Tufted Vetch still displayed flowers above the Bramble which had solid red Blackberries. However, I had seen black ripe fruits about the castle! Wild Parsnip beside a burn site hosted visits from both Whitethroat and Chiff Chaff.
Upon the wares a Fritillary butterfly took nectar from a Knapweed. Although I did not see its underwing I suspected it to be Dark Green Fritillary. Similarly from its underwing it might have been a Grayling that visited me near the quarr. An occasional Six Spot Burnet moth was seen whilst Skippers, Meadow Brown, Gatekeepers and of course Marbled Whites were most active and obvious.
At the margin of Ox-eye Meadow the magenta flowers of Wild Bay Willow Herb were seen. The flowers of Woolly Thistle prove to be a good place to see insects. Burrowing in between the petals was a Nine Spot Ladybird, not our familiar seven spot red shelled species. This suggested an introduced Harlequin Lady Bird which threatens native species due to non-selective feeding and even consuming other insects (including Ladybirds) eggs. However, it still ate aphids! Ahead in my path a Bloody-nose Beetle crossed in a stony gateway whilst a Violet Ground Beetle encounter was upon tarmac of Lighthouse Road. At the gateway into Skipworth Meadow the Bollard Beehive showed light activity. Upon Creeping Thistle stems I found bulges upon the stem not related to flower heads. This of course was a gall in this case may have been promoted by a Picture Wing Fly Urophora cardui.
Chattering away on a waist high clump of scrub upon the sunny gully slope were a family of at least six Long Tailed Tits. Kestrel flew past walling centre into open ground of the Wares. Pied Wagtail observed in its frequent location around the picnic tables.
It is that time of year when we need remind some visitors of appropriate behaviour within the National Nature Reserve. To that end the owners of the tent planted in Saxon Field can come to claim it. I remind all dog walkers to keep you dogs to the paths under control. We are still hearing Skylarks and the fledglings will be upon the ground in the Meadows. Likewise small mammals need the sanctuary of the meadows. Furthermore, we need prevent dog faeces being left in the meadows as that can contaminate the hay crop and harm the Hereford Cattle.