The wild flowers this summer have been memorably colourful. The long field at Harbrook, open to walkers for most of July, was an incredible patchwork of mauve marjoram flowers and butter-yellow lady’s bedstraw, with massed yellow spires of agrimony (these are all names Shakespeare would have recognised). Pyramidal orchids added their bright magenta hue in early July, often growing with the paler common spotted-orchid. Down in the wet meadows by the river, southern marsh-orchids also put on a brave display, often hybridising with spotted orchids: evolution in action! Judging from the bramble blossom a big blackberry season is in prospect!
The sight of the month for me was a male purple emperor butterfly attracted by a fox scat on Ewin’s Lane (for this beautiful butterfly has depraved tastes). We watched it feeding for ten minutes or more, and even then it seemed reluctant to leave. I’m told this rare butterfly has had a good season in our area, and, though it is usually associated with large forests like Savernake, clearly the males will fly a good distance away down our semi-shaded lanes. Meanwhile a garden light attracted a rich haul of hawk-moths, including the eyed hawk-moth which can do a fairly convincing impression of the staring face of a fierce animal.
The warm weather brought some migrants from the deep south, including a few painted lady butterflies, many silver Y moths, and an abundance of red admirals. And scarlet tiger moths have been common in gardens this year, flashing bright scarlet, black and white in their tumbling flight. I have had several reports of an otter, probably a male dog otter, feeding in broad daylight on crayfish it catches in the streams and mill-pools, and sending the ducks squawking away in panic.
Can I make a plea not to feed the horses on Spring Hill? If they come to associate people with food they may approach you expectantly, and that is in no one’s interest! And please don’t tie ribbons on the bushes! Someone has to untie them.
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