The moth trap continues to pull in a good selection of moths with 95 moths of 24 species including 2 Black Arches, Pebble Hooktip, Bloodvein, 2 Light Emerald, Orange Swift and Early Thorn among the Straw Dots, Lesser Broad Bordered Yellow-underwings and Square-spot Rustics.
With the weather staying warm and bright we decided to go for a wander in the west side of Hemsted Forest. The carpark was nearly empty as we parked in a shady spot. Not expecting to see a great deal I didn't take my camera so these pics were taken on my iphone.
The area around the paths from the carpark were covered in piles of dog crap in various stages of decomposition - why can't people at least clear it out of the way?
There were a few bird noises with wren, willow warbler and green woodpecker but nothing much to see. The main ride has been cleared back in various places and this had allowed a variety of wild flowers to flourish. This, in turn, had lots of bees and several species of butterfly feeding on it, including Common Blue, Peacock, Small Tortoiseshell, Meadow Brown and a very obliging Clouded Yellow. A really lovely sight to see. The ant hills were also very active.
As we walked I mused about the subtle differences between this conifer forest and those we were in in Finland recently. Both wee very quiet but our forest had flower banks along the rides and heather growing in big clumps, butterflies and an amazing number of dragonflies cruising around in groups. In Finland the understorey tends to be lower with mosses, lichens and rotting wood in the gaps. But the greatest difference, I think, is the atmosphere which is cleaner, fresher and very definitely remote. (and no dog walkers to pollute the pathways)
With the weather staying warm and bright we decided to go for a wander in the west side of Hemsted Forest. The carpark was nearly empty as we parked in a shady spot. Not expecting to see a great deal I didn't take my camera so these pics were taken on my iphone.
The area around the paths from the carpark were covered in piles of dog crap in various stages of decomposition - why can't people at least clear it out of the way?
There were a few bird noises with wren, willow warbler and green woodpecker but nothing much to see. The main ride has been cleared back in various places and this had allowed a variety of wild flowers to flourish. This, in turn, had lots of bees and several species of butterfly feeding on it, including Common Blue, Peacock, Small Tortoiseshell, Meadow Brown and a very obliging Clouded Yellow. A really lovely sight to see. The ant hills were also very active.
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