My summer solstice Sunday morning began with House Martins and Swallows sweeping overhead near Sunnyside. Ahead of me a Grey Squirrel scampered over tarmac. A bounty of False Oat Grass welcomed me to the centre. Later I was to enjoy the tiny “Chinese paper lantern” flower heads of Quaking Grass.
Whilst Agrimony displayed its yellow flower spikes, the taller Hemp Agrimony showed red/pink buds in it compound flower heads.
Today was a great day for wildflowers insects. Amongst this morning’s butterflies were: Large White, Marbled White, Gatekeeper, Meadow Brown, Painted Ladies and unidentified Skipper species.
A pair of unidentified blue coloured Emperor Dragonflies were seen in battle over the garden pond. Only seeing one initially, it was the sound of the insect wings clashing that indicated a battle. The fierce fight did result in both insects creating a splash as they briefly broke the pond’s surface. Still fighting they fled beyond the Learning Centre. Shortly another of their species flowed me towards the downland. Meanwhile, one white Water Lilly bud was still to open. Rest Harrow was limited to the pond margin. A Gatekeeper visited Wild Thyme which bloomed upon and ant hill. Crawling across a mown bird ringers ride was a Bloody Nosed Beetle.
Protruding form the Observatory path was the similar looking flower of Black Medic and Hops Vetch. The former having the smaller yellow “pom, pom” flowers. White and Red Clover along with Ox Eye Daisy also colonised the narrow crevices between the paving. Amongst the hedgerow Wild Madder apparently shoed yellow / green flowers, certainly pale, and tiny with five petals.
Near Tilly Whim caves a host of buzzing insects sought nectar from Tamarisk flowers. Today Guillemots were in a full cave (some 20 birds on the sloping building) and upon a clam sea. I was delighted to find my favourite yellow flower I refer to as Piercing Wort / Hilt Wort but more commonly know as mere Yellow Wort!
Yellow flowers of Lady’s Bedstraw and White Bedstraw both resembled delicate clouds of pollen. An insect mimic dark spot at the centre of an umbel flower indicated Corky Fruited Water Dropwort.
One solo kayaker headed west upon the sea passing the gully mouth.
Enjoy the sun, but avoid getting burnt & dehydrated please.