Garlic.

 

Our flora is constantly changing, with some losses and some gains. Hedge Mustard, which for many years flowered on the bridleway to Ewelease Dairy, disappeared last year, but I notice a single plant is now in bloom a bit further up the hill. Thale Cress which was present on the road to Rew seems to have been lost

The most spectacular arrivals in the last two years have been orchids, with Southern Marsh Orchid in the village itself and Pyramidal Orchid further down the valley. (The first Pyramidal which appeared in 2021 was unfortunately dug up and lost.) Orchid seed ,which is produced by the millions, is very small and wind borne, so perhaps we can hope for seed from the thousands of Bee Orchids on the Weymouth Relief Road to come our way.

Though it is present in the village, Wild Garlic or Ramsoms seems to be a new arrival in the Grove Hill Bottom wood where I noticed a couple of plants today. Its Dorset name is given as Brandy Bottles, goodness knows why.

 

                 Wild Garlic.   Photo. John Elliott

 Cow Parsely, though by no means a new arrival, is making a magnificent show this year along the verges, and increasingly in some of our more neglected fields. Also known as Queen Anne’s Lace, with Dorset variants being My Lady’s Lace and Queen Anne’s Lace Handkerchief, as well as Eldrot and Gypsy Lace.

Garden Hedgehog Video.

 Kind neighbours gave me a Hedgehog Feeding Kit for my 93rd birthday recently. It was instantly a success in that the pellets disappeared each night, but I wasn't at all sure what was eating them, apart from a Rook that gobbled them down just as the light started to fade. (Lesson No.1. Wait 'till it's dark before putting the pellets out)  The dishes supplied with the kit I have gradually moved nearer until they are lit by the house lights. These don't seem to alarm  them. I managed to get several still photos but the ultimate aim was video. which I managed to get a couple of days ago. The hedgehogs arrive regularly just after nine o'clock so it is not too time demanding  photographing them. The camera is hand held, which accounts for the movement, it would be better tripod mounted, must try that. The video is about 17 minutes long, with the animals appearing about 10 minutes in, so scroll along if you can't stand the suspense.

(video is being shortened to a length the software will accept)