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

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

There are lots of Seven-spot Ladybirds at the Rec. This is our most common native ladybird, that has the splendid scient...
19/05/2026

There are lots of Seven-spot Ladybirds at the Rec. This is our most common native ladybird, that has the splendid scientific name Coccinella septempunctata……a big name for a little creature!! The gardener’s friend, it can munch its way through 5,000 aphids throughout the course of its life. Phot taken 14/04/26

The Bulbous Buttercup (Ranunculus bulbous) growing in the grass in the garden area. It can be distinguished from the cre...
14/05/2026

The Bulbous Buttercup (Ranunculus bulbous) growing in the grass in the garden area. It can be distinguished from the creeping buttercup because it has downward pointing sepals (small petal like structures underneath the main petals) and bulb like swelling at the base of the stem

The blossom of the native Hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna) also known as May blossom. The other 2 are hybrid hawthorns and ...
14/05/2026

The blossom of the native Hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna) also known as May blossom. The other 2 are hybrid hawthorns and all three can be found in the garden area

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Portswood Rec, Upper Grosvenor Road Portswood
Portswood
SO171WZ

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