A very pleasant walk in Affpuddle Forest, Dorset, this week, with plenty of flowers along the more open paths to enjoy.
I particularly liked this impressively massive grass (a fescue?), the gorgeous flowers of Skullcap, and some stunning Common Spotted Orchids.
#wildflowerhour
No lawn, but I have let a previously woodchipped path on my allotment grow wild for #nomowmay.
I now have a glorious mini-meadow of Yorkshire Fog grass. Velvety soft, with a purply hue in the right light, and, close up lovely yellow stamen protruding. 💚
#NoMowSummer
#LawnFlowers
#wildflowerhour
It's starting...the annual spectacle of Pyramidal Orchids along the main road into Weymouth, on my doorstep!
There are thousands of plants here, most still in bud but it's still impressive. When it peaks it will be epic! 💜
Oh and there are Bee Orchids here too. 😍
#orchidchallenge
#wildflowerhour
Wow!! 😍 What fabulous caterpillars - such striking colours! These two huge Mullein Moth caterpillars were munching on what's left of a Figwort plant in Weymouth.
Perfect for #WildWebsWednesday! 🐛
#teammoth
@dorsetmoths.bsky.social
@dorsetbutterflies.bsky.social
I think Heath-spotted Orchids are such pretty flowers with a real delicateness about them.
Saw some lovely examples yesterday on the Purbeck Heaths, prior to enjoying the Nightjars doing their thing.
What a great combo! 😃
#wildflowerhour
#orchidchallenge
For me the absolute joy of moth trapping is marvelling at the incredible variety and detail of different moths.
I've always been an admirer of the stunning Cream-spot Tiger, but I've only just noticed they have this fabulous fluffy highlight of red accenting their eyes. 😍
#mothfacefriday
#teammoth
Lovely start to the day! A neighbour's hedge is full of butterflies this morning. At least 15 Painted Lady and 6 Red Admiral just on the facing side of this one blue-flowering shrub. It's a butterfly-tastic day here in Weymouth! 🦋🦋🦋
@dorsetbutterflies.bsky.social
Maybe not the rarest, but who can deny the exquisite beauty of a Bee Orchid?
What a truly wonderful flower. Seen a few this week at different locations in Weymouth, and I am compelled to stop and admire every little one. I just love them. 🩷
#wildflowerhour
#orchidchallenge
Fab weather for my Butterfly Transect y'day at Lorton Meadows. Great seeing my fave butterfly Small Copper, plus firsts for yr - Meadow Brown & Large Skipper. Bee #Orchid an added bonus plus day-flying moths, caterpillars & other insects 💚
@dorsetbutterflies.bsky.social
@dorsetwildlife.bsky.social
For #NoMowMay I let a woodchipped area of my allotment go wild. The main coloniser is Black Meddick which Common Blue butterflies are egg laying on! I'll leave it wild now to complete their lifecycle.
Also a fabulous Brimstone on my Erysimum today. 🦋
@dorsetbutterflies.bsky.social
#wildflowerhour
