INTRODUCTION
This record of natural history observations is intended as an indication of
the wildlife existing in the parishes of North and Middle Littleton and South
Littleton, Worcestershire in the year 1985.
In general the observations have been made from the public roads and
rights-of-way. The emphasis in the report is on plants and butterflies although
observations on other animals are included.
As the weather can have a significant effect on observations, an occasional
reference to it is given in the notes. Last year (1984) was somewhat exceptional
in that almost no rain fell all through the hot summer until September and this
was followed by a cold, wet autumn with flooding in November.
1 - JANUARY
(1a) - The first week of the year has seen the first snow of the winter but
it is only a light dusting. Birds are the most conspicuous aspect of wildlife
this time of the year, particularly the Tawny Owls hooting in chorus from the
large Horse-chestnut trees south of South Littleton churchyard in the early
hours of the morning. During the day, a flock of Starlings probes for grubs
between the headstones. By the side of the bridleway leading to Windmill Hill
the Ivy berries in the hedge are starting to turn black and Shepherd's-purse
carpets the ground in places. Further along, the Hawthorns in the hedge are
draped with the fluffy heads of Traveller's-joy while on the hedgebank the leaf
spikes of Lords-and-Ladies are already appearing. Continuing along the bridleway
to Cleeve Hill, a flock of twenty Fieldfares is seen looking for food in the
short grass of one of the enclosures on Windmill Hill Nature Reserve. Just
before the parish boundary, along the side of Littleton Coppice, the Spurge-
laurel plants are conspicuous with their evergreen leaves. On the ground around
them Sweet Violet plants are growing strongly.
(1b) - Returning along the river bank from Pickersham, fishermen can be seen
spaced out on the opposite bank while, on the Littleton side, a Heron is doing
its own fishing , flying off ponderously when disturbed. In the shallows,
growing through the ice, are the young plants of Yellow-cress and Water
Chickweed. A Coot swims about on the water. Crossing the stile, the Heron is
seen once more standing in the field about a hundred metres from the bank,
probably watching for small animals to eat. Overhead, a flock of Lapwings flies
along the meadows and a group of Mallards takes off from the river. On the bank
are fresh mounds of earth where a Mole has recently been busy.
(1c) - Towards the middle of the month the snow is still lying about the
banks and ice still fringes the river in places. Footprints of Coot and Mallard
are all along by the water's edge. Above the weir, a Coot and a small flock of
Mallards swim about while a couple of Swans with three Cygnets feed on river-bed
weeds in the shallows. One of the hedges in the meadows has a crop of Sloes and
from it about a dozen noisy Fieldfares fly off. Downstream, below the weir, a
Heron is disturbed and flies off down towards the "Fish and Anchor",
after pausing briefly in a tree by Harvington Mill. On the way back to South
Littleton via Windmill Hill a flock of about forty Fieldfares is seen flying
over Harrow Hill and on towards Offenham. A Kestrel perched on one of the
electricity poles glides off to a nearby tree and then flaps and glides low over
the crest of the hill towards the west. In gardens in the village, Redwings come
and help themselves to ripening berries.
(1d) - Severe frost occurs in the following week and Badgers seize their
opportunity to collect the tinder-dry grass for bedding material. At the end of
the month there is a change to milder weather. In the pastures between Littleton
Brook and Blake's Hill a group of half a dozen Partridges is disturbed and they
scuttle off across the fields. Around Ullington the countryside is full of
birds. Flocks of Wood Pigeons and Rooks are perched in the trees, while a flock
of about two hundred Fieldfares feed in the fields. These fly up into the
hedgerow trees too when they are disturbed so that all the trees are dotted with
birds.
2 - FEBRUARY
(2a) - The first few days continue mild but by the end of the first week the
weather has changed with thick snow and cold east winds causing drifting, eight
feet deep in places on Windmill Hill. Blackbirds and Thrushes sit around on
fences in the village gardens unable to search for food. After a week of
bitterly cold weather the river is frozen right over in many places. By the
entrance to the caravan park the two Swans and one remaining Cygnet swim in the
piece of free water towards midstream or climb on to the ice along the river's
edge. (One of the other Cygnets was later found fatally trapped in the ice at
Cleeve Prior.) At the north end of the park the river is completely frozen over
for a short distance. On the bank opposite a Little Owl searches along the bank
then flies into the river-side Willows. Below the weir about thirty ducks,
Mallards and Tufted Ducks, fly off and three Coots take refuge under the far
bank. A couple of Moorhens are found perched among Ivy just above ground level
on a tree trunk facing into weak rays from the afternoon sun. In other places
across the meadows a Kestrel and a few Blackbirds are similarly found trying to
gain a bit of warmth. Half way to Pickersham the river is again frozen over and
right to Cleeve Prior. Over the other side the Heron is disturbed and flies off.
In the tall trees of Littleton Coppice the Rooks sit motionless on the topmost
branches while, below, the Wood Pigeons fly aimlessly from tree to tree.
Otherwise the countryside is eerily silent and still.
(2b) - By the beginning of the following week the midday sun has started to
thaw the snow a bit for an hour or so. Small birds, mostly Great Tits, sing for
a while then fall silent again. A Wren can occasionally be seen flitting about
in a hedge. In the sheep pastures between Farm Lane and Middle Littleton church
a couple of dozen Rooks probe the ground for grubs between the patches of snow.
A wader, possibly a Sanderling, flies up from beside the brook which is still
practically free of ice. Apparently unaffected by the weather, Moles push up
fresh mounds of dark soil through the white blanket of snow. Towards the end of
the week the weather becomes milder, the main thaw starts, and birds begin to
sing again in the mornings.
(2c) - During the last week of the month the fields around Ullington are full
of birds once more. Blue Tits, half a dozen Goldfinches and a Great Tit fly
about among the Ash and Willow trees on the roadside and a Wren searches around
in the hedge. In the field to the west of Ullington are about a hundred
Starlings, fifty Lapwings and thirty Gulls and, in the field to the east, forty
Lapwings and fifteen Gulls. A pile of feathers on the verge of Pebworth Road
shows where a Sparrowhawk has had a recent meal. Back towards North Littleton,
meltwater has collected in the corner of a piece of pasture under a thicket of
Willows and a couple of Snipe, on being disturbed, fly off on an erratic course
towards Sheen Hill.
3 - MARCH
(3a) - The male Yew tree in Middle Littleton churchyard is thick with flower
buds in the first week of the month and Whitlowgrass is starting to flower on
some of the stone walls between the brook and East Side. Over the top of Blake's
Hill much Wild Privet is conspicuous in the roadside hedges with its darkened
overwintered leaves and in a dryish ditch at the foot of one of the hedges there
are many Kentish Snails. At the south end of the Nature Reserve the flock of
Fieldfares in the fading evening light returns to its usual roost in the Plum
thicket.
(3b) - In the middle of the month the rookery between the entrance to Long
Lartin and the prison is very noisy and full of activity with about seventy
birds flying around and collecting sticks for nest building. Most nests are to
the south of Sheenhill Road but a few are on the far side of the pasture to the
north. A Hare runs off from under the roadside hedge and across the fields
towards Pebworth Road. Coltsfoot plants are flowering in the south verge just
east of Long Lartin and a Wild Privet in the hedge is laden with berries. In the
remnant hedge bordering the pasture before the prison, an old Robin Hood's
Pincushion gall is evident among the bare branches of a Dog-rose. A Wren and
Great Tit flit about in the bushes. Opposite the prison entrance, the catkins on
a Hazel are now in flower and further along by the start of the footpath to
Pebworth Road the leaves of Spotted Medick can be seen.
(3c) - In Main Street, South Littleton opposite Blacksmiths Lane the
Whitlowgrass is in flower on the stone walls towards the end of the month. A
Hazel sapling growing in the path along the side of the churchyard has flowering
catkins and on the path to the church porch is more of the Whitlowgrass. The Elm
suckers by the side of the bridleway to Windmill Hill at the parish boundary
have now grown to about 100 mm diameter. Further on, a patch of Leeks on the
left is covered with Field Speedwell and some Shepherd's-purse while on the
right are a few Dandelions, some Red Dead-nettle and some Chickweed in flower.
In the edge of a patch of corn are found three Field Gromwell plants. Going
along the footpath over Harrow Hill to Three Cocks, a Skylark is heard
twittering high above the hill and a couple of Partridges are seen scuttling
away through the corn. Between the caravan park and the weir there are isolated
Goat Willow bushes with catkins along the water's edge. In the meadows are seen
a Mallard, two Redwings and a Magpie. Above the weir the Goat Willows give way
to Alders whose long catkins hang among last years seed heads. In the meadows
across the river from Pickersham, the Heron stands fifty metres or so from the
bank and further away a pair of Canada Geese and five pairs of Mallard graze.
