Bel's Wood

I had a really bad run with the cameras catching moving brambles, squirrels and the odd Robin. I have however picked up the occasional gem (Otters, Woodcock, Sparrow Hawk, Badgers etc) so I thought I would gather my favourites and put them in one place. Enjoy. Blackbird and Robin which are very common at the wood as they are in our gardens I am so happy to have Woodcocks at the wood and have seen them in the flesh over the last years, usually just fleetingly when I have flushed them when walking through the trees. They have a mating ritual called 'roding' where they fly low over woodland or heathlands as dawn or dusk in spring and I was lucky enough to see this one time. They are a rare bird and on the red list according to the RSPB. I was therefore delighted to see this one feeding on the beck right in front of the camera.  They are a lovely brown colour and maybe one day I'll get a daylight shot showing their colours. Woodpidgeons are pretty common too. I am including thi...

The highest point was called The Gin and Tonic Terrace from the beginning. It was a sun trap on the highest point with just a sneak peak of the view to the southwest.  Once the gorse was cleared the view opened up and of course the prevailing wind changed the feel up there.  After the gorse was removed in 2022. Where there was gorse there is now bracken and also trees planted in 2024.      2023 and the gorse arrived And the seed bank of foxgloves received light and so germinated                 Trees planted and fighting for light It is the place I gravitate to for sunrises, sunsets and key moments in the year especially at the equinox and solstice. The panoramic view is rewarding and there is a ledge where I have sat with friends over the years taking a moment to reflect on the passing of time. Sitting below the G&T terrace Winter 2023 The Winter Solstice 2025 was particularly special. I spent all day with f...

As the bluebells form seed heads, the next rush of flowers and blossom have appeared. The Broom has taken over from the more orange Gorse flowers. Gorse orange on the left and broom yellow on the right. Both have been full of bees this spring. The broom and the hawthorn give an eggy colour across the site. The air if full of insects and bird song amongst the blossom Early Purple Orchids The first Dog Rose to appear Gerrymander Speedwell nestled in the grass   Foxgloves are having a bit of a year. They first appeared in numbers when the gorse was removed and now form a forest on rocky outcrops amongst the Scots Pines. The willow has been pushing out its seed looking like smoke on some days And the Rowan  & Whitebeam flowers are across the site. Holly Blossom Cowslips and Bugle  Buttercup and Cuckoo flower (Ladies Smock)  just as the cuckoos arrived The trees are having a good start to the season with sunshine and rain although the temperatures have been low during...