Waxwing

Waxwing
"To see a world in a grain of sand,
And a heaven in a wild flower,
Hold infinity in the palm of your hand
And eternity in an hour."

From "Auguries of Innocence"

by William Blake

Friday 27 February 2015

A Brief Visit to Marsh Lane NR - Snipes Galore - and Another Garden Moth









It was a beautiful day today - dry and sunny with a definite Spring-like feel - so B and I went along to Marsh Lane NR for an hour or so this afternoon.



We stopped off at one of the small pools where there is a viewing screen/hide - there were a few Tufted Ducks



and this Coot.


Robin by one of the feeding stations.


We spent some time in Oak Hide which overlooks Railway Pool - where we watched Tufted Ducks, Lapwings, Mute Swans, Grey Herons, Pochard and Black-headed Gulls, some of which are now acquiring their black heads. The Coots were being very territorial and there was a lot of chasing and splashing taking place and it was good to see the Black Swan as I haven't seen it for a while.

Mute Swan


Part of the view from Oak Hide - the channel in the foreground attracts Common Snipe (and the occasional Jack Snipe).


Common Snipe


You can see in this photo (there are two) how well camouflaged Snipe are.


Alder Catkins and Cones


Dandelion and Gorse in flower.



I knew there were beehives on the Reserve but I finally found out today where they are located - on the edge of the crop field.


One of my favourite trees looking very colourful.


We finished off the visit in Car Park Hide which overlooks Car Park Pool. As we opened the shutters in the hide it was apparent that there were at least ten Snipe feeding not far away. At first they flattened themselves low into the grass


but within seconds were happily feeding away again. I don't think I have ever been so close to Snipe before.













Lapwing




We didn't see the Pintail or Goosanders which have been seen recently at the reserve but I did add 8 species to the year list - Jackdaw, Little Grebe, Chaffinch, Reed Bunting, Mute Swan, Black Swan, Oystercatchers (yes a pair have already returned) and Greylag Goose.





Garden Moths



I spotted a Satellite (Eupsilia transversa) on the garage window earlier this week.




I did put the moth trap out on Wednesday night between 6.30 p.m. and midnight (had to bring it in then as heavy rain was forecast later that night) as it was so mild but failed to trap any moths.

Tuesday 17 February 2015

Snowdrop Sunday at Temple Balsall









I first discovered the tranquil, timeless area of Temple Balsall a few years ago when I was visiting areas mentioned by Edith Holden in the "Country Diary of an Edwardian Lady". It really is one of those places that you occasionally find that has a very special atmosphere. Time seems to have stood still in this Warwickshire haven and it feels far removed from the stresses and problems of the 21st century.



D and I went along last Sunday afternoon as they were holding a Snowdrop Sunday with teas in the Old Hall.






Temple Balsall is a thriving Christian community offering hospitality to all who visit. In 1674 the then owner of the land, Lady Katherine Leveson, set up a foundation to teach children and care for the elderly - this work continues today.

Temple Balsall was given to the Knights Templar by Roger de Mowbray around 1146 and it became the Preceptory (Headquarters) for local Knights of the Temple. It controlled the farming activities of other Templar sites in Warwickshire. In March 1312 the Pope abolished the Order of the Templars transferring their properties to the Knights of St John (The Hospitallers) who were another fighting crusading order who also nursed the sick. There are not many records of the Hospitallers at Temple Balsall although they may have built the church. The Knights Templar had worshipped in a chapel attached to the Old Hall.



Temple House




Some of the almshouses adjoining the Breadwalk.





The churchyard is "managed" with wildlife in mind and part of it is kept as a wildlife area. 130 species of wildflower have been recorded in the churchyard and 50 species in the nearby cemetery.

I picked up a Warwickshire Butterfly Conservation Report for 2012 in the church and 17 different butterfly species were seen in the churchyard during that particular year. Yellow rattle is widespread in the churchyard which will help stop coarser grasses flourishing and thus encourage more wildflowers. Various conservation measures have taken place over the years to improve the habitat. For example, Alder Buckthorn has been planted to provide food plants for the caterpillars of Brimstone butterflies. Nettle patches are allowed to flourish, Orange Tips lay eggs on Lady's Smock and Devil's Bit Scabious has been planted. Buddleia attracts many butterflies particularly Red Admiral and Peacock and Ringlets appreciate the areas of long grass left unmown until late summer.




Snowdrops, Primroses and Winter Aconites were all in flower.








Snowdrops have a variety of lovely country names - Snow Piercer, Purification Flower, Candlemas Bells and February Fairmaids. The Genus name Galanthus comes from the Greek meaning milky flower and up to 20 wild species have been discovered. Winter Aconite which is also one of the first flowers to appear in the New Year is often called "New Year's Gift".





D went off to look at various other areas - there is a bog garden, pool, walled garden, woodland walk and stream whilst I had a quick look round the Church of St Mary the Virgin. I didn't take too many photos on this visit as its quite dark in the church and I am never very happy about using the camera flash in churches. The church was built around 1320/1330 and was originally the Chapel of the religious Knights Hospitaller. They left in the 1470's and the church may have fallen into disrepair at this time but additionally 70 years later saw the dissolution of monasteries and other communities under Henry VIII and the whole property was transferred to the Crown. The church was restored by the generosity of Lady Anne Holborne in the second half of the 17th century and further restoration may have taken place when Lady Katherine Leveson set up the Foundation. A full restoration took place in the mid 19th century under the guidance of Sir George Gilbert Scott and St Mary's became a Parish Church in the 1860's.





Corbel heads on the exterior of the church.







Rose Window


The East Window dates to 1907.




The Pulpit dates from the 1840's restoration.






Moss on the churchyard wall











The Old Hall also called the Templar House dates from the 13th century. The original timber framed building was restored in the 19th century and the original walls were encased in red brick. It is one of a small number of medieval aisled halls that still remain. It was originally used as The Senior Court for the Templars in Warwickshire.



The graves with crosses in the foreground are of 19th century Dames who lived in the Hospital. They used to walk down to the Old Hall where the bailiff of the manor then lived to collect their bread allowance. The path they walked along became known as "The Breadwalk" and its still called the same name today.








I'd never been in the Old Hall before as its only open occasionally so D and I went to have tea and cakes and then had a look round the museum which contains various artefacts found locally.










These heraldic shields were really interesting and have been dated pre-1540.







D took the shield photos above and also the one below of a Blue Tit waiting its turn at some nearby bird feeders.



The bridge with its superb zoom also came in very hand for taking a photo of this Green Man half way up a wall of the church.



I knew there was a Green Man somewhere at the church but many thanks to the kind gentleman who took the time and trouble to show me the exact location.



I shall certainly return to Temple Balsall again later in the year in search of more wildflowers and butterflies. Hopefully, a visit in the Spring and a second one in the Summer.





References:

Temple Balsall 1150-1870 - a short history

Temple Balsall Snowdrop Sunday - Introducing Snowdrops Guide

The Knights of the Temple and of St John of Jerusalem and their Connection with Temple Balsall by FR Fairbairn

The Church of St Mary the Virgin Temple Balsall - a visitor's guide

Temple Balsall Churchyard Butterfly Report 2012 by Butterfly Conservation Warwickshire