The Charm of the Chiltern Hills

Naturetrek Tour Report 16 - 18 May 2018

Monkey Orchid Man Orchid Burnt Orchid

Hybrid Monkey x Lady Orchid

Report and images compiled by James Harding-Morris

Naturetrek Mingledown Barn Wolf's Lane Chawton Alton Hampshire GU34 3HJ UK T: +44 (0)1962 733051 E: [email protected] W: www.naturetrek.co.uk

Tour Report The Charm of the Chiltern Hills

Tour participants: James Harding-Morris (leader) with three Naturetrek clients

Summary

This was a three-day tour comprising some of the best orchid and wildflower sites in the Chilterns, a walk along the Thames path from Goring, and a trip to visit RSPB Otmoor for birds. The weather spanned everything from reasonable to excellent, and we certainly made the best of it.

Day 1 Wednesday 16th May

We met in the bar of the Lambert Arms, introduced ourselves and got down to the business of discussing orchids. This orchid season had been an odd one so far, with several species delayed by the slow start to the year, but others earlier than expected. A couple of these earlier-than-usual species were Burnt Orchid and Man Orchid. As such, we tried something new and headed north to Hoo Bit in Hertfordshire. This patch of woodland and meadow has a lovely mixture of orchids, and it didn’t take us long to spot a number of Fly Orchids – within a few minutes we must have easily seen forty spikes. Twayblades were abundant, as were Common Spotted Orchid rosettes, which hinted at how the meadow must look in high summer. A few White Helleborines were seen, but this is a species that seems delayed by the late spring and they looked to be ten days or so off flowering. The woodland path yielded Sanicle, that characteristic flower of chalky woodlands, and the path to the reserve yielded Elm and Wych Elm side-by-side, allowing for a great comparison.

We stopped for lunch at The Live and Let Live and then walked up onto the nearby Knocking Hoe, where James rashly promised we’d still find Pasqueflowers. He gleefully pointed one out to the group, but was then brought up short when it turned out to be an early Clustered Bellflower. Pride dented, we carried on exploring until we came to an area brimming with Pasqueflowers, with fresh flowerheads in plenty juxtaposed against the seedheads from flowers earlier in the season. Walking up onto the hill, we stopped at the roped-off Burnt Orchid enclosure where we were able to admire forty or more Burnt Orchids, most in perfect flowering condition. We also commented on the spikes of Burnt Orchid yet to come – nicknaming them ‘matchsticks’. Leaving the enclosure, we were fortunate enough to find a few Burnt Orchids in the wider reserve; much more rewarding than seeing them enclosed.

Our final site for the day was Totternhoe Knolls, where we clambered over the old castle mound and into the reserve in search of our first Orchis orchid of the trip – Man Orchid. From reports online, these seemed to be having an early season and we searched and searched, eventually finding a single flowering spike – success! Duly admired and photographed, we headed back to the hotel.

Day 2 Thursday 17th May

After a hearty breakfast we drove down to Goring, at the very southern edge of the Chilterns. We parked on the edge of the town and enjoying the beautiful sunshine, walked down a footpath and along the Thames. Very quickly we encountered that special species of this river catchment, the Loddon Lily (or Summer Snowflake). Unfortunately the hearty group of plants we spotted were at the other side of the river, and so we had to enjoy them via binoculars! Luckily, further along our walk, we found a few clumps on ‘our’ side of the river and were able to appreciate them close-up.

The Charm of the Chiltern Hills Tour Report

We stopped briefly by the railway bridge to see if there was any chance of spotting the enigmatic Club-tailed Dragonfly emerging, but there was no sign of this species or any other dragonfly or damselfly – we theorised the late spring might have held them back this year.

We then walked up the hill to Hartslock Reserve. Upon entering Hartslock we were impressed by the swathe of hybrid Lady x Monkey Orchids which vastly outnumbered both of the parent species combined, and easily surpassed them in size and robustness. James challenged the group to find their own Monkey Orchids, which they quickly did, and then we walked up the slope to admire the single Lady Orchid, looking a little past her best but with a few perfect flowers remaining.

Exploring the reserve further we found White Helleborines, looking a few weeks away from flowering, as well as the intriguing Round-mouthed Snail or ‘Land Winkle’. We spent a short time separating Chalk Milkwort from Common Milkwort, but were soon distracted by butterflies. This wonderful reserve and gorgeous weather offering up Grizzled and Dingy Skippers, Small Heath, Holly Blue and a stunning Green Hairstreak.

