Another Bluebell Wood

After our visit last week to a bluebell wood we decided to go in search of another bluebell wood this weekend. Somewhere we had passed before was Whitwell Woods but we had never stopped. A search on the Forestry Commission site showed not only the extent of the woods but a selection of easy trails to follow.

As soon as we stepped into the woods the bluebells were clear to see. Covering the ground and stretching on and on.

One thing that I was disappointed about last week was the lack of native bluebells. If you are unsure as to how a native British bluebell should look like then look no further than the above specimen. A brilliant cobalt blue with all the little bell shaped flowers hanging down on one side.

It's not just bluebells on the woodland floor. The wild garlic is fresh and where the sun gets through the white flowers have opened.

More white flowers run wild in the form of wood anemones.

The paths are wide and straight. The trails are well marked and we were glad of it as the wood is huge and side paths go off into the unknown.

Many ancient woodlands have been under threat for years from the relentless march of humans and the need to chop and build. Sometimes though it is nature itself that endangers the woodland. Here a bolt of lightning has ripped through a tree taking one of the large branches off.

I couldn't leave the woods without doing a bit of birdwatching. We did see a great spotted woodpecker but by the time I had changed my camera lens the little blighter had flown off. In fact the birds of Whitwell Woods on the whole seemed to be rather camera shy. Just before we left I managed one shot of a male chaffinch. I'll be back though.

Joining Rambling Woods for Nature Notes.