Many of the dandelions now have full heads of seeds – ‘dandelion clocks’. The strong breeze today has them blowing around like snow. Indeed, some paths have sections that look as if there is a light frost or snow cover such is the concentration of the seeds. There are other windblown seeds resembling dandelion seeds, such as those of the Goat Willow (Salix caprea) which may well be contributing. I’m sure there must be a high pollen count today too. I’m certainly sneezing enough.

On the insect front Green Hairstreak (Callophrys rubi) and Brown Argus (Aricia agestis) butterflies have put in their first appearance as have Common Brown Click Beetle (Athous haemorrhoidalis), Swollen-thighed Beetle (Oedemera nobilis) and Hawthorn Shield Bug (Acanthosoma haemorrhoidale). I also made my very first sighting of Buzzing Spider (Anyphaena accentuata).

The only newly appearing flowers noted were Wild Strawberry (Fragaria vesca) and Meadow Buttercup (Ranunculus acris).

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