Summer Work-Party

Today was hot (23 degrees C) and sunny again, and very humid.  So it made our maintenance work-party hard work. Mike, Sue, Alan, Catherine and Kim spent a couple of hours trimming back bramble shoots around the trees, cutting back the longer grass on the top of The Mound and weeding around some of the smaller trees.  We were careful not to disturb nesting birds, or even dormice, in the brambles.

Mike, Sue and Catherine

Mike had also cut around the spiral pathway, so we could get access as the grass has grown quickly since its last cut in Spring.  We kept cool with some iced water and finished up with tea and a lovely cake.

Kim

Alan

The air was full of buzzing bees and we saw a handful of butterflies around the grass.

Another dry Summer

In my two visits to the Community Nature Area in June, it has become obvious just how dry it has been recently, with no significant rainfall in the past month.  The smaller trees are struggling, as they do not have the deep root systems needed to withstand drought.  Nevertheless, the blossom continues to be amazing this year, with a lot of Hawthorn, Dog Rose, Alder Buckthorn and Bramble in full flower.  The bees, both Honey Bees and Bumblebees are enjoying the nectar.

Dog Rose in bloom

I also came across a large clump of wonderful Oxeye Daisies at the top of The Mound, and feeding on the pollen were a number of Thick-legged Flower Beetles. It is the males that have the swollen thighs which give it its name.

Oedemera Nobilis

Oxeye Daisies

Brimstone caterpillar

Alder Buckthorn flowers

The grasses are high and some of the grassland butterflies, such as Meadow Browns and Small Skippers have already emerged.