Late summer botany and butterflies at Coulters Dean (Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust)

Leader: Fiona Haynes (Reserve Manager: Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust)

The only butterfly seen was Common Blue, but with entomologist Scotty Dodd present with his sweep-net, many other creatures were identified. Notable were Tortoise Bug, Common Striped Woodlouse, Roesel’s Cricket, a Hummingbird Hawkmoth, Heath Snail and Hairy Snail and a Wasp Spider.

Flowering plants included: Nettle-leaved Bellflower, Devil’s-bit Scabious, Marjoram, many Broad-leaved Helleborine and a few, rare Sword-leaved Helleborine.

A juvenile Common Toad was found and a juvenile Slowworm under a tin wrapped itself round Fiona’s finger for warmth.