Day #9 of #30dayswild was spent in Kingsthorpe Meadows LNR in Northampton, a haven of riverside semi-natural grassland surrounded by industry, the grassland managed as a hay meadow by The Wildlife Trust for Beds, Cambs & Northants.

Among the sweeps of Meadow Buttercup and Slender Tufted-sedge were islands of species-rich grassland supporting rare and declining species such as Marsh Arrowgrass and Ragged-robin. The afternoon turned damp and blustery, and twice I came across Emperor dragonflies sheltering in the long grass of my quadrats (see extra).

As I left the site in early evening sunshine I had a close encounter with an urban Muntjac Deer, who was heading down the access track to the site as I was leaving.