Spring Arrives to the Wolds.

Another weekly escape from Grimsby to give the car a run and for some different scenery.  And what a beautiful day it turned out to be: warm and spring-like, although the very high pressure air made for somewhat hazy conditions.  The chill easterly wind made it cool in the shade but we were nearly sunbathing in the shelter from the breeze.  Walking up from our parking spot past Cadeby Farm we were delighted again to both hear and see the raven that seems to have set up territory over the Valley Wood.  Their call is a joyous cronking and they reall do seem to play as they tumble in the sky above the wood.  We were pleased as well to hear the yaffle of a green woodpecker.  Lesser celandine was in flower and wild arum leaves were poking through.  Hawthorn buds are swelling and they will soon be in leaf.  Bumble bees and ladybirds were also on the wing.

After our walk we went on to Scallows to deliver a framed picture and to admire the wonderful display of snowdrops and aconites.  Bird life was busy in the wood; we heard a greater spotted woodpecker drumming and a buzzard was perched in a tree close to the hide.

• Raven
• Linnet
• meadow pipit
• yellowhammer
• skylark
• wood pigeon
• blackbird
• green woodpecker
• jackdaw
• crow
• greater spotted woodpecker
• buzzard
• black headed gull
• dunnock
• blue tit 
• great tit 
• nuthatch

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Walking from Rothwell

 We met up with friends Brian and Heather in the Lincolnshire Wolds village of Rothwell and parked up at the Blacksmith's Arms where, precovid we would have had our lunch.  Our walk took us up the short hill to the church and then into a valley that climbed up to Rothwell Top Farm and then Caistor High Street an old Roman Road along the top of the Wolds.  That wasn't our destination, however, as we turned off up a side valley that led to Hills Brough Farm.  This a very attractive dry valley which isn't under the plough and is a rare example of chalk downland.  As we made our way along the large hawthorn hedge we disturbed a large raptor.  Expecting it to be a buzzard we were delighted to identify it as a red kite.  Further along the hedge we came across a large flock of fieldfares, my first of the winter.  At the end of the walk, as we drove up the hill out of the village towards Cuxwold we had more excellent views of the kite.  Either the same on or, perhaps a different on as friends had watch two here a week or so ago.

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A New Walk in the Wolds

A New Walk in the Wolds: From Utterby to Fotherby Common

Despite the, rather inclement weather, we were keen to get out for a walk this afternoon; the weather has turned much cooler (max 13C) with the wind from the north west bringing dramatic skies but also blustery winds and heavy showers.  In fact we receievd a couple of soakings during our walk.  We drove out along the main Louth Road to Utterby, where turned towards the Wolds rearing up to the west.  This was to be a new walk for us suggested by some friends and passing through Fotherby Common, designated common land in 1764 and re-registered in 1972.  Locals have 'commoners' right to take conies therein.'

We parked at the bottom of the dip slope of the Wolds and followed a footpath, climbing almost immediately.  We were quickly enjoying expansive views over the coastal marsh with dramatic skies as squalls swept across continuously during the afternoon.  We had neglected to take into account that it had been raining and there were sections of quite muddy path; soon our walking trainers were caked in mud!!

Having set out quite late we decided not to continue up to the deserted village of North Elkington which will await another day.  Our rote now took us downhill through the common and thence returning via a good track along the bottom of the slope.

Horsefield, Deadwood and Cemetery

A Long Walk Around the Horsefield and Deadwood and Back via the Cemetery

This turned out to be a much longer walk than normal: 6.5 miles, possibly because I had to visit the doctor's surgery for a blood test first.  From the surgery and walked through Scartho village and on through the churchyard, pausing to photograph the church which looked wonderful in the morning light.  Continuing, I met Heather who was waiting on the path over to the Horsefield.  We carried on to the Horsefield and then wandered round the perimeter next to the cemetery.  I was frustrated to have a linnet posing beautifully only to have left my long lens at home.  I was delighted, however, to find that there were more butterflies on the wing, especially plenty of fresh small tortoiseshells, so perhaps there has been a recent emergence from pupae.  I also found small heaths, a single large skipper, one common blue and several speckled woods, particularity in the woodland burial ground.  We saw cuckoo spit for the first time this year and elderflower is comming into blossom now; I must order some citric acid so that I can make some elderflower cordial.  The dog roses are looking spectacular now, one of my favourite early summer flowers.  We found white campion, birds-foot trefoil and yellow rattle and in the wood there was the delicious scent of honeysuckle.

We walked on through the Deadwood, past the YMCA and into the cemetery where I did a lap of the woodland burial ground before making my way home.  I did have a look for the sword leaved helleborines and found plant; a very poor specimen, but at least there is evidence that they are still there.

Speckled Wood

Small Tortoiseshell

Small Tortoiseshell

Small Heath

Dog Daisy

Large Skipper

Japanese Rose

Dog Rose