Wednesday 3rd June 2026 - Southbank, Blackwater GG #1083

 Terry's photos

Mark's photos

Marsh Orchid

Common Spotted Orchid

Quite a few people arrived today saying the same comment: ‘It rained when we were last here!’ We first visited this site between Mole Country Store and the River Medina last September for two sessions of Himalayan Balsam pulling. On both occasions, we got very wet, and unfortunately the same happened again this week.

We worked along the site parallel to the river pulling HB.  Some of the plants were very mature and one plant was found in flower.  Undergrowth had been cleared under the power lines and this had opened up the area and encouraged germination of seeds.  There were some areas with very small plants which will require a revisit shortly. 

Thank you to Mole Country Store for allowing us to use their car park and to Terry and Mark for the photos.

Los Altos update

GG-er Graham recently re-visited Los Altos Park and kindly sent in the above photo showing the growth of the whips we planted last year.  He reports that they all looked green and healthy.