Noticing Nature Blog

A few more plants from around the area. Clockwise from top left: Greater Celandine, Herb Robert, Green-winged Orchid (showing the green-striped hood to each flower) and the delightful Ivy-leaved Toadflax.

A monthly round-up of bird sightings in and around Staple. Swallow (Library picture) Birds in April: My first Swallow of the year was seen over the Old Dairy cafe at Goodnestone Park on 1st April. On the same day there were Chiffchaffs and Blackcaps calling in the woods around the Serpentine Walk. On the 2nd, a Barn Owl flew out of Crixhall barn. This was the first sighting here for some time and a welcome one. There were also 50+ Fieldfares in the poplars along the Crixhall

Several Green-winged Orchids have popped up in the meadow area in Goodnestone Park gardens. When the meadow area was created, the head gardener acquired a bale of meadow hay from Great Dixter gardens in Sussex. This was spread over the area to introduce a native, meadow wildflower mix. It is likely that the Early Purple and Green-winged Orchids that now grow here originated from Great Dixter (so, faux orchids then!). Still, very nice to see. Green-winged Orchids

There were several of these rather unusual micro-moths along the hedgerow towards Goodnestone from Crixhall Court. They are common, day-flying, longhorn moths. The one pictured is probably Adela reaumurella. It's a dark-green metallic colour and, with the sun reflecting off it as in the photo, showing a hint of gold. Just look at those antennae though! Adela reaumurella

Another gorgeous day with lots of warm sunshine bringing out lots of insects. Plenty of butterflies about including, a couple of Holly Blues, a Painted Lady, a few Brimstones and Orange-tips, a few Speckled Woods in the shady areas, loads of Peacocks around the field margins and loads of Green-veined Whites over the oilseed rape crop. Also, it was great to see this Green Hairstreak. Not a common butterfly, particularly around Staple. It prefers rough, scrubby grassland and th

Lots of flowers out now and plenty of insects taking advantage this morning. Clockwise from top left: The highly invasive and rapidly spreading everywhere, Three-cornered Leek; after lots of encouragement loads of Garlic Mustard in the churchyard-foodplant of the Orange-tip and Green-veined White butterflies; lovely Red Dead-Nettle and Red Campion near Crixhall Court.