YOUR BIRDING MONTH
As birds start to lay low, post-breeding, July is a great time to broaden your horizons, writes James Lowen
BUG
Rhombic Leatherbug is a large squash bug with a uniquely diamond-shaped abdomen. Ranging around much of southern England and bits of South Wales, it favours dry, open habitats.
MOTH
Ermine not only relates to the Stoat fur used to trim the robes of royalty but also to heraldry, where it relates to dark symbols on a white background. The original ermine moth was the White Ermine, which shares this pattern of black specks on white wings. Its close relative, Buff Ermine, has similar markings on a caramel background. Widespread through much of Britain, its abundance has sadly halved since 1970.
PLANT
Look closely at the flowers of a Frog Orchid, and you can see the head of a tiny amphibian. That’s the theory, anyway – not that I have ever glimpsed what others perceive. Mind you, even glimpsing it all takes some doing. This orchid of chalky grasslands is remarkably unobtrusive. Granted, the red plants can stand out impressively. But the green ones? Well, they can be hiding in plain sight…
NOT A MOTH
The fluttering flight of caddisflies can recall moths, but their hairy wings sets them apart. Just as well, because when I first spotted the microcaddisfly Orthotrichia costalis, I erroneously thought that it was a micromoth – until I realised how hairy it was.
PLANT
Another plant that favours a chalk or limestone underlay is Basil-thyme. Its tiny purple blooms
