puddleshark

Great Willowherb (Epilobium hirsutum), hirsutum meaning "rough-haired".

And you can see where the scientific name comes from at this time of year, as the hairy seed pods split to reveal fluffy seeds.

Another hot still day. Everywhere parched. On the Kilwood Nature Reserve, no birdsong, only the occasional calls of finches. A young buzzard mewing somewhere in the woods. The patter of leaves falling: but that's down to drought, not autumn arriving.

So hot that the Speckled Wood butterflies - inveterate baskers - were perching with their wings tight closed. Not much on the wing to today: a few bees, one or two faded Meadow Brown butterflies. Mostly tiny hoverflies and moths visiting the few remaining flowers among the tangle of vegetation in the dry ditches.

No dragonflies. All the ponds on the reserve have dried up. Nothing but cracked clay where there is usually water.

The Milk Thistles waiting for a breath of wind to take their seeds to pastures new.

Common Gold and Purple Moth.

Elderberries.

I wasn't sure the road to the Kilwood Reserve would be open when I set off. Dorset Fire Service were tackling a big grass fire up on the hills yesterday (along with a major heath fire on the Studland peninsular). But the fire must be out, and the road was open again.