A Flower Walk and ...

Sometimes it is difficult to find suitable photographs and notes to go on the blog.  Not so today.  Are you sitting comfortably?  Then I will begin.  Firstly we will start up north where they have had one of the worst storms that they can remember.  By this afternoon the rain had stopped and the wind was dropping a little.  Thankfully the remainder of the week is looking much better.

Before the storm they found a nest of Meadow Pipits.  Letting one's thoughts wander ... might they be retrapped at the Crater, on their way south, later in the summer?

The team also ringed a Common Sandpiper chick.

Last week I mentioned that birds in the hand had to have pristine feathers.  This Skylark is almost perfect, except for its downy feathers on its head.

Back at Foxglove the delayed flower walk took place this morning in strong winds but warm sunshine. No rain!  Our meanderings took us across the moor.  Much of the Yellow Rattle is setting seed and it certainly has reduced the grasses allowing other flowers to bloom.

There is a swathe of Tufted Vetch showing its colourful purple heads through the vegetation.

Walking towards the Stone Circle, something white stood out and on closer inspection it was found to be a white Foxglove.

The Stone Circle was looking magnificent.  In the groups on Thursday there was some discussion as to what people would think in a hundred years time!

In all 76 flowers were recorded.  Thank you to everyone who helped this morning.

Over the last three years, ladybirds have been very scarce.  We counted fifteen 7 Spot Ladybirds as we walked across the moor.  This is excellent.

Quite often when leaving the reserve after closing time, animals that like to hide away can often be seen.  We sometimes think that they know when the reserve is 'all theirs'.  Today no Roe Deer, no Stoat or Weasel but a Common Toad just starting to cross the road.