4 - APRIL
(4a) - Upon the stone walls of North and Middle Littleton the Whitlowgrass is
in full flower in the first week in April , occurring between the Manor House
and old vicarage, between the brook and East Side, half way along and at the
north end of East Side. Sweet-grass grows thickly in Littleton Brook in the
shade of the two road bridges and Lesser Celandines are flowering at the north
end of East Side and beside the footpath across to West Side. In the churchyard
the Yew is in full flower and also some Sweet Violets.
(4b) - Towards the middle of the month the Spurge-laurel in Littleton Coppice
has almost finished flowering but the Sweet Violets are freshly opened. A
Partridge scuttles off across the market gardens in the direction of Cleeve
Road. Along the bridleway there are patches of Sweet Violets and of Lesser
Celandines each side. In the top hedge of the Nature Reserve a couple of Cherry
Plums are now in full blossom and a little further on in the centre of the
Blackthorn thicket large patches of Sweet Violet are flowering, as is another
one by the reservoir. On both sides of the track down the gully towards the
"Fish and Anchor" are further patches containing both violet and white
blooms. The dingle on the east side of the track near the bottom of the gully is
carpeted with Lesser Celandines.
(4c) - By mid month the Cowslips are in full flower and stud the strip of
pasture under Littleton Coppice. At the side of the Coppice on the parish
boundary a Deadly Nightshade has just re-emerged after the winter. Among the
Coppice trees are seen a Grey Squirrel and a Great Spotted Woodpecker and there
is a Badger latrine by the bridleway. At the south end of the Coppice a male
Hybrid Black-poplar tree has started to shed its catkins. Nearby a Great Spotted
Woodpecker drums on the trees while a Treecreeper climbs systematically up the
trunks. Southwards along the path Plums and Blackthorns are in flower and the
wood below is full of bird-song; Chiffchaffs, Willow Warblers, Thrush, Pheasant
and Robin. At the bottom of "Fish and Anchor" Bank Lesser Celandines
occur in both verges and in the triangular thicket adjacent to the caravan park.
The thicket consists of three fairly distinct sections, the eastern half being
almost entirely Plum which is now in full bloom, a central piece of Hawthorn,
and the western quarter consisting of Blackthorn which is now a dense mass of
white blossom. On the river bank are more Lesser Celandines while opposite, on
the shore of the island, a Redshank searches for food. Along the top of the
retaining wall in front of the "Fish and Anchor" are many Whitlowgrass
flowers and also on the bank before the ford. Small fish are trying to jump the
rapids at the face of the ford.
(4d) - At the bottom of Blacksmiths Lane a Moorhen swims up Littleton Brook
towards Farm Lane. On the other side of the bridge three big mats of Water-starwort
sway in the midstream current. In Shinehill Lane beyond Mary Brook, dense
patches of Daisies occur in the horse pastures and there are clumps of Cowslips
in the verge in front of the prison. Opposite the cottages in Buckle Street the
wide verge is now dotted with Cowslips and many violet and white Sweet Violets.
Cowslips also occur in the paddock at Pebworth Crossroads and in various places
along Pebworh Road verges as far as the bridleway. Oregon-grape is common along
the road and bridleway, its yellow flowers and dark foliage being very
conspicuous in the hedges. Patches of white and violet Sweet Violets cling to
the sides of the ditches on the south side of the road opposite the bridleway
and by the Willow thicket a little further to the east. Yellowhammers fly about
in the hedges round about.
(4e) - Up on the Nature Reserve a Kestrel hovers overhead scanning the ground
for prey and a couple of House Martins circle around and then fly off. Birds are
singing everywhere on the reserve, Tree Pipit, Willow Warbler, and Blackcap can
be distinguished.
(4f) - During the final week, Thrushes are singing loudly around the
villages, in South Littleton in the area of Main Street, by the junction of Farm
Lane and Shinehill Lane, and at the entrance to Clevedon Green. On the stone
walls of Manor House Farm are some Polypody fronds, on the vicarage wall some
Whitlowgrass and on the walls of the big house opposite the church the
Ivy-leaved Toadflax is in flower. Where the footpath from School Lane to
Pebworth Road crosses Littleton Brook the water plants are growing well, the
Water-starwort forming dense masses of vegetation in midstream. In the small
pond by the path across to Shinehill Lane Water-starwort covers the western half
of the water and has flowering heads of Water-crowfoot poking through it. The
edges of this part of the pond are thick with Hard Rush. A Fox hurries over the
pastures from the direction of Shinehill Lane and heads towards Middle Littleton
church as the daylight fades and immediately after a Heron flies over on the
same track making for the river. Where the footpath emerges between the houses
of Shinehill Lane, Blackthorn bushes in blossom line the west side of the track.
5 - MAY
(5a) - Goldilocks Buttercups are coming out along both sides of the parish
boundary at Littleton Coppice. The pasture below "Fish and Anchor"
Bank has many Cowslips flowering in the short grass. A Kestrel hovers over the
face of Windmill Hill looking for a meal while a Swift darts back and forth
along the Nature Reserve catching insects. The Kestrel flies off to hover above
the caravan park where the grass is being cut for the first time this year.
Hairy Violets are conspicuous in the longer grass of the Nature Reserve and at
the south end in the shady places are some Dog-violets. Although cold for this
time of year, the new grass is now growing strongly.
(5b) - At the parish boundary at the north end of Cleeve Road the triangular
strip of orchard on the east has many flowering Cowslips and there are a few in
the adjoining verge together with patches of White Dead-nettle, Red Dead-nettle,
Ground-ivy, and Chickweed. Under the hedge by the entrance to Red House Farm are
some Lesser Celandines and beyond are patches of White Dead-nettle and Hoary
Cress. Outside the bungalow are a few plants of Winter-cress followed by a
stretch of verge with Dandelions and White Dead-nettle. Below the young Elms in
the hedge of the orchard, patches of Sweet Violets line the ditch and a Holly
Blue butterfly is spotted among the Elms. Near the crossroads the flowers on
some of the Blackthorns are nearly over but in the verge are blooms of Dandelion
and White Dead-nettle. Among the Onions in the adjacent market garden is a thick
mass of Shepherd's-purse and a few Field Penny-cress. Back along the west verge
towards Cleeve Prior are some White Dead-nettles and a few Dandelions adjacent
to market garden land containing Thyme and Asparagus in which a Crow searches
around. In the cornfield beyond are some Field Speedwells. Opposite the farm,
the access to the next cornfield has a number of Winter-cress plants growing in
it and the adjoining Plum hedge shelters a patch of Sweet Violets.
(5c) - Near the bottom of Arrow Lane on the south side under the hedge and
Brambles, the Dog's Mercury plants are in flower, mostly male flowers, and
further up there is a large patch of Lesser Celandines. Across the road is the
start of the footpath towards Island Barn. The hedge on the east side of the
path contains some Oregon-grape, and the verge Red Dead-nettle. In the market
garden on the other side are some Ivy-leaved Speedwell. A few White Dead-nettles
and Dandelions occur in the verge further on and over the hedge in the pasture
are Lesser Celandines. In the next pasture (in which is the footpath to West
Side) Lesser Celandines and Cowslips dot the ridge and furrow. Beyond the stone
road the footpath continues past two strips of orchard running down to the
village, the first being thickly carpeted with Dandelions and the other having
some Daisies in addition. Further along on the same side the sheep pasture and
adjoining market garden are edged with Hoary Cress.
(5d) - Returning from Hoden Lane on the bridleway by the side of Littleton
Brook, an unkempt market garden opposite is noticeable for its thick purple
covering of Red Dead-nettle. Below the mature Willows on the side of the path
are patches of Water-starwort in the water, opposite are a few Lesser Celandines
and lower down on the stream banks are some Dandelions and White Dead-nettles.
At the start of the cottage gardens a clump of Wood Forget-me-not grows at water
level. In the orchard running down to the brook from West Side can be seen a
single Cuckooflower and on the stone walls of the cottages are tufts of
Wall-rue. There are a few more Cuckooflowers across the footpath from East Side
to Shinehill Lane in the pasture containing the pond. In South Littleton
churchyard the Bat can now be seen flying around at dusk.
