04/06/2026
Clandon Wood in June
I like to think of Clandon Wood as a theatre.
The trees that had the starring role in spring are now simply the backdrop for the summer meadow. It's awash with colour from a wonderful supporting cast, but in June the headline acts arrive.
Keep an eye out for bee orchid, pyramidal orchid and common spotted orchid, along with other botanical stars such as common broomrape and grass vetchling.
Above the meadow, swifts, house martins and swallows put on their aerial display, before handing over to their evening understudy, the common pipistrelle bat.
There are guest appearances from a host of butterflies and moths, while from the orchestra pit come the songs of grasshoppers and crickets – heard far more often than they are seen.
One of the great pleasures of working here is watching the cast change with the seasons.
— Phil, Senior Groundsman
Pictured: bee orchid, grass vetchling and common broomrape