An Evening at Trumpington Meadows

The meadows at Trumpington are spectacular with swathes of Oxeye Daisies, Hawksbit and Quaking Grass together with many other meadow species including hundreds of Bee Orchids and a good stand of Pyramidal Orchids. Here an impression of the visit - just needs sound added of Skylarks, Cuckoo, Meadow Pipits and, notably, Corn Buntings - songs reminiscent of this area in the 1960s before agricultural practices and building removed their habitats. After very heavy showers all day, yesterday evening was clear skies and even a hint of warmth in the sun. 

King's College Cambridge

King's College grounds are looking at their best at the moment with the natural and planted meadows fully grown.  In 2020, they transformed a section of their lawn into a colorful wildflower meadow filled with poppies, cornflowers, and oxeye daisies. This was part of an effort to boost biodiversity and adapt to changing climate conditions.The meadow supported three times more plant and insect species than the remaining lawn, including 14 species with conservation designations.

Garden Project 18 - Maturity

 I try to remember to document the garden through the year as part of my project to produce a Wildlife garden with as many habitats as I can in the smallish area of my front garden. Here a snapshot of a (late)summer garden when flowers are beginning to die back but still plenty of wildlife in the Herbaceous borders, Pond, Hedgerow, Woodland and Meadow. Some of the inhabitants are shown with their chosen plant.

Frosty Walk in Toft (18th January)

A few images from a walk across the meadows in Toft on Wednesday morning in bright sunshine after a heavy frost. 

This Year's Marbled Whites

 Since we first recorded marbled Whites in Toft Wood in 2012, they have roosted in the clearing in large numbers (35-40 counted this year). They are at least a week earlier than previous years (we were away when they were first observed around 16th June. Here a variety of early morning shots with dew still on the butterflies as they climbed to the tops of plants to warm up in the sun.