After a hearty lunch at The Rising Sun, we moved on to Homefield Wood, a great site with an amazing abundance of orchids. On the path to the reserve we noted Wood Spurge and a few plants of Lemon Balm growing wild – a first as a ‘wild’ plant for most of the group. The Military Orchids were immediately apparent, scattered across the first field of the reserve, and we wandered independently, drinking them in and contemplating the story of the rediscovery of this thought-to-be-extinct species in Britain. We also noted a few still-to-flower White Helleborines, a number of Fly Orchids, and discussed how similar Spurge Laurel looks to a young Rhododendron. Jenny made a delightful find of a Treehopper (Centrotus cornutus), a big, horned bug, which was a first for the group.

Having a little bit of time left, we drove to Aston Rowant and walked onto Bald Hill, this site being unusual in holding a large population of Early Purple Orchids that grow out on the open grassland, rather than in shady woodland where they are more familiarly seen. We also admired Whitebeams, found some spikes of Greater Butterfly Orchid that were nearly in flower, and we saw a pair of Green Hairstreak in-cop, illuminated beautifully by the lowering sun.

Day 3 Friday 18th May

On our third day we left the hilly chalk of the Chilterns to visit Otmoor RSPB reserve. We all met in the car park after successfully navigating there independently, and set out onto the reserve. We soon heard Sedge Warblers and as we walked we compared their songs with those of Reed Warblers. We also heard the explosive songs of Cetti’s Warblers, and saw Reed Buntings flitting around the hedges.

Damselflies, absent on the first two days of our trip, were suddenly abundant, and we saw Large Red Damselflies, Blue-tailed Damselflies and Azure Damselflies, and we talked about the shape of mercury-marks in differentiating the species of blue damselfly.

The wet meadows we walked past seemed to be full of Hobbies; several were seen sitting on fence posts, more still in the skies overhead. Lapwings were abundant, and it was interesting to watch them see off Carrion Crows and Red Kites that came too close to their nesting sites.

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The Charm of the Chiltern Hills Tour Report

On the way to one of the viewing screens we saw Redshank calling overhead, sometimes quite literally straight over our heads! We also spotted a Redshank chick ambling about at the edge of the reeds. Geese were plentiful with Barnacle, Greylag and Canada Geese (plus hybrid) nesting and feeding alongside the waders. From the viewing screen we saw Shoveler, Pochard and Tufted Ducks, as well as a Red-eyed Damselfly sitting on the pondweed directly in front of us. Jenny found a Walnut Orb-weaver in the roof of the viewing screen – a species she had been confident about finding during the trip.

A brief stop in the hide gave us views of tens of Red Kites over the nearby undulating hills, and Grey Herons were seen stalking the wetlands. As we entered the car park, ready to leave, we were delighted to hear the purring of a Turtle Dove nearby, finishing off the morning’s excursion wonderfully.

We stopped for lunch at the Star Inn, ate well and checked up on a few identifications in our books, and then went our separate ways.

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The Charm of the Chiltern Hills Tour Report

Species Lists

Plants Scientific Name Common Name

PINOPSIDA (GYMNOSPERMS) CONIFERS

Cupressaceae Juniper Family Juniperus communis Juniper

Pinaceae Pine Family Picea abies ssp. abies Spruce

Taxaceae Yew Family Taxus baccata Yew

MAGNOLIOPSIDA (ANGIOSPERMS) FLOWERING PLANTS

Aceraceae Maple Family Acer pseudoplatanus Sycamore Acer platanoides Norwegian Maple Acer campestre Field Maple

Apiaceae (Umbelliferae) Carrot Family Aegipodium podagaria Ground Elder Anthriscus sylvestris Cow Parsley Heracleum sphondyllium Hogweed Sanicula europaea Sanicle

Aquifoliaceae Holly Family Ilex aquifolia Holly

Araliaceae Ivy Family Hedera helix agg Ivy

Asteraceae (Compositae) Daisy Family Achillea millefolium Yarrow Bellis perennis Daisy Centaurea nigra Knapweed Cirsium arvense Creeping Thistle Cirsium palustre Marsh Thistle Cirsium vulgare Spear Thistle Leucanthimum vulgare Ox-eye Daisy Matricaria discoidea Pineappleweed Senecio vulgaris Groundsel Taraxacum agg Dandelion Arctium lappa Greater Burdock Helminthotheca echioides Bristly Oxtongue Tussilago farfara Coltsfoot

