Buck’s-horn plantain [Plantago coronopus], until recently limited to coastal regions by its preference in soil types, but now spreading inland. This one was growing on a pavement, directly under the wall of the Quikfit outlet in the centre of Stratford on Avon.
A small gathering of fish in a side arm of the Avon at Stratford, seen from a bridge. They may have been Common rudd [Scardinius erythrophthalmus].
The petals on this path side poppy will have hopefully done their job in attracting insects to help pollinate the plant. Now wrinkled and faded, making only a muted contrast with the colours of the parched vegetation surrounds.
Walnuts on a tree on the bank of a side arm of the River Avon n Stratford. Will the long, hot periods this summer have accelerated their ripening?
The little hooks on the outside of the flower (and later seed-head) of burdocks form to grab hold of the feathers or fur of mammals, to spread the ripened seeds well away from the parental plant. The hooks can also cling quite tightly to items of clothing.
On this plant, the hooks have already proved effective in capturing sugar-stealers, thereby interfering with the dispersal of the seeds of thistles which are also common on the LNR. A flock of goldfinches are also busy ensuring that the thistles don’t become too dominant.
Although the Stratford on Avon Local Nature Reserve has only recently been formally established, it’s been set up on land previously left to its own devices. So there’s already a profusion of wildflowers, bushes, scrub and woodland. These knapweed flowers were attracting plenty of bees.