A morning walk at Woolmer Pond, near Greatham, Hampshire

Leaders: Mike Lawn and Andy Swan (HNHS members)

The warm sunny weather enticed 17 members to take advantage of a day when this MoD site was open to the public. A fly-over by a Hobby at the car park was an auspicious start.

The Odonata were the first things to grab the attention: many bright Common Blue Damselflies over the water plus Common and Black Darters perched on nearby rushes and bracken. Later we added to this list Emerald Damselfly and Ruddy Darter. Small Heath, Small Copper, Green-veined White and Comma butterflies were soon seen, but the best was a passing Clouded Yellow.

The highlight of the day was a Hobby seen resting on the bare ground by the pond – a very unusual sight. A few Barn Swallows and House Martins flying over the pond suggested what its target prey items might be, but it was probably finding it easier to feed-up for migration on dragonflies.

Found in a damp sandy hollow was the unique Coral-necklace (Illecebrum verticillatum). This species is rare in the county but has recently spread to new sites, especially in places where there is military training activity: it benefits from the bare soil created by heavy vehicles and it is thought that seeds are spread with adhering mud. Along the pond margin the uncommon Marsh Speedwell was identified, and it was reassuring to re-find the uncommon Marsh Clubmoss along the same boggy track where it has been seen on previous visits.

At the end of our traverse, a pair of Green Sandpipers were seen, and a Wasp Spider attracted some attention. During the return walk some elusive birds were confirmed as Spotted Flycatchers. Near the perimeter fence was an area with a very different flora, including Viper’s Bugloss, due to large quantities of limestone gravel. There, a small flock of Woodlarks completed the bird list.