Saturday 10th June

Species: Grizzled Skipper (1) Meadow Brown (2) Dingy Skipper (3) Speckled Wood (2) Common Blue (3)

Pyramidal Orchid - Tucking Mill 10-06-2023

The 10th June was a warm but cloudy day. I arrived at Tucking Mill for a short visit at around 11.00am. There were few butterflies around but the trip proved worthwhile. There was a wonderful array of orchids and other flora growing in the dry grassland, including Pyramidal Orchids (Photo above).

Common Spotted-orchid - Tucking Mill 10-06-2023

Alongside the Pyramidal Orchids, Common Spotted-orchids could be seen in a number of areas, including the section of the embankment which was racked to remove dead grasses earlier in the year.

Red-tailed Mason Bee Nest - Tucking Mill 10-06-2023

Also on the embankment the grassy nests of the Red-tailed Mason Bee I had identified on a previous visit, could still be seen.


Common Rock-rose - Tucking Mill 10-06-2023

The field where I spotted what I believe to be Cistus Forester moths was ablaze with the the small yellow flowers of Common Rock-rose. 

Bee Orchid - Tucking Mill 10-06-2023

It was at the top of this field I spotted a Bee Orchid, close to where I saw one last year.

Spiked Star-of-Bethlehem - Tucking Mill 10-06-2023

A short walk from these fields the footpath takes you through a section of woodland that overlooks the lake. Here, and in other parts of the valley, you can see the Spiked Star-of-Bethlehem at this time of year. Its an uncommon plant that is also known as the Bath Asparagus.





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