17th May 2022 - our first trip of the year, to Beechwoods - the Wildlife Trust Nature Reserve just south of Cambridge. Six of us joined the walk through the woods in the warm sunny evening, the light on the fresh green leaves of the Beech trees contrasting with the dark branches.
The main reason for the visit was to see the White Helleborine (Cephalanthera damasonoium), a member of the orchid family, which prefers these shady conditions on chalky soils, often under Beech. At first only a few smaller specimens were seen, with some evidence that the flower heads may have been browsed by deer. Indeed an old meaning of the name Helleborine may refer to 'deer food'. Further into the woods though, and particularly in the more recently-planted more scrubby areas, the flower spikes were taller with more flowers on show.
Also seen were a good number of Hawkweed, most likely Spotted Hawkweed (Hieracium maculatum), also known as Common Hawkweed - although these can be difficult to identify at the species level.
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