Betulaceae (Corylaceae) Birch Family Betula pendula Silver Birch Alnus glutinosa Alder

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The Charm of the Chiltern Hills Tour Report

Scientific Name Common Name

Boraginaceae Forget-me-not Family Myosotis arvensis Field Forget-me-not Myosotis sylvatica Wood Forget-me-not Pentaglottis sempervirens Green Alkanet Symphytum officinale Common Comfrey Symphytum orientale White Comfrey Symphytum x uplandicum Russian Comfrey

Brassicaceae (Cruciferae) Cabbage Family Alliaria petiolata Garlic Mustard Cardamine pratensis Cuckooflower

Cannabaceae Humulus lupulus Hop

Caprifoliaceae Honeysuckle Family Sambucus nigra Elder Viburnum lantana Wayfaring Tree Viburnum opulus Guelder Rose Symphoricarpos albus Snowberry

Caryophyllaceae Pink Family Cerastium fontanum Common Mouse-ear Silene dioica Red Campion Silene latifolia (S.alba) White Campion Stellaria holostea Greater Stitchwort

Celastraceae Spindle-tree Family Euonymus europaeus Spindle-tree

Cistaceae Rock-rose Family Helianthimum nummularium Common Rockrose

Cornaceae Dogwood Family Cornus sanguinea Dogwood

Corylaceae Hazel Family Corylus avellana Hazel

Cucurbitaceae Cucumber Family Bryonia dioica White Bryony

Dipsacaceae Teasel Family Dipsacus fullonum Teasel

Euphorbiaceae Spurge Family Euphorbia amygdaloides Wood Spurge Mercurialis perennis Dog’s Mercury

Fabaceae (Leguminosae) Pea Family Hippocrepis comosa Horseshoe Vetch Lathyrus pratensis Yellow Vetchling Lotus corniculatus Bird’s-foot Trefoil

The Charm of the Chiltern Hills Tour Report

Scientific Name Common Name

Trifolium dubium Lesser Yellow Trefoil Trifolium pratense Red Clover Trifolium repens White Clover Vicia sativa ssp. segetalis Common Vetch Vicia hirsuta Hairy Tare Medicago lupulina Black Medick

Fagaceae Oak & Beech Family Carpinus betulus Hornbeam Fagus sylvatica Beech Quercus robor Pedunculate Oak

Gentianaceae Gentian Family Blackstonia perfoliata Yellow Wort

Geraniaceae Geranium Family Geranium dissectum Cut-leaved Crane’s-bill Geranium molle Dove’s-foot Crane’s-bill Geranium pratense Meadow Crane's-bill Geranium robertianum Herb Robert Geranium rotundifolium Round-leaved Cranesbill

Lamiaceae (Labiatae) Dead-nettle Family Glechoma hederacea Ground-ivy Lamium album White Deadnettle Lamium purpureum Red Deadnettle Lamium galeobdolon Yellow Archangel Oregano officinalis Marjoram Thymus polytrichis Wild Thyme Ajuga reptans Bugle Melissa officinalis Lemon Balm

Linaceae Flax Family Linum catharticum Purging or Fairy Flax

Malvaceae Mallow Family Malva sylvestris Common Mallow

Oleaceae Olive Family Fraxinus excelsior Ash Ligustrum vulgare Wild Privet

Onagraceae Willowherb Family Epilobium hirsutum Great Willowherb

Orobanchaceae Euphrasia sp. Eyebright

Papaveraceae Poppy Family Papaver rhoaes Corn Poppy

Plantaginaceae Plantain Family Plantago lanceolata Ribwort Plantain

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The Charm of the Chiltern Hills Tour Report

Scientific Name Common Name

Plantago majus Greater Plantain

Polygalaceae Milkwort Family Polygala vulgaris Common Milkwort Polygala calcarea Chalk Milkwort

Polygonaceae Knotweed Family Rumex acetosa Sorrel Rumex crispus Curled Dock Rumex obtusifolius Broad-leaved Dock

Primulaceae Primrose Family Primula veris Cowslip Primula vulgaris Primrose

Ranunculaceae Buttercup Family Clematis vitalba Old man’s-beard Ranunculus acris Meadow Buttercup Ranunculus bulbosus Bulbous Buttercup Ranunculus repens Creeping Buttercup Pulsatilla vulgaris Pasqueflower

