Cryptocephalus Hypochaeridis Last summer, I found this glossy green beetle wherever hawkweed was in flower. This year, the same. I like to confirm seasonal pattern, to note absences. If something that I’d expect to see is missing, what does that mean? Absences are significant . I see micro-moths but none of the larger and more colourful butterflies, none. Swifts are feeding low. Not one wheatear here this year. I’ve heard cuckoo only twice and seen it in the distance: a poor show. I’ve done well with linnet and lesser redpoll. Orchids are my motif of the day.
After some two weeks of hot sun and humidity, Atlantic weather systems resume.
Early purples showed first, en masse. No orchid rivals them for abundance up here. Butterfly orchids appear and I search on Helsington Barrows and find a couple of fly orchids. Last summer I could find none. As I wander home I’m looking at the dark flowers of a sedge and thinking how at a glance it might be mistaken for a fly orchid. I’m searching the limestone clitter for dark red helleborine, budding, but not yet in flower, when I come upon another solitary fly orchid. Not sure I’d ever find that location again. So I photograph the site to be sure to seek it out next year.
The first fragrant orchid show. Delicate and fragrant it is.
How do you tell squinancywort from bedstraw? Down on your knees to inhale- it’s vanilla scented. Squinancywort: Asperula cynanchica. It's a woodruff.
Early purples showed first, en masse. No orchid rivals them for abundance up here. Butterfly orchids appear and I search on Helsington Barrows and find a couple of fly orchids. Last summer I could find none. As I wander home I’m looking at the dark flowers of a sedge and thinking how at a glance it might be mistaken for a fly orchid. I’m searching the limestone clitter for dark red helleborine, budding, but not yet in flower, when I come upon another solitary fly orchid. Not sure I’d ever find that location again. So I photograph the site to be sure to seek it out next year.
The first fragrant orchid show. Delicate and fragrant it is.
How do you tell squinancywort from bedstraw? Down on your knees to inhale- it’s vanilla scented. Squinancywort: Asperula cynanchica. It's a woodruff.
Memorable name, squinancywort. The flower dislikes competing grasses, so it chooses rocky places and bare earth. No need to leave the path, you’ll find it right beside you. The flowers are a softer white than the rather sharp colour of bedstraw.
Lady’s bedstraw is still in bud. The yellow flowers smell pleasantly of coumarin, Marjorie Blamey tells us. This is a season to be on your knees, down on the ground, sniffing. Last time I did that, to take photographs, three black Labradors came jumping all over me!
In the parkland habitat of Helsington Barrows there’s a mature oak tree I’ve come to know and love. Each year, I look to see if it has catkins. None this year. Some years it’s rich with them. I’ve tried to find out what’s going on here. If you know the answer I’d be glad to know it.
Lady’s bedstraw is still in bud. The yellow flowers smell pleasantly of coumarin, Marjorie Blamey tells us. This is a season to be on your knees, down on the ground, sniffing. Last time I did that, to take photographs, three black Labradors came jumping all over me!
In the parkland habitat of Helsington Barrows there’s a mature oak tree I’ve come to know and love. Each year, I look to see if it has catkins. None this year. Some years it’s rich with them. I’ve tried to find out what’s going on here. If you know the answer I’d be glad to know it.
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