ORCHIDS OF NORTH WEST LEICESTERSHIRE

Our Chairman, Brian Hammond, has kindly supplied some photos and words about some of the fabulous orchids that he has found recently. I'll let Brian describe these in his own words.

ORCHIDS OF NORTH WEST LEICESTERSHIRE

All photos were taken in the last 2 weeks and all are within 15 miles of Blackfordby. 

Lizard Orchid - Himantoglossum hircinum - Very rare this far North, only specimens in Leicestershire. Normally a plant of Kent & the South Coast.

Lizard Orchid (Himantoglossum hircinum)

Bee Orchid - Ophrys apifera - Quite a few arroud this year in different locations.

Bee Orchid (Ophrys apifera)

Greater Butterfly Orchid - Platanthera chlorantha - A beautiful but uncommon British Orchid.

Greater Butterfly Orchid (Platanthera chlorantha)

Common Spotted Orchid - Dactylorhiza fuchsii -This is the most common local Orchid.

Common Spotted Orchid (Dactylorhiza fuchsii)

Violet Helleborine - Epipactis purpurata - Uncommon Orchid that grows in a few dark woodland. Flowers in mid to late July so this specimen is just coming up ready to flower in a few weeks. The violet colour that gives it it's name is clearly visible in the picture.

Violet Helleborine (Epipactis purpurata)

Thank you, Brian, for these great photos and interesting information.

Take good care folks, and stay safe. 

Birds, a Bee, and a Bold Squirrel

I've received some delightful photos submitted by Brian and Simon. I confess to examining Simon's beautiful shots rather closely to check if that tree that both the shots featured was artificial or Photoshopped, as there did not seem to be a hair out of place between the two. It's real, folks!

Robin (Erithacus rubecula) - Simon's garden

Goldfinch (Carduelis carduelis) - Simon's garden

Here are Brian's birds:-

Blue Tit (Cyanistes caeruleus) - Brian's garden

Magpie (Pica pica) - Brian's garden

Starling  (Sturnus vulgaris) (juvenile) - Brian's garden

Rook (Corvus frugilegus) - Brian's garden

Brian has nicely documented a Grey Squirrel raiding his bird feeder. There are mixed feelings about squirrels out there, but I'm rather fond of them, and it's not their fault that somebody brought them here from America!

Grey Squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis) - Brian's garden

Brian also sent in a photo of a bee, asking if I could ID it. Sadly, I'm not knowledgeable about bees but, by consulting on the excellent Naturespot web site, I have come to the conclusion that it's Early Bumblebee - please let me know if you think I've got it wrong!

Early Bumblebee (Bombus pratorum) - Brian's garden

That's all for now folks. Until the next time, take good care and stay safe - - - Richard

Colin's Wildflower Meadow - and a new book on local walks

Greetings, folks! 

In 2018, Colin Carr, with the aid of our chairman Brian, seeded part of his paddock with wildflowers. The results are nothing short of wonderful, as you can see from the delightful photos that Colin has submitted. 

Colin's wildflower patch - Blackfordby

 Here are some of the beautiful wildflowers it contains.

Yellow Rattle (Rhinanthus minor) - Colin's Wildflower Meadow

Meadow Cranesbill (Geranium pratense) (white form) - Colin's Wildflower Meadow

Oxeye Daisy (Leucanthemum vulgare) - Colin's Wildflower Meadow

Viper's Bugloss (Echium vulgare) - Colin's Wildflower Meadow

I suspect that everyone knows by now that bees, and many other invertebrates, are perilously declining in numbers, largely due to farming methods and also through loss of habitat to human occupation. I have heard it said, on many an occasion, that if bees disappear the human race will soon follow. It is my belief that we should all be looking for ways to provide places for insects to thrive - whether we have a large plot of land, like Colin, or just a 'postage stamp' sized garden, or even just the ability to have a window box.

Many people are trying to persuade local councils to stop mowing verges and allow wildflowers to re-take posession - unless there's a safety issue - thereby doing something towards saving the planet, and money too! 

Next time you get frustrated by persistent Dandelions, please remember that they're great for wildlife. Take joy from a verge filled with Dandelions - or even Dandelions in your lawn. In fact, consider the possibilities of converting your lawn into a relatively maintenance-free flower meadow.

 

Colin also sent in a photo of a Squirrel dray at the edge of his meadow.  I'm not about to get into the pros and cons of Grey Squirrels here!

Squirrel dray - Colin's Paddock

Colin also kindly notified Brian and I of a short 'e-book' produced by local walker, Mark White, covering local walks in West Ashby. Mark has kindly given permission for me to publicise it here. If you are interested, it's available free-of-charge in .pdf format by emailing Mark at walkingwestashby@gmail.com

 
Take great care, and stay safe. We'll meet again someday - unlike Vera Lynn, I suspect I know where - I just don't know when!