Wednesday 9th July 2025 - Merstone Stream, Blackwater GG #1038

 Terry's photos

Dryad's saddle fungus (polyporus squamosus)

We returned this week to the Merstone Stream in Blackwater.  We found a lot of Himalayan Balsam despite having had three sessions in this vicinity over recent weeks.  The HB is now a lot taller and a large proportion of it is now in flower – making it more visible.  Unfortunately, a lot of the HB is now in areas that are difficult to access.  The nettles and brambles are also much taller, making the steep banks of the stream harder to see.  As on our last visit a couple of the team donned waders and worked from the stream itself.  We may well have to have a ‘mopping up’ session in a few weeks’ time.

Thank you to Terry for the photos.

Wednesday 2nd July 2025 - Stone Farm, Blackwater GG #1037

 Terry's photos

Broad-leaved Helleborine

We returned this week to Stone Farm in Blackwater to continue our efforts pulling Himalayan Balsam.  The rough land between the farm and the cycle path was re-visited.  The undergrowth was very lush, and it was hard work to reach the stands of HB.  Underneath all the greenery were piles of cut wood through which the HB was happily growing, thereby making it difficult to reach.  HB is now flowering and beginning to set seed.  A couple of GG-ers donned waders and worked along the Merstone Stream and made good progress. 

A highlight was the sight of a hare running across the field parallel to Birchmore Lane.  A return visit to the Merstone Stream and surrounding area will be scheduled shortly.

Thank you to Terry for the photos.

Wednesday 25th June 2025 - Newclose County Cricket Ground GG #1036

 Terry's photos

Bracket fungus

The remains of a bird nest

This week we returned to Newclose County Cricket Ground for the third time this year, albeit the first time pulling the annual favourite, Himalayan Balsam.  We were working in the woodland to the west of the cricket ground and adjacent to the Merstone Stream.  The undergrowth amongst the trees was lush and rampant, with the ground muddy underfoot.  Working downstream we found quite a few stands of HB and there was plenty to keep us busy.  Some of the team worked along the Merstone Stream.  We will be returning to this site over the next few months.

Thank you to Terry for the photos, and to Newclose Cricket Ground for kindly providing refreshments.

Wednesday 18th June 2025 - Bodster Equine, Godshill GG #1035

 Terry's photos

A local resident

Common Cockchafer (melolontha melolontha)

Oak Apple Gall Wasp Gall*

Southern Marsh-orchid

This week we were at Bodster Equine Assisted Learning Centre, on the outskirts of Godshill.  This is a centre for equine assisted learning where people develop skills, improve their self-esteem and awareness of behaviours. 

We were asked to help knock back the growth of bracken along the margins of a field.  In today’s heat this was quite a task.  A pathway was cleared through nettles to a field shelter.  The rest of the team (or those exhausted by bracken bashing) pulled ragwort from the rest of the field.  The sacks of ragwort were subsequently stored within the field shelter.

It was an extremely hot day and there were many butterflies in flight over the grasses – mainly Meadow Browns.  We also spotted quite a few Marbled Whites and possibly a Skipper.

* Oak galls (see photo above) have been historically used in the production of iron gall ink - from the Middle Ages to the early 20thC it was the main medium used for writing in the Western world (Wikipedia). 

Thank you to Terry for the photos.

Wednesday 11th June 2025 - Naturezones, Blackwater GG #1034

 Terry's photos

Ox-eye daisies

Meadow cranesbill

Moorhen

Apologies for the quality of this photo (not Terry's) a cheeky red squirrel fancied a Hobnob!

This week we returned to Blackwater, but this time we were at Naturezones Wildlife Education Trust, which is a wildlife field study centre.  The main task was to move two extra long railway sleepers from one end of the site to the other.  A mighty muscle gang was formed and the wood was carried, one sleeper at a time, through the meadow.  The sleepers were to form the supports for the bridge which crosses the stream at the end of the site.  The existing supports had become rotten, and the planks removed.  The sleepers were slightly longer than anticipated so the bank on either side had to be dug out, along with other banked up soil.  The bridge planks will be replaced shortly once the sleepers have been treated with preservative.

For those of the team not on bridge detail, the paths around the site were cleared of encroaching shrubs and bramble. 

The wildflower meadow was quite a sight.  Flowers identified included meadow cranesbill, black knapweed, smooth tare, grass vetchling, birdsfoot trefoil, lesser stitchwort, ox-eye daisy, bugle, orchids and masses of yellow rattle.

Naturezones is holding a Red Squirrel Day on Sunday 15^th June – see link –

https://naturezones.co.uk/Events.htm

Thank you to Terry for the photos.