Dorset Wildlife Trust

Dorset Wildlife Trust Working to protect and enhance Dorset's wildlife and wild places. Let's make space for nature. We influence decision makers and others who affect our wildlife.
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Dorset Wildlife Trust is the largest nature conservation charity in Dorset. Founded in 1961, we now have over 26,000 members and manage more than 1,300 hectares within 42 nature reserves across Dorset. PLEASE NOTE:

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It's been a great week for insects on Brownsea. We've had some absolute stunners on our surveys and keep bumping into so...
17/06/2026

It's been a great week for insects on Brownsea. We've had some absolute stunners on our surveys and keep bumping into some pretty special characters out and about on the reserve.

From azure damselflies egg laying (ovipositing) in the Bomb pond, to hummingbird hawk moths resting in the sun.

But the top three stars of the show have to be the golden ringed dragonfly which joined us in the wet meadow during the annual orchid survey (577 southern marsh orchids!)... the longest bodied dragonfly in the UK and possibly only the second sighting on the island; the fabulous mimickry of the hornet clearwing moth... looking and acting exactly like the hornet; and the extremely exciting first sighting for the island of the cracking 'green eyed beastie' the Norfolk hawker. Thanks so much to visitor Ian for the photo (full credit below).

What a week for inverts! What have you seen out and about? Have you had any exciting mini visitors to your patch?

~ Nicki T, Brownsea Ranger

📷 Norfolk hawker with huge thanks to Ian Feast-Vine
📷 other - Nicki T

🌿 Community litter picks at Upton Heath. 🌿Join Dorset Wildlife Trust this June and get involved in caring for this speci...
13/06/2026

🌿 Community litter picks at Upton Heath. 🌿

Join Dorset Wildlife Trust this June and get involved in caring for this special heathland site!

Come along, meet likeminded nature lovers, and help protect valuable habitat for local wildlife. All equipment is provided – just bring yourself (and a friend if you like!).

These sessions are a great way to make a real, practical difference for nature right on your doorstep. 💚

📅 Thursday 18 June 2026 👉 https://bit.ly/4opzgsv
📅 Saturday 20 June 2026 👉 https://bit.ly/43qnJj8

We can't wait to see you there! ~ Jack

📷 Tony Bates

🌿 From Dorset to Transylvania! 🌿Our Reserves Manager, Neil Gibson, is currently in Transylvania for the Pasture for Life...
12/06/2026

🌿 From Dorset to Transylvania! 🌿

Our Reserves Manager, Neil Gibson, is currently in Transylvania for the Pasture for Life study tour with the Wildlife Trusts and some UK farmers, exploring how grazing, hay meadows and traditional farming practices support nature. 🌱

And what a place to learn…

From vast, species-rich hay meadows (some holding record-breaking numbers of plant species in just a 2m square!) to ancient wood pasture with 800-year-old oaks, the scale and richness of these landscapes is truly inspiring, and a glimpse of what’s possible for nature at a landscape scale.

This trip to 'Dracula country' has been a fantastic mix of culture and wildlife - from following herds of over 200 cattle through town for milking and learning to scythe, to spotting white storks and fritillaries amongst buzzing meadows.

We’ll be sharing more from Neil's trip soon - so keep your eyes peeled. 👀

📷 Neil Gibson

The UK is experiencing its biggest common octopus bloom in more than 75 years, with sightings across the south coast inc...
12/06/2026

The UK is experiencing its biggest common octopus bloom in more than 75 years, with sightings across the south coast including Dorset. 🐙

Scientists believe these fascinating creatures originally arrived from the waters around the Channel Islands and northern France, carried into UK waters by ocean currents. Now, they're not just visiting - they're breeding here too. Eggs and juvenile octopuses are being spotted, suggesting the species is becoming established in our seas.

The common octopus joins a growing list of marine species that were once rare or unknown in Dorset waters, including the anemone shrimp, black-faced blenny, john dory, and even Atlantic bluefin tuna.

Have you seen an octopus while exploring Dorset's coastline? Share your sightings below! 👇🌊 ~ Hayley

[email protected]

📷 Paul Pettitt

The Duke of Burgundy is a small butterfly that can be found on scrubby chalk and limestone grasslands, or some woodlands...
11/06/2026

The Duke of Burgundy is a small butterfly that can be found on scrubby chalk and limestone grasslands, or some woodlands in mid-to-late spring.

