The footpath along the lower part of Barton Fields is very close to the River Thames and next to an overflow channel.

Reeds and sedges grow where there are pools and boggy areas in the lower part.
Along the upper edge of the meadow runs a cycle way. Trees hide the buildings the other side, above the flood plain.

A couple of weeks ago the grass was cut in the grassy flower meadow on the upper part.

It got piled into several heaps. Green grass is already growing back.

But we have reached the tipping point of the year at Barton Fields. Flowers have turned to seeds.

Woody nightshade berries can be seen, dangerously red, at the lower end.

Hawthorn berries at the upper part are a less striking shade.

Teasel grows in both the upper and lower parts of the meadow. Spiders find their spikey heads an excellent place to spin webs.

Half a Poplar fell earlier in the year in the Abbey Meadows. The trunk and branches were splayed on the ground like the parts of a dinosaur skeleton. People climbed on it and reduced the twigs and small branches into even smaller bits. The larger branches were sawn off.

The other half of the Poplar has also fallen. Poplars are tall and become brittle as they reach the end of their natural lifespan.

The second half is now splayed out like the first.

I walked round Barton Fields, cared for by the Abingdon Naturalists, today – a hot day in the middle of August. There was purple loosestrife growing in colonies round the ditch that runs near the Thames, and in wetland areas at the centre.

Bees and butterflies were attracted to the loosestrife and also the water mint growing on the wetlands. The smell of mint was refreshing on such a hot day.

Apples, and hips, hoars, and various berries are nearing maturity. Apples had fallen in some areas.

Blackberries are being harvested by people and birds.

The lower half of the fields, where bindweed tangles with other plants, is lush and green.

The upper half of the field has turned pale gold.

Despite the heat, runners and cyclists exercised along the cycle path along the top of the meadow.

I walked round Barton Fields, cared for by the Abingdon Naturalists, on a warm sunny day in the middle of July. I saw butterflies and bees, and beetles, ladybirds and damselflies. There were many other creatures that were too well hidden.

Berries and hips and haws are growing to maturity. The first blackberries will soon be ripe and ready to pick.

Many wild flowers have already bloomed in March or April, May or June and are turning to seed, but other flowers are coming into bloom. These ragworts can be seen with many smaller yellow flowers behind.

Long grasses mature and their seedheads are ready to drop their seed and increase their yeild next year. Other plants rise and unfurl.

The taller growing plants began on a race to the sky, and only in July produce flowers on tall stalks, among a jungle of other tall growing plants.

Insects come together on a bed of flowers and spread pollen to nearby flowers.