Seeing the Changes 610

On Sunday, we went to Oxwich on the Gower, There were signs of the recent heat-wave but Marsh helleborine (Epipactis palustris), Rest-harrow (Ononis repens), Sea holly (Eryngium maritima), Wood sage (Teucrium scorodonia), Wild thyme (Thymus serpyllum) and Pignut (Conopodium majus) were much in evidence, many attracting insects. The Stone bramble (Rubus saxatilis) fruit was much riper than the Bramble equivalent. There were masses of Common field grasshopper (Chorthippus brunneus), Small blue butterflies (Cupido minimus) and Small skipper (Thymelicus flavus). Gatekeeper butterflies (Pyronia tithonus) were mating as were Six-spot burnet moths (Zygaena filipendulae) as the female emerged from her pupa. There were many Sloe bugs (Dolycoris baccarum) and umbellifers showed beetlemania, including Cteniopus sulphureus).