28th May - Alver Valley Country Park

On Tuesday, after I bowed out due to the heat, Ian dropped into the Alver Valley and the area known as Sandhill.  He reported back on finding numerous Bee Orchids and a single Lizard Orchid.  So I decided to visit today, early morning before the heat built up once again.  Ian had provided me with plenty of detail on how to find the location and a short video, I felt that I already knew where to go.  As I approached the area I used the WhatThreeWords Ian had provided, but before I could reach his spot I found a single Bee Orchid.

And a nice close up.

I carried on to the spot and found a lot of Bee Orchids in the grass.  One of the best know and loved of our Orchids here in the UK, it resembles a fat furry bumblebee perched on a stalk.  Here several plants together, the only time I have seen this with this species was at Dancing Ledge in Dorset.  That year there were many in a field, then the years after nothing.  Last year was not a good year for Orchids and I only managed to find one, so this is quite amazing.

The three large pink sepals contrast with the velvety maroon, pouch like lip which is decorated with yellow markings and forms the body of the bee.  The two side lobes are particularly hairy and resemble the bee's knees.  The slender greenish or pinkish brown petals form the bee's antennae.  Bee Orchids can vary in colour, shape and markings.  The flowers have evolved to attract male bees as pollinators, by luring them into mate.  However almost all the plants are self pollinated.  Soon after the flower opens the anther releases the pollinia which dangle like little balls on the ends of their flexible stalks to be blown by the breeze on to the stigma.

Having found the Bee Orchids I decided to look for the Lizard Orchid, again I had directions and I knew where it may be.  As I left the Bee Orchids I came across a single Pyramidal Orchid just beginning to flower.

It didn't take long to find the single Lizard Orchid.  It isn't fully out yet with plenty more flowers to open at the top.

The Lizard Orchid is the largest of the "mimic" species in Hampshire.  It is a large plant with tall spikes of straggly greyish green flowers which resemble a maypole in action.  On closer inspection each individual flower has the appearance of a lizard with the three-lobed lip resembling the long tail and hind legs.  The palle flowers are streaked or rimmed with brownish purple. 

The stem has large leaves that wither when the plant is in flower giving a dirt appearance.  Lizard Orchids are long lived and can live for up to nineteen years.

The Lizard Orchid is pollinated by insects, primarily bees.  The flower has a rather foul smell, which is said to resemble the smell of goats.

I spent time talking to some other people who had turned up and as we chatted a male Ketrel hunted overhead.

I went back to the Bee Orchids and walked around the wider area and found a lot more orchids.  Most of the stalks having at least four flowers maybe more with several still looking to emerge.

It is not that clear here, but there are quite a few Bee Orchids in this patch, close inspection needed.  The area was formerly a quarried area which was then later used to dispose of household waste.  It was then clay capped and is now predominately grassland.  The Bee Orchid is an adaptable grassland species and can be found in well drained grassland, disused gravel pits and roadside verges.

It was wonderful to see so many in this spot.

Five flowers here on a spike with at least another tree to emerge.

There were also more emerging Pyramidal Orchids.

And some more multi flower plants.

Before I left I went back to the Lizard Orchid one more time, passing through a cloud of Ox-eye Daisies.

The Lizard Orchid is on the edge of its range in England and its distribution numbers can fluctuate notoriously, it grows sporadically in well drained, open sunny spots on chalk and limestone grasslands. among both closely cropped and long grass.

This orchid was a surprise here, there never having been one before, how it got here will be a mystery, but welcome, the hope now is that there will be more to come.

It was a case of job done, so I walked around the lake with Swifts above me and Whitethroats singing from the bushes.  

16th June - Portsdown Hill and Old Winchester Hill, Hampshire

I decided to go back to Portsdown Hill.  My last visit I missed out o the Bee Orchids, and since then I an had found some in the same spot as the Lizard Orchid.  I parked at the usual spot and then headed down the slope.  The first thing to hit me was the amount of Marbled Whites flitting around over the grass slopes, they appeared to be everywhere and were not stopping.  

The tide was out in Portsmouth Harbour and in the hazy sunshine there was a wonderful view of Portchester Castle.  Portchester Castle is a medieval fortress that was developed within the walls of the Roman Saxon Shore fort of Portus Adurni at Portchester.  The keep was probably built in the late 11th century as a baronial castle and Portchester was taken under royal control in 1154. The monarchy controlled the castle for several centuries and it was a favoured hunting lodge of King John It was besieged and captured by the French in 1216 before permanently returning to English control shortly thereafter.

Occupying a commanding position at the head of Portsmouth Harbour, in the medieval period Portchester was an important port. The castle saw the embarkation for several campaigns to France led by England's kings. In anticipation of a French invasion during the first quarter of the 14th century, Edward II spent £1,100 repairing and reinforcing Portchester Castle. A plot to overthrow Henry V was discovered and the culprits apprehended at Portchester; this event features in Shakespeare's play, Henry V. Later in its history, the castle was used as a prison.

I reached the bottom of the slope with even more Marbled White around me.  This slope was covered with Marbled Whites, the chalk cliffs behind them.

Knapweed at the bottom of the slope in a sheltered spot was attractive for the Marbled White to nectar on.

 I walked along the bottom of the hill towards the Orchid triangle.  I had been given two places to check for the Bee Orchids, but despite some extensive searching I couldn't find them.  I was then distracted by a mating pair of Marbled White.  The female has brown markings while the male is more black.

The continued searching then came across this cricket, the long antenna separating it from  grasshopper.  However I haven't been able to identify it.

Moving away from the cricket, I looked down and there was a single stem with for flower heads of a Bee Orchids!

They are a delightful flower, with the pink leaves/sepal emphasising the beauty of the "bee".

The yellow nodules hold the pollen that is deposited on the insects.

The first Bee Orchid appeared to have been trampled, there was a long stem that went along the ground before then appearing to rise with the flower heads.  I turned around and right beside me was another, this one with three flower heads.

Success with the Bee Orchids, I had a good look for the Lizard but couldn't see any.  I decided to walk up the side of the cliff and then along the top back to the car.  The Marbled Whites just kept coming, more now settling.

A nice collection of Common Spotted Orchids.

A Dark Green Fritillary amongst the grasses, a first for the year.

From Portsdown Hill I headed over the downs to Old Winchester Hill.  The number of Marbled Whites at Portsdown gave me hope for some good butterflies at Old Winchester Hill.

I walked from the car park and along side the flowering bramble bushes.  First quality butterfly was a Small Tortoiseshell on the bramble.

A small White on the bramble.

And a Red Admiral.

The first Large Skipper of the year.

And a smart newly emerged Comma.

There were several Cinnabar and this Five Spot Burnet moths amongst the bramble.

I walked the slope to the fort, but like my last visit there were very few butterflies.  Heading down the slope to Woodpecker Wood I had six Dark-green Fritillaries fly past me, never stopping.  The bottom of the slope was also quiet, a very faded Common Blue the only butterfly of note.

Ahead of me I could see a couple of Red Kite, but when I reached the bottom of the slope, looking up towards the car park there were five Red Kite in the dead tree.  However by the time I had the camera ready three had flown off.

The five I believe to be immatures and they are all going through some form of moult with primary wing feathers and tail feathers missing.

I walked up the slope and was almost at eye level with the kites.

Walking up the slope a yellow butterfly went past me, no doubt it was a Clouded Yellow but as is to be expected it didn't stop, carrying on down the hill and out of sight.

At the top of the slope on the flowering bramble was a Painted Lady, a nice end to the day.

There was a lack of sunshine today but it was still and calm, which produced quite humid conditions, great for butterflies.  A very good day.