Tuesday July 2nd. A proper visit to Belvide bird reserve, walking to the hide nearest the West End, looking for the Wood Sandpiper reported yesterday. He wasn’t there but several Black-tailed Godwits were, albeit quite a distance away toward the North Shore.
Wednesday July 3rd. Catalogue the back garden flowers. From left to right : Euonymus japonica, Verbena Bonariensis Lollipop, Crocosmia Fire King, Opium Poppy, Pink Sorrel, Atlas Poppy, Purple Toadflax, Pink Seathrift, Hypericum, Spindle, Valerian, Love-in-a-Mist.
Thursday July 4th. A visit to the limestone Windmill Hill at Much Wenlock, seeking and finding Marbled White butterflies and Pyramidal Orchids. A cool windy day brightened by warm sun over a coffee in the medieval town.
In the afternoon see my first Meadow Brown of the year at Barnfield Sandbeds.
Friday July 5th. 4 mile canal walk on a warm July late morning, seeing Drone flies and Blue-tailed Damselflies. Rosebay Willowherb flowering, Greenfinch wheezing and the Chiffchaff continues to call. Feed Moorhen, who feeds her tiny chicks with kibble.
Sunday July 7th. A good morning rainbow!
Monday July 8th. A beautiful morning for our canal walk, seeing wild flowers on the banks, and a Common Hawker dragonfly over the water. Hear Song Thrush, Chiffchaff and Chaffinch. Back home there is an Old Lady moth in the driveway.
Tuesday July 9th. A stroll exploring paths near Sparrows-end Lane, on a warm, wet morning in Brewood.
Wednesday July 10th. Driving to Coven, we meet a family of Ducks on their way to who knows where!
Friday July 12th. Our first visit to Cannock Chase. So delightfully green and quiet, rich in fern and such a mix of trees; opening out to moorland where Stonechat flit and perhaps, on warmer days, fritillaries fly. We will revisit Sherbrook valley.
Sunday July 14th. Fix two new hanging baskets on the front of our house on a warm Sunday afternoon.
Tuesday July 16th. The wheat fields turning golden in summer light.
Wednesday July 17th. At Barnfield Sandbeds see the caterpillars of the Cinnabar moth, a vivid reminder of our back garden as a child where they smothered the ragwort. A single poppy grows on the canal bank where two Green-veined Whites were mating.
In the evening watch Villa v Walsall on a wonderful summer evening, so close to the pitch and the players.
Thursday July 18th. Walk from Boscobel House to see the White Ladies Priory ruins on a glorious morning. The lanes are narrow, deserted and hedge lined, whilst the field margins are full of purple Knapweed and blue Chicory, with Meadow Brown butterflies. Hear Yellowhammer in hedgerows and the call of two Buzzards, flying above.
Friday July 19th. Find huge Dryad’s Saddle fungi in Barnfield Sandbeds.
Saturday July 20th. On our usual walk there are sheep escaped from their field messing in the wheat. Until they see me taking their photos!
Tuesday July 23rd. Sunrise bedroom reflections and a Heron on the canal.
Wednesday July 24th. Evening meal at the Lester’s Arms with Charlotte and Morgan.
Thursday July 25th. Visit the Lazy Days cafe with Charlotte, Morgan and Belle.
Lunch at the Oakley Arms, and say hello to the geese. Drone shot courtesy of local photographer.
Friday July 26th. A final sunny walk with Belle to the Sandbeds in the morning before Charlotte and Morgan drive home; it’s been such a pleasure to see them all. In the afternoon we revisit our summer’s walk toward the White Ladies Priory, once more delighting in the peace of the wheat field margins, so full of wild flowers and many more butterflies.
Sunday July 28th. An idyllic summer morning, walking through Brewood village to the field leading to the canal, with church bells echoing all around. In the garden afterwards watch many more butterflies visit the buddleia. Special quiet moments!
Monday July 29th. It’s heatwave weather, seeing so many Hollyhocks in Brewood. The two were wild by the canal steps.
Favourite 12 for July 2024.
