Michelle Salter writes:

Red and orange berries are creating bursts of colour around the pond and providing a feast for hungry birds. The fragrant flowers of honeysuckle have been replaced by shiny, red berries which are particularly attractive to both warblers and thrushes.

The slender branches of the many rowan trees in the woodland surrounding the pond are currently weighed down with clusters of orange-red berries, popular with blackbirds and mistle thrushes. The rowan’s green leaves will soon be changing from green to bright red and yellow as we move towards autumn.

There are still some colourful wildflowers on display; the striking spikes of Rosebay willowherb can be seen alongside the footpath by Chestnut Grove. The pretty, pink flowers of Rosebay willowherb provide nectar for honey bees and food for the larvae of the elephant hawk-moth. It seems to thrive on burnt or disturbed ground and can form large colonies by means of underground rhizomes, with just one plant forming an extensive patch.

A similar looking plant is Purple loosestrife, presently to be found growing in large clumps on the edges of the pond and around the reedbeds by the railway station. A common perennial that thrives in damp ditches and meadows, as well as by pond and lake sides, it often grows alongside the unrelated Yellow loosestrife. The tall stems of purple flowers can grow to nearly 120cm and are a nectar source for a variety of bees, butterflies and moths.

Picture credits: Michelle Salter

Michelle Salter writes:

Walking through the Dry Heath, I took the above photo of a Painted Lady butterfly resting on one of the many patches of purple Bell heather currently in flower there. Native to dry heathland, Bell heather is an evergreen shrub that is attractive to a wide range of insects, including bees and butterflies.

Growing in spongy tufts between the swathes of colourful heather is bushy lichen. Commonly found in drier areas of heathland, the pale green stems make a stark contrast to the rich colours of the surrounding heather.

The foamy flowers of Meadowsweet are currently on display at the edge of the pond alongside the station car park. A member of the rose family; the creamy white clusters of flowers have a strong, almond-like fragrance and were once used to sweeten honey wine.

There are always plenty of wildflowers to be found along the stretch of footpath parallel to the railway line, and the golden flowers of Yellow loosestrife are presently adding splashes of colour to the water’s edge. Found in moist habitats such as marshes, fens and stream sides, the spikes of yellow flowers provide a plentiful supply of pollen for bees.

Photo credits: Michelle Salter

Michelle Salter writes:

The tall, bright flowers of Yellow Flag iris can be seen throughout the reedbeds and marsh areas surrounding the pond, particularly alongside the path between the station and Boathouse Corner. The large vivid yellow, purple-veined flowers are thought to be the true source of the heraldic Fleur-de-lis emblem rather than the lily. The stylised three-petal emblem has been used for centuries throughout Europe, adorning coats of arms, flags and postage stamps.

Woodland around the pond is buzzing with bees enjoying the plentiful supply of honeysuckle. Flowers can last from June through to September, providing nectar for a variety of butterflies and moths. Honeysuckle is great for wildlife as warblers and thrushes eat the berries, and both birds and dormice use the peeling bark from its stems to build nests.

Yellow water-lily currently decorates the Flash, the small pool of water by the steps to the station car park. Found in standing or slow-flowing water, the flowers of yellow water-lily produce a strong scent of stale alcohol which attracts pollinating flies.

Photo credits: Michelle Salter

Michelle Salter writes:

The pretty, white flowers of Bogbean have been appearing along the edges of the reedbeds at Hemelite Bay. Bogbean is a creeping aquatic perennial that grows along the sides of lakes, ponds or slow-flowing rivers. Often forming large colonies, Bogbean plants help to protect the greenery of the reedbeds against damage from Canada Geese.

The flower buds of Bogbean are rose-pink and open up into feathery white stars as the petals are fringed with white threads. The plant has distinctive three-lobed shiny leaves raised on long stalks to avoid shade. The leaves of Bogbean have been used to flavour beer, giving the plant the alternative name of ‘bog hop’.

Garlic Mustard, also known as Jack-by-the-Hedge, because of the long lines of white flowers that form alongside hedges in spring, is currently in flower and can be seen at the side of the footpath by the railway.

When crushed, the leaves have a distinct smell of garlic, and the flowers attract a large number of moths and butterflies, including the colourful Orange-tip.

The dreaded Skunk Cabbage, Lysichiton americanus, has been popping up all around the pond’s margins, originating from the large patch that grows just over the fence by Brookly Bridge. This patch of Skunk Cabbage marks the remains of what was once a private garden that housed other exotic imports, such as bamboo, which can be seen growing vigorously along the stream’s banks.

Skunk Cabbage is thought to have been introduced to this country from North America in 1901. A marginal aquatic perennial that grows in boggy areas and shallows, the plant seeds freely and will soon spread the full length of a stream and beyond. Sizeable clumps are now appearing all around the pond; these can cause problems as they shade out other vegetation.

Skunk Cabbage is so named because of the strong, musky scent the flowers produce to attract pollinating insects in spring. Its huge green leaves can grow up to a metre tall. The striking yellow flowers that recently appeared are now being followed by knobbly seed heads.

For a pleasanter fragrance, try walking along the banks at Sandhills where there are still some lovely displays of bluebells.

Next month: Watch out for the tall flowers of Yellow Flag iris which are already starting to appear around the pond.

Picture credits: Michelle Salter