Our proposed visit to Hackpen Hill for today – Sunday 9 June – had to be cancelled, so we announced a ‘pop-up’ walk instead and took the opportunity to enjoy an amble across Stonesfield Common to look for wild flowers. And we found plenty!
It was cloudy and cool when nine of us set off. Flowers were in abundance and we were accompanied by the almost constant sound of skylarks. Further on, we heard the tinkling song of goldfinches and later, on our return journey, a yellowhammer was singing. I remember meeting at the same spot for a glow-worm walk in July 2021 and seeing yellowhammers singing in exactly the same spot. Clearly they remain faithful to their home base.
It was too cool for much insect life. A small copper-coloured moth (unidentifiable) flitted by but otherwise there was little to see other than a few bees enjoying the wild thyme and other flowers. There was plenty of evidence of the spindle ermine moth in several areas of the Common.
So, a pleasantly relaxed and sociable morning was enjoyed and a very respectable amount of unusual flowers observed.
Birds seen: Skylark, Carrion crow, Wood pigeon, Greater spotted woodpecker, Magpie, Yellowhammer, Goldfinch
The plant species list can be found here.
Julia Reid 10 June 2024
WEST OXFORDSHIRE FIELD CLUB 