We took the jaloppy down into north Essex for a one night stopover on a farm near Earls Colne on Saturday. Stopping in the middle of Colchester on the way down I had a date with a very rare plant. In the less than natural surroundings of some cobbled pavement by a busy roundabout I found it growing in some numbers - Jersey Cudweed. Nearby I also found Small-leaved Lime, Trailing Bellflower and some no-doubt dodgy Larkspur. At Chappel viaduct while taking photos I found a nice patch of Narrow-leaved Everlasting Pea before we decided on a walk in Chalkney Wood. This lovely ancient wood held Small Melillot, Wild Basil, Enchanter's Nightshade, Red Bartsia, Yellow Pimpernel and some nice flowering Hornbeams amongst the more common stuff.
That evening around our farm home I had Yellow Wagtail, Yellowhammer, Sparrowhawk, Green Woodpecker, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Musk Mallow and some nice Hedge Woundwort.
In the morning things started off (and continued) badly as I somehow managed to scratch my eyeball while washing my face! I struggled on in a lot of pain as we headed homeward via a stop a Great Waldringfield airfield near Sudbury. This is one of very few sites for Spreading Hedge Parsley and with some directions I quickly found plenty. In the same spot there was also quite a bit of Round-leaved Cranesbill. As we left the site I got news of a Long-billed Dowitcher at Dickleburgh so despite my eye I drove home as fast as the motorhome would let me. A quick dash to the moor and I was soon watching a gorgeous summer plumaged bird plus a nearby Common Sandpiper but due to my eye I didn't hang about.
Wow! Some incredible plants, Chris... I've never seen Wild Basil!
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