Tuesday 28 May 2013

Ashwellthorpe and New Buckenham

Jessica Reiderer, Education Co-ordinator


This weekend I spent some time at two of my local NWT reserves - Lower Wood, Ashwellthorpe and New Buckenham Common.
 
Wild garlic in Lower Wood, Ashwellthorpe
Lower Wood has definitely become one of my favourite spots. Bluebells continue to bloom throughout the woods - as do hundreds of early purple orchids, and on the other side of the wood, wild garlic is carpeting as far as the eye can see.  The smell wafting up from forest floor is just stunning. Large and small whites, orange tips, peacock, common blues as well as large red damselflies could be seen amongst the wild garlic. Herb Paris is also blooming but more difficult to spot. 
 
Green winged orchid at New Buckenham Common

My first visit to New Buckenham Common was lovely. I spotted my first dragonfly of the year here on Monday 27 May - a broad bodied chaser, as well as my first skipper. I went to specifically see the green winged orchids and could not believe how many there were. They are just gorgeous, blooming amongst the buttercups and cowslips. I found a lovely little patch of white orchid too. Skimming above the wetlands were large numbers of house martins and swifts  - and clearly some swifts have already fledged as watching loud screaming chicks chasing their parents around was very amusing.

4 comments:

  1. hi, do you know of any wild garlic near Downham market

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    1. Hi, wild garlic is likely to be found in old deciduous woodlands, hedge banks, in moist soil. You could try visiting old woodlands in the spring. It can be seen in flower April – June at Foxley Wood: http://www.norfolkwildlifetrust.org.uu/foxley

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  2. Is it ok to pick wild garlic in the woods ?

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  3. HI, Ive just found you post today whilst looking for places locally that have wild garlic. I see there is lots of it in the pictures you have posted, assume if its common land than anyone can come and pick, is that correct? Pls advise. Sally

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