30 June 2021

I had a productive stroll around parts of the Green and Red courses today.  The highlight was finding a Bee Orchid just off the path 10 yards in front of the 16th tee Red.  I know that they have been recorded on the course in the past, but this is the first one that I have found.  The lip of the flower mimics a female bee so that when a male attempts to mate with it, pollen is transferred, with the bee left frustrated.  However, the correct species of bee doesn't occur in the UK, so most are self-pollinating.

Bee Orchid Ophrys apifera [16th Red]

Five yards away is another uncommon orchid, Marsh Helleborine, which grows in reasonable numbers in Two-pine Fen.

Marsh Helleborine Epipactis palustris [4th Green]

And two yards away looks like another candidate for Narrow-leaved Marsh Orchid.  There are actually six species of orchid in this very small area - I do wonder whether it should have a bit more protection.

Narrow-leaved Marsh Orchid Dactylorhiza traunsteineri [16th Red] 

Also in Two-pine Fen, the tall yellow spikes of Agrimony are prominent at the moment.

Agrimony Pucciniastrum agrimoniae [16th Red]

On the Green course, the Maiden Pink has plenty of flowers now.

Maiden Pink Dianthus deltoides [10th Red]

Other new plants from today include:

Common Centaury Centaurium erythraea [5th Red]

Bladder Campion Silene vulgaris [7th Green]

Restharrow Ononis repens [14th Red]

Wild Thyme Thymus polytrichus [15th Red]

Common Toadflax Linaria vulgaris [4th Red]

Harebell Campanula rotundifolia [4th Red]

There were a lot of young birds on the 13th Red this morning, in particular Blue Tits and Great Tits - attracting the attentions of this male Sparrowhawk.

Sparrowhawk [13th Red]

At the top of one of the trees by the 13th tee there was a Spotted Flycatcher.  I have seen these on the 14th Green in previous years, so it is good to see one on the course this year.  Twenty years ago they were generally fairly common in Britain, but I only see one occasionally nowadays.  I managed to get a very distant shot - hopefully I will get some better views as the summer progresses.

Spotted Flycatcher [13th Red]

More obliging, behind the 4th tee on the Red a Willow Warbler was finding rich pickings among the ferns.

Willow Warbler [Tubney Range]

There were also good numbers of butterflies on the edge of the range, including two new ones for the year.

Small Tortoiseshell Aglais urticae [Tubney range]

Marbled White Melanargia galathea [Tubney range]