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Summer Leys

20th March 2026

We decided to enjoy a walk around Summer Leys Nature Reserve as the weather was supposed to be mild and sunny. We did feel a little diddled since we didn't actually see the sun, it was concealed by a fine layer of cloud.The walk was very pleasant though

A long and slender light green catkin is accompanied by some young green leaves.
A large sticky looking reddish brown Horse Chestnut bud is starting to open revealing the lighter colours of the young leaves inside.
Growing amongst the short grass is a rather battered mushroom shaped fungi with a slender cream stem and a mottled dark brown cap.
A side view of a sunlit Robin perched on a fence
A small orange ladybird with 5 large black spots on its cream pronotum and a creamish border around the elytra which has 4 black spots on each.


A slightly different look Catkin to the more usual fluffy ones, some sort of Willow we think

A long and slender light green catkin is accompanied by some young green leaves.





Old Sulehay

10th March 2026

A mild and sunny day saw us take our first trip of the year to Old Sulehay Nature Reserve. We particularly wanted to potter around the old quarry - Stonepit Close as the terrain is quite unusual for this area

Two large pale yellow Common Primrose flowers darker yellow towards the centre are enjoying the dappled shade.
A Violet in full bloom displaying 5 bright purple petals fading to white towards the middle.
Very similar in appearance to the purple Violets apart from the petals which are completely white.
A small Daisy flower with white petals and yellow centre is the centre of attention for a hungry fly.
A brightly coloured Peacock Butterfly is basking on a sunny rock.
A loveliness of 7 Spot Ladybirds clustered together on the stem of a young tree.
A group of pale brown to cream fungi with tall pleated domed caps.
A small bright yellow Dandelion flower growing amongst the short grasses and rocks of the nature reserve.
A yellow Lesser Celandine flower with 7 broad petals and yellow stamens.
A closer look at a Flowering Currant showing a raceme of almost magenta coloured tubular flowers.


Common Primrose could be seen in large numbers in some areas of the reserve

Two large pale yellow Common Primrose flowers darker yellow towards the centre are enjoying the dappled shade.





Summer Leys

5th March 2026

A mild and pleasant day in early March saw us take a gentle potter around Summer Leys Nature Reserve. The landscape was still a little wintery in appearance but signs of the coming spring were to be seen

White Blackthorn Blossom with five broad petals and long white stamens with bright orangey yellow anthers.
A rather stocky bright lime green catkin with plenty of white hair like filaments sprouting from it.
A fully opened willow catkin very pale almost white in colour with yellow anthers is sharing a branch with some young leaves just emerging from buds.
A very hairy Caterpillar mostly blue in colour with long broken stripes of black orange and white.
A pair of 7 Spot Ladybirds are mating on an old brown plant stem.
A plump red and brown Robin is sitting on a metal kissing gate and looking backwards over its shoulder.
A pair of large tree buds reddish brown in colour with hints of pale green and developing on the end of a slim branch.
A trio of pale brown Teasel flower heads are almost silhouetted by the sun.


The welcome sight of Blackthorn blossom complete with tiny beetle!

White Blackthorn Blossom with five broad petals and long white stamens with bright orangey yellow anthers.