Orchids and Butterflies

 Today I carried out a butterfly survey on Corstorphine Hill for the UK Butterfly Monitoring Scheme. Before I saw my first butterfly, I noticed how beautiful the Common Spotted Orchids were! 

 

Their leaves are very spotted, which is how they get their name 

I was also pleased to see several butterflies during the walk: 4 Red Admrials; 9 Ringlets and 5 Small Skippers. Butterflies are generally in decline so it's good to see these numbers, even though years ago, you would have hoped to see more. 

 

The Small Skipper (see above photo) is a butterfly that has been able to move northwards into Scotland as a result of climate change. 

Seven Spot Ladybirds are having a great year this year (How many ladybirds can you see in the photo below?)

I was also happy to see this field of Lady's Bedstraw: 

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My latest Substack post is now live! The last in my series celebrating The Wildlife Trusts' 30 Days Wild campaign, it focuses on art and nature. You can read it here. 

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I was surprised but very happy to win the Gaelic section of the Scottish Book Trust's most recent 50 Word Short Story Contest. You can read my story (with an English translation) here.