Surprising find

There is usually at least one surprise each year whether a new species or perhaps an orchid where I wasn't expecting to see one. This year so far it's the latter as I came across a sturdy Broad-leaved Helleborine in the North Field where they have never appeared before. These Orchids have not yet reappeared in the West Field where numbers peaked at 37 in 2021 but were down to only 2 last year but they are about stable in the South Field (4 so far this year the same as last year total). All ver puzzling.

Heath Spotted Orchid

Almost all of the spotted orchids here are either fully or mostly Common Spotted Orchids. I only record specimens as Heath Spotted when they exhibit clearly all the key points - lip shape in particular but also flower shape, leaf spotting and flower markings. With this strict criteria which counts any hybrids as Common Spotted I have recorded one specimen in 2018, 2019 and 2020, four in 2021, two in 2022 and none in 2023 or 2024. I was pleased to find a classic Heath Spotted today which brings to four the numbe4r of Orchid species this year.

First Dragonfly of 2025

Despite the dire state of the main pond there waqs a male Broad-bodied Chaser claiming the territory last week. Hopefully the recent rain will have helped the suitability of the pond for its progeny. (old photo - I didn't get a photo this time)

Common Spotted Orchids at 28th May

For comparison purposes I keep a note of how many Spotted Orchids (almost all Common Spotted Orchids) I've recorded by 28th May. Looking at the figures just leaves me puzzled. The percentage of orchids re corded by 28th May varies as a percentage of the final figure between 33% and 73%! This years total of 280 orchids could lead to a final figure on that basis of anywhere between 384 and 848 so not much good as a predictor. However it looks likely that we will beat last years dismal 312 orchids (including other species) but not match 2023s total of 945 orchids. There is also no pattern of the variation over time with the fields. I can only think that thyere is a pattern in the way orchid populations wax and wane that is separate to othyer factors such as weather/climate, predation by rabbits/deer etc.

Return of Ragged Robin

Quite a surprise to me but a group of five Ragged Robins (Lychnis floc-cuculi) has appeared in the South Field. Last seen in a very similar spot in this field 12 years ago. I am puzzled as this is not a very damp area which they seem to prefer and there are no examples close by to my knowledge. One possible explanation is that seeds from 12 years ago have been waiting for a wet winter (which we had last year) to germinate. Who knows but they area lovely flower.

First orchid in flower

Just came across the first orchid that I have spotted because it is in flower rather than by seeing its rosette. A nice precursor of many more I hope.

New Species - Early Bumblebee

Freshly enthusiastic after my Bee course I identified the Early Bumblebee (Bombus pratorum) yesterday. There were a few individuals on some wild raspberry canes. It is one of the ffood sources they favour according to the books.The extent of the second yellow band seemed variable but these were workers rather than males. This is our smallest UK bumblebee.

Scarce bee seen at Wet Meadow

I was on a one day bee course yesterday courtesy of the Wye Valley National Landscape, We spent the afternoon session at Trellech Wet Meadow just a couple of miles from The Beeches. There weren't many bees about but just as we were finishing a scarce bee was found - the Red-shanked Carder Bee (Bombus ruderarius). I'll have to keep my eyes out here - that would be a major addition to our bee list. The photo is from Wikipedia Creative Commons (Ivar Leidus, CC BY-SA 4.0 , via Wikimedia Commons)

New Moth Species - White Ermine

I Spotted this moth in the East Field and eventually managed to get a photo which enabled it's identification as White Ermine (Spilosoma lubricipeda).

New Green Winged Orchid site on The Narth

This is one orchid I would love to see here at The Beeches but so far no luck. However it is flowering on a site just outside the village boundary where horses are kept. I think this is the first confirmed record around the village for a couple of decades!

Bulbous Buttercups

Yet another flower in profusion this year - the best buttercup - the Bulbous Buttercup. Good colour contrast with the ubiquitous Bluebells.

Still loads of Fallow Deer around.

This a group finding something tasty on the low stone wall by the house. They do seem a bit random in their eating habits and sometimes just take bites out of whatever they are walking past at the time.