To check on the progress of the orchids around Chaumussay I invited my friend Carolyn to come out with me one Sunday morning in mid-April. Here is a selection of what we saw, which was not restricted to orchids.
The entry holes to the nest tunnels of a species of sweat bees, maybe Lasioglossum marginatum. You can see a trail of pollen into the hole at the bottom.
Carolyn entranced by these little bees' activities.
A male Green Fairy Longhorn moth Adela reaumurella (Fr. Adele verdoyante) hanging around on a Wayfaring Tree Viburnum lantana (Fr. Viorne lantane) waiting for a female to turn up.
Female Great Banded Furrow Bee Halictus scabiosae (Fr. Halicte de la scabieuse), a good 'gateway' bee, since it is easy to identify and abundant.
This Apple Blossom Beetle Tropinota hirta (Fr. Cétoine hérissée) appeared to be fighting a rival on a Monkey Orchid Orchis simia (Fr. Orchis singe).
Great Banded Furrow Bee, showing her distinctive 'furrowed' abdomen tip.
Look out for Great Banded Furrow Bees, which are on the wing from April to September, when they are busy making nests in hard compacted soil, often in the middle of paths.
Bush Vetch Vicia sepium (Fr. Vesce des haies), growing on the far side of a roadside ditch.
Common Carder Bumble Bee Bombus pascuorum (Fr. Bourdons des champs) feeding on Ground Ivy Glechoma hederacea (Fr. lierre terrestre) along the roadside.
Small-leaved Helleborine Epipactis microphylla (Fr.
Wild Madder Rubia peregrina (Fr. Garance voyageuse), not to be confused with its relative R. tinctorum, which is a source of red dye.
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