Bird stone

Tucked away in a fissure of a fallen moss covered trunk this bird stone means something to someone. I always enjoy discovering hidden treasures, there's something magical in it.

Flowing again

The recent rains have been enough to bring Black Water back to life, there's still gravel on show but the stream is flowing again.

Warwickslade headwaters

 

Throughout our current dry spell the headwaters of Warwickslade Brook have remained lush and green. I'm certain there are spots dotted about the forest which must constitute Temperate Rainforest, or at least adjacent.

Black Water

 

Black Water

Avon Water

 

Not that long ago Avon Water was the straightest of forest drains. If you didn't remember it, you'd never imagine it.

Peak dry

I think parts of the forest have now reached peak dry with Latchmore Brook becoming more like Latchmore Lane, a gravelly track cutting through Alderhill, Amberwood and Island Thorns enclosures. To be honest Latchmore Brook is one of the forests' shorter streams, with quite a small catchment, and so annually dries up. It's almost a winterbourne really. That said, although not a particularly good example, the forest is capital D dry at the moment.

We Hate Scum!

 

They 'hated scum' in 2024, and undiminished they've renewed hatred of scum in 2025. That's commitment. Who or what they mean by 'scum' is left to our imagination, though I'm sure we all have culprits in mind.

Water Mint

The scent of Water Mint (Mentha aquatica) fills the air of the forests streams environs; like others of its' genus it's a prolific colonizer and can also be used as a edible herb.

Badbury Rings

 

Geoff and I enjoyed a fabulous walk around Badbury Rings this morning. What a spectacular hillfort this is, you don't imagine it to be as prominent a natural feature as it is, although once you're up there the views over the Dorset landscape are as impressive as they are expansive. 

Runway light

 

Due the short-sightedness of the New Forest National Park Authority very little remains of the forests' Second World War physical heritage, although if you look closely you'll still be able spot a feature or two. Like this runway light frame along the former course of 'Runway One' on one of the forests' most notable airfields Stoney Cross, the runway itself was grubbed up in the late 80's/early 90's. Look carefully and every couple of meters you'll find one of these frames, once a heart warming sign of safety and home.

Purple reign

 

It's Heathers' time to shine across the forest, and shine it does. 

Purple reigns.

Holmsley Bog

 

We've undoubtedly experienced a sun baked summer, with extensive tracts of the forest tinder dry and its meandering streams reduced gravel tracks. Nevertheless, if you know where to look oases of verdance persist. The forests' bog filled hollows remain lush, spots where water still bubbles up forming cool pools; never more so than in the areas of carr and alder woodland which add welcome shade. These havens are a godsend to the forests wildlife.

Chicken tree

This year continues to be a bumper year for Chicken of the Woods (Laetiporus sulphureus).

Elephant Hawk Moth

The magnificent caterpillar of the even more magnificent Elephant Hawk Moth (Deilephila elpenor). I've spotted 3 in our garden this season. I think it's easy, human maybe, to marvel at nature from other climes whilst overlooking our own. But if you take the time, you'll see we're surrounded by wonders.

Change

 

Change is about in the forest, you can feel it. The wheel is turning and the inhabitants of the forest know it. Invisible amongst the bracken choked stands of Brinken Wood a stag grunts, a precursor to autumns rut.

Reed bed

I cant remember the last time I took the track through the reed bed between Stanpit Marsh and the River Avon. It must be over 20 years. Even though you're on the edge of a sprawling conurbation once surrounded by the reeds it feels wild and isolated.

Lughnasadh

The wheel turns through Lughnasadh, the first of our three harvest festivals is upon us, hasn't it come around fast. The Green Man who only laid with the Goddess at Beltane has reached the end of his road, and now symbolised as John Barleycorn has been returned to the earth. The harvest season has begun. May it be fruitful. Lughnasadh blessings of bounty to all. /|\