Resedaceae Mignonette Family Reseda lutea Wild Mignonette

Rhamnaceae Buckthorn Family Rhamnus catharticus Buckthorn

Rosaceae Rose Family Crataegus monogyna Hawthorn Filipendula ulmaria Meadowsweet Geum urbanum Wood Avens or Herb Bennet Potentilla anserina Silverweed Prunus avium Wild Cherry Prunus spinosa Blackthorn Rosa canina agg Dog Rose Rubus fruticosus agg Bramble Sanguisorba minor agg Salad Burnet Sorbus aria agg Whitebeam Sorbus aucuparia Rowan Potentilla sterilis Barren Strawberry Sorbus torminalis Wild Service

Rubiaceae Bedstraw Family Cruciata laevipes Crosswort Galium aparine Cleavers Galium mollugo Hedge Bedstraw Galium verum Lady's Bedstraw Sheradia arvensis Field Madder Galium odoratum Woodruff

Scrophulariaceae Figwort Family Cymbalaria muralis Ivy-leaved Toadflax

The Charm of the Chiltern Hills Tour Report

Scientific Name Common Name

Scrophularia nodosa Common Figwort Verbascum thapsus Great Mullein Veronica chamaedrys Germander Speedwell

Thymelaeaceae Daphne Family Daphne laureola Spurge-laurel Daphne mezereon Mezereon

Ulmaceae Ulmus sp. Elm

Urticacae Nettle Family Parietaria judaica Pelitory of the Wall Urtica dioica Common Nettle

Valerianaceae Valerian Family Centranthus ruber Red Valerian

Violaceae Violet Family Viola riviniana Common Dog Violet

Liliidae (Monocotyledons)

Araceae Arum Family Arum maculatum Lords and Ladies

Asparagaceae Bluebell Family Hyacinthoides non-scripta Bluebell Hyacinthoides hispanica Spanish Bluebell

Dioscoreaceae Black Bryony Family Tamus communis Black Bryony

Iridaceae Iris Family Iris psuedocorus Yellow Flag

Liliaceae Lily Family Leucojum aestivum Loddon Lily

Nymphaeaceae Nuphar lutea Yellow Water-lily

Orchidaceae Orchid Family Platanthera chlorantha Greater Butterfly-orchid Cephalanthera damasonium White Helleborine Dactylorhiza fuchsii Common Spotted Orchid Orchis militaris Military Orchid Orchis simia Monkey Orchid Orchis purpurea Lady Orchid Orchis x angusticruris Lady x Monkey Orchid Listera ovata Twayblade Ophrys insectifera Fly Orchid Orchis anthropomorpha Man Orchid

