June

Summer, and insects, birds and flowers go into full swing.

Narrow-bordered 5-spot Burnet Moth, Zygaena lonicerae, display on grass heads and flowers.  The Spetchells is also home to the 6-spot Burnet Moth, Zygaena filipendulae.

Dingy Skipper, Erynnis tages, is well camouflaged against the ground and low vegetation, only being spotted when it takes to the wing.

Yellow Rattle (Hay Rattle), Rhinanthus minor.  Brush past it in the meadow at the height of summer and you'll hear the tiny seeds rattling in their brown pods, hence its name.  Traditionally this was a sign for farmers to start their hay harvest.

Solitary Buffish Mining Bee, Andrena nigroaenea, female, taking nectar and pollen from Wild Mignonette, Reseda lutea, in the meadow. 

Black & Yellow Longhorn Beetle; Rutpela maculata, on Oxeye Daisy, Leucanthemum vulgare.

Bird's-foot Trefoil, Lotus corniculatus, attracts Red-tailed Bumblebees, Bombus lapidarius, workers.