DURING this season of field meetings members have been enjoying excursions both local and further afield.

The recent rain did not rain on Mothing Morning. A large number of moths, with their intriguing names like Dark Arches and Ruty Tiger, had been attracted by the mercury-vapour lamps during the previous night. All our other trips have been blessed by the excellent weather.

In May, Bentley Wood yielded many colourful specimens of spring flowers and early butterflies and, on Martin Down, the cuckoo was both heard and seen. A special visit to an Oxfordshire reserve provided an amazing array of pink hybridized orchids – Lady and Monkey, as well as some rare butterflies and tree-dwelling snails.

In June, Figsbury Ring was visited, and Sussex Wildlife Trust’s headquarters near Henfield, where we explored differing habitats – meadows, ponds and woodlands – with an experienced warden.

July saw members delighted by inhabitants at the New Forest Reptile Centre, and on another occasion the dragonflies and plants that live by the streams in the Beaulieu Heath area.

Next month, our indoor meetings start again, with a talk on ‘Martin Down’s History and Wildlife’ by Paul Toynton. That will be at 7.30pm in the Baptist Church, Brown Street, Salisbury. Once autumn is established, the popular Fungus Foray will be taking place.

Enquiries to the membership secretary on 01722 336690.