Summer at Feckenham?

 I think we could all be forgiven for thinking that summer 2012 arrived early over the last few weeks.   

buttercup

 

Common Mouse-Ear

Cut-leaved Cranesbill

Lots of plants have started to come into flower now on the reserve. After the recent hot spell I photographed these in bloom last week with others just about to burst forth. They are all in places where we did a late cut by hand a few weeks ago. The new growth and warm spell has meant that the grass, sedge and rush is now lush with many plants that would normally be in flower much earlier in the year re-appearing in these patches. 

Meadowsweet

Common Vetch

Although I've heard of cowslips and primroses currently in flower elsewhere, our cowslips aren't but they have put on plenty of strong new leaf growth so who knows, they might. 


The dragonfly laying is a migrant hawker (Aeshna mixta) which is only the 9th record on site since 1981, the last being 2005.  It's good news that they are back. 

Migrant Hawker

Visitors to the reserve will notice that our Galloways are munching their way round Hill Piece and Kernocks Middle Close but I think that the grass etc. is growing faster than they can eat it! 

Our winter work schedule is under way and we have plenty of work to keep us busy so, if anyone out there would like to join our Wednesday workparty, we would be pleased to see you. It's the last Wednesday of each month, 10.00am start on the reserve.


As winter approaches we look forward to seeing flocks of redwing and fieldfare descending on the fully laden hawthorne and if the temperature drops dramatically who knows what else will pay a visit....

Paul, Feckenham Wylde Moor