Pyramidal Orchid and Great Green Bush Cricket, Hill Road

Flowering species #34 is starting to look great. #34

 

7th June: Honey Buzzard, Ashdown Forest

Distant record shots of the Honey Buzzard.

Mistle Thrush, one of at least 6.

 Lovely Oak Tree

6th June: Bee Orchids, Belle Tout

On good years there can be 50+ spikes of Bee Orchid here, but this year we could find 12. All bar 2 of these were without pigmentation. However, I am not sure whether they are Ophrys apifera var. flavescens or  var. chlorantha.

Scabious

5th June: Hedge Woundwort, Hill Road

 

4th June: Pyramidal Orchids, Hill Road

 A sympathetic mowing regime, agreed with neighbours a few years ago, means there is some lovely chalk grassland with Ox-eye Daisies and Pyramidal Orchids.

3rd June: Common Spotted Orchids and a Jay nestling - Paradise Plantation

 Walking through the wood to see the Common Spotted Orchid, we came across this rather flummoxed Jay nestling that must have fallen from its nest, on this rather windy day.

2nd June: Lizard Orchid, Belle Tout

 Only one spike this year, after there being five last year Lizard Orchids 2025. There was no sign of the Lady Orchid this year.

Large Skipper

Linnet

Five Spotted Burnett Moth

A very large, and very pale Bee Orchid