Since Viridor restricted our access to the farmlands we've been spending a bit more time exploring the wider Wandle Valley Regional Park (of which Beddington Farmlands forms the coreland). Last week we had a look at Watermeads and this evening we had another walk round Mitcham Common. Southern Marsh and Bee Orchids were the highlights.
Yesterday I did a survey of the farmlands Ebird list HERE. Worryingly the farm is looking pretty desiccated. On Friday a Fox got onto the islands of the North Lake due to the low water level and ate the eggs of Lapwings and Little Ringed Plover.
Southern Marsh Orchid on Mitcham Common, about 15 spikes found
Bee Orchid on Mitcham Common
Sanfoin on Mitcham Common, some of the meadows are full off Salad Burnet, Sanfoin, Lucerne, Tufted Vetch etc
Fox eyeing up a Lapwing at the farmlands- the beds are drying out making it possible for the foxes to predate the lapwing islands
Had about 60 Small Tortoiseshell on 100 acre and south east corner
Lesser Pearl, Sitochroa verticalis- a bit of a Beddington speciality
Beautiful Knot-horn, Rhodophaea formosa
Plum Tortrix (I think)
Black-tailed Skimmer - about 30 on 100 acre and south east corner
2 comments:
Hello Peter,
These photos of the orchids and the insects, and mostly the Small Tortiseshell, are very beautiful. Greetings, Janitha
Thanks Janitha!
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