Bluebell Beck Valley, July 2019.

Click on a thumbnail for a larger image.

3 July; It's warm on those meadows this morning :-) Plenty to see though, despite the over-zealous mowing beside the gravel path from the car park.

4 July; Lots of butterflies about but most didn't want to pose. Plenty of nice blooms to snap though.

8 July; Pleasant afternoon down the valley this afternoon. Lots of butterflies around. There were a couple of dragonflies flitting about the pond but they weren't interested in settling. The pyramidal orchid is still there and, slightly to the left and back, a smaller and darker bloom.

16 July; An earlier walk today to see the changes in the flora. The pond is a lot more shallow because of the mainly dry weather. Nice to see spiders' web nests beside the gravel path and elsewhere. I didn't quite have to limbo dance under the fallen tree.

17 July; Another early walk but through the meadows rather than the woods. Not as many butterflies but apples are ripening and some nice berries on a rowan.

23 July; It was a surprise, this morning, to reach the car park and see that the meadows had been mown, as I thought it was a bit early in the year. When walking along the paths, though, it is noticeable how much more open it is between the shrubs where plants are starting to die down naturally. The pond continues to shrink and the small pond/suds is not far off dry. Lots of butterflies, of various types, enjoying the sun. Lots of other insects as well - even with repellent sprayed on before I left home I received several bites.

30 July; A pleasant walk after the early shower, the warmth and humidity tempting butterflies out - some even to pose. The weekend rain has topped up the drainage ditch and suds and even made some difference to the pond.

Return to the Bluebell 2019 Index Page