Midday at the oasis

Today the Lagoon felt very much like an oasis surrounded by desert, as the fierce midday heat bounced off its walls. The water depth has dropped to the point where it is just mud at the drain end and a maximum of 36cm (14 inches in old money) elsewhere.  Much of the liner edge is now exposed.

The water plant growth has continued to expand, with Hornwort colonising most of the water, and the Bulrush has seeded an outpost from the main clump near the drain. The meadow continues to change its star turns every week, with Wild Carrot now taking over from Ragwort in the main show as masses of seed heads mature. While on the steep slopes beside it, another native rarity has come into bloom: White Mullein (Verbascum lychnitus), see pic. This can be found in only a couple of sites in Surrey and, thanks to Peter Wakeham, we can now enjoy it here.
Graham Kenward

The Lagoon today, with the perimeter fence reflected from above. The light green Duckweed overlays a mass of Hornwort.

Grasshopper at the water's edge

Marsh Woundwort at the drain end.

Ragwort seed heads, Lagoon meadow

One of several Thymes on the Lagoon slopes.

Wild Carrot, Lagoon meadow.

White Mullein (Verbascum lychnitus), Lagoon