Orchids and moths...

A sudden (short-lived) burst of warm weather in the last week really helped bring on some of the local spring orchids, with this population of green-winged orchids starting to make for a fantastic display. Whilst there are still many more to flower, there are currently hundreds of spikes in perfect condition.

Green-winged orchids starting to cover the hillside

Many are in clumps and nearly all
are darker purple in colour

Close-up showing the 'green-winged' sepals

One of the warmer evenings also allowed for the first moth trap of the year in the garden at Whitestaunton resulting in a few nice moths for the year list.

Shoulder-stripe

Brindled beaury

Water Carpet

Streamer

Muslin moth

Nut-tree tussock

Flame carpet

Waved umber

Ruddy highflyer

With the weather now taking a cooler dip again it could be a while before the moth trap goes out. With luck there will be some good birds to to see soon.