We had a bright day for this walk as 15 of us set off on
the woodland path from the car park. As we walked along the Halfpenny Green
edge of the heath we saw many Swallows and House Martins hawking over distant
tall trees - feeding up for the coming migration. A few rested on the branches,
too. Two raptors were seen very briefly as they flew away. One seemed to have a
pale upper tail; we decided they were Buzzards as these do have variable
plumage and a Buzzard was seen later on the walk.
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| Comma |
Butterflies were scarce but we had excellent views of a Red Admiral and a Comma (left).
They were continually spooked from their rest by a Hornet which circled closely
round a fork in a small bare tree. It was probably feeding on sap from the tree
though we could not see its source. (A Small Copper butterfly popped up in the
car park after all but two people had left).
A good variety of plants were seen Ling, Bell Heather and Cross-leaved Heath, an exquisite view of numerous tiny Sundew on a vertical surface, Devil's-bit Scabious in flower and Marsh St John's Wort no longer so. The highlight was a fine specimen of Coral Necklace.
A good variety of plants were seen Ling, Bell Heather and Cross-leaved Heath, an exquisite view of numerous tiny Sundew on a vertical surface, Devil's-bit Scabious in flower and Marsh St John's Wort no longer so. The highlight was a fine specimen of Coral Necklace.