Flowers at Madingley Hall

We took a walk around Madingley Hall Gardens yesterday - the frost had gone but it was still chilly. However, lots of flowers are already in bloom. Some of these are expected like the Flowering cherry and Wych Hazel. Other species in bloom were Snowflake, Spurge Laurel, Snowflake, Mahonia, Garrya, Berberis, Hellebore, Jasmine, Iris, Aubretia, Aconite, Green Hellebore, Primrose and Strawberry

Stinking Hellebore and Garden Birds

I was really pleased to find a colony of Stinking Hellebore, Helleborus foetidus, on the old railway embankment in Toft. This is a short-lived perennial herb of shallow calcareous soils. It is a poor competitor, and intolerant of deep shade, so is usually found in small colonies in woodland glades or open scrub, on scree slopes, rock ledges, hedgebanks etc. There are other plants of the species around Toft but I have not found new colonies before. 

With the cold weather, our garden is hosting lots of Goldfinches, Greenfinches, Blue Tits feeding on the old seedheads and the provided sunflower seeds.

Orchids, Moths etc at Buxton Heath

Buxton Heath outing was one of the highlights of this year for me with its wide variety of specialized heathland species many of which we managed to see. Here the Marsh Helleborine with its abundant  population of small insects, Southern Marsh Orchids, Beautiful Yellow Underwing caterpillar, Fox Moth caterpillar and Rusty Tussock moth flightless female egg laying. Final three Hoverfly Eristalinus sepulchre, Five-spot Burnet and the Bog Cricket

Hellebores in Winter Sun

 We took the opportunity a couple of days ago of a walk in the sun across the fields to Caldecote church with its wonderful garden. The Hellebores are looking great (Helleborus foetidus and H. niger) and I was surprised the number of insects sheltering (?feeding) in the flowers.

Hellebores at the Beren

 The Hellebores are looking at their best in Tinch's garden in Toft. The sight of these was complimented by the sweet perfumes of the Witch Hazel and Mahonia