If ever a month deserved two nature newsletters then May is that month! What a difference a week makes. The glorious sunshine continued until it broke in a spectacular thunderstorm yesterday.
Martha and I went for a walk this afternoon to search for Adder’s Tongue Fern, which John reported is thriving in the meadow under Shawl’s Wood. We set of in warm but hazy weather only to be caught in heavy thundery rain. However, the walk was a success with some lovely pictures of Early Purple Orchids, Bluebells, Marsh Marigolds and, surprising easy to find, the leaf (frond not appeared yet) of the Adder’s Tongue Fern.
Happened upon this May-bug in the grass – these are the very large ‘whirring’ insects you will hear at dusk at this time of the year. Also, but not captured on camera, we disturbed three Roe Deer to which Martha commented, “Where’s Father Christmas”. They galloped through the rain soaked flowers and into the woods.
I was hoping to get a picture of an Orange Tip butterfly but unfortunately only managed one of Lady’s Smock, the plant on which they lay their eggs.
Spent quite a few hours in the Ecocabin garden yesterday and the balance of plants is very different to last year. There are many just about to bloom and reseeding of annuals such as Yellow Rattle and Corncockle have been very successful. I watch with interest to see what will come into flower over the next month.
Enjoy the nature of Obley and let me know if you see anything of interest!
Kate
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