-foot trefoil flowerA chocolate coloured brown argus butterfly resting on a pencil within a grassland.A male stonechat with insect prey in it's beak, sitting atop a hawthorn hedgerow.
1182
benjmatkinson.bsky.social @benjmatkinson.bsky.social · 08/05/2026
6 marsh fritillaries seen at Bracketts Coppice today. One reported at Lyscombe yesterday as well 😀 @dorsetwildlife.bsky.social @dorsetbutterflies.bsky.social
1393
benjmatkinson.bsky.social @benjmatkinson.bsky.social · 22/04/2026
First small copper of the year at Lyscombe today 😊 @dorsetwildlife.bsky.social @dorsetbutterflies.bsky.social
0213
Reposted by @benjmatkinson.bsky.social
Dorset Wildlife Trust @dorsetwildlife.bsky.social · 17/04/2026
Don't forget - we will be at the Dorchester Corn Exchange tomorrow from 9am-4pm to chat about all things beaver related! 🦫 Have your say about beaver reintroductions on the River Frome, and enjoy family-friendly activities and displays. ~ Jack
012
Reposted by @benjmatkinson.bsky.social
Butterfly Conservation (Dorset Branch) @dorsetbutterflies.bsky.social · 17/04/2026
Do you live in east Dorset and like butterflies? We urgently need someone to take over a vital transect at Hod Hill that has been running for 44 years. See our website for details www.dorsetbutterflies.com/2026/04/coul...
dorsetbutterflies.com
Could you head up Hod Hill?
Our regular butterfly counting (transect) walk on Hod hill has been going for 44 years, but needs more walkers if we are not to lose the value of the data already gathered.
02521
benjmatkinson.bsky.social @benjmatkinson.bsky.social · 16/04/2026
A grasshopper warbler singing at Lyscombe today 😀 @dorsetwildlife.bsky.social @dorsetbirdclub.bsky.social
091
benjmatkinson.bsky.social @benjmatkinson.bsky.social · 10/04/2026
A brilliant morning for a Lyscombe breeding bird survey. A good variety of birds seen including a ringtail hen harrier, wheatear, male redstart, willow warbler, corn bunting, lesser and common whitethroat. @dorsetwildlife.bsky.social @dorsetbirdclub.bsky.social
1234
benjmatkinson.bsky.social @benjmatkinson.bsky.social · 09/04/2026
Hundreds of cowslips are now flowering at Lyscombe, with even more still to flower! From a few dozen last spring to this, a great indication that the grazing is working. All we need now is some Duke of Burgundy's to find them 🤞 @dorsetwildlife.bsky.social @dorsetbutterflies.bsky.social
1282
Reposted by @benjmatkinson.bsky.social
Guy Shrubsole @guyshrubsole.bsky.social · 22/03/2026
This April, some of England's largest landowners are obliged to publish estate management plans, through being members of the National Estate for Nature. The privately-owned Clinton Devon Estate has published its plan early, and it looks really good: 1/ clintondevon.com/wp-content/u...
513352
benjmatkinson.bsky.social @benjmatkinson.bsky.social · 16/03/2026
Did you watch Dirty Business? I can't believe how much water companies have gotten away with. They're putting profit before public health - it’s a scandal and the Government MUST take action! Sick of sewage? Add your name to the petition today: you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/en...
you.38degrees.org.uk
End the sewage pollution scandal
We're sick of it. Sick of the lies, sick of the greed, and sick of a system rigged against us. This is a scandal and this dirty business must end. For more than 30 years water companies have put corpo...
011
Reposted by @benjmatkinson.bsky.social
Dorset Wildlife Trust @dorsetwildlife.bsky.social · 01/03/2026
Don’t forget - you have until midnight tonight to place your Teemill order and get FREE UK delivery! 🙌 Browse our new wildflower designs, along with the rest of our beautifully illustrated clothing range, here 💐👉 bit.ly/4b0EEw3 ~ Jack
002
Reposted by @benjmatkinson.bsky.social
Botanical Society of Britain and Ireland (BSBI) @bsbibotany.bsky.social · 03/02/2026
Can you find, identify & record 100 wild plants in 2026? BSBI is confident that (with our support) yes, you can! Beginner botanists, will you accept the challenge? Sign up today for #100Plants2026 challenge: bsbi.org/take-part/ac... Check out the webinars & #WildFlowerID help we've prep'd for you!
Young man sitting in field with plant ID books, recording wild flowers in the sunshine
312260
Reposted by @benjmatkinson.bsky.social
Dorset Wildlife Trust @dorsetwildlife.bsky.social · 29/01/2026
⏰ LIMITED OFFER ⏰ The first 2 people to join Dorset Wildlife Trust for half price will receive a signed copy of The Good Bug by @georgemcgavin.bsky.social 🐞📖 Join here 👉 dorsetwildlifetrust.org.uk/halfpriceoffer Then DM us on Bluesky to claim your book! Remember, once they're gone, they're gone!
066
Reposted by @benjmatkinson.bsky.social
Botanical Society of Britain and Ireland (BSBI) @bsbibotany.bsky.social · 19/01/2026
Are you planning to undertake a project in 2026 which involves collecting plant-related data? Would you like <£1,000 towards your costs? Apply for a #BSBIPlantStudyGrant! Here's how: bsbi.org/learn/grants... Read how a #BSBIGrant helped Katherine research ancient meadows: bsbi.org/blog/2026/01...