(5e) - The start of the second week of the month brings in the first warm day
of the Spring and this brings out the butterflies. Along the bridleway from
Pebworth Road to Hoden between the enclosing hedges and adjacent cornfields are
seen three Brimstones, a Small White and a Speckled Wood. Big patches of Garlic
Mustard flank the track. Further on a single clump of Cowslips is found at the
foot of the hedge and more butterflies are seen, four Holly Blues, three each of
Brimstone, Speckled Wood, Small White and a Small Tortoiseshell. Yellow fields
of Rape come up to the west hedge. Over in the direction of the Lenches a
Buzzard can be seen through binoculars, circling very high in the sky, while a
Pheasant calls from nearby. Along the south side of Pebworth Road, westwards
from where the footpath to the prison starts, the first field with its little
thicket of Willows is passed. In the pasture beyond are some Dandelions and
Daisies in the middle and round the edge are scattered Cowslips. A Small White
butterfly flies over and an Orange Tip flutters about in the roadside ditch.
Next comes a cornfield with a track running south down its eastern side in which
many more Cowslips grow. On the north verge are a few White Dead-nettles and
patches of Garlic Mustard and at the bend in the road there are Dandelions.
Beyond the bend, in the north hedge, are some old White Willows.
(5f) - The footpath from Pebworth Road to Norval Farm skirts the pond in the
first field. A couple of Crows circle round the Willows on the south and east
sides. The field beyond the pond has many Dandelions among the grass and all
along beside the path on the hedgebank are wild plants with Dandelion, Daisy,
and Cowslip now in flower. The Cowslips continue in places beside the hedge in
the following field of corn and also at the far side of the pasture on the other
side of the hedge where there are Daisies too. A Magpie and a Brimstone
butterfly are seen. Between the cornfield and the farm, the grass has been
grazed short by cattle. Returning to Pebworth Road, the footpath towards School
Lane is taken which follows the brook through the chicken farm. Blackthorn
bushes are in flower between the Willows along the stream bank. Dandelions and
Daisies grow in the narrow pasture opposite. The path crosses a footbridge and
stile into the field beyond where a Comma butterfly suns itself on the hedge.
The fields on either side have Dandelions and Daisies growing in them. The next
stile leads into a cornfield where one or two Small White and a Brimstone
butterfly are seen above the corn. On the north of the path is a strip of
thicket with an Apple tree or two and at places at the edge are clumps of
Cowslips. A Skylark hovers and sings high over the corn. After the cornfield the
path crosses a field grazed by cattle and three fields grazed by sheep before
emerging in School Lane.
(5g) - Another footpath goes from the west end of the chicken farm alongside
Mary Brook to Shinehill Lane. Leaving the farm it traverses the long narrow
field which is dotted with Dandelions and Daisies. Bushes and trees line the
brook, including a few Apples in full bloom, and under the edge of the trees are
clumps of Cowslips spaced out all along. A couple of Mallard fly up from the
brook and a Brimstone and Small White butterfly flutter about. The other side of
the brook the field is colourful with Dandelions and Daisies but further on,
where the path crosses to that side, the field is grazed by horses. To reach the
road the path goes through other strips of horse pasture, some of them having
many Daisies.
(5h) - Towards the end of the second week the ground is very dry but the
weather has gone cold again. At the north end of South Littleton the field of
grass on the west side of Main Street has much Bulbous Buttercup and Dandelion
in it. A few young Sycamore saplings grow in the Hawthorn hedge and there are
both Buttercups and Dandelions in the verge. North of the boundary between the
parishes White Dead-nettle occurs beside the footway of Cleeve Road and Garlic
Mustard in both verges. An Apple tree in full blossom in the hedge standing by a
market garden shed has beneath it Lords-and-Ladies and Garlic Mustard. Beyond
the little group of houses there is a solitary Ash tree and then Garlic Mustard
occurs again with White Dead-nettle and Ground-ivy in places. On the corner of
School Lane opposite, there is a large patch of Hoary Cress which extends into
the market garden and around the greenhouses. Along the lane to the west of the
Manor House the walls on the west side have Duke of Argyll's Teaplant growing on
them. The stone walls bordering the lanes around the Manor House have Rue-leaved
Saxifrage, a rare plant in Worcestershire, all along in places accompanied by
Whitlowgrass. These also occur on the walls on both sides of the road down to
the churchyard and on the walls at the east side of the churchyard and round the
front of the old vicarage. In the triangular paddock opposite here are some
Cowslips.
(5i) - Rue-leaved Saxifrage is also in flower in North Littleton and South
Littleton. In the former it occurs on the eastern walls of West Side in many
places and on the west wall opposite the footpath to East Side. In East Side it
is found on both sides where the footpath emerges and on the western walls up to
the north end. In the latter it can be seen on the west side of Main Street
opposite Blacksmiths Lane and all down the north walls of Farm Lane as far as
the garden of Manor house Farm. Among these plants in Farm Lane, just before the
school, are a few Annual Wall-rocket and this also occurs on the wall in the
angle of Long Hyde and Main Street. On the walls in the south end of East Side
at North Littleton and into the footpath to West Side there is a lot of Duke of
Argyll's Teaplant.
(5j) - A week before the month's end the weather is cold and showery but the
Cow Parsley is full out. It grows thickly on the east side of the bridleway by
Littleton Coppice. In the Coppice a Great Spotted Woodpecker drums on the trees
and then flies away eastwards, a Pheasant calls from nearby. On the west side of
the track are Ground-ivy and White Dead-nettle and on the flowers of a Field
Maple tree are Seven-spot Ladybirds. The newly planted orchard to the east is
full of Field Penny-cress, Field Forget-me-not lines both sides of the track and
Bluebell grows thickly in the Coppice. Two Green-veined White, a Holly Blue and
a Speckled Wood butterfly have been seen. Ground-ivy, Germander Speedwell and
Field Forget-me-not make splashes of colour all along the track with, in places,
White Dead-nettle. Willow Warbers call from the scrub and Hoverflies dart and
hover under the overhanging branches. Further on a Chiffchaff calls. Towards
"Fish and Anchor" Bank there is some Cow Parsley on the east side and
Garlic Mustard on the west. Three more Holly Blue, a Small White, an Orange Tip
and a Brimstone butterfly are seen.
(5k) - The footpath from Honeybourne crossing the railway to the prison
enters the parish over a stream with a small pond nearby. The pond is nearly dry
at the present but Celery-leaved Buttercup and Water-cress plants grow in the
mud. At the edge of the pond are some Winter-cress and a Grey Poplar tree. A
couple of Crows fly over and a Cuckoo calls from over by Gate Inn Brook. The
path crosses the field which has many Bulbous Buttercup and Meadow Buttercup and
some Daisy and Dandelion to the railway. Cow Parsley stands thickly along the
railway boundary. A Yellowhammer flies by. A solitary Sycamore tree stands in
the field near the crossing. From here a footpath branches off south-westwards
to Honeybourne Road. It traverses a cattle pasture where Bulbous and Meadow
Buttercup carpet the ridge and furrow. Many wild plants can be found along the
sides of the railway. Cow Parsley and Common Vetch predominate but there are
also Thale Cress, White Dead-nettle, Hairy Tare, Sticky Mouse-ear and
Pineapple-weed in flower and plants of Meadow Vetchling, Wild Basil and Salad
Burnet. Along the disused branch line track to the east now grow a couple of
Sycamore and a Buckthorn tree. Beyond the railway the cattle pastures to the
west and around the farm have some Buttercups growing in them. A couple of
Curlews fly in from the west, circle round in front of Sheen Hill and come down
in the fields by Mary Brook. Over towards Pebworth Road a Painted Lady butterfly
speeds back and forth along the hedgerows.
(5l) - The last few days of May are hot and dry bringing out the butterflies
once again. Cow Parsley is growing thickly in the north verge of the bridleway
above South Littleton church and in the adjacent field there is some with
Buttercup, Beaked Hawk's-beard and Oxeye Daisy. Beyond the orchard on the other
side, a Crow flies over the cornfield which is full of Shepherd's-purse. Towards
the end of the hay field on the right, the Cow Parsley grows thickly again in
the verge. A Blue Tit flits along the hedgerow. Ten butterflies have been seen
so far, six Small White, a Holly Blue and three Green-veined White. Beaked
Hawk's-beard occurs again in the market garden above the hay field and in the
market garden further up on the other side are Field Speedwell and Henbit
Dead-nettle. These two continue up in the corn to the start of Windmill Hill.
Butterflies have now become numerous twenty more being counted to this point,
seven Green-veined White, two Small White, four Small Heath, a Holly Blue, four
Large White, an Orange Tip and a Small Tortoiseshell.
(5m) - In the meadows beside the river from Pickersham the Bulbous and Meadow
Buttercups colour the grass. Near the end of the first field there are a number
of damselflies, male and female Banded Demoiselle and Blue-tailed. Brooklime is
flowering at the water's edge in the fifth meadow. A Crow flies over and a
Chiffchaff and Blackcap are heard close at hand. In the next field are more
Banded Demoiselle damselflies and Rape and Wavy Bitter-cress grow at the edge of
the water. Half way across the seventh field a Sparrowhawk circles slowly and
quite low directly overhead then glides off towards Harvington. A Moorhen
scuttles off across the river and a Great Crested Grebe swims lazily in
midstream. Over the surface of the water and into the field a number of Swallows
and House Martins skim about catching insects.
