Shaded paths and large areas of grass make Albert Park a welcome green space in Abingdon.

With the school summer holidays underway, the Albert Park has become a gathering place for families and friends. I took the photo above at the start of the holidays, when a large group had gathered in the shade of the trees for a picnic and some were playing volleyball.

The weather throughout most of July has been dry, with just a little rain. The grass has looked parched at times, and some trees have shown signs of stress.

Wildflowers have been fewer than in earlier months. However, there are lots of these yellow dandelion-like flowers towards the bottom of the park (Hawksweed or Hawksbit?).

White yarrow is still holding its own near the bowling green hedge. Jackdaws, magpies, and crows can still be seen strutting and prodding the ground for food, as well as wood pigeons which are more often perched in the trees.

Birdsong has been less noticeable this month, as many smaller birds go quiet during their summer moult.

Among the trees, the Golden Rain Tree has been in bloom with its yellow flowers.

The Japanese Pagoda Tree has also flowered.

Most of the bushes and trees have turned their energy toward producing fruit, nuts, or seeds. The smoke bush has seed plumes which create a smoky haze.

P.S. I’ve done my best to identify the trees, flowers, and shrubs pictured — but let me know if I’ve got any of them wrong.

In the early mornings, many people are out walking in Albert Park. Most have dogs with them, but not all.

Near the Conduit Road entrance, the large rose tree is in full bloom. It’s a great choice for its scent, and the bees are busy among the flowers. Trinity Church had its 150th Anniversary in June.

On one leaf, a snail has found a perch.

Further round the park stands a ginkgo tree, with its distinctive leaves.

There are also two Indian bean trees, with upright white blossoms similar to those of chestnut trees. Their long, bean-like seed pods hang beneath.

Pine cones are ripening.

Some of the evergreens have shed their leaves. Other trees have let seed chaff fall – a soft cover for parts of the path.

A crow ambles across the dry grass and path.

And at the end of the day, on one of the longest evenings of the year, Albert stands with the sun setting behind him.

The trees are silhouetted against the sky, and a swirl of clouds catches the last light.

All the trees in Albert Park have now come fully into leaf. Elderflowers have been in bloom for much of May, and pigeons can often be seen pecking at them for long periods.

May has not been quite as bright as April, with more overcast days and even a little rain.

In the last week, many of the park’s bushes have been cut back, opening up views through the greenery on one side.

A tree has been planted in memory of Tom Robinson, who served as Park Keeper in Albert Park for over thirty years. He was often seen out and about on his tractor.

Elsewhere, a larger tree surrounded by shrubs shows a rich variety of greens and leaf shapes.

Most of the wildflowers have now been cut back, but one area remains untamed. Near the large beech with unsafe branches, where fencing was added a few years ago, an area of wild growth thrives, with elder, hawthorn, and brambles mingling.

Many afternoons and evenings, members of the bowls club can be seen playing on their well-clipped green. If you wish to try your hand at bowls, then go along on Friday evenings between 5 and 7pm and there will be somebody to help you.

Many of the trees in Albert Park have come into leaf during April.

Some leaves appear individually, while others emerge like a fountain.

The result is tender, fresh foliage.

There’s also been a lot of blossom — trees, lilacs, and roses are all in bloom.

A team from a tree company has been planting new trees and managing the older ones. Today, other contractors were zipping around on lawn mowers, cutting grass at great speed or strimming around tree trunks.

Some areas are being left for wildflowers, mostly bluebells, dandelions, buttercups and daisies.

Albert Park has enjoyed a lot of warm, sunny weather over the past week — today reached about 26°C.

Robins, blackbirds, wood pigeons, crows, tits, and magpies are commonly seen in the park, just as they are in nearby gardens. Red kites circle overhead.

I hope to capture some less common birds during the year. This nuthatch was seen in the park walking the tree.