Friday 24 May 2013

Woodbastwick Marshes

Another day and another lovely walk out in the Norfolk countryside, but this time we were on a rare visit to a place not normally open to the public, it was Woodbastwick marshes this was another free trip from the Norfolk Wildlife Trust, and was led by a Natural England Reserve manager, Woodbastwick Marshes is part of the Bure Marshes National Nature Reserve .
http://www.naturalengland.org.uk/ourwork/conservation/designations/nnr/1006026.aspx
We were shown part of the Reserve and shown many plants and with a brief glimpse of the sun there was one dragonfly I believed to be a Four Spot Chaser, and the one little Butterfly was a Small White.One of the Water plants which the Reserves Manager was very keen on showing us was Bladderwort, which had tiny bladders on it with tiny hairs which when touched by any miniscule water creature caused the bladder to open and suck the poor little creature in so in effect a carnivorous water plant.
Milk Parsley

We also saw Milk Parsley and Marsh Pennywort.

Tuesday 21 May 2013

Spotted nationally scarce plant Gt Yarmouth

Suffocated Clover
Whilst on a Wildlife Workshop with NWT 's Gemma Walker community and education officer with NWT and Simon Harrap writer Naturalist renowned speaker and Nature Guide, we were looking for various plants on a walk through Gt Yarmouth's St Nicholas Church Yard and along North Denes, in the church yard we found Meadow Saxifrage a pretty little plant which could be easily overlooked.
Meadow Saxifrage
A rarity which we found was Grey Hair Grass this was along the North Denes.but the main event was the spott5ing of a Nationally Scarce plant Suffocated Clover this was also at North Denes, and was very small so we were grovelling around on the pavement with hand lenses .
Grey Hair Grass
Whitlow Grass
Another pretty plant with tiny flowers was Sea Sandwort.and we also saw Whitlow Grass an unusual looking little Grass.
Sea Sandwort

Monday 20 May 2013

The Peaks continued

Considering we only had a week we packed a whole lot into this holiday, The Dark Peaks was a particularly spectacular day out, and the very picturesque Castleton was a particular favourite, but on this holiday there were so many lovely lovely places.
There were so many different caverns to choose from we weren't sure which one to pick, Blue John was the obvious choice but we didnt want that another had about 160 steps down to an underground lake and a very claustrophobic tunnel didnt fancy that, we did go and  have a look at the the spectacular entrance of Peaks Cavern
In the end we decided on Treak Cliff Cavern a working Blue John mine, the guide was very friendly and took us on a wonderful tour, I bought a beautiful piece of Blue John which now hangs in my window and which shows amazing patterns and veins of Blue.Another Cavern is Pooles Cavern  which is in Buxton.
The amazing views of Mam Tor took you breath away, I believe it was in the 1970 s that the side of the Tor slipped into the valley below thus covering the road below.

Friday 17 May 2013

Its me Kathy I ve come home!!!


Sorry came over all Kate Bush, Heathcliffe, Wuthering Heights etc!!Out on the wild and windy moors and all that!!!Need a good rest after that holiday, saw lots of lovely places, Dovedale was spectacular, we started out early so not too many people about at first but the numbers did creep up during the day, along the walk we saw a Dipper, collecting food and flying in and out of a small cave so it was obviously nesting so that was good.We walked along the Monsal trail, from quite a steep climb down some slippy steps, to a large bridge with huge arches crossing a very pretty valley, where you could sit and picnic, we walked to Bakewell, but dodging cyclists all the time, some of them were very considerate others down right rude!!so beware.Another of our trails was Curbar edge, the view was amazing we sat along the cliffs looking out over towards Chatsworth, being a Bank Holiday weekend there was a silver glittering stream of cars snaking its way towards Chatsworth, well not so much moving though, a huge traffic jam, we did think of them in their hot little cars as we sat atop Curbar edge with a cool breeze to enjoy.

Thursday 16 May 2013

Free Bat and Moth night

Friday 17th May, 8.30 til 10.30, An evening in search of Bats and Moths, Bat detectors provided, meet Beacon Park, Beaufort/Excalibur Road, Gorleston, Details at The Wild Norfolk Events, 2013, Norfolk Wildlife Trtust, org.UK.Put it in your diary, although it is tomorrow!!!!

Five go to The Peaks!!!

Apologies for the lack of Blogs but I ve been on my hols!!to The Peak district, for a Norfolk girl used to very flat and wet marshes and not much climbing a bit traumatic, but very lovely, not strictly a Blog about Norfolk this one!!!From the highest Peaks to some very lovely caves we explored all over, saw some breath taking scenery and some lovely wildlife, from Dippers to a very surprising view of 4 Water Voles which was very exciting, We even disturbed some people who looked  bit Druidy, and were very put out that we came to look at some standing stones and a burial mound ,where they had settled down in their folding chairs to watch the sunset.
But the funniest thing was some gorgeous Lambs galloping around and around the circle in a little Lamb creche having a whale of a time!!!
We found a very pretty and very secluded little walk this was at Chee Dale, farther up from Mill Dale and Dove Dale, it was early evening  and there was a glorious golden light, this was where we saw the Water Voles, just large as life swimming and climbing about on the far bank infront of us we did do the touristy thing of Dove Dale , but this was much better for quiet seclusion.