6 - JUNE
(6a) - The footpath to Pebworth Road leaves Sheenhill Road east of the prison
by a stile into a horse pasture. The ridge and furrow running up the lower
slopes of Sheen Hill is studded with Bulbous Buttercup. Three Small Heath
butterflies are seen flying about in the warm sunshine. Cow Parsley and Common
Vetch grow along the hedge and towards the north end of the field there are
quite a few Daisy flowers. Butterflies are numerous this end, three Small White,
two Green-veined White and Small Copper being noted. Taking the footpath towards
Buckle Street, plants of Common Mouse-ear, Cowslip, Lady's Bedstraw and Lesser
Trefoil are seen before leaving the field to cross a track and enter a cow
pasture. The path goes over the top of the hill through the pasture past an old
solitary Wych Elm with most of its trunk broken off, its lower branches now
forming a reasonable crown covered with winged fruits. [This pasture is now
divided into two and the eastern half of the first one is now a plantation. The
Wych Elm has gone.] The next field is planted with beans, though the corner is
full of Cow Parsley. In the beans, Cut-leaved Crane's-bill grows thickly and in
the verge under the hedge are patches of White Dead-nettle and Common Vetch.
After a while Cut-leaved Crane's-bill becomes more scattered and is accompanied
by Field Speedwell. A Green-veined White and a couple of Peacock butterflies fly
along the verge. Across the second half of the field Rough Chervil also occurs
in places in the verge and Corn Buttercup in the beans, seventeen Buttercup
plants being seen from the path. Near to Buckle Street a patch of Field
Forget-me-not is found with the White Dead-nettle and Cow Parsley. A Large White
and an Orange Tip butterfly are seen in this half.
(6b) - Along Buckle Street towards Pebworth Crossroads Cow Parsley is
plentiful. On the first, wide, part of the east verge there is much Common Vetch
with some Black Medick and Oxeye Daisy. Orange Tip butterflies are common, nine
being seen here. A Yellowhammer flies over and Swallows wheel about looking for
insects. The west verge is narrow and has now been mown right across but where
it starts to widen out again there are Creeping Buttercup, Common Vetch and some
Meadow Buttercups with Cow Parsley. A patch of False Fox-sedge occurs adjacent
to the road. The verge opposite the cottages is now coloured with Crosswort
among the Violet and Cowslip plants but the few Adder's-tongue ferns are very
inconspicuous. Other plants in flower include Bulbous and Meadow Buttercup,
Germander Speedwell, Common Vetch and Field Forget-me-not with many other plants
yet to flower among the Cow Parsley. From the cottages to Pebworth Crossroads on
the east side White Dead-nettle and Nettle occur among the Cow Parsley with some
Common Vetch towards the end. On the west verge Meadow Buttercup and Common
Vetch grow with Nettle predominating as Pebworth Road is reached. In the western
hedge a Dogwood in bud and two Wayfaring-trees, one in flower, are noticed and
there is a large Willow near Pebworth Road. More butterflies have been seen,
five Green-veined White, three Small White and two Orange Tip. Between Ullington
and Blake's Hill a Kestrel flies over the fields and into the Ash tree at the
north-east corner of the football ground. It sits there preening itself for a
while before flying off beyond the chicken farm. Further towards the village, in
the pasture opposite Blake's Hill council houses, a Little Owl flies up out of
the field in the direction of the church and alights on a trailer parked at the
top of the field. It sits there for a while with Chaffinches on fences around
it, watching it, and then flies off back the way it came.
(6c) - The footpath from the top of School Lane over Harrow Hill to Three
Cocks starts off as a stone road with verges. Over the hedge on the north side a
dozen House Martins collect mud from a puddle in the transport yard. On both
verges Cow Parsley grows thickly. There is an occasional Buttercup in the north
pasture above the yard and a few large patches of Germander Speedwell in the
south verge. Beaked Hawk's-beard is prominent around the top of the factory
building area on the south and also opposite in the pasture where it mixes with
Common Vetch and Black Medick. Cow Parsley continues on both sides of the road
mixed in with a patch of Germander Speedwell and White Dead-nettle on the south
and White Dead-nettle, Beaked Hawk's-beard and Daisy on the north and, just
before the junction with the middle stone road, Ground-ivy, Common Vetch and
Garlic Mustard. Up to this point three Orange tip and two Small White
butterflies have been seen. The market garden on the north past the junction has
a few Common Fumitory, Field Speedwell, Chickweed and Red Dead-nettle. On the
left the verge has Cow Parsley with some White Dead-nettle, Nettle, Common Vetch
and Garlic Mustard. The stone road now bends left but the footpath continues on
between the corn fields to the edge of Harrow Hill. Plants growing in the corn,
and sometimes spilling out onto the track, include Hedge Mustard, Chickweed, Red
Dead-nettle, Shepherd's-purse, Hoary Cress, Black Medick, Common Vetch, Ribwort
Plantain, Charlock, Field Speedwell and Long-headed Poppy. A Skylark sings high
in the sky above the hilltop. Butterflies seen since the junction of the stone
roads are three Small White, two Large White, two Orange Tip and a Green-veined
White. Beyond the stile the path falls steeply and diagonally over the horse
pasture on the escarpment face. Cow Parsley is thick along the top of the scarp
but almost immediately the vegetation changes to dry downland turf. Plants in
flower here are Ribwort Plantain, Daisy, Bird's-foot-trefoil, Glaucous Sedge,
Bulbous Buttercup, Crested Dog's-tail, Hoary Plantain and Meadow buttercup. Many
more plants have yet to flower. A Rabbit scuttles for cover beneath a Bramble
bush. A Wall Brown, Large White, Common Blue and three Small Heath butterflies
are seen.
(6d) - Returning to the stone road, the bridleway to Cleeve Hill is taken.
This passes through Windmill Hill Nature Reserve along the eastern boundary.
Immediately on entering butterflies are seen, eleven through the Plum thicket at
the entrance and out into the open by the reservoir, two Small White, two
Speckled Wood, two Orange Tip, two Large White, a Small Heath, a Common Blue and
a Wall Brown plus a Blue-tailed Damselfly. A Blackcap sings from the thicket.
Beside the path are Bulbous Buttercup, Common Vetch, Oxeye Daisy and Sainfoin.
From the reservoir to the first enclosure [now the third enclosure] seven more
butterflies are seen, two Large White, a Common Blue, Orange Tip, Wall Brown,
Small Heath and Small White. In the enclosure [now the third and fourth
enclosures] are some Bulbous Buttercup and Daisy flowers and Cow Parsley lines
the path next to the market garden. On the right of the track beyond the market
garden a Field Maple and Buckthorn are in flower. Fifteen more butterflies have
been counted, three Small White, seven Wall Brown, three Small Heath and two
Small Tortoiseshell. In the end enclosure [now the sixth enclosure] are more
Buttercup and Daisy flowers and in the track is a large patch of Germander
Speedwell. A Willow Warbler sings from near the south end of the enclosure and a
Bullfinch flies out of the hedge. A further seven butterflies are seen before
the north end of the Nature Reserve is reached, three Large White, two Small
White and a Small Tortoiseshell.
(6e) - Towards the end of the first week of June the weather turns cold and
wet with flooding in the riverside fields and it remains cold until the end of
the month. During the final week it turns more showery. In Long Hyde by the
recreation ground Horse-radish, White Comfrey, Cut-leaved Crane's-bill and
Charlock are flowering. In the verge on the south side of the road is a patch of
Bird's-foot-trefoil and some Hogweed, Red Clover, and Daisy. A few Elder and
White Bryony blossom in the hedge. The field at the top of the hill on the left
is full of Charlock with some Field Penny-cress. As the road starts to drop down
the other side the north verge is covered with Hemlock and in the hedge are a
number of Elder and a Dogwood in flower. Some more Dogwood occurs in the hedge
on the south side with scattered Hemlock below. Along the flattish section
before the road drops down again there is an entrance into the field of wheat
rising up the hillside. Here there are Common Vetch, Garlic Mustard and Prickly
Lettuce and a Skylark sings overhead. A few more Dogwood, now in bud, are found
in the hedge before the drive on the north side where the road falls again. On
the east side of the drive are Beaked Hawk's-beard, Common Vetch, Cut-leaved
Crane's-bill, Oxeye Daisy, Wild Carrot, White Clover, Black Medick and Hedge
Bedstraw, a number of snails are keeping cool on the plant stems. Across the
drive are Wild Carrot, Oxeye Daisy, Common Vetch, Lesser Trefoil, Daisy, Beaked
Hawk's-beard and White Bryony. Garlic Mustard and Hemlock grow thickly on the
hedge bank at the opposite side of the road. On this verge opposite the cottages
is a large patch of Ground-elder forming a carpet of white blossom. Below this,
before the next group of cottages, a Hedgerow Crane's-bill is found flowering
among the Hedge Woundwort, White Dead-nettle, Garlic Mustard, Creeping Buttercup
and Goat's-beard.
