Viper's Bugloss

Old Sulehay NR is looking lovely at the moment, with plenty to see in Stonepit Close and in Old Sulehay Forest.

The more established grassland in the quarry is a symphony of yellow and purple with sweeps of Marjoram, Wild Basil and Bird's-foot-trefoil. The startling blue flowers of Viper's Bugloss are frequent along the more disturbed path edges, and an area cleared of birch about 18 months ago now has a large population of Basil-thyme, the tiniest plants scarcely a centimetre in height. This species has declined considerably; formerly frequent in arable margins it is now a species that is mostly found in brownfield sites on calcareous soil. If you're observant you might spot the single plant of Clustered Bellflower, which supports a small colony of Harebell Carpenter Bee, close to a small group of Woolly Thistles.

The main ride of Old Sulehay Forest is also looking good after the recent management work, with large stands of Greater Burnet-saxifrage, including both white and pale-pink colour forms, as well as lots of Nettle-leaved Bellflower. There are Silver-washed Fritillaries flitting about including a var. valezina female with its brownish wings and greenish sheen. I also saw a very tatty Purple Hairstreak.