I had two Dragonfly sightings, one at Long Meadow the other in Ox Eye Meadow. They must have been hunting other insects. Thanks to the Dew some webs were more obvious, however, a Wasp still got captured. I considered liberating the Wasp, however, I decided the Spider needed a meal and I did not want to risk getting stung!
The uncut area of Long Meadow harboured some Ash saplings and Fleabane in flower. The area managed by hay cutting had shorter and more varied vegetation flowering including: Red Bartsia; Agrimony; Red & White Clovers; Cocky Fruited Water Dropwort and Tufted Vetch. Meanwhile, amongst the shade of the hedgerow Tufted Vetch held seed pods and Bristly Ox Tongue had begun to set seed. Dogwood held fruits and at least two Conkers, albeit with weak spikes, were in the Horse Chestnut tree. Field Maple and Ash held masts awaiting the wind the spread their seeds. There was a cackle from a Magpie, then the rumble of and aircraft followed by the sound of wing beats when half a dozen Racing Pigeon passed by.
A few butterflies were out: A Gatekeeper paused upon the Stagg bench; Meadow Browns appeared at the scrub edges; a Red Admiral was near the Centre.
In Oxeye, amongst the sward, were two saucer sized Field Mushrooms. A bulge upon a grass blade was an empty Six Spot Burnet Moth cocoon. Hop Trefoil was in flower as was Yarrow, but Hay Rattle held its name sake seed pods. About the coastal ridge a “clattering” of twenty Jackdaws rose and formed two separate groups. The Hereford Cattle where were they should have been upon the coastal slopes. Whilst a pair of Carrion Crow perched upon the summit of the upper Measured Mile Marker a Greater Black Back Gull flew between both marker posts. However, it would not use them for calibration purposes!
A pair of Greenfinch were seen before taking today’s weather readings. The Bird Ringers reported only 21 captures today which included: 8 Willow Warblers; 2 Grasshopper Warblers; Garden warbler; Chiff Chaff and Lesser Whitethroat.