(6f) - On the upstream side of the "Fish and Anchor" ford is a big
bed of Common Club-rush. Above the river on top of the retaining wall is a clump
of Horse-radish and another one at the far end with some Hedge Bedstraw and
Beaked Hawk's-beard. In the north verge by the entrance to the caravan park can
be seen Spotted Medick plants, Horsetail, Yarrow, Dove's-foot Crane's-bill and
Common Vetch. Along the side of the thicket are flowers of Dove's-foot
Crane's-bill, Meadowsweet, Horse-radish, Hogweed, Green Alkanet and Common
Mallow and just beyond Green Alkanet, Yarrow, Hogweed, Meadow Buttercup, Hemlock
and Hedge Mustard. There are few flowers in the narrow verge from here to the
very steep part of "Fish and Anchor" Bank apart from the occasional
White Dead-nettle and Hedge Woundwort. As the verge widens up the hill the
number of flowers increases considerably and Rough Chervil, Bittersweet, Black
Bryony, White Bryony, Yarrow, Dog-rose, Garden Asparagus, Wild Cherry, Creeping
Cinquefoil, Meadow Vetchling, White Clover, Red Clover, Bird's-foot-trefoil, Hop
Trefoil, Wild Carrot, Goat's-beard, Rough Hawkbit, Salad Burnet, Black Medick
and Wild Liquorice are found. Beyond the bridleway there are similar flowers but
there is also an abundance of Grass Vetchling up to the summit of the hill. On
the cutting slopes above the entrance to the bridleway on the other side of the
road can be found Pyramidal Orchid and Yellow-wort and, towards the summit of
the hill, there are a couple of Bee Orchids. From here along Arrow Lane to the
crossroads there is not much of interest, a number of Common Poppy flowers can
be seen in the corn and some Field Penny-cress in the market garden opposite.
Scattered along the rest of the north verge can be found White Clover, Meadow
Vetchling, Hogweed, Cut-leaved Crane's-bill, Scented Mayweed, White Bryony,
White Campion, Hedge Woundwort and White Dead-nettle. On the wide verge in the
south -east angle of the crossroads there is quite a show of Scented Mayweed. A
Common Blue butterfly flits around and there are many snails attached to the
grass stems.
(6g) - Along Farm Lane in South Littleton the stone walls now have many
flowers on them. White Stonecrop is common on the north side and occurs with
Biting Stonecrop, Herb-Robert, Hop Trefoil and Annual Wall-rocket. Opposite the
school the Parsley-piert is coming into bud and from here down to Manor House
Farm Herb-Robert crowds the wall top. Littleton Brook upstream of the bridge is
lined on both sides with a tall, thick swathe of Hemlock and in the water on
both ends of the bridge there is some Water Forget-me-not. Below the bridge in
Blacksmiths Lane a couple of Spotted Flycatchers perch on the barbed wire fence
under the Willow branches ready to dart out and catch passing insects.
7 - JULY
(7a) - The weather has turned hot and dry for the first ten days of July
making butterflies active once again. From Shinehill Lane across the footpath to
Bretforton seven Small Heath butterflies are spotted together with a Marbled
White in the hay field. Field Penny-cress is growing in the market garden.
Crossing the brook into the mowing grass the drifts of Hemlock have to be
negotiated in places along the field edge. Butterflies are abundant in this
field, twenty seven Small Heath, eight Meadow Brown and a Common Blue are seen.
In places Wall Barley, Cut-leaved Crane's-bill and Meadow Buttercup occur and
Curled Dock is plentiful. The hedge contains quite a number of Hop plants,
Dog-rose, and White Bryony and on the ditch sides are Hedge Woundwort and Rough
Chervil. A Swift and Magpie fly past. In the next field the Hemlock is confined
to the northern edge of the grass. Butterflies abound in this field too, fifty
six Small Heath, twelve Meadow Brown and a Small Tortoiseshell being recorded.
Beside the hedge bank and in the hedge are seen Dog-rose, Bittersweet, Wild
Privet, Hedge Woundwort, White Bryony, Dogwood, Black Bryony and Hogweed. Along
the footpath to East Side between the gardens of Shinehill Lane the track is
lined with many Wild Onion plants. Creeping Cinquefoil, Field Bindweed, Wild
Parsnip, Lesser Trefoil, Daisy, Yellow-rattle and Oxeye Daisy can also be found.
A Common Blue butterfly flies around in the field beyond the stile where the
grass has just been cut. Little evidence is left of the mass of Alsike Clover
growing in the field but many of the pods of Yellow-rattle are lying where they
fell on the ground. With the removal of the flowers most of the butterflies have
gone elsewhere or are lingering around the uncut edges of the field, one Small
Heath and two Meadow Brown being seen. A Skylark sings overhead. At the next
stile the narrow uncut strip at the foot of the hedge contains many flowering
plants including much Grass Vetchling.
(7b) - At the eastern end of Shinehill Lane at its junction with the lane
running north to Norval Farm is a patch of Field Scabious. The hedge on this
side of Sheenhill Road is thick with the leaves of Hop which continues half way
to the pond and is then replaced with Dogwood. A few Common Mallow flowers have
come up since the verge was cut. Some more Dogwood and some Buckthorn occur in
the hedge beyond. Part of the wide uncut verge by the entrance to Cockharbour is
yellow with Lady's Bedstraw and has a few Wild Onions here and there. There are
many snails anchored to the grass stems. A Brimstone butterfly flaps slowly
across the road by the prison entrance. Another area of uncut verge remains
where the footpath past Littleton Pastures to Pebworth Road commences. Here
there is more Grass Vetchling . In the horse pasture over the stile are patches
of Bird's-foot-trefoil and in one or two of them a plant of Pepper-saxifrage. A
Hare speeds off towards the slopes of the hill and a few butterflies are seen,
Common Blue, Small Heath and Meadow Brown.
(7c) - On the west side of Buckle Street where the wider verge starts, just
south of the cottages, only part of the verge has been mown. The strip of longer
grass against the hedge is thick with Meadow Crane's-bill. Further north Wild
Onion is evident all along to beyond the cottages and in part of this stretch
near the buildings there are twenty five Field Garlic with flower heads ready to
open. Also seen are Yellow Oat-grass, Pepper-saxifrage, Meadow Vetchling, Lady's
Bedstraw and Spiked Sedge. A Chiffchaff calls from the large Ash tree. Not much
of interest is seen from here to Pebworth Crossroads. Along the south verge of
Pebworth Road as far as the track to Littleton Pastures are seen half a dozen
more Field Garlic with occasional Lady's Bedstraw, Wild Onion,
Bird's-foot-trefoil, Agrimony, Rough Hawkbit, Tor-grass, Meadow Buttercup,
Yarrow, Creeping Buttercup and Red Clover. All down the rest of the verge as far
as Mary Brook there are patches of Hedge Bedstraw, some quite thick. A clump of
Hairy St John's-wort is spotted and a Ringlet butterfly.
(7d) - During the middle of the month the weather becomes more cloudy and
then showery and cool. Crossing the sheep pasture on the footpath from Clayfield
Road to the bottom of Long Hyde a number of species of grasses can be seen on
the ridge and furrow. These include Meadow Barley, Yellow Oat-grass, Smaller
Cat's-tail and Crested Dog's-tail. Other plants in flower are Meadow Buttercup,
White Clover, Red Clover, Common Sorrel, Yarrow, Common Mouse-ear,
Bird's-foot-trefoil, Lady's Bedstraw, Selfheal, one or two Daises and, near the
bridge over the brook, a Pepper-saxifrage. Many Small Heath and some Meadow
Brown butterflies fly around. On the stone bridge are some Creeping Cinquefoil
and many Thyme-leaved Sandwort. The field over the bridge has been cut for hay
and is of little interest but in the market garden beyond there is a
representative sample of garden weeds, Sun Spurge, Field Penny-cress, Groundsel,
Shepherd's-purse, Fat-hen, Red Dead-nettle and Smooth Sow-thistle.
