The beautiful summer weather continues to dominate. Yesterday evening we were over in Hamilton, and in the park opposite the racecourse we found two really unusual trees, a tall, dark-leaved Oak and a spindly tree with twisted bark and palmate leaves which reminded me of Ginkgo but may have been a variety of Hawthorn. Spent this afternoon in Palacerigg Country Park near Cumbernauld. Lots of common birds around (House Sparrows, Starlings etc, plus a House Martin). Plant highlight was on the way home - a group of really striking purple Orchids on the grassy banks beside the M80 at Provanmill.
Back down by the Cart, new plants in flower include the first Policeman's Helmets (above), Red Valerian, Bindweed, Bramble (above) and Red Deadnettle. Also prominent were Giant Hogweed (above), Dog Rose and Sycamore keys. Bird life was virtually invisible amongst the vegetation, with only a singing Chiffchaff of any note. Best natural connection of all - the smell of new Honeysuckle flowers in the back garden.