There is a lot of activity in field two at this time of the year. Part of it is fenced off from the cattle to allow plants and insects to thrive.

One of the common plants on culm is Star Sedge (Carex echinata), so called because of the shape of its flowers. It flowers in May and June and then produces fruits between June and August.

Although common on culm it is not one of the major components of the land and is found only in the marshier parts.

By the middle of the month the Marsh Plume Thistles (Circium Dissectum) are out in flower. They're now generally called Meadow Thistles.

By the end of the month the Marsh Fritilliary butterflies are beginning to appear. They are only around for a few weeks but are a beautiful sight, almost like stained glass windows. The colony lives in the culm grass at the western end of the field.

We think they are a separate colony from those we have found in field one.

Also by the end of the month the blue damselflies (Ceriagrion pulchellum) are hovering around the field.

The photo does not do them justice. They have an irridescent metallic look and appear much more delicate than this.

Here's something that we found on Devil's Bit Scabious whilst looking for Marsh Fritillary pupae. The consensus is that the eggs are those of a Shieldbug.

Our thanks to John Randall, Barry Henwood and John Walters for their thoughts.

By the end of the month everything has"greened up" and all the fresh colours of Spring are in abundance.