August 2020

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

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

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

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

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

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

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