Clayton Meadow in Dorset

Primrose season in full swing in Clayton Meadow, Dorset.
#primroses #wildflowers #wildflowerhour #nature #spring

The Peacock is the first butterfly of the season spotted in Clayton Meadow, Dorset this week.
#peacock #butterflies #conservation #biodiversity @dorsetbutterflies.bsky.social

A Sparrowhawk stopping by in Clayton Meadow, Dorset. A good spot by our resident photographer, Mike.

#sparrowhawk #birds #birdsofprey #conservation #birdsightings

The joy of Snowdrops in Clayton Meadow, Dorset. One of the first flowers of the year.
#snowdrops #conservation #wildflowers #biodiversity #wildflowerhour

Very exciting to see the orchid rosettes at this time of year in Clayton Meadow, Dorset.
#wildflowerhour #orchids #wildflowers @ukorchids.bsky.social #biodiversity #conservation

Stinking Iris in Clayton Meadow, Dorset. Its berries provide a useful food source for birds.
#birds #iris #wildflowerhour #wildflowers #meadows #berries

The emergence of the Snowdrops in Clayton Meadow, Dorset.
#wildflowerhour #wildflowers #meadows #snowdrops

First Primrose of the season to flower in Clayton Meadow, Dorset.
#meadows #wildflowers #wildflowerhour #nature #conservation

Celebrating the biodiversity of Clayton Meadow, Dorset in 2025.
#orchids #reptiles #wildflowers #butterflies #insects #conservation

The Yellow Meadow Ant is known for creating anthills in grassland habitats. They build their distinctive soil domes above their nests and there are some great examples in Clayton Meadow.
#ants #meadows #anthills #grasslands #habitat #conservation #nature

A common lizard out and about in Clayton Meadow, Dorset last week.
#reptiles #lizards #meadows #nature #conservation #grasslands

A Great Green Bush Cricket on the Clayton Meadow stone sign. #insects #nature #conservation #meadows

Delighted that there are a few Autumn ladies-tresses popping up in Clayton meadow. The last orchid of the year.

#orchids #wildflowers #meadows #wildflowerhour #nature #conservation #biodiversity

Last of the summer flowers provide nectar for bees in Clayton Meadow.
Possibly a buff tailed bumblebee- I.D.confirmation anyone?

#bees #bumblebees #meadow #nature #DorsetWildlife

Can anyone ID this insect seen in Clayton Meadow, Dorset?
@dorsetwildlife.bsky.social @chrispoole050.bsky.social
#bugs #nature #insects #meadows

A ladybird on the Knapweed, part of the Daisy family of wildflowers, in Clayton Meadow.

#pollinators #DaisyFamily #wildflowers #insects #nature #conservation #meadows #wildflowerhour #ladybird #DorsetWildlife

#Knapweed and #Marjoram lead the popularity stakes for pollinators in Clayton Meadow in Dorset.

#PollinatorPals #wildflowerhour #DorsetWildlife #wildflowers #butterflies #meadows #bees #moths

There have been so many butterflies & moths recently in Clayton Meadow. A diversity of wildflowers means there is something for everyone. #Burnetmoths, #Redadmiral #Wall #SpeckledWood #DarkGreenFritillary #CommonBlue

#butterflies #bigbutterflycount #nature #wildflowers #moths #

A Painted Lady butterfly in Clayton Meadow. They only have a brief lifespan so their primary focus is on reproduction.

#butterflies #BigButterflyCount #nature #conservation #meadows #dorsetbutterflies @lgspace.bsky.social #DorsetWildlife

The Small Copper butterfly is attracted by the Wild Marjoram in Clayton Meadow. The flower is a magnet for the butterflies in the meadow at this time of year.
#butterflies #BigButterflyCount #wildflowers #meadows #nature #conservation #DorsetWildlife

Thank you for identifying the moths - much appreciated.

Large White butterflies in Clayton Meadow on the ivy and Field Scabious.

#BigButterflyCount #butterflies #wildflowers #nature #conservation #meadows #DorsetWildlife

Plenty of Knapweed and Scabious for the bees in Clayton Meadow.

#bees #pollinators #meadows #DorsetWildlife

Plenty of moths in Clayton Meadow including a Garden tiger moth.(help with ID appreciated)
@dorsetmoths.bsky.social @chrispoole050.bsky.social #DorsetWildlife #moths

Good to see a Grayling butterfly in Clayton Meadow during the #BigButterflyCount.

Whilst still seen around the coast this butterfly has seen a large deterioration in numbers in recent years.
#butterflies @dorsetbutterflies.bsky.social #DorsetWildlife

Lots of Skipper butterflies in Clayton Meadow at the moment.

#butterflies #meadows
#BigButterflyCount

A lovely shot of a Wall butterfly in Clayton Meadow. Good to see given its general decline in numbers.
#butterflies #bigbutterflycount #Dorsetwildlife #dorsetnature #purbecknature

And the female Scabious Longhorn Nemophora Metallica in Clayton Meadow. See previous post. #moths @dorsetmoths.bsky.social

Exciting find… a photo by Chris Poole of several Scabious Longhorn Nemophora metallica in Clayton Meadow, Dorset. According to Dorset Moths there have been no recent records.
@dorsetmoths.bsky.social
@dorsetbutterflies.bsky.social
@dorsetwildlife.bsky.social @lgspace.bsky.social
#moths #insects

That’s great, thank you. Are the photos one male & one female? Would you mind if we posted the pictures on the Clayton Meadow account giving you credit?