Rob Stallard led a walk at Bramshill on the warm, sunny morning of Wednesday 21st May. The walk followed a convoluted route, taking in as many ponds as possible. Finds near the car park included Heath Speedwell, Lesser Stitchwort, Blinks and a number of Speckled Yellow moths. The first pond had shallow muddy edges, where Southern Marsh-orchid, Marsh Pennywort, Lesser Spearwort, Star Sedge and Common Yellow-sedge were seen. The steep sandy bank above the pond had a series of small holes, and close to their entrances were a tiny metallic green and purple jewel wasp and some sort of digger wasp. A Nightingale was heard singing nearby. After a brief battle through dense conifers, the next pond was much darker, with encircling trees. Tall spikes of Great Horsetail were growing near its edge. Continuing along a wide and sunny stretch of track, Green Hairstreak and Dingy Skipper butterflies were seen. Approaching another pond, the group stopped to listen to a surprisingly loud chorus of frogs. These were one of the ‘green frog’ species – Pool, Marsh or Edible Frog. Three Roe Deer were disturbed from the woods nearby.
Green frog recordings by Rob Stallard
The next pool was large and open, with a fringe of Pond Water-crowfoot and also white drifts of it further out in deeper water. Leaves of Water-plantain were emerging from the water. On the bank were several clumps of the tiny Bird’s-foot. Three Hobbies flew overhead. A number of dragonflies and damselflies were seen, including mating Azure Damselflies, a cruising Emperor Dragonfly and an obliging Four-spotted Chaser, which perched on a young pine tree. Also seen were Small Copper, Common Blue, Brimstone, Speckled Wood and Meadow Brown butterflies and Mother Shipton and Brown Silver-line moths. Several Wood Ant nests were found beside the path towards the end of the walk. Afterwards, lunch was enjoyed at the Golden Pot at Eversley.
Pictures by Rob Stallard, Ian Duddle and Laurie Haseler