31 August 2025

 

Swallows [Reservoir]

I had a walk round the estate  this morning.  There were large numbers of Swallows and House Martins congregated around the reservoir - no doubt feeding up before making the trip south for the winter.  It is always rather a sad sight seeing the birds ready to leave us, particularly as the number of Swallows seems to have declined a lot in the last few years.

Devil's Bit Scabious Succisa pratensis [13th Red]

Devil's Bit Scabious is one of the late flowering plants at Frilford.  It grows in Two-Pine Fen, particularly on the 4th hole on the Green course.  This is a new patch on the 13th on the Red.  I haven't been up too much of late, but couldn't spot Grass of Parnassus that grows on the 4th hole on the Green course - hopefully this is still present, but that I missed it.

26 August 2025

 I came across this large caterpillar feeding on Himalayan Balsam by the stream on the 3rd Blue.  It will ultimately turn into an Elephant Hawk Moth if it doesn’t get eaten.  With this aim the eye pattern is designed to deter predators.

Elephant Hawk Moth Deilephila elpenr [3rd Blue]

Frilford is always a good spot for Mistletoe Thrushes.  There are also a few pairs of Song Thrushes that breed on the estate.  It was nice to see this young one on the footpath by the 5th Red.

Song Thrushes [5th Red]

Feral Pigeon fly over the course from time to time and occasionally land.  This one was on the 4th tee on the Blue.