Numbers have been in significant decline recently, but thanks to partnership working, we are seeing some recovery in particular within some of our SNCI sites! 🎉

One site has been managed to encourage a fragile colony in Dorset, in collaboration with Butterfly Conservation and with help from Dorset National Landscape grant funding. For example, clearing scrub and enabling better grazing has allowed cowslips - which the caterpillars of this species feed on - to thrive.

This site now forms part of a much bigger project which is working to secure the species' future by creating resilient populations across a whole network of sites. 🦋~ Cressida

📷 Mariko Whyte

10/06/2026

Today a new report has revealed the devastating impact bycatch is having on marine wildlife in UK seas.

Bycatch is the accidental capture of non-target animals during fishing operations. The numbers are deeply concerning.

Every year, bycatch is impacting:
🐦 Over 10,000 seabirds
🐬 More than 1,000 whales and dolphins
🦭 Around 500 seals
🦈 Over 120 tonnes of protected sharks, skates and rays
🐟 More than 1,000 endangered Atlantic salmon

Ministers must act urgently with stronger protections, mandatory monitoring and legally binding Bycatch Action Plans before more wildlife is lost.

Read the full report here 👉 https://www.wildlifetrusts.org/blog/marine/caught-net-ending-bycatch-uk-seas

Did you know? When threatened, grass snakes will hiss and release a foul-smelling substance from their a**l glands as a ...
09/06/2026

Did you know? When threatened, grass snakes will hiss and release a foul-smelling substance from their a**l glands as a first line of defence to deter predators 🐍💨

If that doesn’t work, they may play dead (just like this one spotted at Wild Woodbury). Many predators avoid carrion due to the risk of disease or decay.

You can learn more about our largest snake here 👉 https://bit.ly/3VA8fXc ~ Jack

⚠️ Although harmless, if you come across a grass snake, please avoid handling or disturbing it. A distressed grass snake may play dead until it feels safe, so it’s best to leave it alone - it will move on when ready.

📸 Kelly Hunt

To celebrate , we’re sharing some of our favourite marine photos entered into our photography competition over the year...
08/06/2026

To celebrate , we’re sharing some of our favourite marine photos entered into our photography competition over the years. 😍🌊

💙 Bottlenose dolphin leaping out of Lyme Bay - Maria Sage
💙 Blue shark in the English Channel - Jon Bunker
💙 Long-spined sea scorpion - Ryan Stalker
💙 Tompot blenny under Swanage Pier - Paul Pettitt
💙 European squid in Chesil Cove - Jon Bunker
💙 Stalk jellyfish at Kimmeridge - Paul Pettitt
💙 Octopus at Chesil Beach - Sandra Stalker
💙 Sap-sucking sea slug - Colin Pullen
💙 Fifteen spined stickleback - Clair Read

Do you have a stunning marine shot you’d like to share? Our 2026 photography competition is still open - enter your image for a chance to win some fantastic prizes, and feature in our future comms! 👉 https://bit.ly/42VQPXf ~ Jack

This World Ocean Day is a reminder that Dorset’s marine life forms a connected ecosystem where every species has a role ...
08/06/2026

This World Ocean Day is a reminder that Dorset’s marine life forms a connected ecosystem where every species has a role to play, from the smallest grazers to the top predators. Protecting this balance is possible through simple acts like following the Seashore Code at the coast ~ Hayley 🦭🦀🐌🦈

📸(1) Sarah Hodgson; (2) Michiel Vos / Ocean Image Bank; (3-4) Shannon Moran / Ocean Image Bank; (5) Hannes Klostermann / Ocean Image Bank ; (6) Julie Hatcher

You don’t have to venture far and wide to take a winning shot – some of the best wildlife photos can be taken right in y...
07/06/2026

You don’t have to venture far and wide to take a winning shot – some of the best wildlife photos can be taken right in your garden! 📷🌱🪲

See what you can spot in your green space and enter our 2026 photography competition for a chance to win some fantastic prizes. ✨

Plus, it makes a great activity!

Full competition details here 👉 https://bit.ly/42VQPXf ~ Jack

Address

Brooklands Farm
Dorchester
DT27AA

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

Telephone

+441305264620

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