Red Kite over Endon.

Saw a Red Kite flying over Endon at about 13:30hrs today. Apparently one was seen flying over Cheadle on 16th May. This species has been thriving since the RSPB reintroduction programme in the Chilterns and Wales which started in 1989. In 1995 some of these birds were used for a reintroduction scheme in the East Midlands - the first record of them breeding there was in 1997. They have become a more frequent sight over Staffordshire in recent years. This bird might be the result of East Midlands or the Welsh reintroductions. Perhaps they are breeding in Staffordshire this year.

Red Kite photo courtesy of Tony Hisgett from Birmingham. From Wikimedia licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic license

More flowers of Endon photographed 15th May 2013.

Woodruff Galium odoratum growing under a Beech hedge bordering a garden alongside brook. This species is an ancient woodland indicator. Is it a remnant of an ancient wood in Endon or has been transplanted into this garden from the wild I wonder?

Bluebells growing in fragment of woodland next to Stockton Brook golf club.

Greater Plantain Plantago major growing along railway line.

Honesty Lunaria annua a \2garden escape" growing alongside hedge in Stockton Brook.

 

Garlic Mustard Alliaria petiolata growing alongside towpath of Caldon Canal.

 

 Speedwell Veronica sp. growing under Hawthorn hedge along Caldon Canal towpath.

Flora of Endon photographed 14th May 2013.

Blackthorn flowers in hedgerow beside stream by housing estate in Endon.

Danish Scurvy Grass Colchleria danica growing alongside A53 where it passes through Endon. In recent years this indigenous plant species spread inland from its natural shoreline habitat along main roads and railway lines. It is able to out compete other roadside species as it tolerates the salty soils that are the result of winter gritting.

Hairy Rock Cress Arabis hirsuta growing along disused railway line. This species is restricted to growing on calcareous soils, which are not typically found in Endo. However it finds the right habitat along the disused railway line which is limey (calcareous) due to the limestone ballast. Indeed it may have been distributed along the line within railway ballast, perhaps the original seeds originated in Caldon Lowe quarries.  

Cow Parsley Anthriscus sylvestris.

 Meadow Foxtail. Alopecurus pratensis growing in a field in Endon.

 

 Meadow Buttercup Ranunculus acris growing in a field in Endon.

 

 White Dead Nettle. Lamium album.

 

 Shining Cranesbill Geranium lucidum growing along disused railway line.

 

 Thyme-leaved Speedwell Veronica serpyllifolia grows as a "weed" in my garden.

 

Ash infloresence. Ash trees grow in many places in Endon. The recently imported deadly fungal disease Chalara fraxinea may reach these trees within the next few years.