Orchids at Clattinger Farm NR, Wiltshire

WE absolutely have to go to Clattinger Farm every year, at least once, to see the snake's -head fritillaries, or the orchids, on the wonderful unimproved meadows.

These fields are SOOO rich and have been a SSSI for many years.  Originally managed by a private landowner (with the support of English Nature and the careful and close attention of Russell Wright), the site is now owned and managed by the Wiltshire Wildlife Trust.

The farm is grazed as part of a larger unit, by belted galloway cattle, and frankly it is stunning.  The grassland is rich with cowslips, burnet saxifrage, pepper saxifrage, oxeye daisies, bird's-foot trefoil, grasses etc etc. - truly amazing...

Yesterday's wonderful weather showed of the site at its best - but where was everyone else - free to visit, stunning countryside, idyllic in every way - hardly a single person there!!!  Our gain - their loss.

Early Marsh Orchid

Adder's tongue fern

Green-winged orchid

 

Alba variety

 

A feast for the eyes...don't you agree?

Cotswolds splendor

SUNDAY: Although we had a late start, the long summer day meant that we had no problem going for a 7 mile walk in the Cotswold Hills and still had plenty of evening too.

At last the woodlands are now in full flower with white ramsoms and bluebells.  The male orange-tip butterflies were zooming around, defending territories and buzzing passing females.  Early purple orchids were standing tall amongst the yellow archangel and dog's mercury under the closing canopy.

Male orange tip butterfly in flight

 

Cowslips amongst the bluebells

Hawkesbury - idyllic setting and quintessentially English scene

Bluebell