Lynchcombe / Update

Lynchcombe Steps

by Jeff Bevan · Published 30th May 2022 · Updated 4th July 2022

Early-purple Orchid – Lynchcombe, Somerset, UK. ID JB_1613

Early-purples are a sure sign that spring is about to change everything.

Spring on the Mendip Hills

I’m finally catching-up with my photographs after a busy period of travelling with work and family.

Lynchcombe – Mendip Hills, Somerset, UK. ID JB_2808

Lynchcombe continues to offer amazing views across Somerset in England. These clouds brought a small amount of late snow.

Wintry Shower – Lynchcombe, Mendip Hills, Somerset, UK. ID JB_2892

One of my favourite spots on the reserve which I have photographed many times – waiting to catch that perfect sky.

Lynchcombe – Mendip Hills, Somerset, UK. ID JB_4112H

Reserve Management

It has been been windy resulting in some damage to the trees.

Wind damage – Lynchcombe, Mendip Hills, Somerset, UK. ID IMG_7587

The Somerset Wildlife Trust does a great job on the reserve. I think this clearance was necessary due to ash dieback, which now covers the whole area.

Clearing work – Lynchcombe, Mendip Hills, Somerset, UK. ID JB_0918H

Hawthorn leaves have appeared, looking fresh and green.

Hawthorn – Lynchcombe, Mendip Hills, Somerset, UK. ID JB_9377

Celandines take their opportunity covering patches that will soon be covered in bracken.

Lesser Celandine – Lynchcombe, Mendip Hills, Somerset, UK. ID JB_9350

Butterflies

I tried starting the butterfly transect walks in March and April but saw nothing. It was while before I saw my first butterfly of the season. It was this peacock resting on a dandelion near one of the drinking troughs in the combe.

Peacock butterfly – Lynchcombe, Mendip Hills, Somerset, UK. ID JB_9286

Not long after this I was pleased to see this Wall butterfly. Obviously, it had been through some hard times. In 15 years, it was only the second time I had seen one on the reserve.

Wall (Lasiommata megera) – Lynchcombe, Mendip Hills, Somerset, UK. ID JB_5030

Speckled woods, which are normally common, took their time to appear this year.

Speckled Wood (Pararge aegeria) – Lynchcombe, Mendip Hills, Somerset, UK. ID JB_4914

Some beetles were having a good spring.

Swollen-thighed Beetle (Oedemera nobilis) – Lynchcombe, Mendip Hills, Somerset, UK. ID JB_5062

In the shade of the combe the early-purple glade put on a good show this year. Hopefully, the recent tree planting in the area will not have too much of an impact on these orchids.