Southampton Old Cemetery 22nd August

A group of eight of us were thankful for cooler but sunny weather for this Saturday morning stroll. Much of the flora had shrivelled up after 7 weeks with no rain up to 18th August. We were pleased to find some Orpine still in bloom but it was obvious that work is required to remove the invasive brambles growing over them. Of the few plants in bloom were heathers, everlasting pea, and Canadian goldenrod. On the latter we observed the Twist-winged Parasitic Fly Ectophasia crassipennis. There were also Common Blue and Small Copper butterflies plus Southern Hawker dragonflies and Hornets flying.