Welcome to Minchinhampton Walking and Wildlife Group
The group was formed to share knowledge about the unique wildlife habitats in the parish of Minchinhampton and to enjoy the local environment in the company of like-minded people. We also monitor and investigate local habitats in conjunction with conservation organisations. Knowledge that we gain is shared on this website and by creating documented walks around the parish.
Adonis Blues Active
A number of male Adonis Blues were seen this morning on the usual bank of Minchinhampton Common, overlooking Pinfarthings. 
- Details
- Written by Michael McEllin
- Category: Butterflies
Fox Cubs
One of our neighbours tells us that there are three vixens in the local den (probably last year's mother and two of her daughters). We have counted at least ten cubs visible at the same time - though there could be more. (It is very hard to count a highly mobile group of cubs. We thought we might have seen eleven at one point but could not be certain that there was no double counting.)
- Details
- Written by Michael McEllin
- Category: Fauna
Early "Duke" Sighting
While trying to track down Robert's Pasque flowers (see below) and which we think we found, plus four others on the slope overlooking Bear Hill (where we have failed to find them for several years), we also saw a small number of Duke of Burgundy butterflies being fairly lively in the sun, at the usual place on Rodborough.
The Early Purple orchid are now coming through in good numbers on the Common, and we found our first Green Winged just emerging, not far from Tom Long's Post
Update: One Duke also seen on Bownham Common recently (8th May).
- Details
- Written by Michael McEllin
- Category: Ecology
Come to our Sunday Walk, 30th April Minchinhampton Common
We are meeting at the reservoir car park on Minchinhampton Common at 10:30am 30th April, for a gentle two-hour stroll to look at some of the areas that typically carry good populations of Early Purple and Green Winged orchids.
See this page for a description of orchids regularly found on our common. An example of a Green Winged is shown on the left. Note that the colour of is quite variable and some are much more purple and can at first sight sometimes be confused with the Early Purple orchids (whose colours are also variables). The distinctive feature is the rather subtle green striped sepals, which more are visible in the photograph of an almost white example below.
All are welcome.
- Details
- Written by Michael McEllin
- Category: Local Walks
More Spring Delights
It was a bonus today to see some (five) Pasque Flowers on the lower slopes of Rodborough Common, whilst looking at Dingy Skippers, Orange Tips and Green Hairstreak Butterflies.
- Details
- Written by Robert South
- Category: Flora
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