16th July
In Spring the Thursday workparty sowed wildflower seeds along the then very muddy bunds, placed so as to protect the Blue Route path from the electrified fence. The intervening months have been extremely dry, but with recent showers, surprisingly the vegetation has sprung into life and these spectacular displays of Corn Marigold, Corn Cockle, Cornflower, Scentless Mayweed and Common Red Poppy delighted me as I walked round the route.
Wildflowers along Blue Route bund.
Path along the bund.
Moorhen picking about in the pool at the top of the Discovery field . . .
. . . along with Male Blue-tailed Damselfly on its vegetation.
Blue-tailed joined by male Common Blue Damselfly.
Purple Loosestrife growing in its margins.
Viola tricolor growing in ditch further along the path.
Taking a detour through flooded wood (Wood Two) . . .
. . . came across a family of Meadow Pipits on tree stumps. Adult Meadow Pipit . . .
. . . with two of three juveniles.
Common Lizard further along on boardwalk.
Female Black Darter on return path through Wood Two.
Canada Geese family amongst rushes on Paisley Pool.