Tuesday 16 June 2015

God's Little Acre - Erskine Caldwell

FIRST and FOREMOST
 Both parent
LITTLE RINGED PLOVER
remain in attendance of the surviving c2 juveniles, nothing having
been seen of the others for over a week now.
(note the tiny legs sticking out of the breast feathers)
 Seemingly totally self sufficient
 they do still return to one or other of the adults
 from time to time where they collectively, or sometimes singularly,
snuggle up for a little succour.
We will continue to monitor any progress.
I have never quite got my head round the expression 'Waste Ground' as one way or other and no matter what, every square inch of 'This Sceptred Isle' has an interest or use to someone. Try nicking a bit you'd soon find out.
DWARF WILLOW and SALLOW
There is such a plot, covering a couple of acres, at the south end of the Eco Recycling Plant which has something of a chequered history which in ancient times was part of today's Merritown Heath. More recently (60's and 70's) it became a source gravel, extractions taking up much of the total area, and once redundant became the predecessor of the current Eco Recycling Plant. Nowhere near as well regulated in those days, just about anything 'none-toxic' from food waste to any old iron was simply dumped in the open pit.
BRAMBLE and SCRUB
Once filled that too became of no further commercial use and, as told by Janet's father John Wickham, was soon overtaken by nature. At one time he and his son Martin made an effort to regenerate the original heath by grubbing out the Gorse and Sallow and reintroducing native Erica's (Heath or Heather) from the existing heath. Today it is a veritable Botanists Paradise which, by definition, also supports a varied and interesting variety of other Wildlife.   
During his visit a couple of weeks ago, our friend Dave Foot found 2 colonies of previously unrecorded Butterfly on this Plot, which have since been added to the Parley Court Farm, ever growing, List. They are 
GREEN HAIRSTREAK BUTTERFLY
and
COMMON BLUE BUTTERFLY
(male)
COMMON BLUE BUTTERFLY
(female)
REINTRODUCED HEATHER
(in patches)
FERN/BRACKEN
In more recent days far more attention has been paid to this 'most productive'
area, with all of the photographs in this Post having been taken there
during this time.
CINNABAR (Moth)
Our own colony of
BROWN ARGUS
BUTTERFLY
the only others in the Recording Area being on Merritown Heath.
The newly discovered
Sand Martin Colony
is also viewable from this area but since our last visit there has been something
of a disaster. This being the scene
BEFORE
and
the picture today
AFTER
a minor land-slip. Good news is that only c4 nest holes were destroyed
while the Martin's continue to occupy the other 4.
Only a single example of
BROOM
on the plot.
COMMON COMFREY
(white)
COMMON COMFREY
(purple)
The first time to our knowledge that
COMMON HEATH (Moth)
has been recorded on Parley Court Farm.
HAWTHORN
BURNET COMPANION
Lots of
HEATH SPEEDWELL
Thought a 'significant' find the diminutive
SMALL YELLOW UNDERWING (Moth)
SILVERWEED
Potentila anserina
WILD STRAWBERRY
 In recent weeks we have heard
 just one or two
 GARDEN WARBLER
this is the first to have shown itself and was one of a likely 'pair'.
Also there over the weekend were
 SCARCE CHASER
 PAINTED LADY BUTTERFLY
and best out of the Actinic Moth Trap
and new for the property.
 CLOUDED BUFF
 a real beauty if ever we have seen one!
 This
HORNET
seemed to be more content on its back
but took to its legs before flying off.
SLOW-WORM
and
Common Lizard
since we added a few sheets of roofing-felt.
It is certain that much more attention will be paid to this area in years to come,
we will endeavour to keep you up to date.
Currently my friends Jean Francois and his wife Roong are travelling in South America. On my last communication it was asked if they intended visiting the amazing Lauca National Park, high in the unbeatable Andes. We have yet to receive a reply but the reason for asking was to direct them to a chance of seeing
 ANDEAN GULL
while we had the photos out, of this difficult to obtain 'Little Cracker'
it was thought best to share them with our
Dedicated and Valued Readership!
You don't see many of these in Poole Harbour Steve, but keep looking!
Please send our Link to your Friends!
http://bagsy-thecaptainslog.blogspot.co.uk/
THANK YOU.
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