Early summer treasures...

Late May is a great time for wildlife watching. A visit to a nature reserve in the Meon Valley east of Winchester was long overdue - it's home to the largest colony of Narrow-leaved helleborines in Britain...





Narrow-leaved helleborine Cephalanthera longifolia






I also managed, at last, to find Bird's-nest orchid, a common species in the beech woodlands of Hampshire.


Bird's-nest orchid Neottia nidus-avis



Also came across this beautiful example of Greater butterfly orchid at a woodland site just west of Winchester...




Greater butterfly orchid Platanthera chlorantha