02720
benjmatkinson.bsky.social @benjmatkinson.bsky.social · 29/10/2025
Some fantastic fungi have appeared at Lyscombe recently. White coral, masses of honey fungus, fairy ink-caps and the gorgeous coloured, and quite rare, splendid waxcap! @dorsetwildlife.bsky.social
white coral fungusThe fruiting bodies of honey fungus. Not good news for this ash tree.The delicate, fairy inkcapsThe splendid waxcap, quite a rarity in Dorset. This one seems to have folded over for some reason.
0110
Reposted by @benjmatkinson.bsky.social
martinswarren.bsky.social @martinswarren.bsky.social · 22/08/2025
HUGE numbers of Adonis Blue at Fontmell Down in North Dorset today, over 200 in 30 mins, one every 5m in places. Just like the old days. Also 4 Silver-spotted Skipper. Grazing looks perfect, but mighty dry. Well done @dorsetwildlife.bsky.social
Adonis Blue on Field ScabiousSilver-spotted Skipper on Field ScabiousView of main slope at Fontmell Down in Dorset looking brown after the long dry spell
414621
benjmatkinson.bsky.social @benjmatkinson.bsky.social · 23/08/2025
Nice to see a family group of spotted flycatchers at Lyscombe on Friday. There were two wheatear hanging out on site this week as well. @dorsetbirdclub.bsky.social @dorsetwildlife.bsky.social
070
benjmatkinson.bsky.social @benjmatkinson.bsky.social · 11/07/2025
The Lyscombe longhorns keeping cool in the shade this week @dorsetwildlife.bsky.social
1105
benjmatkinson.bsky.social @benjmatkinson.bsky.social · 02/07/2025
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
081
benjmatkinson.bsky.social @benjmatkinson.bsky.social · 01/07/2025
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
0164
benjmatkinson.bsky.social @benjmatkinson.bsky.social · 19/06/2025
A small skipper nectaring on rough hawkbit today at Lyscombe. @dorsetwildlife.bsky.social @dorsetbutterflies.bsky.social
091
benjmatkinson.bsky.social @benjmatkinson.bsky.social · 13/06/2025
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
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)
0103
benjmatkinson.bsky.social @benjmatkinson.bsky.social · 10/06/2025
This moth is proving tricky to ID. Dog's tooth, dusky brocade, alder moth?! Anyone got a suggestion? @dorsetmoths.bsky.social @mothiduk.bsky.social
210
benjmatkinson.bsky.social @benjmatkinson.bsky.social · 28/05/2025
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
072
benjmatkinson.bsky.social @benjmatkinson.bsky.social · 25/05/2025
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
0263
Reposted by @benjmatkinson.bsky.social
Dorset Flora Group @dorsetflora.bsky.social · 31/03/2025
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...
Dorset Flora Group Events 2025
021
benjmatkinson.bsky.social @benjmatkinson.bsky.social · 29/04/2025
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
0185
benjmatkinson.bsky.social @benjmatkinson.bsky.social · 28/04/2025
Bluebells under the oaks at Lyscombe today 🙂 @dorsetwildlife.bsky.social
070
benjmatkinson.bsky.social @benjmatkinson.bsky.social · 15/04/2025
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
083
benjmatkinson.bsky.social @benjmatkinson.bsky.social · 10/04/2025
Brilliant to now have some ponies at Lyscombe 😀
030
benjmatkinson.bsky.social @benjmatkinson.bsky.social · 08/04/2025
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
0111
Reposted by @benjmatkinson.bsky.social
Dorset Wildlife Trust @dorsetwildlife.bsky.social · 07/04/2025
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
012
benjmatkinson.bsky.social @benjmatkinson.bsky.social · 07/04/2025
Delighted to find this female black redstart hanging out at Lyscombe chapel this afternoon 😀 @dorsetbirdclub.bsky.social @dorsetwildlife.bsky.social
0102
Reposted by @benjmatkinson.bsky.social
Emma Lusby @emlusby.bsky.social · 04/04/2025
Never been a more important time to join your local Wildlife Trust and support action for nature 💚 🙌🏻 www.wildlifetrusts.org/blog/craig-b...
wildlifetrusts.org
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 – ...
0105
benjmatkinson.bsky.social @benjmatkinson.bsky.social · 02/04/2025
My first 2 swallows of the year today over Lyscombe 😀 @dorsetbirdclub.bsky.social @dorsetwildlife.bsky.social
040
benjmatkinson.bsky.social @benjmatkinson.bsky.social · 27/03/2025
Bluebells and blue turkey tails at Lyscombe today 😀 @dorsetwildlife.bsky.social @bsbibotany.bsky.social
062
benjmatkinson.bsky.social @benjmatkinson.bsky.social · 27/03/2025
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
260
Reposted by @benjmatkinson.bsky.social
BTO | British Trust for Ornithology @btobirds.bsky.social · 26/03/2025
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.
Jay on grassland with the bird's face lit up by sunlight. Image credit reads: Jay © Tom Streeter/ BTO
06421
benjmatkinson.bsky.social @benjmatkinson.bsky.social · 23/03/2025
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
061
benjmatkinson.bsky.social @benjmatkinson.bsky.social · 22/03/2025
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
061