Hawkesbury Upton

THIS weekend we set out for a short walk in the wonderful area of Hawkesbury Upton in the southern part of the Cotswolds.  The long deep valleys in this area are bounded by woodlands on their steep slopes, and these have undergone significant active management in recent years.  The cutting of the understory and some of the standards has allowed sunlight to reach the ground flora and encouraged a proliferation of wild flowers.

Amongst the yellow primroses a small patch of red individuals have probably arisen from pollen transferred from local gardens and then the plant setting seed.

One of the less common plants that were thriving in healthy clumps is stinking hellebore.

There are some amazing properties along the way and a number were bordered by a stream with luscious yellow king-cup.

A typical hedge bank along the way:

Lower Woods, South Gloucestershire

THERE is a fabulous ancient, semi-natural woodland owned by the Gloucester Wildlife Trust called Lower Woods, which we paid a visit to last weekend.  It never ceases to amaze me how few people make use of a place like this...ho hum.

In the spring time the ground flora is breath taking, and now of course the colours take on their mellow autumn hues.  There is a healthy stream that works its way through the woodland, cutting through the often muddy clay.  Along with a few huge, open, broad rides, there are many way-marked paths to wander along, without getting lost.  Along the edges of the rides, which are managed by cutting, the devil's bit scabious flowers were still doing well.  This is butterfly heaven for the marsh fritillaries...

The bright sunshine on Saturday meant that it was perfect day for our visit.

The leaves are of course in full swing of their annual change.  The ash trees have largely lost their leaves, which is a bit of a cheek as they are also last to unfurl their leaves in spring.  However, the oak trees hang onto theirs' for much longer, turning brown and golden yellow.

Nature can also create its own art - such as in the autumn leaves making this pattern in the stream.

There were a few fungi - this was a fine example of a puffball species, possibly Lycoperdon perlatum:

Oyster mushrooms too...

Generally it was very peaceful...

The uncommon Wild Service Tree is a sign of a truly ancient woodland (or at least a woodland that has been around since the 1600s, i.e. a place that has naturally grown up as woodland rather than been planted).   I had not noticed this species here before, but the leaves on the ground helped me to spot it before I looked up to confirm its presence.

 

The leaves take on a range of autumn colours, and with their jagged edges look splendid in the canopy.

A highly recommended nature reserve at any time of the year.

On the edge of the site there is a glade where the blackthorn was heavy with sloes and the red rose hips were plentiful:

An ancient woodland in spring

LAST weekend saw us take a ramble around a local favourite woodland owned by Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust.  They are doing a great job with their limited resources and the woodland flora is benefiting.  However I suspect that even more coppicing would be beneficial.  Anyway here are some of my pics:

Orange tip butterfly over bluebells

Cuckoo flowers in adjacent meadow

Bluebells

Early purple orchid

Lesser Celandine

False-oxlip (a cross between a cowslip and primroses)

 Beautifully laid hedge on woodland edge

Yellow archangel

Wood anemone

 Wood spurge

 

Spot the bee

Bluebells and sunshine

Bluebell path

Woodruff

 

Cuckoopint

View from the woodland edge

A wonderful spring day

Even though the biggest horse race of the year was run today, that was not enough to stop every dog owner in the area going out - I suppose its selfish to think that we should have this glorious countryside to ourselves.

It has been the warmest day in 2010 so far, and we chose a walk in the Cotswolds near Uley.  Here the majestic beech woodlands tower over deep, lush limestone valleys.  The countryside was a picture with limestone villages bursting with blossom and daffodils.

Primroses and lesser celandine

 wood-sorrel

 violet

The sun also bought out the woodland flowers (wood anemone, wood sorrel, violets, primroses and lesser celandine) and the butterflies (such as commas, peacocks and brimstones), as well as some birds, such as chiff-chaffs singing heartily.

The primroses love the woodland edge and creep out into the fields.  They shine out like blobs of yellow-gold against the starkness of the bare trees, and can be seen from a considerable distance in their spreading clumps.

We also came across a couple of roe deer (with a buzzard gliding low over their heads for scenic effect) which regarded us suspiciously through the trees, but were reassured as we walked on without disturbing them.

 

Comma

Peacocks getting jiggy (These are tatty individuals that have overwintered as adults)

 Woodland floor carpetted in ramsons - aka wild garlic

Last year at this time I the woodland floor was a mass of bluebells - no sign of them yet apart from a few buds here and there.  Apparently we have to wait till mid-May this year for the peak - I can wait.

Not wildlife - just a typical village scene...

A good day to be in England - and we haven't even won the 2010 world cup yet!