A slightly cooler day with temperatures just perfect for a walk, so we made the short journey to the RSPB's headquarters at Sandy Warren, a fairly frequent destination for my brother and me.
After a journey through the wide wheat fields of South Cambridgeshire and Bedfordshire it is always a delight to find yourself in the very different landscape along the Greensand Ridge, an outcrop of sandstone that forms a low series of hills, dominated by woods and heathland.
The RSPB are trying to restore more of the area to heathland, which it is hoped will attract specialist birds like Nightjar, Woodlark and Dartford Warbler - and there has already been some success in this endeavour.
Not that we ever see that many birds on our visits here, but there's always something to photograph. The bracken always interests me as it's a plant seldom encountered in my home area, though it's by no means uncommon elsewhere. In fact it can become a nuisance, overwhelming other plants.
This is Common Centaury, a widespread flower throughout Europe, and flourishing up on Sandy Ridge. Perhaps if people knew it was a kind of Gentian they might pay it more attention.
A pretty, rotting tree stump always will have me reaching for my camera! And even more so if it's backed by wispy dried grasses.
Down near the old quarry the bracken is backlit by the sun just appearing over the crest. But you'd probably like to see some birds....
So here's an Avocet, easily recognised by its upturned bill.
And there's a monstrous owl lurking among the trees!
In a month or two all the bracken will be turning gold. Maybe I'll return to take some more pictures then....or maybe I'll forget like I usually do!
Before then all the heathers will be blooming (though we might go somewhere else to see that spectacle).
But right now we can enjoy the butterflies like this colourful Peacock.
It's starting to warm up and more people are out and about on the trails, so we'll head back to the car park. It's been a pleasant way to spend the morning.
Take care.
I strongly suspect that there is a shop at the RSPB headquarters with an impressive selection of books, so it would present a clear and present danger for me to enter. But you know I would! I remember at the RSPB reserve in Conwy,Wales buying books, and was told that I would get a discount if I became a member and the membership fee would immediately be repaid by the savings on the books. So, for a year, I was actually a member of RSPB.
ReplyDeleteI am completely unsurprised to read this comment David. And smiling broadly.
DeleteA very intresting observations of sandy beds an area i know little of tho knew of exsistance only been there once before .well done boys r john...
ReplyDeletethe owl s amazing
ReplyDeleteWhat a nice change of scenery, and much appreciated! Not for the change, but the scenes themselves. I like learning of the term "bracken."
ReplyDeleteLooks like a glorious day for a hike. How nice that you and your brother get out so often to share this exercise! The colors on that butterfly are so vibrant! Thank you again!
ReplyDeleteYet another absolutely beautiful wander with you and your brother. Many, many thanks.
ReplyDeleteThe bracken beginning to turn golden and the wispy dried glasses are sadly heralding the fact that we are now well into summer.
ReplyDeleteI have never been anywhere where I have seen Centaury growing John - what a pretty flower it is.
ReplyDeleteWhat does RSPB stand for? And is bracken another word for ferns? Look to be like the ferns we have here. You shared some lovely scenes. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteSorry. Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, the leading wildlife charity in the UK.
DeleteSorry again; I've only answered part of your question. Yes, bracken is our most common fern, but it's very tough and coarse, not at all delicate and fern-like. It's also unusual that it dies right back in winter.
DeleteBeautiful shots. The sculpted owl is quite a sight to see.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful photos of your walk there. Love that avocet and the owl. That butterfly is absolutely beautiful. I have never seen anything like that here. Wow!
ReplyDeleteWonderful shots! I love the Avocet!
ReplyDeleteEngland certainly has some beautiful butterflies. The Centaury looks a lot like what my neighbor called meadowsweet, but which is actually rose gentian I think. It is just now coming into bloom here.
ReplyDeleteAnother wonderful walk.
ReplyDeleteI remember having a lovely walk through there years ago. Thanks for reminding me.
ReplyDeleteI thoroughly enjoyed the ferns you highlighted in this post. What an incredible butterfly too. Tree stumps can be a wonder for sure!
ReplyDeleteI confess John to also checking on what RSPB stood for although I expected the first 2 words. My current photo equipment doesn't allow for any wildlife shooting as I no longer own any long lenses. But, there is beauty in things closer to the ground as you have shown here - tree stumps, topiary, ferns, butterflies and the path you and your brother traveled. And getting out earlier before more people are on the trails is always a good thing to do as you noted.
ReplyDeletePleasant for us also John, lovely virtual walk it was too. The sculpted birds made me smile.. and think a bit too, I have a hedge in the back garden, I wonder... 😊
ReplyDeleteHi John - lovely photos - that Peacock butterfly is stunning. Gorgeous part of the world where you live is so wonderful to see ... thank you ... delightful to see - cheers Hilary
ReplyDeleteThat looks like a great walk and great photos!
ReplyDeleteA lovely walk. I like your photo of the sunlit bracken and the Peacock butterfly, I haven't seen any of those yet this summer:)
ReplyDelete