An Evening at Trumpington Meadows

The meadows at Trumpington are spectacular with swathes of Oxeye Daisies, Hawksbit and Quaking Grass together with many other meadow species including hundreds of Bee Orchids and a good stand of Pyramidal Orchids. Here an impression of the visit - just needs sound added of Skylarks, Cuckoo, Meadow Pipits and, notably, Corn Buntings - songs reminiscent of this area in the 1960s before agricultural practices and building removed their habitats. After very heavy showers all day, yesterday evening was clear skies and even a hint of warmth in the sun. 

Royston Heath - Record Number of Bee Orchids

It was too windy on Church Hill yesterday to do full justice to the wonderful display of Bee and Fragrant Orchids in full bloom at the moment with just the occasional Pasque Flower remaining. I saw a single Adonis Blue and about 4 Marbled Whites and we were entertained by a hovering Buzzard and a very active Mistle Thrush.

Male Marbled Whites Have Emerged

There were numerous Marbled Whites on Royston Heath this afternoon - all males and keen to feed on the Thistles. Red Kites flew overhead while a pair of mating Robber flies clung on to swaying grasses. The other chalk flowers were Knapweed-Broomrape, Bee Orchids, Clustered Bell Flower, Dropwort and seeds of the Pasque Flower

Dorset - Chesil Beach (30/05/2023)

Back from Dorset but still lots to process and record on my Blog (aka diary!!). I wanted to visit Chesil beach as I always find it a wonderful mixed wildlife area and was rewarded with insects, flowers and birds - here only a sample. The skylark had a very battered tail presumably as a result of ground nesting in a very rough terrain. Quite a few butterflies including mating Common Blues and lots of Bee Orchids, Broomrape and Wild Gladioli.

Orchids in Crete

This is an attempt to collate and share the orchid images that I took during a recent week in Crete. I am not certain of one or two IDs but hopefully their beauty and variety can be appreciated - a wonderful experience.