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.