Wildflowers and Waymarkers

Over recent weeks staff have continued to work in the net rides but without the help of volunteers this has taken a lot longer than usual. Brash was piled up and then a day was spent making this into woodchips which will be used on the footpaths. 

The pruned trees have already turned green again and the rain yesterday seems to have deepened the shade of green overnight. These net rides are perfect butterfly glades and Speckled Wood, Peacock, Orange Tip and Small Tortoiseshell have all been seen on the wing so far.

The cutting back has not only reduced the height for the use of mist nets but it also lets in much more light. On closer inspection, the far end of this ride is covered in the dotted leaves of orchids. In a week or two, there will be a fantastic display here.

Other wildflowers growing along this clearing include Greater Stitchwort, this pretty flower is in the Carnation family. They have an explosive seed-dispersal mechanism. In late spring, when the seed capsules ripen, they can be heard popping as they noisily fire their seeds.

Water Avens have just begun to flower too, a locally common plant that inhabits damp places, such as riversides, wet woodlands and damp meadows.

Finally, one Foxglove supporter (another Tony) has kept himself busy at home by making over one hundred waymarker posts for the reserve! These new posts are made from Larch and have metal strips of colour rather than painted ones. Each strip has had to be carefully fitted into place by hand! 

His hard work in this tedious task is much appreciated.