With summer now upon us, we have seen the last summer migrants return to Tudeley. Nightjars can be heard churring on the heath and spotted flycatchers can be seen catching insects in Brakeybank.
It is a good time to look for flowers at Tudeley in the summer especially on the meadows and woodland rides. In the last month several have come out in flower including greater butterfly orchid (below left) and twayblade (below right)
Common spotted orchids and bugle (below) can be seen throughout brakeybank meadow.
Other sightings from the last month include spotted flycatcher at decoy pond, a pair of raven over the heath displaying, lesser spotted woodpecker in brakeybank woods, woodlark on yew tree field and marsh tit near decoy pond.
Other wildlife sightings this month include dingy skippers on brakeybank meadow, green hairstreak butterflies in sandhill field, four spot and broad bodied chasers, beautiful demoiselle, adders, grass snake.
Please do let us know of any sightings you may have.
Matt
Thanks matt for the information. from yas
Hi Yas,
They are a bit inconspicuous on the side of rides really, sometimes just have to get your eye in for them.
The early purple is a fairly common orchid in woodlands or grassland habitats and as its name suggests is one of the first flowering orchids. If you want to see a another type try visiting brakeybank meadow at Tudeley at the moment as its covered in common spotted orchids!
Kind regards,
Warden
ps just saw toms picture of the one l'm talking about, the Early purple orchid, is this one rare at all? yas
Looking at the butterfly orchid, if l'd have been out wouldn't have notice it was of the orchid family, l have got a negative and maybe a photo of a wild orchid l took years ago, l don't know what it's called but it's two toned colours l think light and dark pink, saw growing in some woods. lovely pictures bye the way, from yas