First bolete for 2025

I spotted this large bolete under Beech in the West Field. I assumed it was the Red-cracking Bolete (Xerocomellus chrysenteron) as I had seen that here before but it turned out to be the more common Bluefoot Bolete (Xerocomellus cisalpinus). There has been confusion about these two species in the past but it has now been determined that this is the more common species and is found under oak and beech.

Fawn still resident in East Field

The newborn fawn that I nearly trod on a week ago is still lying up during the day during this hot spell whilst his mother is off feeding elsewhere. After a few days I was a bit concerned as I had not seen the mother return but a couple of days later and the fawn had moved position and then yesterday early evening it was skittering around and learning to pronk whilst its mother looked on. Its back in the long grass today.

Orchid Species #6 for 2025 - Greater Butterfly Orchid

I had given up any hope of seeing a recurrence of Butterfly Orchids which appeared singly in 2022 and a pair in 2023. However I came across this magnificent specimen about 10 metres from where the previous ones appeared. That makes six species fopr the year - Common Spotted, Heath Spotted, Broad-leavced Helleborine, Twayblade and Bee Orchid.

Newborn fawn

Newborn fawns are left in hiding and won't shift even if you walk by within a couple of metres. I nearly trod on one this morning. Here's a photo taken with a long lens. They are well hidden!

New Southern Marsh Orchid site on The Narth

The site that served up Green Winged Orchids this year has also got Southern Marsh Orchids. I counted 80 plus spikes there today. I have had one Southern Marsh a couple of years ago but this new collection is a great sight to see.

Bee Orchids plural!

On three occassions we have had a single Bee Orchid (2017, 2021 and last year), all in the same area. Yesterday I recorded five Bee Orchids there which is definitely my biggest surprise this year regarding flowers. This is an outstanding looking flower, evolved to mimic a particular female bee but which is generally self-pollinating. That explains why we now seem to have progeny of either the 2017 or perhaps the 2021 specimen.

Another surprise - Quaking Grass

My favourite grass species here is Quaking Grass. It is elegant and shivers in the breeze. It appeared some years ago in the East Field but only a few stalks and whilst I did find it in the same spot for a few years in a row I couldn't see it last year or this year so far. Until that is I was walking up the drive and in the rough narrow verge there was a small area of it. I don't expect to see the rarer plants here on a rough bit of verge that gets no careful management.