Squinancywort

It was already hot by the time we arrived at Barnack Hills and Holes this morning - but the limestone grassland flowers were still looking fresh. There was a fine display of Dark Mullein in the old quarries in the south-west corner, as well as a single plant of Vervain - so delicate. Other species flowering in abundance in the central and northern part of the site included Rock-rose, Squinancywort, Fairy Flax, Common Thyme, Dodder, Fragrant Orchid and Pyramidal Orchid.

Back home I was pleased to see that the Wool Carder |Bees have settled in. Every time I went down the garden a couple of males were patrolling an area with Lamb's-ears (which provides the 'wool' to line their nests) and Purple Toadflax (their favourite nectar plant), gamely chasing off any bumblebees, honeybees and hoverflies that dared to come too close. The females were nearly always present on the toadflax flower spikes, and every now and the a male would swoop in to mate.

Purple Toadflax is also the food plant of Toadflax Brocade, a moth species that's been gradually moving north in recent years. It first bred in our garden in 2019, and I was pleased to spot a well-grown caterpillar today.