Peter Jones Wildlife blog

No photos today, but started the day at the Most pond, Thursley Common. A renowned spot for Brilliant Emerald. Sure enough, saw three or four, high over the trees. Look like a dazzling insect, so hopefully better views one day. Also Downy Emeralds in the sky.. Slightly smaller, duller, and the elevated abdomen giving them a totally different appearance. Quite bizarre to be confidently identifying such similar species, at such long range. An Emerald was showing around the bank of the lake, but this was a Downy.

I visited Ladle Hill, which is renowned for the late flowering Burnt Orchid, but in two visits now, no joy. Will wait until next spring for the larger early flowering variant. Did however take some pics of some other flowers which I have identified on the PC, and with the Collins Wildflower guide back at home. Also popped into Greywell Moors, and saw Water Forget Me Not, and Brooklime https://photos.app.goo.gl/fAJUBkrptTzqijuT9

Very lucky living in Hampshire. We seem to have some incredible diversity for all wildlife groups. Orchids are no exception with a good selection in the county. Marsh Helleborine and Broad-leaved Helleborine seen yesterday in Wildlife Trust reserves. https://photos.app.goo.gl/6W1D2AUY6KabdZL79

Success in my search for Bog Orchid. Matley Bog is pretty dry at the moment. Stories of people going under to their waist in this bog seem hard to believe judging by this summer. In fact I struggled to find any wet boggy areas, which made the orchid hunt easier once I found water. Took about 30 minutes to see my first one, then realising there were at least double figures in the vicinity. A tiny Orchid, about 6-7cm high. I suspect in wetter summers, this particular area of the bog would be impossible to get to. https://photos.app.goo.gl/4q6V9PMwuRF6CBh47

A couple more flowers seen recently. Ladies Bedstraw at Ladle Hill, and Lesser Centaury at Baddesley Common. Both took me an age to identify!

I spent two dubiously enjoyable afternoons searching in vain for Bog Orchid. New Forest is a stronghold for this plant, but these Orchids are tiny, and in the middle of bogs, so not easy to find. I did, however, see some other cool plants typical of boggy habitats.. Sundew, Marsh St.John's Wort, Common Cottongrass, Bog Asphodel, and Bog Pimpernel https://photos.app.goo.gl/MUuAY4WDa2LbELmb9

Some very smart Green-veined Whites at Ladle Hill this week.

Plenty of Butterflies out in the New Forest. Silver Studded Blue, in good numbers on the heaths. Photo shows the "silver studs", i.e. tiny blue dots inside the black circles on the hindwing. A test of how good your eyesight is for sure. I'm also seeing Sundew, in the boggy areas, an insectivorous plant, so counts as a mini-beast!