Trip reports

Thurlbear - Wednesday 20 May 2009

Friday, 29 May 2009

The reserve is well-known for its population of visiting nightingales and though, as it is very often the case, none was seen, four individuals were heard giving forth loud bursts of their magnificent song.
Nightingales predominately stay in dense thicket undergrowth and can be very difficult to locate, but there is absolutely no mistaking the legendary song that has featured for centuries in the poems and writings of famous wordsmiths.
Many other birds were enjoying the warm sunshine and defending territories with their own brand of singing. Among those heard, and some that were located, were garden warbler, blackcap, chiffchaff and many of our more often seen resident species.
Also noted were green woodpecker and several buzzards circling high overhead.
Many of those present were interested in butterflies. Thurlbear is a noted haven for butterflies so everyone was kept busy identifying the numerous species found, among which were dingy skipper, several common blues, green-veined white, orange tip, small heath, speckled wood and perhaps finest of the day, a Duke of Burgundy fritillery.
Orchids provided another interest. Many are still to come into flower, but among those found were a good number of birdsnest orchids, a very unusual species that has no chlorophyll and relies on other plants to provide its sustinance. Others included spotted orchids and several butterfly orchid plants still to blossom.
Given good weather conditions, Thurlbear is an excellent site with many attractions and it is within easy reach of the county town.