2nd May 2026

Popped up this weekend to have a look around and managed to find all 3 species of the classic Spring Hartslock orchids in flower. The hybrids are glorious and around them a few Monkey Orchids, looking much smaller, and paler, btu the real surprise was having the Lady Orchid pointing out for my by a visitor from Hampshire. I’d assumed it was a very Lady-looking hybrid but it has the pale yellow-green basal leaves of the Lady Orchid so I think it’s confirmed, though only a DNA test would be conclusive.

Plenty more Dingy & Grizzled Skippers, Green Hairstreaks, Holly Blues and Small Heaths. Hundreds of Brimstones too but another big surprise was seeing a very fresh-looking Painted Lady on the slope near the big beech tree. We got several good, close-up views of it, which was a real treat and very unusual for this early in the year.