Ben Atkinson

Bit of birding, bit of botany, bit of everything else. @Dorsetwildlife ranger for Lyscombe.(Views my own)

[Ben Atkinson @BenJMAtkinson]

@jameswjcart Wow! That's brilliant mate 👏👏👏

[Ben Atkinson @BenJMAtkinson]

@martinswarren @BC_Dorset @savebutterflies @DorsetWildlife There was some variation across the site, with some noticeably larger than others even within the same web.

[Ben Atkinson @BenJMAtkinson]

Surveying for marsh fritillary larval webs today at Bracketts Coppice. 27 webs found across two fields.
Caterpillars are still only small, probably 2nd instar? @BC_Dorset @savebutterflies @DorsetWildlife

[Drew Cooper @DrewCooper_Wild]

Silver-spotted Skipper (Hesperia comma) photographed today on the steep slopes of Fontmell Down in Dorset.
@DorsetWildlife @Team4Nature

[James Cartwright @jameswjcart]

92 of 24 spp. in my heathland moth trap on Tuesday morning. Great to see so many beautiful yellow underwings with a couple of drinkers. Please can I check this dotted border wave @MOTHIDUK? Got to love an elephant hawker too @DorsetWildlife @BC_Dorset @DorsetMoths @BritishMoths

[Ben Atkinson @BenJMAtkinson]

A good find yesterday at @DorsetWildlife Lyscombe nature reserve. Almost certain this is the Nationally rare downland bee-fly, Villa cingulata. Can anyone can confirm from this picture please? @DipteristsForum @StevenFalk1

[Ben Atkinson @BenJMAtkinson]

@devonjobro @LizWoodford1 @DorsetWildlife @BC_Dorset @DorsetMoths @ukbutterflies @BflyRobin Cheers 🙂

[Ben Atkinson @BenJMAtkinson]

Marsh fritillaries at Bracketts Coppice today 😀 Plus a first for me, a narrow-bordered bee-hawkmoth!! Sadly, it was too quick to photograph.
@DorsetWildlife @BC_Dorset @DorsetMoths @ukbutterflies @BflyRobin

[rachel 🌊🌱 @hazeltree12]

A great start to #30DaysWild with a visit to Ham Wall yesterday hearing booming bitterns and a lovely walk today with Dorset Wildlife Trust learning all about the enchanting early gentian. Hard to spot, but worth it once you get your eye in! 👀 #wildflowers 💕

[Ben Atkinson @BenJMAtkinson]

Some of the days highlights from Fontmell Down. Sleepy dormice (handled under license), early gentians, greater butterfly orchids and fragrant orchids.
@DorsetWildlife @PTES @BSBIbotany @ukorchids

[Will Rose @WilboRose]

100 years ago, the BBC broadcast a live duet between the cellist Beatrice Harrison and a nightingale. I made this animation that captures that moment. Narrated by @exitthelemming and sound from @FonicPost Watch here https://t.co/yiEMbRAKh9
@BBCRadio3 #thecelloandthenightingale

[Ben Atkinson @BenJMAtkinson]

A Bird's nest orchid at Bracketts Coppice yesterday 😀
@DorsetWildlife @ukorchids @BSBIbotany @WildaboutPlants

[Ben Atkinson @BenJMAtkinson]

I saw this sawfly yesterday, in a Dorset woodland. It looked like it was egg laying on bracken. Am I right in thinking it's Strongylogaster multifasciata? @nature_spotter @bwars2000

[National Down Syndrome Policy Group @NDSPolicyGroup]

“We must not treat people with Down syndrome as second class citizens in their own country”
Thank you @LiamFox for championing people with #DownSyndrome in Parliament & challenging your colleagues to right historical wrongs. Ask your MP to vote for #NC41 https://t.co/QYKFYtIezw

[Natural England @NaturalEngland]

We’re enabling thousands of new homes whilst recovering nature.🏡

Today, with @DorsetWildlife, we've announced the land purchase of Lyscombe Farm in #Dorset through our #NutrientMitigation Scheme.

Read more: https://t.co/RFe3t95dTf

[Sarah Lambert @sarah_lambert7]

Old Sulehay NR is one of my happy places.

Scents of damp earth, Hawthorn blossom and Wild Garlic in the wood

Dingy Skipper, Grizzled Skipper and Green Hairstreak #Butterflies in the quarry

A spring soundtrack of Cuckoo,Nightingale, Garden and Willow Warbler

@wildlifebcn

[Ben Atkinson @BenJMAtkinson]

@sarah_lambert7 @wildlifebcn Wonderful Sarah. Great to hear the place is still so amazing, and with nightingales!

[Ben Atkinson @BenJMAtkinson]

SWIFTS!!!!
4 over Puddletown just now 😀
@DorsetBirdClub

[Heidi Crowter-Living the dream @HeidiCrowter95]

i think this is so important because my life is equal after birth so it should be equal before birth. Pls repost if you agree with me #EqualityAt24 @LiamFox

[Ben Atkinson @BenJMAtkinson]

@BeesOfIreland I don't know, but perhaps a vapourer moth cocoon or something similar?