Common spotted orchids photographed in the reserve by Gillian Newbury.
Orchids!
Yesterday, while surveying pollinator networks in the reserve, Ian Bushell discovered a colony of bright pink pyramidal orchids (Anacamptis pyramidalis), an important new species for the reserve.
Continue readingOxeye daisy
We would love to see drifts of summery oxeye daisies (Leucanthemum vulgare) in the reserve’s fields but there is a problem.
Read on to find out what the problem is
All orchid flowers, even the glamourous and expensive tropical kinds, are built to the same three point plan.
Continue readingRagged robin
Our ragged robin has spread into Kestrel Field and Brunts Field.
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Every year there is quiet competition among Friends and Followers to see who can send in the first picture of the reserve’s common spotted orchids. This year the winner is Gill Newbury: well done, Gill!
Weed of the week
Ribwort plantain or narrow leaved plantain (Plantago lanceolate) photographed in the park by Ian Bushell.
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These few warm days have brought the reserve to life.
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More about Invasive Species Week
Invasive non-native species are one of the top five causes of biodiversity loss worldwide. Here in the UK they harm the environment, threaten some of our rarest species and cost our economy over £1.8 billion a year.
Read on to find out how you can helpCowslip
For several years, we have been trying to establish cowslips in the reserve’s fields but with only a little success. The problem is timing.
Read on to find out moreBugle
Bugle (Ajuga reptans) photographed in the park by Julie Newblé.
Continue reading “Bugle”
More wildlife watching
by Simon Knight
The park is really coming to life now, with the grasses growing, trees in leaf and the fields dotted with yellow as buttercups start to bloom. My visits haven’t been as frequent as I would have liked, which makes me value the time I have spent in the park even more.
Continue readingMayflower
Mayflower is the blossom of the hawthorn tree.
Continue reading “Mayflower”ID parade
A message from Simon Henstock:
I spotted this growing in the hedgerow down the Country Park this evening. Is it Shepherd’s Purse? 
The extraordinary flowers of white dead nettles.
Bush vetch
Last week, Ian Bushell found and photographed bush vetch (Vicia sepium) near Puddle Corner.
Continue reading “Bush vetch”Wild garlic
The wild garlic is just coming into flower.
Red dead nettle
This is a red dead nettle (Lamium purpureum), the commonest of weeds. It flowers for most of the year in untidy vegetable plots, roadside verges and, in this case, nature reserve car parks. Nobody gives it a second glance but its flowers, hidden among its topmost purple leaves, are extraordinarily beautiful.
Bluebells
Simon Knight has sent us pictures of bluebells and says that this weekend, they will be at their best. Come and see.
Primrose surprise
In 2019, SSE cleared the trees and understorey from beneath their power lines where they crossed the park. It made a bit of a mess, particularly in the area of the blackthorn tunnel, but there have been advantages, too.
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Sunday Morning walk
by Ian Bushell
Not a bad Sunday morning, bright and dry, with no wind but a little chill.
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Double flowers
If you are planting your flower beds and hanging baskets this weekend, keep our dwindling population of pollinators in mind and please don’t plant double flowers.
Continue readingDisease Resistant Elms
by Ian Bushell
In 2017 a White-letter Hairstreak butterfly was recorded in the park. These beautiful butterflies are the emblem of Wiltshire Butterfly Conservation group. They feed on English or Wych Elms, which unfortunately over the past few years have been ravaged by Dutch Elm disease, leaving dead gaunt trees within some hedge lines.
Continue reading “Disease Resistant Elms”
