Cyn's Nature Notes: Bluebell Wood

Friday, 22 April 2011

Bluebell Wood

Today we visited a nature reserve looking for a bluebell wood; we were not disappointed. Myriad bluebells were there and stretched way across far into the distance, the colour haze was a perfect purplish blue and very picturesque, while the perfume was moorish and reminiscent of childhood. A distinctive smell unlike any other.

It was an interesting nature reserve in that it was divided into two separate halves, each one very different to the other. The bluebell wood which was on our right stretched along and far back from the path, while on our left was a very boggy area. Here we found a semi-circular board walk, ending back at the bluebell wood further along the main path, and with a hide halfway round and somewhere to rest.

The board walk crossed small streams and tiny fish could be seen darting here and there in the clear, cold water. There were small ponds and large reeded areas, seating on the edge of the bluebell wood made bird watching easy and pleasurable. In the woodland I spotted a horse chestnut in full bloom, and photographed one of its candles.

At one point we passed a large area of water, stream fed and well reeded on the edges, there we saw a moorhen on her nest -- only just, as it was well hidden amongst the reeds. We also saw in different places two female ducks, each with a brood of young ducklings.

The bluebell wood which we entered on leaving the board walk was everything a bluebell wood is expected to be: the well remembered perfume, the distinctive blue of native bluebells, and not least of all the wonderful views seen only in a bluebell wood. The paths were flat and well defined and the walking was easy. Sunlight filtered through the overhead canopy of trees and in places gently lit areas of bluebells. We were delighted to find pink and white bells growing amongst the bluebells.

In places pink campion grew in clumps and looked surprisingly good with the bluebells, while further along the path, in a shadier dell, we found a mass of lords and ladies (Arum Maculatum), in all stages of development.

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About this Blog

When we moved to our present home in December 1987, I was very ill and bedridden. My garden was a life-saver, although it was very different then. The first thing I did was to put up bird-feeders, and long hours were spent lying indoors in a recliner. This was when I discovered many things. Do you know the underside of every blue tit’s tail is differently marked? Gradually, over the years, the garden changed. We put in shrubs and plants that would not only enhance the garden, but would also be good for wildlife. The first rabbit we saw was so joyful for us. The deer eat the flowers, prune the apple trees, eat the marrow, and are wonderful to watch. Foxes have been a major part of our wildlife. We have fed them each night for more than 20 years. They are such a delight, especially in late summer and early autumn when there are youngsters. They behave like puppies and are great fun to watch.

I love all wildlife: the mason bees that nest in the brickwork of the bungalow, the hornets that last year made their home in the roof above our bedroom, the bees currently nesting in the roof above the bathroom. On a hot evening, if you stand quietly in the bathroom, you can hear this amazing sound: it is very rhythmic and reminds me of the waves at the seaside. It is made by the beating of the bees’ wings as they fan their nest to keep the temperature at the right level -- how many people have heard that sound? I feel so privileged.

Obviously, I feed the birds. When I open the window in the morning I call “Come on Bobby and Blackie”, and one followed swiftly by the other they fly immediately to the bird table. Each morning, on rising, I make my way to the kitchen and find the squirrels already sitting on the window ledge waiting to be fed. Winter brings the moorhens and spring time the mallards. Our pond is a poor effort from a human point of view, but wild creatures see it differently. On summer days, the grass snakes spend long hours in the pond: eating the fish, froglets, toadlings, newts, and any other living creature they can swallow. Although I hate to see the pond emptied this way, I do enjoy the snakes and feel they are an important part of the balance of nature in the garden. Watching a dragonfly nymph climbing out of the pond, up a plant stalk, and then over the next few hours gradually transforming into a beautiful dragonfly -- these are contented hours well spent.

It has been my pleasure to write and publish a nature column each month. I am always delighted to hear how much pleasure this brings to my readers. I have often been asked if I have written a book, so I am making more of my writings and photography available through this web site and blog.