Chicory in Bloom.

 Species come and go in the valley, the flora in particular changing constantly. Recent losses that have become evident this year include the Pyramidal Orchid and Common Broomrape which occurred further down the valley, and the Bird's Foot Trefoil which was the food plant for the Common Blue butterfly along Grove Hill Bottom. I have not seen one this year.

The most successful newcomer, which has done well this year after struggling for a couple of years is Chicory, now present at three sites in the village -  behind the Village Hall, by the track to East Farm, and a single plant by the milk machine.  

Here seen behind the Village Hall, the sky-blue flowers blowing in the wind. My own earlier memory of chicory was of the roots being used as a substitute for coffee during the last war, sold as Camp Coffee. (I am amazed to find it still on supermarket shelves today, reputably the preferred flavouring for commercial tiramisu). 

   

My Cuckoo.

My Cuckoo, Arthur

 

 

 The latest BTO bulletin on my Cuckoo, Arthur.

 Arthur nudges west

The only other Cuckoo to make any significant movements over the last 10 days is Suffolk Cuckoo Arthur. Having spent a few weeks in Senegal, Arthur has flown 250 miles east, taking him over the border into neighbouring Mali. He is now close to the River Boule in Kongassambougou nature reserve of south west Mali. 

Beautiful Demoiselle.

 It was a pleasure yesterday to walk along the stream at the western end of the village where the section between West End house and the old water mill site is showing a number of species that have been lost in recent years in the village itself through the mistaken 'Speed the Flow' policy, which has led to very little growing except the very poisoness Hemlock Water Dropwort. In addition to a small amount of that there was the blue/pink of Comfrey, the bright blue of Brooklime, which is making a good comeback in the stream. A few rather small spikes of Purple Loosestrife, which only used to appear in small numbers further down in the village, also appeared.

Most exciting was the appearance of a single Beautiful Demoiselle damselfly.

Beautiful Damoiselle. Photo. John Elliott. Click to enlarge.

This seems to be working its way up the valley. First seen down the Weymouth Road and now regularly in my front garden, this single specimen was the furthest upstream I have found.

Also seen yesterday were three Small Tortoiseshell butterflies on the Buddlia by the Village Hall. There have only seven reported so far in the whole of Dorset, so a significant increase in the county total.