Natural History – July 2022
St. Gregory’s Churchyard
Unfortunately the June strimming destroyed the summer flowering, except where we had sowed wildflower mix on selected graves. However, Teignbridge District Council have admired the diversity there and agreed not to carry out further strimming until October, and then including consultation with us. They are also enthusiastic on our plans to prepare for a major sowing of Yellow Rattle. That should parasitise the grass and ultimately transform the currently parched desert grassland into meadowland.
The hot dry summer has meant that only some 50% of our wildflower sowing has germinated; but the future is brighter. The PCC have given us access to the Sexton’s Hut for storing of tools, etc. and the Rector has given approval for us to draw water for irrigation from the disabled toilets.
July Visit to Dawlish Countryside Park
On 20th July Chris and Travina White hosted seven of the group from their home on the Redrow Estate to visit the Dawlish Countryside Park. The rest of the group who had sent apologies missed a rare treat. The image shows members surrounded by laceflowers. There were many meadow brown butterflies, whose typically active and restless flight was challenging to image. We did get spectacular images of six spot burnet moth; cinnabar moth caterpillars; longhorn beetle; and comma, common blue and peacock butterflies.
George Lipscomb, Convenor