On Sunday we decided to go to Ryton Woods in search of bluebells - it is one of our favourite places to see them.
Ryton Wood, a Warwickshire Wildlife Trust Reserve, is semi-natural ancient woodland and is one of 8 large woods that together make up the Princethorpe Woodlands. The site covers 85 hectares and it has been designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). Parts of the wood have been dated back to the 11th century and the land in the location may have been woodland since the end of the last Ice Age. Existence of small-leaved lime stools gives evidence to support this as this was the most common tree five thousand years ago but is now very infrequent. Large ditches provide evidence of the wood's medieval borders. Oak is the dominant tree species with hazel forming the main understorey with birch, field maple and ash trees also present.
We parked in the Wildlife Trust car park as this part of the woodland is quieter than the area at the other side of the wood that is adjacent to Ryton Pools country park.
There is a choice of paths - you can select one to walk round the perimeter of the wood but
we chose to walk along the main ride which eventually leads to a path that goes to the best area to see bluebells.
A good place to sit and watch wildlife.
The ride in many parts was very wet and muddy and I was feeling rather smug as I was the only one wearing an ancient pair of cheap wellies I leave in the car. However, the smugness soon wore off when I realised they had split and were letting in water!
Timothy - the only one with dry feet (paws).
We branched off on the path that leads to the bluebells - sadly, it was even wetter and muddier than the main ride so we retraced our steps and
and took a path that looked drier! Sadly, it wasn't but it did eventually reach the perimeter path and we were able to make our way back to the car.
We spotted an active badger sett with fresh excavations of soil. It is such a relief to know that badgers living in these woods will be safe from the unscientific, inhumane and uneconomic Government badger slaughter policy which may well be extended to Warwickshire this year. Wildlife Trusts are against the badger cull and no animals will be culled on their land.
We did see one clearing that was full of bluebells.
Wild flowers seen on the walk included
Yellow Archangel (one of my favourites),
Primroses,
Bugle,
Greater Stitchwort,
Wood Anemone,
White Dead-nettle,
Lady's Smock (or Cuckoo flower) together with
Lesser Celandine, Ground Ivy and Germander Speedwell.
Butterflies spotted included Brimstone, Speckled Wood, Orange Tip and several unidentified "whites".
Apart from Wood Pigeons, Blackbirds, Blue and Great Tits, there were few birds around although to be honest we spent most of our time looking at our feet and trying to find the driest way through the muddy and wet parts.
We decided to drive over to the country park as it is much closer to the main area of bluebells.
Cowslips on a bank in the distance.
We stopped for an icecream first.
I was impressed with what I saw of the country park and it may be worth exploring when it is not a hot bank holiday and it is quieter. There are pools and it is close to Warwickshire Butterfly Conservation's Ryton Meadows reserve which I would also like to visit.
We took the path to the woods -
A bank of violets.
We came across a Toad and saw it safely across the path.
Finally, into the woods yet again - luckily it was not as wet or muddy this side!
Eventually the bluebells - so hard to photograph especially in bright sun - a camera just cannot do them justice.
As we left the woods we heard a cuckoo calling - a perfect end to the afternoon.
*D Photos taken by my son with the Canon SX50 bridge camera
Rest of photos taken by me with the Panasonic Lumix FZ330 (I wish in some ways I had taken my Olympus dslr as I am still trying to get the hang of exposures on the Panasonic and also the best way to take close-ups of flowers).
