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The meadows around the Kingcombe Field Centre were heavily grazed and consequently held relatively few flowers but we did see some good stands of Ragged Robin as well as plenty of Tormentil and Lousewort both of which indicated the acid nature of the underlying soil.
Quite a few Heath Spotted Orchids were in the wetter patches, where we also saw a female Common Darter and a Beautiful Demoiselle.
Buttterflies were fairly scarce apart from the Painted Ladies which are all over the county at the moment. A few Green-veined Whites, Common Blues and Small Coppers also showed up. Walking back to the car park along a damp and shady lane we found some beautiful patches of Yellow Pimpernel and some ageing Early Purple Orchids. |
© Bob Ford/Nature Portfolio
Yellow Pimpernel |
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Moving on to Powerstock we found far more to look at in pleasantly warm sunshine. The star attraction was the Bird-nest Orchid, with the Wood White a close second, but there were so many other butterflies and plants crammed into a hectic half-hour.
At the pond we had brilliant views of male Broad-bodied and Four-spotted Chasers. In total 5 different orchids were seen at the 2 sites! |
© Bob Ford/Nature Portfolio
Bird-nest Orchid |
© Bob Ford/Nature Portfolio
Twayblade |
© Bob Ford/Nature Portfolio
Meadow Thistle |
© Bob Ford/Nature Portfolio
Broad-bodied Chaser |
© Bob Ford/Nature Portfolio
Four-spotted Chaser |
© Bob Ford/Nature Portfolio
Beautiful Demoiselle |