My first five surveys produced a total of 41 species of flower in bloom so the target today is nine more species to bring the grand total to 50. I had only stepped outside the gate and found some Common Poppies in the field.
Nothing else new around the field perimeter but plenty to see down Morgan's Walk including Bramble. These have been starting to flower over the last few weeks, but now are in full flower and attracting a number of insects.
There is just one specimen of Dogwood but this is fairly exceptional being the best part of 20 feet tall. Also not far away a flower head of Prickly Sow-thistle with the buds just opening.
On the ground a prostrate carpet of five-leaved plants hence the name Creeping Cinquefoil and the first appearance of the red flower spikes of Hedge Woundwort.
The last new plant down Morgans today was White Clover, quite expected but only just coming into flower. However, what was unexpected was just round the corner in the buttercup field was a single specimen of Red Clover. Unexpected because they are a lover of disturbed soil and to my knowledge this field hasn't been ploughed for several years.
Along the hedgerow the Elder was coming into flower, ideal for all you wine-makers out there. I used to make both Elder flower and Elder berry wine and if you kept some of the latter for five years it would taste like port.
Now that the Meadow Parsley has finished and the Hemlock is well underway, Hogweed is starting to show and is mainly in bud. However, just one plant was ahead of the rest and was in flower.
Similarly Ox-eye Daisies are just coming to bud and this one is home to a ladybird larva and a couple of beetles.
And great to finish off with one of my favourite wild flowers, the Meadow Vetchling. In the right conditions these can form clumps of several feet wide and be a blaze of yellow.
Well, another successful day with 12 new species bringing the grand total to 53 species. That's not bad!!
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