Bluebells in Beesby Wood.

We pulled up into the parking space at the end of the Valley Wood expecting it to be full but there were only Brian and Heather parked up waiting for us.  Perhaps the cold weather was keeping people away.  Although cold, again only 10C, it was quite bright with mixed sun and overcast and still that bitter north easterly off the sea.  The countryside is now beginning to look lush despite the lack of rain.  The paths are bone hard and well worn now following the high footfall during lockdown.  Dog's mercury was in flower and carpeting the Valley Wood  floor.  Judging by the well worn tracks leading from them the badger setts in the wood seemed to be quite active; good news.  We continued along the valley over fields now full of sheep towards Beesby Wood.  As we approached the air was heavy with the scent of bluebells and wild garlic.  The garlic is now in flower and the bluebells are as good as I have ever seen them here.  Wood anemones were still hanging on as well so the wood looks magnificent.  The badger sett here is very large and very active and as we stood by it we watch a couple of tree creepers spiralling up neighbouring trees.

While the ladies returned via the Valley Wood, Brian and I completed the round walking passed Stock Furlong which is aso full of bluebells.  The scrubby area adjacent to Stock Furlong, I am told, was rich in orchids last year: early purple, pyramidal and bee.  I saw no sign as yet but will return shortly for a thorough look.  There was an abundance of dandelions in flower, though and a good crop of cowslips.  We continued down into the Wold Newton Valley under dramatic skies and were soon back at the car.

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Bluebells, Wood Anemones and Jet Walking

It was our day to walk Jet today so, as the weather was really good we decided to head out into the Wolds to walk from Beesby, visiting Bradley Woods first to photograph the wood anemones.  It was the perfect time for them and the woods were carpeted with their nodding, pink-tinged, white blossoms.  We began out walk in Beesby wood where we hoped for bluebells.  This is the best local wood I know for these flowers and they were just coming into their prime, along with carpets of wood anemones.  The badger set here is always interesting to check out.  There was plentiful evidence of activity in this large sett which was good to see.  We walked along the top of the wood and then dropped into the valley to follow the path through the Valley Wood.  Frome here the route took us along the road a short way to the outskirts of Wold Newton and then back over the wold past Stock Furlong wood and back to the car.  We had an excellent sighting of a green woodpecker flying up from the roadside along the Barton Street, which was pleasing.

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A Day with Bluebells.

Today began dull and grey, looked as though it was going to brighten and then turned even more dull and grey.  I began the day with some fun photography in the garden.  Our Bramley is a mass of blossom, despite a heavy prune earlier this Spring, and it looks wonderful.  Deciding it was too good an opportunity to miss I cut a spray and took some snaps.  The bonus with photographing plants like this is that the garden can be used like a studio: background chosen the right distance away to be out of focus and the plant placed in the best light.  I also had a play with a paperweight with an azalea behind it.  Later, thinking that the weather was picking up a bit, I made a dash for a couple of local bluebell woods.  First a Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust reserve: Rigsby Wood near Alford which is supposed to be a bit of a showpiece for blue bells.  I always find it disappointing, however, and hedging my bets called in at Beesby woods on the way home.  Here there was a superb display and I was delighted to find the badger set very definitely active.  A great treat, as I thought that it had been stopped up.  Before leaving Rigsby, though, I took a picture of the cowslips which were in good condition.

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