Overcast but warm.
A mixed bunch from later in the day.
The two Ragworts that are common in the area:
Common Ragwort (left) and Marsh Ragwort (right) grow intermixed and often alternate along verges and path edges. Marsh sometimes grows directly in still water or ditches.
Most of the Spotted Orchids around this area are Dactylorhiza fuchsii, but this one growing in the bottom of a dry ditch looks much more like Dactylorhiza maculata - Heath Spotted Orchid. The lower lip is much more 'frilled' with a less obvious tooth.
Talking of which....two interesting specimens of Common Spotted Orchid. The one on the left has a spike that is fully 15cm. tall, and the right-hand specimen is purest white. I'd like to see it under UV, though.
Two more micromoths. A tiny (6mm) Coleophora on the left (it would have to be dissected to get it to species) and Eupoecilia angustana. Again. The Coleophoras are the ones that have the little encapsulated larvae on the rush flowers.
I'm finding single specimens of the Red-necked Footman every time I venture to the higher deforested areas.
The gall made by the Gall Midge Jaapiella veronicae makes the terminal shoot into a fuzzy little sphere. Always on Veronica chamaedris - Germander Speedwell.
First shot of Selfheal - Prunella vulgaris.