Here are a few recent photos from the Rowley Hills taken over the summer. Our Bee Orchids returned once again, and we had a couple of new and notable insect sightings – Black and Red Squashbug (Corizus hyoscyami) which has only been recorded once before in the Black Country, and Long-winged Conehead (Conocephalus fuscus), the first time this species has been recorded on the Rowley Hills. Both of these species are thought to be spreading northwards, probably due to climate change, so sightings are likely to increase in coming years.

Gatekeeper (Pyronia tithonus) (image © Andy Beaton)

Bee Orchid (Ophrys apifera) (image © Andy Beaton)

Comma (Polygonia c-album) (image © Andy Beaton)

Dock Bugs (Coreus marginatus) (image © Andy Beaton)

Long-winged Conehead (Conocephalus fuscus) (image © Mike Poulton)

Mint Moth (Pyrausta aurata) (image © Andy Beaton)

Portway Hill (image © Andy Beaton)

Black and Red Squash Bug (Corizus hyoscyami) (image © Mike Poulton)

Harebells (Campanula rotundifolia) (image © Andy Beaton)

Jelly Ear fungus (Auricularia auricula-judae) (image © Andy Beaton)