Mid June walk in Cockington Water Meadows…nature’s gone to sleep.
Walked in the meadows expecting an abundance of wildlife, but got so little was surprised.
Several of the meadows had been mown completely flat and nothing, not even flies, flew above them.
The streams where I usually see Damselflies, and later Dragonflies, were empty and silent, but for dogs racing through them.
I saw one solitary Speckled Wood and several white butterflies, a green-veined White amongst them, but that was it
Last year at this time there were Tortoiseshell, Holly Blues, Meadow Browns, Common Blues, Commas, and Green Veined Whites in abundance.
The tiny Wrens from last year were back and feeding chicks that were still hidden…..thank goodness, because a large black dog raced through the stream jumping and lunging as he went and the wrens nest is quite low on the bank. I held my breath as it hurtled towards them, but the wren parents quietly waited on branches out of reach until it had passed.
I did see Emerald Damselflies, but not in the meadow. There were four flitting along a very narrow stream near the village, much too narrow for dogs, so they were safe.
Going through the arch to Cockington Lakes I saw this little Robin…today named as Britains favourite bird.
The Mallard Ducks were resting on the pathway until a dog ran towards them scattering them in all directions.
This New Zealand tree shows the huge roots and space needed by trees.
Cockington …the lakes and water meadows are beautiful, peaceful places to visit….hope to see butterflies and damselflies returning when I next visit.
devon2mother 