Noticing Nature at the Rec

Noticing Nature at the Rec Raising awareness and monitoring the wildlife at Portswood Rec Community group supporting Portswood Rec Southampton

These 2 plants currently flowering in the meadow are White Campion (Silene latifolia) and what looks to be a pale pink h...
15/06/2026

These 2 plants currently flowering in the meadow are White Campion (Silene latifolia) and what looks to be a pale pink hybrid between it, and Red Campion (Silene dioica) I’ve seen instances of ‘nectar robbing’ in these plants. Insects such as short tongued bees make a hole at the base of the flower to reach the nectar that would otherwise be unavailable to them, but in doing this they’re failing in their pollinating role! June 26

This is another Thick-legged Flower Beetle ( Oedemera nobilis) taken on an ox-eye daisy in the meadow. It’s only the mal...
14/06/2026

This is another Thick-legged Flower Beetle ( Oedemera nobilis) taken on an ox-eye daisy in the meadow. It’s only the male of the species that has the large bulges on the femurs of the hind legs and this is what gives the species its name. June 26

A lovely buttercup meadow at the Rec in No Mow May. A sight to behold snd welcome refuge for insects such as this Thick-...
14/06/2026

A lovely buttercup meadow at the Rec in No Mow May. A sight to behold snd welcome refuge for insects such as this Thick-legged Flower Beetle (Oedemera nobilis). A beautiful insect with a rather unflattering name!! June 26

A beautiful Broad-bodied Chaser spotted by Gareth in the Central flower bed on 10th May 26. This is either a female or i...
31/05/2026

A beautiful Broad-bodied Chaser spotted by Gareth in the Central flower bed on 10th May 26. This is either a female or immature male, mature males having blue abdomens. It must have been resting between ponds. Photos taken by Gareth

This Cistus is really attracting lots of non-native Honey Bees (Apis melifera). They’re doing a great job pollinating th...
31/05/2026

This Cistus is really attracting lots of non-native Honey Bees (Apis melifera). They’re doing a great job pollinating the plants, but are they out competing our native bees for resources? May 2026 in the central bed

This Whitebeam (Sorbus aria) is growing opposite the school, on the roadside leading to the Rec. It is quite rare in the...
31/05/2026

This Whitebeam (Sorbus aria) is growing opposite the school, on the roadside leading to the Rec. It is quite rare in the wild, found growing on chalk or limestone, but it is commonly planted in parks and gardens. The underside of the leaves are covered in fine white hairs, so that when the wind lifts them, the tree appears silvery white. This is the reason for the name May 2026

This is Elder (Sambucus nigra). This one is growing up through the beech hedge. The beautiful flowers are used in cordia...
31/05/2026

This is Elder (Sambucus nigra). This one is growing up through the beech hedge. The beautiful flowers are used in cordials, but if allowed to develop, become the small purple-black berries beloved of birds and wine makers!

This is Elder (Sambucus nigra). This one is growing up through the beech hedge. The beautiful flowers are used in cordia...
31/05/2026

This is Elder (Sambucus nigra). This one is growing up through the beech hedge. The beautiful flowers are used in cordials, but if allowed to develop, become the small purple-black berries beloved of birds and wine makers!

Proof that the bird bath is in use. This is a Wood Pigeon (Columba palumbus), and according to the RSPB is not only the ...
31/05/2026

Proof that the bird bath is in use. This is a Wood Pigeon (Columba palumbus), and according to the RSPB is not only the largest native pigeon but also the most numerous, even outnumbering Feral Pigeons.

A beautiful Buff-tailed Bumblebee. (Bombus terrestris) Possibly a queen that didn’t get to make her own nest. This is ou...
19/05/2026

A beautiful Buff-tailed Bumblebee. (Bombus terrestris) Possibly a queen that didn’t get to make her own nest. This is our most common species of bumblebee. Notice how hairy the body is
These insects have evolved to live in temperate conditions and will struggle now that we have regular summer heatwaves

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Portswood Rec, Upper Grosvenor Road Portswood
Portswood
SO171WZ

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