This month so far
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7
03-08-20
Another bright and breezy afternoon so off to Stoborough Heath:
- We walked the higher area of dry heath/acid grassland mosaic
- Lots of gatekeepers but no other significant insects
- Surprised at how compact rush is so frequent here rather than soft rush
04-08-20
It seemed a while since we went to Hethfelton Wood so we decided to put that right today:
- The main path is lined with flowers on both sides even in August
- The spotted longhorn beetle, the bog hoverfly and the greater parasitic fly were good to see
- I have never seen the large patch of hairy St John's-wort here before
05-08-20
The woodland disabled car park is open again so we were able to take advantage of it today:
- I have never seen the water level in the 'dragonfly' ponds so low
- Very few insects about again despite plenty of flowers
- Found a new cluster of Dorset heath by the ponds
06-08-20
Not the best time of year to visit the Corfe Meadows SSSI:
- All the meadows have been cut for hay now
- Everywhere is baked dry and plants are struggling to survive
- Still a lot of flowers along the river's edge though
14-08-20
Some respite from the heat today so a short walk on Wareham Common
- The nationally scarce whorled caraway in flower and in good numbers
- Good to see the north SSSI has not been cut as a dry hay meadow this year and that the later flowering damp meadow flowers are prospering
- There seem to have been much less grazing of the north SSSI this year too
17-08-20
After the morning rain cleared we took an afternoon stroll to East Holme from Holmebridge:
- Some brilliant yellow tansey in flower along the roadside by the bridge I had not seen before
- The corn marigolds in the field along the lane are almost all over now
- The birch trees' leaves are turning yellow and beginning to fall as autumn approaches
29-08-20
First chance for a proper nature walk for some time so off to Tadnoll
- Despite visiting Tadnoll several times in the past today was the first time I have seen the Turkey oaks
- Devil's-bit scabious is in flower and looking good now
- Found a pair of Eristalis nemorum with the male hovering guard over the egg-laying female