Wild Carrot, Basildon Park

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Oxfordshire and Berkshire

Wild carrot (Daucus carota), a plant in Apiaceae or Umbelliferae, taken at Basildon Park, Berkshire by David Palmar.

31 August 2020

Small Heath, Basildon Park

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Oxfordshire and Berkshire

This Small Heath (Coenonympha pamphilus) was taken at the National Trust property Basildon Park, in Berkshire by David Palmar. This butterfly has quite a distinct eye spot on the forewing, surrounded by orange colouration. The underwing consists of a variation of cream, brown and grey colours which form a slight scalloped band near the edges. Their total wingspan can vary between 34-38mm.

31 August 2020

Spear Thistle, Basildon Park

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Oxfordshire and Berkshire

Spear Thistle (Cirsium vulgare), photographed in late summer in Basildon Park, Berkshire by David Palmar. This tall, biannual thistle can be found on both disturbed and cultivated ground, growing to heights of around 30cm. By this time of the year, the flowers have gone over and developed into downy seed-heads to aid wind dispersal of the seeds.

31 August 2020

Creeping thistle with thistledown, Basildon Park

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Oxfordshire and Berkshire

Creeping thistle (Cirsium arvense) seen displaying thistledown, the mature silky pappus of a thistle. This allows the seeds to be dispersed easily by the wind.
The Creeping Thistle can be distinguished from the similar Marsh Thistle by having few if any prickles on its main stem, whereas the Marsh Thistle is covered in them.
Taken by David Palmar in Basildon Park in Berkshire.

31 August 2020

Tansy, Oxfordshire

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Oxfordshire and Berkshire

Tansy (Tanacetum vulgare) pictured in Oxfordshire, taken by David Palmar. This strong-smelling herb can stand 30-100cm tall. Each leaf is split into smaller leaflets with toothed edges giving them a fern-like appearance. The yellow, button-like flowerheads are usually found in a cluster with each head measuring around 7-12mm across.

30 August 2020

Nettle-leaved Bellflower, Oxfordshire

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Oxfordshire and Berkshire

Nettle-leaved Bellflower (Campanula trachelium), Oxfordshire, taken by David Palmar. This robust hairy perennial herb can stand between 50-100cm tall, with its nettle-like leaves being easy to identify. As pictured, the bell-shaped corolla (25-35mm long) is purplish-blue in colour with a hairy outside.

30 August 2020

Conservation Headland, Oxfordshire.

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Oxfordshire and Berkshire

Conservation Headland, Oxfordshire, taken by David Palmar. An area along the edge of an arable field is left unploughed to allow the growth of grasses and meadow flowers, which encourage pollinating insects and the birds which feed on them, thus improving the biodiversity.

30 August 2020

Pedunculate Oak, Oxfordshire.

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Oxfordshire and Berkshire

English (or Pedunculate) oak (Quercus robur), pictured in Oxfordshire, taken by David Palmar. This oak can be easily distinguished from the sessile oak because of the long acorn stalk (peduncle).

30 August 2020

Brown Rat, River Windrush, Witney, Oxfordshire

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Oxfordshire and Berkshire

Brown Rat (Rattus norvegicus) beside the River Windrush in Witney, Oxfordshire.
A Brown Rat has a pointy nose and sticking-up ears, which distinguishes it from a Water Vole, the ears of which are almost hidden in its fur, and which also has a more rounded nose.

04 August 2010

Brown Rat, River Windrush, Witney, Oxfordshire

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Oxfordshire and Berkshire

Brown Rat (Rattus norvegicus) swimming in the River Windrush in Witney, Oxfordshire.
Like a Water Vole, a brown Rats swims well and is baout the same size and colour.
However, a Brown Rat has a pointy nose and sticking-up ears, which distinguishes it from a Water Vole, the ears of which are almost hidden in its fur, and which also has a more rounded nose.

04 August 2010