Leader: Karen Funnell
After 51 days without rain, I awoke to signs of overnight rain and there was drizzle in the air. As someone later said, if the farmers need rain get Karen to lead a walk! By 10am, however, we were able to leave our waterproof coats in the cars and set off.
Small toad © Andrew Harrison
Water Mint © Andrew Harrison
We started off down Watergates, past the village well that is currently under restoration and made our way downhill to the Trout Lake. A Dryad’s Saddle fungus was seen on the footpath. Crossing the bridge Hemp Agrimony, Water Mint, Enchanter’s Nightshade and Bittersweet in flower were identified. When we arrived at the lake there were several small toads and a Common Darter dragonfly.
Common Darter© Andrew Harrison
Clouded Yellow © Andrew Harrison
As the sun came out the butterflies appeared including a few Clouded Yellows, Common Blue, Small Copper, Small Heath and Meadow Brown. The Dwarf Thistle and Woolly Thistle were in flower.
A large log was lifted in one of the fields to reveal a couple of adult toads, a Lesser Stag Beetle and a Black-headed Cardinal Beetle larva.
It was then time to climb over the stile and make the steep climb back up to the Village and, as is becoming a tradition, finish with coffee and cake at the Colerne Café!
Karen Funnell
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