Devil's and a Dipper.... 29/08/2016

It was a delightfully sunny and warm August Bank Holiday Monday (for a change) and perfect for a walk around Dowles Brook in the Wyre Forest. Surprisingly not many people seen on the walk, a few people out walking and a few cyclists and only a few birds were seen! However a Dipper preening and 3 Grey Wagtails were an uplifting sight, this was my first Dipper sighting for  ages! Nuthatch, Magpie, Blue Tit, Wren, Bush Cricket, numerous Speckled Wood butterflies and a couple of worn Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary being the remaining highlights.

                                                         Devil's-bit Scabious
They looked a treat growing in abundance in a meadow we walked through.

Information taken from Plantlife:
The name 'scabious' derives from 'scabies' - one of the many ailments that flowers bearing this name were supposed to help cure.
According to one legend, the Devil grew angry about these medicinal properties and tried to get rid of them by biting the roots off. Hence why this wildflower has short and stubby roots and why it is called 'Devil's-bit' scabious.

There is always something new to learn with Nature.

                                                           

                                                          Bush Cricket.

                                                    
                                                     Harvestman Spider

 

 

                   Berries aplenty, bird food for the forthcoming Autumn and Winter Season.

The fish and chip supper was enjoyed whilst viewing Bewdley Bridge, the River Severn and several Swans and Gulls.

The Nuthatch was spotted pecking at the bark on a tree. I am not sure what it was the Nuthatch emerged with in its beak, it looked like a spider egg sac or maybe it had wedged an acorn or hazelnut in the bark and it was the fruit it had extracted?

 

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The months without an 'R' in them have now passed and goodness me they passed by quickly!

 

Soon we will have misty mornings, cooler temperatures and colourful leaves carpeting woodland floors, parks, pavements and blocking up road drains!

 

I shall embrace the Autumn when it arrives!