SPRING WOOD RESERVE

IT’S SPRING and even MORE BLUEBELLS

Spring has come with a rush this year, we may have had the coldest winter on record and now the driest spring added to which these lovely sun filled days have brought out a bounty of spring flowers. Aconites were replaced by Wood Anemone and Sorrel, Primroses flowered and have now faded and even Marsh Marigolds dazzled and now are fading fast. Wild Forget me Not and Violets grace many sunny woodland banks whilst Lords and Ladies have full heads and grace the shaded areas of our woodlands. But the Star of any woodland and the perfect symbol of spring is the Bluebell.

The Bluebells never fails to delight, but be quick if you want to enjoy this splendour of the English Woods. These images are from the aptly named ‘Spring Wood’, situated on the Derbyshire and Leicestershire border, Spring Wood is a Derbyshire Wildlife Trust Reserve famous for its woodland birds. Each spring the woodland floor is covered with a carpet of Bluebells with Yellow Archangel fighting its way through where it can.

My diary tells me that they are about 3/4 weeks early which I suppose reflects the spring we are enjoying this year. Most years at Spring Wood, once the Bluebells flower, it is a couple of weeks of wall to wall blue before the leaves flop and the flowers fade. This year whilst still a fabulous site it is apparent that some of the Bluebells have flowered and now dying back, others are at their very best and many are still to bloom. Some comments suggest that it was the bitter cold winter, other that the dry warm spring that is the cause; I also think that the woodland canopy which has so rapidly flourished and casting its heavy shadow so early is having an effect. Whatever is the cause, nature does seem to cope with most changes that are natural and adapt.

One thing is sure….it is still a wonder of many that is provided for us to enjoy.