3 August 2023

I had a walk around the Red course this morning and came across a plant that I hadn't spotted before.  Upright Hedge Parsley is actually very common and can be identified by its characteristic fruits which are green with red hairs - albeit you need a magnifier to see these.  This patch was beside the 14th tee, but it is probably common all around the estate.

Upright Hedge-Parsley Torilis japonica [14th Red]

Another Umbellifer nearby, Wild Parsnip, is easier to identify as it has yellow flowers.

Wild Parsnip Pastinaca sativa [14th Red]

It was nice to see the beehives between the 13th and 15th fully occupied.  The Whitethroats are also still visible with some patience, skulking in the undergrowth and occasionally popping out to look around.

Whitethroat [13th Red]

Wild Thyme is very evident on the 15th/16th/17th and is very popular with butterflies and other insects.

Meadow Brown Maniola jurtina on Wild Thyme Thymus polytrichus [17th Red]

Small Copper Lycaena phlaeas and Brown Argus Aricia agestis Wild Thyme Thymus polytrichus

[17th Red]

Common Blue Polyommatus icarus Brown Argus Aricia agestis Wild Thyme Thymus polytrichus
[17th Red]

One of the most numerous butterflies at this time of year is the Gatekeeper which can be found all over the estate at the moment.  This one was to the right of the 13th Red.

Gatekeeper Pyronia tithonus [13th Red]

15 August 2021

Fairly quiet on the course at the moment with the latest flowering plants still out, but a bit early for the autumn passage of migrants.  I managed to spot a couple of new flowers.  Bristly Ox Tongue is another in the Dandelion family and is named after the stiff hairs on its leaves and stem.  There are a few around the courses - this one was on the waste ground by the 17th Blue.

Bristly Oxtongue Helminthotheca echioides [17th Blue]

On the 15th Red I found this small shrub which I think is Duke of Argyll's Teaplant - an introduced plant that is a native of China.

Duke of Argyll's Teaplant Lycium barbarum [15th Red]

The most productive place for birds is still the small wood behind the 16th Blue and around the reservoir.  At least one Spotted Flycatcher is always there.  Green and Great Spotted Woodpeckers were also both vocal this morning.

Green Woodpecker [Reservoir]

Great spotted Woodpecker [16th Blue]

Spotted Flycatcher [16th Blue]

There is also a family of Grey Wagtails.  I saw six in the car park behind the Greenkeepers' hut.   There is usually one feeding on flies in the area where the mowers are cleaned.

Grey Wagtail [3rd Red]

Not far away, this Muntjac Deer was on the 17th tee.

Muntjac Deer [17th Blue]

There are also still lots of Butterflies enjoying the flowers.

Peacock Aglais io [3rd Red]

Gatekeeper Pyronia tithonus [17th Blue]