Natural History walk at Basildon Park on Friday 25 May 2012 at 11 am
Chris Bucke led with Colin Dibb as co-leader. Martin Sell came by invitation and there were three others including Mike Abrahams. The weather was hot and very sunny with a cloudless sky but with a fresh easterly breeze. It became evident from the start that birds were not going to be conspicuous probably due to the early heat of the day. A wren and blackbird were noted from the path up through the yew wood and, on the open top, a crow, wood pigeon, buzzard and red kite were seen. The bulbous buttercups in the parkland were slightly senescing and there were just a few flowers left of the Star of Bethlehem. Jackdaws, robin, great tit, blue tit, chiffchaff and blackcap were seen or heard further in to the green walk. Butterflies included brimstone, orange tip, speckled wood, holly blue and peacock. The common spotted orchids in the valley were present in fair numbers but somewhat retarded with no blossom as yet.