A day spent catching up with pc, packing and housework prior to
escaping to Lesvos tomorrow saw me in need of some air and so with the sun
shining and blue sky at about 3pm I ventured out to Crabbles Bottom Orchard and
Great Crabbles Wood for a short walk.
I just wanted a spring flower fix with one species in mind –
my first Early Purple Orchids of the year and although many were still in bud
one or two were standing proud. As usual
with this site some have plain and others spotted leaves.
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| Early Purple Orchid |
Bluebells were starting to open up and the Chestnut coppice
floor was carpet of fresh green leaves dotted with patches of blue along with
sulphur Lesser Celandines and snowy pink Wood Anemones.
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| Wood Anemones |
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| Lesser Celandines |
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| Bluebells |
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| Wild Strawberry |
Clumps of Lords and Ladies leaves towered over the other
flora and like the Orchids, some with and without spots. A small clump of Cowslips contained one plant
with curiously orangey petals.
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| Cowslips |
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| Cowslips - a delightful varient |
It was not particularly warm in the chill easterly wind but
in sheltered spots I found a few insects including Episyrphus balteatus (my
first for ages), Syprhus ribesii, Eupeodes corollae and Platycheirus albimanus
and a nine Bombylius major keeping low and visiting the Celandines while what think
were Nomada zonata (tiny!) and Nomada goodeniana. A couple of hardy Peacocks cruised around but no other species
– it was cold!
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| Nomada zonata - not sure - am making enquiries |
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| Nomada goodeniana |
Twenty minutes later and I was back at the car replete with a mini wildlife lift.
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