The Nature Watch on 11 August was a glorious day, with sunshine and soft breezes, and a steady flow of amateurs and enthusiasts visiting, helping to record everything that was seen on the day. The butterflies are now around, having been noticeably absent for much of this cold wet summer, but many were recorded, including the Small Copper, Peacock, Small Heath, Meadow Brown, Ringlet and Common Blue. The flower lists are growing, with a good deal more Betony evident in the wildflower meadow this year than in previous summers, and other new plants for the list, including Musk Mallow, Prickly Lettuce and Corncockle.
Corncockle
In a few weeks we’ll be scything down the meadow and preparing for the autumn. At this time the wildflowers are all drying, going to seed, and although it can look untidy compared with a well kept garden, these are precious weeks in the cycle of the burial ground, when the wind spreads the wild seeds across bare earth. I sit quietly and hope that next year this self-seeding will bring even more delight and healing to all who visit the site.
