July Notes 2014

by David Tidmarsh - 12:45 on 16 November 2014

Kens Nature Notes

Just got back from a walk down Brecon Hill woods from the Floaters Mill to the hairpin bend, rain had eased off so all I needed was my brolly and camera, thankfully

I didn’t need to use my brolly.

Did a spot of Balsam bashing, as I strolled along the way. It was a token gesture as it is well out of control. The bees certainly like the flowers so there are plenty to keep them occupied.

There is a lovely blue tinge as you glance across the Lumley Burn at the start of the walk, this is the Meadow Cranes-bill growing profusely on the field edge, and this is complemented by the pink of the Balsam, well out of reach on the opposite bank.

Growing well at the moment are raspberries, the fruit, now ripening ready to be eaten and this will be a treat for the wildlife in the area.

The only thing to put a dampener on the walk was the strong smell from the burn this would probable be a discharge from Sedgletch treatment works after the heavy rainfall, anything relying on the water quality needs to be adaptable to fluctuations in this area.

The large leaves of the Butterbur plant which grow like mad along the burn areas seem to be enjoying this weather. Some are well over six foot high. I am surprised that the Environment agencies haven’t classed these as an invasive weed like the Himalayan Balsam.

Blackberries have started fruiting as well, but it will be a few weeks away before these are ready for picking. I still have fond memories as a lad, of picking bags full of blackberries with my parents which made the most delicious blackberry pies, enjoyed to the full with custard.

During the walk it was good to see the beech trees with loads of seeds waiting to ripen; I hope they have nuts inside because I love germinating beech seeds. I made a fatal error earlier this year transplanting some beech seeds before the frosts were finished and I lost most of the tree seedlings that had grown through the winter, its true what they say “you are never too old to learn”.

The Common Ragwort is also at its peak with its bright yellow flowers, these are a reportable weed, being very poisonous for horses and cattle if eaten. You need to wear gloves if uprooting these plants as the toxins can penetrate you skin and affect vital organs of your body. Uprooted plants also need to be bagged and sent to a controlled waste disposal area. Best to leave alone if possible!

It must have been a while since I was out, even though we have been having gorgeous weather, as I have noticed most of the hay fields have been harvested and the barley field behind Castlefields is about ready for harvesting.

I spotted some fantastic blue flowered “Vetch” clinging to a hawthorn hedge which made a pleasant change from the “Goose grass” that is smothering most of the hedges in the area.

So I am determined to get out more and enjoy the season of summer before it’s over, see you out there!  

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