Bluebell Woods

It's that lovely time of year when bluebells start to carpet the woodland floor and we are lucky to be able to take a short walk from home to see them when corona virus restrictions  are preventing many from seeing them.

Isolation in the Cotswolds

2020 has brought Coronavirus which has meant that the Government has asked us to self isolate. We have been in lockdown here in the UK now for over a week.

Thankfully our government has allowed one walk a day from home so that everyone can get some exercise. Living where we do in the South Cotswolds we are very lucky with plenty of footpaths crisis crossing the countryside. Hence we have been able to walk every day and enjoy the countryside as it wakes up and Spring arrives after what has been a particularly wet winter.

This collage show the Beech woodland near Uley which yesterday was sunny and green with Wild Garlic leaves which will soon have their white flowers too.  Bluebells are starting to bloom as are Primroses, Wood anemones, Celandines, Violets and Ground Ivy

The fourth photo shows the Wild Chives which we have noticed on the edge of the roads and fields this year for the first time. We wonder if these were introduced by the Romans as it is known that they lived in this area many years ago.

Views of muddy fields

 Heavy rain over a long period this winter has left the ground saturated with water but mild temperatures mean that there are plenty  of signs that Spring is coming as can be seen by the wood garlic pushing up from the woodland floor.

Valentine’s Day

Yesterday morning being Valentine’s Day we decided a trip out was in order to visit NT Newark Park a delightful little historic house near Wotton-under-Edge. 

The Snowdrops were beautiful and we enjoyed wandering in the garden and even sat in the sunshine to enjoy our cup of coffee. Don’t miss a fascinating guided visit to see the ancient kitchens if you visit.   See details here https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/newark-park

Hazel Catkins

Signs of Spring are popping up all around us due we are told, to the mild winter weather. Snowdrops and catkins aren’t particularly early here though, if you compare our previous entries and years on the blog. We suspect the amount of daylight has a significant effect also.

Winter Woodlands

On a dull misty midwinter morning it is good to get out and walk past veteran beech trees in the woods. The bare branches stand out in the fog and you can appreciate the shapes of trees uncluttered by foliage.

Winter Scenes

 December is here with frosty mornings.It also heralds the return of Bewick Swans from the Arctic tundra.

 It also 

This week was our first visit to Gifford’s Circus at their home, Fennells Farm near Stroud and we weren’t disappointed! It’s their last day of the season today but it will definitely be on our list to visit again next year.

Painted Lady

This year has seen the arrival of large numbers of painted lady butterflies for the first time since 2009.
These insects make the remarkable migration from North Africa although they are not able to overwinter in the UK.

Common Blue Butterfly

On a walk on Scottsquar hill we were lucky enough to see a pair of Common Blue buterflies mating on a leaf.
These small butterflies have blue wings with a white border when open.The male is the one on the left showing blue on the underside.
They fly from April to September and are seen on open grassland.