The second half of July 2020 proved to be just as active with no sudden changes to the weather although the phrase 'another fine, warm day 'changed to 'another fine hot or very hot day'.
The river continued to flow well and clear with calls from moorhens heard under the steep banks and groups of Banded Demoiselle damselflies seen on most days. Song thrushes made the most of the damp early mornings after overnight showers, seeking out snails to hammer on the stoney paths. Goldfinches were forming larger groups and swifts were a daily sight feeding on insects overhead.
On 17th July, butterflies dominated the landscape with Gatekeepers the most numerous, Large White and Green-veined White, Brimstone, Ringlets and Holly Blues were seen together with many bumblebees on the brambles. Near the Hornbeam hedge a pair of mating Gatekeepers were seen on a young Ash:
Gatekeeper butterflies mating. The eggs are usually laid on fine leafed grasses, which are plentiful here on the embankment. The caterpillars are slow growing and will overwinter low down under dense cover. The are not spring butterflies but are usually first seen flying towards the end of June.
Birds present on 17th July included goldcrest, green woodpecker, robins swifts blackcaps goldfinches, song thrushes, blackbirds and dunnocks.
A typical day towards the end of July, the 23rd, wildflowers noted were Vetch, Fleabane, creeping thistle (good), ragwort (good), Knapweed, Tufted Vetch, Purple Loosestrife, creeping Buttercup, Bird's foot Trefoil and more - all good for insects.
Birds present were grey wagtail, chiffchaff, song thrush, bathing blue ts and great ts, herring gulls, wrens, dunnock, robin and a large common frog dropped by a grey heron onto the footpath.
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