Lynchcombe Spring

Mint Leaf Beetle (Chrysolina menthastri) – Lynchcombe, Somerset, UK. ID BR57112

Could not resist another dandelion picture – its the year of the dandelion!

Lynchcombe

Lynchcombe sits on the steep south facing slopes of the Mendip Hills above Westbury-sub-Mendip.  I’m the volunteer warden for this Somerset Wildlife Trust nature reserve.  It is a beautiful place.

Towards Crook Peak from Lynchcombe – Mendip Hills, Somerset, UK. ID AK2A0484

The word combe is often translated as a valley with steep wooded sides.  This is Lynchcombe’s combe – this time full of sheep.

Lynchcombe – Mendip Hills, Somerset, UK. ID AK2A0476

The lynch’s are the ancient steps cut into hillside to improve the farming.

Lynchcombe – Mendip Hills, Somerset, UK.. ID JB1_8770

At the top of the reserve is a clump of, sometimes controversial, sycamore trees.  However, being a local landmark they are probably safe.

Lynchcombe – Mendip Hills, Somerset, UK. ID AK2A0462

In spring leaves appear on the remaining ash trees and blossom covers the blackthorn.

Lynchcombe – Mendip Hills, Somerset, UK. ID BR56891

Hawthorn Blossom – Lynchcombe, Mendip Hills, Somerset, UK.. ID BR56871

There are still a few secret bluebells scattered across the reserve.

Bluebells – Lynchcombe, Mendip Hills, Somerset, UK. ID BR56346

Hidden in woods are a few early purple orchids.

Early purple orchid (Orchis mascula) – Lynchcombe, Mendip Hills, Somerset, UK. ID BR56335

Dead nettles provide a splash of cover to the grasslands.

Dead Nettles – Lynchcombe, Mendip HIlls, Somerset, UK. ID BR56289

If you are lucky you may catch a glimpse of roe deer peering around a corner.

Roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) – Lynchcombe, Mendip Hills, Somerset, UK. ID IMG_5005

Looking closer and the reserve is full of little creatures.  Mint beetle do their thing inside a buttercup.

Mint Leaf Beetle (Chrysolina menthastri) – Lynchcombe, Somerset, UK. ID BR57085

Despite the poor spring weather this has been a great year for wall brown butterflies.

Wall (Lasiommata megera) – Lynchcombe, Somerset, UK. ID BR56936

Not so good for speckled wood butterflies which have disappeared this spring.

Strange things have appeared such as this violet oil beetle.

Violet oil beetle (Meloe violaceus) – Lynchcombe, Somerset, UK. ID BR54023

And finally…

The trust continues to work hard improving the reserve.

Lynchcombe – Mendip Hills, Somerset, UK. ID B011301