Summer's definitely here!

It was a challenging 33 degrees while I was walking my butterfly transect today. Summer is clearly here to stay for a few days. The real sign for me was seen later in the woodland rides and clearings, where both Silver-washed and Dark Green fritillaries were on the wing and these longhorn beetles were getting amorous on a Common Spotted Orchid. The appearance of this longhorn, Rutpela maculata, is one of the reassuring early summer signs at the reserve. I see it has recently been given the common name of Black-and-yellow Longhorn Beetle - rather unimaginative, I thought!