I'm no sun worshipper, but today was a day to turn your face to the sky and appreciate the warmth on your skin. Back to rain tomorrow!

Restoring Hardknott Forest Summer 2024 Newsletter out today: moth and bat walks, volunteering dates, new partnership with Northern Monk, dormouse monitoring, weirdos in a cage, hay meadow biodiversity. mailchi.mp/d3dbae7d0fc2/r…

Decided to check in on the local Spiked speedwell, grown & planted by the recent Back on Our Map project. Delighted to find numerous healthy plants & this beautiful flower spike, which has so far escaped the attention of deer & rabbits.

A fair bit of cursing, swearing & flapping going on today as the nursery horse-flies hassled me in the heat. But there are horse-flies & there are horse-flies & I was quite polite to this beautiful giant! Very impressive & very polite in return.

Carline thistle, nearly there.

A rare moment of quiet calm on Arnside knott earlier, even the Harebells were still. Perfect for the #BellflowerFamily #WildflowerHour.

Not a dormouse. Disappointing numbers of dormice found on today's box check, but remaining hopeful that they're either elsewhere or just a little late getting going after a cool spring & that we may see more later in the year🤞. Meanwhile, here's a wood mouse that made me jump!

Hedge bindweed looking beautifully cool, fresh and elegant, unlike me after a hot, sticky day, clambering about the limestone, wading through shoulder high bracken and battling with the brambles! All in the cause of conservation, a good day had.

The colours of summer in the Swindale valley on a seed collecting trip today. Dark red burnet flowers as far as the eye can see, bobbing around in the breeze above a sea of green and gold. Beautiful!

Today I have mainly been chasing butterflies and failing to catch up with them with lots of frustrating glimpses and speedy flybys. Loitering amongst the knapweed always the easier option, rewarded with a Small skipper.

Hanging around the Wild marjoram on Arnside knott. A favourite nectar plant of the Scotch Argus butterfly and many others besides. The Scotch Argus were too busy to stop. #Wildflowerhour

A truly bumper year for the ragwort, glowing in the half light on Arnside knott earlier this week #Wildflowerhour

Have been meaning to make a donation to Indy & Katie, in support of Hebridean Whale & Dolphin Trust, since they started their epic walk. This tweet reminded me to do just that! Good luck & take care, surely there might be some kind souls who would put you up for the night as you keep heading north?

Looking for a #volunteering opportunity? Love trees? We've got two exciting opportunities to join our brilliant team of #volunteers 🌱Tree Nursery Volunteer: bit.ly/NurseryVolAd 🌳 Celebration Wood Volunteer: bit.ly/CWVolAd Full details and how to apply in the links

Fabulous morning for a rake around the Mardale mountain meadow. Lots of natural regen in places, especially Rowan, but the stands of Angelica stole the show. We may have been out longer than intended.

Sometimes you don't need a comment...

Lemon scented fern, spotted in Mardale mountain meadow yesterday. There are some great patterns in nature.

A rare dry Saturday at home - washing, shed painting, gardening, more washing, digging holes, filling holes, find a baby newt and....pause!