At last, the sun

Castlefields, Ellesmere - Wednesday 4th September 2019

Yes, after yet another disappointment the previous Wednesday when we met at St. Michael's Madeley at 10.30am just after the rain started at 10.29am, the sun did shine.

Not all day.

But enough.

However it was quite cold so extra layers were needed by some but not all.

Nine of us amassed in the massive car park.

As there was a black plastic bag over the parking ticket machine we felt free to park there for free.

Castlefields is an area of grassland split into two large grassland fields one of which I understand is grazed - but there was no sign of any grazing beats whilst we were there.

Climbing the hill which the cars faced in the above photograph you were rewarded with a an excellent view of the site:

And of The Mere with the Boathouse on its near shore.

Photograph: David Williams

(This photograph was taken much later in the day but this seems to be the most appropriate spot in this piece to place it.)

As usual we started our searches around the car park before ascending the hill to find some rather conveniently situated picnic tables which provided a suitable focal point for the morning's activities.

An early find was a lump of stone.

Clearly it was no ordinary lump of stone but a sculpture entitled "Rotation 2" created by Trevor Clark and formed a part of the Ellesmere Sculpture Trail. Other exhibits will follow.

In the animal kingdom we found a common darter dragonfly:

Photograph: David Williams

A hoverfly, Rhingia campestris:

Photograph: David Williams

This hoverfly is sometimes called the "Heineken" fly as, with its elongated face, it can reach parts of a flower that others cannot.

And finally in this initial burst, two for the price of one - a nymphal green shieldbug and adult dock bug.

Photograph: David Williams

Time for another sculpture. This is "Dialogue" by Pal Lakatos and is situated just down the hill from the picnic tables.

And now a plant. Not a nationally scarce plant or an indicator of excellent habitat but a common "weed".

A bindweed, I do not know which one, but it may be field bindweed.

So often only plants of special interest get a look in when reporting on sites but we should not always overlook the common plants. You never know, one day they may become rare. Let's hope not.

The picnic tables were a big draw so it was pointless trying to resist ... lunch was called.

Refreshed we trundelled down the hill towards the second field which climbs steadily uphill to the Motte and Bailey (and bowling green) in its north west corner.

Again we found a spot to establish a base camp, this time at the intersection of a couple of grassy paths, then dispersed to follow our own interests and occasionally coming together to discuss photography (inevitably) and other subjects fringing on our activities.

Our third sculpture of the day is "A prisoner" by Tom Gilhespy

Back to the wildlife. Another dragonfly was identified and photographed. This time a ruddy darter.

Photograph: David Williams

Other interesting finds were a field grasshopper.

Photograph: David Williams

And a tortoise beetle Cassida vibex.

Photograph: David Williams

Detailed searching of trees and vegetation can bring its rewards:

Photograph: David Williams

Eggs, painstakingly arranged.

But whose?

Consultation ensued and the decision was that these are more than likely the eggs of a noctuid moth, possibly large yellow underwing.

And this brings us to our last sculpture of the day "Puerto del Agua" by E Sacco.

Time to go, but to celebrate a day with sun and without (almost) any rain we retired to The Boathouse Cafe for tea and cake where we sat outside and got wet as the rain started. Fortunately it only lasted a few minutes and had cleared up by the time we walked back to the cars to return home.

My thanks to Shropshire County Council for suggesting the site and allowing us to do what we enjoy doing and to David Williams for providing his excellent photographs.