(7e) - The Nature Reserve is at its best this time of the year with its usual
multitude of butterflies. A walk along the bridleway across Windmill Hill
records the following butterflies within three metres of the track - one hundred
and fifty Marbled White, thirty seven Ringlet, twenty three Meadow Brown, nine
Large Skipper, four Common Blue, four Small Heath, three Small White and one
Speckled Wood. Within the same area are seen the following flowers - Tall
Melilot, Welted Thistle, Hemlock, Hedge Woundwort, Wild Privet, Smooth
Sow-thistle, Wild Liquorice, Nipplewort, Bird's-foot-trefoil, Wild Carrot, Red
Clover, White Clover, Field-rose, Common Spotted-orchid, Lady's Bedstraw, Rough
Hawkbit, Selfheal, Lesser Trefoil, Dog-rose, Meadow Vetchling, Hop Trefoil,
Common Centaury, Field Bindweed, Bee Orchid, Yellow-wort, Field Scabious,
Agrimony, Meadow Buttercup, Dandelion, Pyramidal Orchid, White Bryony, Yarrow,
Rosebay Willowherb, Creeping Buttercup, Tufted Vetch, Perforate St John's-wort
and Bittersweet. Further along the bridleway towards Littleton Coppice a couple
of Southern Hawker dragonflies are watched as they patrol back and forth along
the path. Returning through the Nature Reserve in the twilight, Bats can be seen
darting about along the bridleway at the northern end and by the reservoir. In
the early darkness Tawny Owls call from the dingle leading down to the
"Fish and Anchor".
(7f) - The last week of July gives a brief period of warm, dry weather. On
walking up the footpath from School Lane to Harrow Hill in the middle of the
night three Glow-worms, now scarce in the county, are seen shining brightly
halfway up the path by the junction of the stone roads.
8 - AUGUST
(8a) - The weather turns un-seasonal once more at the start of the month
being cool and showery. Nettles are now thick along the sides of most of the
bridleway from Littleton Coppice. Other species growing in some numbers are
Hedge Woundwort, Nipplewort, Lesser Burdock, White Bryony and Prickly
Sow-thistle. By the side of the Coppice a solitary Meadow Brown butterfly is
seen and beside the path Hairy-brome, Barren Brome, Herb-Robert, Welted Thistle,
Wood Avens, Upright Hedge-parsley and Prickly Lettuce are found. In the next
section there are Traveller's-joy, Hedge Mustard and Dog-rose and then up to the
dip by the corn field, Traveller's-joy, Wood Avens, Hairy-brome, False Brome,
Spear Thistle, Welted Thistle, Rough Chervil, Greater Burdock, Black Bryony,
Hedge Mustard, Bittersweet, Upright Hedge-parsley, Selfheal, Smooth Sow-thistle
and Bristly Ox tongue. On the south side of the dip under the hedge the Deadly
Nightshade has now grown into a biggish bush and has buds, flowers and large
green berries all at the same time. From here to the old fence line there are
Traveller's-joy, Rough Chervil, Smooth Sow-thistle, False Brome, Wood Avens,
Bittersweet, White Dead-nettle, Hemlock, Bramble, Bearded Couch, Common Couch,
Hogweed, Field Bindweed, Greater Burdock and Hairy-brome. A Red Admiral
butterfly perches on the vegetation with wings outspread trying to gain a little
warmth and a Gatekeeper and a Small White are also spotted. On the way to the
road are found Welted Thistle, Spear Thistle, Bittersweet, Rough Chervil, White
Dead-nettle, Wood Avens, Hedge Bindweed, Hairy-brome, False Brome, Creeping
Thistle, Barren Brome, Smooth Sow-thistle, Bramble, Bearded Couch, Traveller's-joy,
Greater Burdock, and where the path opens out onto the verge of "Fish and
Anchor" Bank, Wild Liquorice, Large Bindweed, Field Bindweed, Prickly
Lettuce and Hoary Ragwort. As the sky darkens in the west from an approaching
storm, thirty Swifts race about above the road cutting catching rising insects
and a dozen or so more can be seen over the top of the escarpment to the north.
Later, as the sun sets over the Vale, a group of forty geese in V-formation fly
low over the river from the north, honking noisily as they go, following its
course precisely until they disappear from sight by Offenham church.
(8b) - Leaving School Lane by the old school the footpath to Pebworth Road
goes across the sheep pasture between the old orchard and Manor Road. Nothing of
interest is noticed in this field or the one over Littleton Brook as the grass
is so short. However, the brook is now thick with wild plants, the top of which
have been browsed by the animals. Much of it is Fool's Water-cress but there is
also Sweet-grass, Water Forget-me-not and Common Duckweed. The third field is
being grazed having just the occasional Meadow Buttercup and Red and White
Clover. Beyond this pasture, at the top of the hill, the path crosses into a
wheat field and continues through it alongside its thick hedge and grassy verge.
In the corn are Scarlet Pimpernel, Fat-hen, Charlock, Round-leaved Fluellen,
Groundsel, Field Speedwell, Field Bindweed, Field Forget-me-not, Sun Spurge and
a single seed head of Corn Buttercup while in the verge can be seen Cut-leaved
Crane's-bill, Wild Carrot, Stone Parsley and the fruiting heads of Rough
Chervil. After passing the small pond on the left the plants seen in the corn
are Field Speedwell, Field Bindweed, Cut-leaved Crane's-bill, Round-leaved
Fluellen in quantity, Black Medick, Knotgrass, Scarlet Pimpernel, Lesser
Trefoil, Fool's Parsley, Sharp-leaved Fluellen and Field Forget-me-not. There
are a good many species in the verge, the most common being Wild Carrot and
Stone Parsley, together with Bramble, Garden Asparagus, Lady's Bedstraw, Common
Restharrow, Fool's Parsley, Field Bindweed, Ribwort Plantain, Sharp-leaved
Fluellen, one Field Garlic, Scentless Mayweed, Rough Chervil in fruit, Agrimony,
Selfheal, Dwarf Spurge, Charlock, Upright Hedge-parsley, Common Mouse-ear,
Common Knapweed, Wild Parsnip, Hedge Mustard, Spear Thistle and three
Pepper-saxifrage. As the sun starts to go down a Heron is seen flying its usual
route from over Shinehill Lane towards Middle Littleton church. Crossing the
pasture beyond, a Hare is spied part way down the long narrow pasture on the
right before the chicken farm is reached.
(8c) - Taking the footpath from Pebworth Road to Norval Farm, Celery-leaved
Buttercup, Pink Water-speedwell and Water-cress are seen round the edge of the
pond. The hay has just been cut in the following field but many plants remain in
the hedge and hedgebank. These include Wild Teasel, Autumn Hawkbit, Meadow
Buttercup, Charlock, Bramble, Prickly Sow-thistle, Yarrow, Stone Parsley,
Goat's-beard, Selfheal, Wild Carrot, Common Knapweed, Upright Hedge-parsley,
Black Medick, Tor-grass, White Campion, Field Scabious, Spear Thistle, Red
Clover, Hedge Woundwort, Wild Parsnip and Perforate St John's-wort. The next
field contains wheat in which are the two Fluellens, Dwarf Spurge, Fool's
Parsley, Field Bindweed, Knotgrass, Cut-leaved Crane's-bill, Prickly
Sow-thistle, Scarlet Pimpernel, Black Mustard, Black-bindweed, Common Orache,
Fat-hen and Red Bartsia. By the hedge are Stone Parsley, Pepper-saxifrage, Wild
Parsnip and fruiting Rough Chervil. In the cattle pasture beyond are a few
Meadow Buttercups.
(8d) - From the chicken farm the ditch along the south verge of Pebworth Road
is full of Fool's Water-cress, its leaves and flowers rising well above the
level of the verge. There are stands of Great Willowherb here and there and the
hedge is clothed in Hedge Bindweed and occasional Bittersweet. The bridleway to
Hoden has dense vegetation crowding in from both its hedges in places leaving a
narrow path which is now churned up into deep mud by horses with water standing
on the surface. In more open stretches the path is quite dry. All along the
sides are thick with fruiting Rough Chervil and, here and there, are Bramble,
Lesser Burdock, Nipplewort and Hedge Woundwort. The fields of Rape have been
harvested and opposite the first one Hairy St John's-wort is quite common. Few
other plants are in flower, Herb-Robert, Great Willowherb, Tor-grass, Bearded
Couch, Hairy-brome, Bristly Ox tongue, Bittersweet, Stone Parsley and White
Dead-nettle only being seen.
(8e) - Returning from Cleeve Prior past Island Barn enclosure a patch of
Greater Knapweed growing by the parish boundary is now in full flower and has,
as in other years, a plant with pure white flowers among the normal plants. A
dense mass of Field Pepperwort on the side of a market garden by the path has
now podded up. Further on, in the middle of the track by the strips of orchard,
are two clumps of Lucerne. An Agrimony is seen here and there. Where the
footpath to Cleeve Road crosses the track along to Arrow Lane the hedge contains
many Hop plants.
