Too bad all the people who know how to run the country are busy driving cabs and cutting hair - George Burns
For some reason, we did not visit Common Hill Nature Reserve in 2025. Our last recorded visit was April 2024 when we conducted a survey of the flowering plants, birds and butterflies on behalf of our friend who was the volunteer warden at the time. Since our friend relinquished his voluntary position (political/personality reasons with the full-time warden) we did not return; although we may have visited on an informal basis. Since the full-time warden has moved on, our friend is back as the volunteer warden, and we have recommenced our visits and surveys. This is the first visit of 2026.
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| Photo 1: Cowslips at Common Hill Nature Reserve (April 11th 2026) |
On entering the reserve, the first thing we noticed was the absence of early purple orchids. There were plenty of cowslips although even these were somewhat sparse compared to previous years. On looking a bit more closely, there were a few orchids to be found but they were underdeveloped and severely lacking in numbers.
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| Photo 2: Early Purple Orchid, Common Hill Nature Reserve (11/4/26) |
Compare the above photo (Photo 2) taken this year (11/4/26) with the photo below (Photo 3) taken two years ago (14/4/24) at the same location in the Nature Reserve.
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| Photo 3: Early Purple Orchid, Common Hill Nature Reserve (14/4/2024) |
It is possible the orchids are behind in their development this year but the signs do not look good. I hope this isn't a casualty of climate change.
There were plenty of violets in flower - both common dog and sweet ...
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| Photo 4: Common Dog Violet, Common Hill (11/4/26) |
... as well as cowslips & primroses ...
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| Photo 5: Primroses and Cowslips, Common Hill (11/4/26) |
... false oxlip ...
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| Photo 6: False Oxlip, Common Hill (11/4/2026) |
... and one of our favourites, the cuckoo flower (aka Lady's Smock) because it is the food plant of the Orange Tip Butterfly ...
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| Photo 7: Cuckoo Flower, Common Hill (11/4/26) |
Other plants flowering at this time were dandelion, barren strawberry, celandine and a few early bluebells.
It was a cold windy day so it was no surprise that we didn't see any butterflies.
There were, however, a few birds around including:
Blackbird
Carrion Crow
Common Chaffinch
Common Chiff-chaff
Common Wood Pigeon
Blue Tit
Great Tit
Magpie
Pheasant
Robin
Song Thrush
Wren
This was quite a brief visit as the weather intermittent showers and a cold wind. Worth another visit quite soon to see if the early purple orchids are just late this year.🤞
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