Hare today...

A second day exploring another section of the Whitewater Brook. This section included a couple of formerly arable fields which had been allowed to revert to grassland by the owner - no use of seed mixes, just natural regeneration which had already produced an interesting sward containing a sizeable, previously unknown population of Southern MArsh-orchid in the damper areas and varied calcareous grassland with Quaking Grass up the hill. 

I disturbed this Brown Hare while surveying the grassland, but it did not run away immediately, possibly because I was downwind of it, in a very strong breeze and stood absolutely still as soon as I saw it move. 

Later we found a hidden corner with a recently dug-out pond surrounded by Greater Tussock-sedge, a very rare species locally, which was last recorded from this same spot in 1984. I was also surprised and delighted to see seedlings of Creeping Willow on the bare peat near the edge of the pond and several plants of the nationally scarce Clustered Stonewort within it. A real botanical treasure trove!