9 - SEPTEMBER
(9a) - The end of August and start of September is hot and sunny for a
change. Taking the bridleway from South Littleton church to Cleeve Hill a Hare
is spotted in the recently mown field on the right just in North and Middle
Littleton parish. It grazes watchfully and when it realises that it has become
seen, bolts for a patch of nearby Nettles in the middle of the field. Between
Windmill Hill and Littleton Coppice an animal is seen about twenty metres in
front bounding along the muddy path, then stopping to poke in the vegetation at
the side. Noticing that it is being observed it rises up on its hind legs and
gazes for a few seconds when it can be seen to be a Stoat. It pokes about again,
moves on a little way, stands up for another look, then disappears into the
undergrowth.
(9b) - Back from Cleeve Prior the riverside footpath is taken to look at the
water plants which are now at their best. In Pickersham are flowers of
Purple-loosestrife, Celery-leaved Buttercup, Water-pepper, Trifid Bur-marigold,
Water Forget-me-not, Common Club-rush, Water-plantain, Gypsywort, Brooklime,
Great Willowherb, Water Figwort, Flowering-rush, Water Chickweed, Marsh
Yellow-cress, Creeping Yellow-cress, and plants of Arrowhead and Branched
Bur-reed. In the next field there is some Meadowsweet. A Green Woodpecker flies
along a hedgerow half way down the field. On the mud in the shallows of the
fifth field are flowering Water-pepper, Celery-leaved Buttercup,
Purple-loosestrife, Marsh Yellow-cress, Great Yellow-cress, Brooklime, Pink
Water-speedwell, Skullcap, Water Chickweed, Trifid Bur-marigold, Water-plantain,
Gypsywort, and Water Forget-me-not. A few Blue-tailed damselflies are around.
The next field was cut for hay a few weeks ago and since then some of the Great
Burnet plants have thrown up flowers, their dark red heads dotting the grass.
Flowers on the mudbank in the south corner of the field are Celery-leaved
Buttercup, Purple-loosestrife, Water-pepper, Water Chickweed, Brooklime, Nodding
Bur-marigold and Common Orache and in the water are the bottle shaped pods of
Yellow Water-lily. The following field has a long length of broad muddy edge on
which most of the plants have been cropped by the cattle. However, in the
shallows there is a good display of flowers of Flowering-rush and Arrowhead and
a bank of Common Club-rush. A Moorhen swims out from a clump of Branched
Bur-reed in the shallows and paddles in an agitated fashion in midstream. A
single Swallow speeds over the water. Half way across to the hill a Heron is
disturbed and flies over into the field to the north. It is good to see a Heron
by the river again as, since May, about twenty have been found dead from
poisoning between Alcester and Pershore, most between Bidford and Evesham. It is
estimated that about half the Worcestershire population of Herons has died
recently. Below the weir in the next field there occurs Water-plantain,
Bur-marigold, Gypsywort, Water Chickweed, Purple-loosestrife, Water-pepper,
Tansy and Great Willowherb, while on the small island containing the Black
Poplar can be recognised Purple-loosestrife, Arrowhead, Water Chickweed,
Water-pepper, and Yellow-cress.
(9c) - Where the footpath from Honeybourne to the prison enters the parish a
few flower heads of Hemp-agrimony are spotted in the watercourse north of the
track. The pond is now dried up and the field before the railway is grazed. A
Great Spotted Woodpecker flies up from by the railway and flies off back towards
Honeybourne. By the side of the railway line at the crossing are seen Sticky
Grounsel, Hoary Ragwort, Common Toadflax, Wild Basil, Wild Carrot, Field
Scabious, Hawkweed Ox tongue, Glaucous Sedge, Hop Trefoil, Meadow Vetchling,
Field Bindweed and Black Medick. A Rabbit scuttles across the line and a few
butterflies are seen, Meadow Brown, Small Heath, Large White, Wall Brown and
Brimstone. Beside the track up to the farm are noted Hemlock, Bittersweet, Hedge
Mustard, Upright Hedge-parsley, Wild Teasel, Creeping Buttercup, Rough Chervil,
Stone Parsley, Common Orache, Hedge Woundwort, Creeping Cinquefoil and beyond
the right-angle bend up to the farm a number of Wormwood. Between the railway
and the bend a Large White, Peacock, Green-veined White and seven Gatekeeper
butterflies and a Southern Hawker dragonfly are seen.
(9d) - Butterflies seem to be abundant along the wide verges of Buckle
Street. On the east verge at the south end about thirty Green-veined White are
counted and on the west verge just north of this up to the cottages a Meadow
Brown, Peacock, Small White, two Gatekeeper, three Small Skipper and twenty four
Green-veined White butterflies are noted. On this verge are now flowering Meadow
Crane's-bill, Common Knapweed, Yarrow, Hedge Bindweed, Agrimony, Strawberry
Clover, Cut-leaved Crane's-bill, Spiked Sedge, False Fox-sedge, Goat's-beard,
Lady's Bedstraw, Meadow Vetchling, Field Garlic, Hoary Ragwort, Creeping
Buttercup, Ribwort Plantain, Bird's-foot-trefoil, Pepper-saxifrage, Creeping
Cinquefoil, Common Restharrow and a few others.
(9e) - Returning to the prison from Pebworth Road past Holborn the plants
seen bordering the track up as far as the bean field on the left are Common
Knapweed, Traveller's-joy, Hedge Bindweed, Great Willowherb, Field Bindweed,
Creeping Cinquefoil, Wild Teasel and Meadow Vetchling. Butterflies seen in this
length are twenty two Gatekeeper, eight Green-veined White, two Small White, two
Peacock and a Meadow Brown. From here to the South Littleton parish boundary
sixteen each of Green-veined White and Gatekeeper butterflies are counted and
flowering plants seen are Field Bindweed, Hedge Bindweed, Great Willowherb,
Lady's bedstraw, Black Medick, Red Clover, Cut-leaved Crane's-bill, Hedge
Woundwort, White Dead-nettle and a patch of Silverweed plants.
(9f) - The following few days are showery with a touch of frost, followed by
warm sunny weather for most of the remainder of the month. Dragonflies can be
seen most days along the top of the escarpment, Southern Hawker and Common
Darter at first then Common Darter and Migrant? Hawker towards the end of
September.
10 - OCTOBER
(10a) - During the hot sunshine of the first day or two of the month the
northern paddock of the Nature Reserve is busy with the flight of dragonflies.
Three Migrant? Hawker hunt back and forth over the flat top at the northern end
of the paddock while a couple of Common Darter perch on the top of the adjacent
fence ready to pounce on passing insects. A Jay is seen flying north along the
escarpment and a Green Woodpecker is heard nearby. The Ivy is now well in flower
beside the bridleway to Cleeve Hill, its inconspicuous flowers attracting
hundreds of hoverflies.
(10b) - Littleton Brook in Blacksmiths Lane at the bridge is full of Water
Mint, Water Forget-me-not, and Fool's Water-cress. Along Shinehill Lane beyond
Mary Brook there is the occasional White Campion in the north verge up to Long
Lartin. Where Gate Inn Brook leaves the estate at the bridge under Withytrees
Road it is full of Water Chickweed giving it a pale green blanket through which
some Water-cress and Water Figwort emerge. Going up the brook to the fence of
the "Unipart" compound Hedge Bindweed, White Dead-nettle, Branched
Bur-reed, Yarrow, Hemlock, Wild Teasel, Wormwood and White Campion are seen as
well. Near the bottom end of the prison a clump of Black Horehound flowers in
the south verge of Sheenhill Road. Further up, where soil was recently imported
to form a roadside bund in front of the prison, plants of Eastern Rocket, Sticky
Groundsel, Weld and Oxeye Daisy grow. On the other side of the road from
opposite the top prison entrance to above the prison are a couple of Musk
Mallow, some Common Knapweed and Common Toadflax.
