Last night’s Stargazing was well attended and it provided super views of “shooting stars” or rather the Perseid Meteorite shower. Many of us laid upon our backs and issued “oohs” when we saw these passing “natural fireworks”! This morning’s sky gave good clear views of a just over half moon.
Las t night I left some plums beside the compost heap and their latrine suggested they had been eaten by the Badgers. Another faecal leaving was dark in colour laden with beetle wing cases thus telling what a Fox had been eating!
I saw my first Painted Lady (of the year) beside a hedgerow in Boys Brigade. However, four joined the Red Admirals gathered upon the Buddleia beside the office. Gatekeepers and Meadow Browns appeared within and beyond the Meadows. Upon the downs a male and female Common Blue (white Border) were seen along with Skippers and a Marbled White. When I approached Saxon/s Sycamore corner an unidentified Blue Dragonfly quickly passed by.
A Brown Garden Snail, with banding apparent, “nestled” in the cup like structure of a spent Wild Carrot flower head. The best flush of Fleabane can be seen on the inland side of Saxon Meadow. The plant was so named as dried bunches of its flowers were believed to rid a property of fleas. There is still plenty of Honeysuckle, Eyebright, Knapweed, Scabious, Black Medic, Rest Harrow and the vetches to enjoy in flower.
On the gully slopes two male Stonechats called from the scrub cover where elsewhere Blackcaps had been heard.
A pair of Raven occupied the Larges Copse but both birds took of calling when I passed through beneath them. Two Green Woodpeckers called from the gully area. Eventually one emerged onto the down land ridge to seek out ants amongst the sward. Whilst reading the weather the call of a Tawny Owl and Magpies came from the Holm Oak cover. At least a thirty strong “flock” of Long Tailed Tits passed from Sycamore to Blackthorn when I returned to the Centre.