The Charm of the Chiltern Hills Tour Report

Scientific Name Common Name

Neotinea ustulata Burnt orchid

Ferns Asplenium ruta-muraria Wall-rue Pteridium aquilinum Bracken

Unranked Typha latifolia Greater Reedmace Briza minor Lesser Quaking-grass

Birds

Common Pheasant, Phasianus colchicus Greylag Goose , Anser anser Canada Goose , Branta canadensis Barnacle Goose, Branta leucopsis Greylag x Canada Goose, A. anser x B. canadensis Mute Swan , Cygnus olor Gadwall , Anas strepera Mallard , Anas platyrhynchos Northern Shoveler, Anas clypeata Common Pochard , Aythya ferina Tufted Duck , Aythya fuligula Great Crested Grebe , Podiceps cristatus Grey Heron , Ardea cinerea Great Cormorant , Phalacrocorax carbo Red Kite, Milvus milvus Western Marsh Harrier, Circus aeruginosus Common Kestrel , Falco tinnunculus Eurasian Hobby , Falco subbuteo Common Moorhen , Gallinula chloropus Eurasian Coot , Fulica atra Northern Lapwing , Vanellus vanellus Common Redshank, Tringa totanus Black-headed Gull , Chroicocephalus ridibundus Lesser Black-backed Gull , Larus fuscus Common Tern , Sterna hirundo Stock Dove , Columba oenas Common Wood Pigeon , Columba palumbus European Turtle Dove , Streptopelia turtur Eurasian Collared Dove , Streptopelia decaocto Common Cuckoo , Cuculus canorus Common Swift , Apus apus Great Spotted Woodpecker , Dendrocopos major European Green Woodpecker , Picus viridis Eurasian Magpie , Pica pica Western Jackdaw , Coloeus monedula Rook , Corvus frugilegus Carrion Crow , Corvus corone Great Tit , Parus major Eurasian Blue Tit , Cyanistes caeruleus Eurasian Skylark , Alauda arvensis Barn Swallow , Hirundo rustica Common House Martin , Delichon urbicum Willow Warbler , Phylloscopus trochilus Common Chiffchaff , Phylloscopus collybita Sedge Warbler , Acrocephalus schoenobaenus Eurasian Reed Warbler , Acrocephalus scirpaceus Eurasian Blackcap , Sylvia atricapilla Garden Warbler , Sylvia borin Common Whitethroat , Sylvia communis Cetti's Warbler, Cettia cetti Goldcrest , Regulus regulus Eurasian Wren , Troglodytes troglodytes Common Starling , Sturnus vulgaris Pied Wagtail, Motacilla alba Common Blackbird , Turdus merula Song Thrush , Turdus philomelos Mistle Thrush, Turdus viscivorus European Robin , Erithacus rubecula House Sparrow , Passer domesticus Common Chaffinch , Fringilla coelebs European Greenfinch , Chloris chloris European Goldfinch , Carduelis carduelis Common Linnet , Linaria cannabina Eurasian Bullfinch , Pyrrhula pyrrhula Yellowhammer , Emberiza citrinella Common Reed Bunting , Emberiza schoeniclus

The Charm of the Chiltern Hills Tour Report

Mammals

Grey Squirrel, Sciurus carolinensis Rabbit, Oryctolagus cuniculus

Reptiles & Amphibians:,

Slow worm, Anguis fragilis Common Frog, Rana temporaria

Butterflies

Brimstone, Gonepteryx rhamni Small White, Pieris rapae Green-veined White, Pieris napi Orange-tip, Anthocharis cardamines Holly Blue, Celastrina argiolus Small Tortoiseshell, Aglais urticae Small Heath, Ceononympha pamphilus Peacock, Aglais io Speckled Wood, Pararge aegeria Grizzled Skipper, Pyrgus malvae Dingy Skipper, Erynnis tages Green Hairstreak, Callophrys rubi

Moths

A micro moth, Pyrausta nigrata Common Carpet, Epirrhoe alternata Silver Y, Autographa gamma The Drinker, Euthrix potatoria The Lackey, Malacosoma neustria

Molluscs

Great Black Slug, Arion ater agg. Garden Snail, Cornu aspersum Brown-lipped Snail, Cepaea nemoralis White-lipped Snail, Cepaea hortensis Kentish Snail, Monacha cantiana Heath Snail, Helicella itala Round-mouthed Snail, Pomatias elegans

Crustaceans

Shiny Woodlouse, Oniscus asellus Common Pill Woodlouse, Armadillidium vulgare

Other sightings of note

Harlequin Ladybird, Harmonia axyridis 7-spot Ladybird, Coccinella septempunctata 24-spot Ladybird, Subcoccinella vigintiquatuorpunctata Dock Beetle, Gastrophysa viridula , Cryptocephalus sp. Garden Chafer, Phyllopertha horticola Blue-tailed Damselfly, Ischnura elegans Azure Dmaselfly, Coenagrion puella Large Red Damselfly, Pyrrhosoma nymphula Red-eyed Damselfly, Erythromma najas Red-and-Black Froghopper, Cercopis vulnerata An Alderfly, Sialis sp. A Scorpionfly, Panorpa sp. Dock Bug, Coreus marginatus Common Green Shieldbug, Palomena prasina Tree Hopper, Centrotus cornutus Yellow Meadow Ant, Lasius flavus Tawny Mining Bee, Andrena fulva Common Carder Bee, Bombus pascuorum Buff-tailed Bumblebee, Bombus terrestris Nursery Web Spider, Pisaura mirabilis Field Maple Pustule Mite Gall, Aceria myriadeum Field Maple Angle Gall, Aceria macrochela A spider, Tetragnatha sp. Four-spotted Orb-weaver, Araneus quadratus Wolf Spider, Pardosa sp. Sun Jumping Spider, Heliophanus sp. Crab Spider, Xysticus sp. Walnut Orb-weaver, Nuctenea umbratica