The interest in today's walk at Stoney Cross was mainly about ponds - or the lack of ponds. Back in early May whilst walking in this area we came across a pond that we hadn't noticed before, and the reason for this is because it is an ephemeral pond. An ephemeral pond is only there some of the time, as it dries up when the weather gets drier, they are important in the life cycle of many reptiles who breed in them and then move to dry land on maturity. (Thanks Rob for enlightening me with this useful info).
This was the pond on 05.05.14
This is it today.
We have obviously had more dry weather than I realised! Ocknell pond was the same. This was Ocknell Pond on 2.2.14, full to overflowing.
This is it now
Almost dried up.
The rivers seem to be doing a little better, with far less water in than earlier in the year but still running. This brook shortly becomes the Highland Water and after Brockenhurst it becomes the Lymington River.
Talking of dry weather, the mud has almost dried out everywhere, leaving many prints, including these deer prints.
This New Forest Pony foal was having a pleasant afternoon forty winks until a few motorbikes went by, then it
got up and went to mum.
The honeysuckle is out and smells gorgeous, ours in the garden smells particularly good in the evening.
Last year we found wild strawberries out on the heath and we managed to find them again, perfectly formed tiny little strawberries.
This particular area stays boggy and wet most of the time, hence the green and lush appearance.
3.5 miles walked and lots going on, just how I like it.
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