What a transformation we are witnessing in the Nature Area. Over the last month the sea of white Cow Parsley flowers has been steadily replaced by the taller and more robust Native Hogweed flowers. The trees all around are in luxuriant leaf, and many are bearing young seeds and fruits already. The small red keys on the Field Maple trees are a lovely sight in early June. Swathes of elegantly arching grasses of at least 8 species rustle in the breeze and are beginning to flower.
It is particularly good to see the variety of plants that are beginning to flourish around the pond edge where a narrow strip will now remain uncut. It is so important to have long vegetation close to the water because that is the place where the young froglets which are currently leaving the pond will spend a lot of their time in future, along with the toads and newts. We are trying to add to the plants on the water margins, in the shallow-water shelved area, the deeper central part, and in the smaller bog area the other side of the bridge. The more we can increase the range of plants of all shapes and sizes, the greater the abundance and variety of the wildlife that will be attracted to the pond to feed and breed. We would really like some help with that project if anyone could offer an hour or so now and again.
The central seeded area is about to really burst into bloom. For the last few weeks tall Oxeye Daisies have dominated the scene, while at ground level the Yellow Rattle is now fading and forming its characteristic seed pods. Only a few pink-petalled Ragged Robin flowers have appeared. But any day now masses of the magenta thistle-like flowers of Knapweed will open out and provide a nectar-rich food source for the insects which so far this year have been remarkably scarce. Only a few individual bees, butterflies, and beetles have been sighted so far, although flies of many types are frequent visitors.
I wish I knew more about the birds which are very active in the Nature Area this month. So much movement and birdsong. So many that I do not recognise. Was it swifts or swallows that were swooping low over the pond this week? Why were the wrens making so much delightful noise and coming so close to me? Where is the nest belonging to the two blackbirds who are frantically searching for food on every path every day? Maybe someone reading this can help me out?
Too much to tell you really. Better that you all come and see for yourself, or perhaps ask to join me for an informal walk and talk around our lovely Nature Area.
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Charlton Down Nature Area 