(10c) - Apart from the end of the first week, the month remains dry with some
sunny days, Migrant Hawker dragonflies being active right through. Along the
verge of Buckle Street, opposite the cottages, the seed heads of the many Hoary
Ragwort plants are very conspicuous. Also to be seen are the seed heads of
Agrimony and Common Knapweed. Down Pebworth Road from Pebworth Crossroads the
north ditch adjacent to the paddock was cleared out earlier in the year and the
soil placed on the verge. This now has evidence of many plants, those still in
flower include abundant Spear Thistle, some Nipplewort, Common Orache,
Burnet-saxifrage, Autumn Hawkbit, Black Medick, Yarrow, Common Knapweed, Rough
Hawkbit, Hogweed, Red Clover, Tor-grass, Hedge Woundwort, Smooth Sow-thistle,
Black Nightshade, Scentless Mayweed and those not in flower include Agrimony,
Common Vetch, Creeping Thistle, Perforate St John's-wort, Lady's Bedstraw,
Cleavers, Bittersweet, Meadow Vetchling, Fat-hen, Field Gromwell, Tall Melilot,
Creeping Cinquefoil and White Bryony. In the gathering dusk of late October a
long straggle of Rooks, a hundred and seventy five or more, flies past from the
direction of Ullington Mill south-eastwards over Sheen Hill and on towards
Honeybourne Station.
(10d) - Right at the end of the month a flock of about fifty Redwings is seen
flying over Pebworth Road towards the north-west. In the trees bordering the
bridleway to Hoden two Owls are calling while in the young corn of the adjacent
field to the west half a dozen Lapwings search for food.
(10e) - Later in the day a flock of Redwings (the same one perhaps) is seen
feeding on the multitude of Buckthorn berries in the thick hedge on the north
side of the narrow riverside meadow cut for hay in the summer. At the water's
edge in this field Water Chickweed, Celery-leaved Buttercup and Water-pepper are
still in flower. There are many Gulls swimming on the water. In the next field
south, a little way above the weir, a couple of Moorhens swim for cover to the
opposite bank. Here there is more Water Chickweed and Celery-leaved Buttercup
and one Water Figwort in flower.
11 - NOVEMBER
(11a) - November starts mostly dry and cold. One of the Sycamores in the
front of South Littleton churchyard is full of raucous Starlings. On the stone
walls Ivy-leaved Toadflax is in flower. Leaves are changing colour and the Plum
and Lime trees in the recreation ground have already shed many of theirs. Near
the pavilion is a waste area where grass mowings from the bowling green are
tipped. Common Orache, Shepherd's Purse, Chickweed, Annual Mercury, Small Nettle
and Black Nightshade are in flower here. Flowers of Common Mallow, Black
Horehound and Autumn Hawkbit can be seen on the road verge alongside the
recreation ground. At the summit of Long Hyde, in the verge on the inside of the
bend , are quite a few Hawkweed Ox tongue and plants of Hoary Ragwort, Smooth
Sow-thistle, Stone Parsley, Common Knapweed, Germander Speedwell, Wild Basil,
Agrimony and Red Clover can be seen.
(11b) - On the hedge bank opposite the chicken farm in Pebworth Road a
Stinking Iris plant is found. Further along the road on the village side of the
football ground the north hedge is full of berries, Wild Privet, Hawthorn, some
Dog-rose and the occasional Bittersweet. Twenty or so Fieldfares fly over
south-eastwards. In the grass is the occasional Autumn Hawkbit, Yarrow, and Red
Clover. On the mown verge of Blakeshill Farm a late Rough Chervil is in flower
with some Daisies and, in front of the top council houses, a few plants of
Bristly Ox tongue are conspicuous. At the bottom of the hill the Dogwood in the
hedge is turning colour. Returning along the south side of Blake's Hill
occasional Autumn Hawkbit, Red Clover, Prickly Sow-thistle, Goat's-beard and
Yarrow are noticed from the top of the hill back down to the football ground.
Sixty five Rooks fly over north-westwards. A further hundred or so search about
on the ploughed field east of Ullington Mill.
(11c) - Most of the rest of the month is mild and damp or wet but the last
week is cold and dry again turning milder on the last day. Some Starlings still
remain among the churchyard trees accompanied by a Magpie. In the hedge beside
the bridleway to Windmill Hill a Robin and a Great Tit sing. The Hawthorn
berries are conspicuous now the leaves have fallen and some bushes are heavily
loaded. The few Blackthorn berries are fat and fleshy. Over the crest of Harrow
Hill to the west about thirty Rooks circle and sometimes do their characteristic
twisting dives. Going along the riverside meadows beyond the caravan park a
couple of Magpies are seen but little else. However, in the meadow above the
weir the trees are full of noisy Fieldfares, many hundreds of them, by the river
and down the hedges adjoining. A couple of fields beyond a Heron flies out from
under the trees on the opposite bank and flies upstream to land in the middle of
the first meadow in Salford Priors. A group of a dozen Long-tailed Tits flits
downstream between bankside trees and bushes, squeaking away as they look for
insects, completely unconcerned with any human presence as usual.
12 - DECEMBER
(12a) - The month starts wet and mild. Few plants are now in flower but on
top of the walls of the big house opposite the church and of the churchyard in
South Littleton many of the Flattened Meadow-grass are at their best. The rest
of the vegetation on the village dry-stone walls has now died down revealing
many empty shells of the various species of small and minute snails which live
between the stones by day and browse lichen and dead vegetation at night. A
short section of wall picked at random at the north-east of Farm Lane yielded
the shells of half a dozen Door, half a dozen Chrysalis, one Slippery, one Rock
and a Beautiful (excentrica) snail.
(12b) - In the verges and hedge banks next year's Cow Parsley is now coming
up strongly. It clothes the sides of the bridleway from Hoden to Pebworth Road
in fresh green vegetation. A Blackbird is disturbed from the hedge and another
one from the hedge along the road towards Ullington. Further along a Blue Tit
searches for food among the trees. As usual there are many Rooks around
Ullington Mill, twenty in the field to the west, fifty in the trees of the
drive, fifty in the field opposite the entrance and fifty in the field to the
east. In this last field is also a flock of about a hundred Starlings. Another
flock of about a hundred birds, probably Redwings, flies over and heads towards
the prison and an Owl calls from over by Norval Farm.
(12c) - In late mid-month there are strong winds which blow off some of the
plumed seeds of Traveller's-joy and some of these afterwards can be seen giving
a scattered covering to the muddy southern entrance to Windmill Hill Nature
Reserve. However, most seeds still remain on the plants and are very conspicuous
as they drape over most of the bushes around the south end of the Nature
Reserve. By the reservoir a late, stunted, Wild Carrot is seen with a large
flower head in full bud. A big flock of the ubiquitous Wood Pigeon is sheltering
from the wind in the trees at the bottom of the Nature Reserve. Where the
paddocks have been grazed in the summer, new grass has sprung up giving them a
lush appearance in places. By the bridleway half way along the hill a Buckthorn
tree has started to shoot again. Down "Fish and Anchor" Bank just
below the Nature Reserve entrance the hedge on the north side is white from the
solid mass of Traveller's-joy plumes covering it.
(12d) - The weather turns cold on the last few days of the month and the wind
blows from the east. A search for snail shells on part of the stone walls on the
south side of the footpath between West Side and East Side in North Littleton
yields fourteen Rock, two Door, one Rounded, one Pellucid, and a Beautiful (excentrica)
snail. Crossing the pasture from East Side to Shinehill Lane a flock of Lapwings
is seen half way down the fields towards the brook by the footpath to School
Lane. They fly up and circle round to join others on a sheep pasture on the side
of Blake's Hill. Half way over towards Shinehill Lane a Great Tit searches along
the hedge and half a dozen Rooks fly off from over by the brook. Three or four
Starlings and about twenty Fieldfares pass over. In the thicket just before the
road only a few Blackthorn berries now remain on the trees. Crossing Shinehill
Lane and taking the footpath to Bretforton a Pied Wagtail in a flock of small
birds is foraging on the market garden land. A Blackbird and Blue Tit are seen
in the hedge. At the end of the pasture beyond the brook a few fresh molehills
have appeared by the stile. In the bottom of the hedge all along this field Wild
Privet leaves can still be seen.
In the countryside generally there is now little of interest at the close of
the year. The bare branches of the trees and bushes are dark against the straw-coloured
grass. No flowers brighten the scene, no birdsong rises in the air. However, the
promise of the coming Spring is now in evidence on closer examination, the
conspicuous black buds on the Ash trees, the bright green of the new growth on
the Cowslip plants and the call of the Robin from his territory on a warmer day.
And so 1985 gives way to 1986 and the annual cycle starts once more.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
I am grateful to the Littletons WI for prompting me to write the original Notes
in 1985 and for turning them into a nice little booklet. Many thanks to current
WI President Val Davies for permission to convert the booklet into the present
article, and to Margaret Taylor and Margaret Woodford for permission to use some
of their drawings. The latter have been scanned from a photocopy so lack
something of the original quality for which the editor offers his apologies.
The small drawings for each month have been left out of this web version of
the article, and the two accompanying maps
can be found on a separate page as they are rather large.
Terry has also provided indices for locating
species and place names that occur in the article.
