Today Suesie, myself and a friend took a trip to the mixed woodland at Bates Green Farm near Arlington reservoir. At this time of year much of the woods in this area are awash with carpets of that most gorgeous of flowers; wood anemone and this is no exception. Managed as a place for wildlife this is a truely beautiful place and the sheets of wood anemones alone were stunning.
Amongst the wood anemones a few bluebells were just beginning to bloom and primroses, lesser celandine and wood sorrel were also in flower. The little green, trefoil leaves of wood sorrel close up at night and have a distinctive acidic taste.
Not surprisingly, other wildlife was in abundance. As well as a fleeting glimpse of a jay, a pheasant and a pair of blackcaps, chiff chaff song and the calls of nuthatch and green woodpecker filled the wood.
In the dappled shade an orange tip and speckled wood butterflies fluttered past whilst in the damp edges of the ponds craneflies were laying eggs. We also had a brief glimpse of a vole before it scurried into hiding.
This is truelly a magical place well worth a visit at any time of year. Driving home through the country lanes was a treat in itself. The hedgerows, powdered with their first flush of green were awash with "snow blossam" and here and there patches of lovely lady's smock filled the verge.
In the dappled shade an orange tip and speckled wood butterflies fluttered past whilst in the damp edges of the ponds craneflies were laying eggs. We also had a brief glimpse of a vole before it scurried into hiding.
This is truelly a magical place well worth a visit at any time of year. Driving home through the country lanes was a treat in itself. The hedgerows, powdered with their first flush of green were awash with "snow blossam" and here and there patches of lovely lady's smock filled the verge.