Raft Spider Superb spiders and the RSPB have even installed a bench next to one of the pools on Coombe Heath so you can sit back and watch them. The Raft Spider uses the surface tension of the water as a massive web and Read More …
Category: Insects
Parsonage Down
Probably the finest area of chalk downland within the UK and within the top 3 SSSI’s/Nature Reserves we’ve visited. To describe the area as exceptional is an understatement. The site is the main stronghold in north-west Europe for the endangered Burnt Orchid. In addition, there Read More …
Dragons and Lizards
Keeled Skimmer (female)A real specialist of pools in wet heathland and bogs. This particular female had just emerged and was surprisingly approachable. Unfortunately none of the bright blue males were around. Sand Lizard (male)Definitely the most spectacular of our native lizards especially when the Read More …
Worth Matravers
Sitting on top of the chalk downs high above the English channel this has to one of the more picturesque villages we’ve seen. Leading down from the village a footpaths snakes it way through Winspit valley passing the ancient strip lynchets carved into the Read More …
Malham Tarn Moss
Highlights from a vist to Malham Tarn Moss. Definitely one of the better National Nature Reserves. Due to the areas geology and high rainfall the moss has areas of both sphagnum moss bog and fen. This leads to an extremely rich flora. In addition Read More …
Highfield Moss
Another day of sunshine and torrential downpours. Spear Thistles growing at the edge of one of the fields of Barley between “The Travellers Rest” and Highfield Moss. Young Meadow Grasshopper on Purple Moor Grass Marsh Gentian protesting about the lack of sunshine. The Read More …
Life on the Riverbank
Male Banded Demoiselle damselfly on the banks of the River Mersey. The females are similar but with a green body. Broad-leaved Helleborine in Kenworthy Wood Ragwort being stripped by the caterpillars of the Cinnabar moth Close up of the flower of the Broad-leaved Helleborine. Whilst Read More …
Higher Hyde Heath – part 1
An exceptional nature reserve managed by the Dorset Wildlife Trust. Unfortunately at the time of our visit the tails around the heathland and bog were impassable due to the heavy rains and high water table. Therefore we explored the area around the bird hide, Read More …
Dancing Ledge
A great area of chalk downland managed by the National Trust next to the SW Coast Path -close to Langton Matravers. Beneath the downland this part of the “Jurassic Coast” has a long history of quarrying. Although originally this must have been an incredibly destructive Read More …