The group was formed to share knowledge about the unique wildlife habitats in the parish of Minchinhampton and to enjoy the local environment in the company of like-minded people. We also monitor and investigate local habitats in conjunction with conservation organisations. Knowledge that we gain is shared on this website and by creating documented walks around the parish.
Observed at Tom Long's Post, 8:30 am 13th May 2016. I have failed to identify the breed. It seems pleased to be free roaming again, a little apprehensive of the traffic, but giving a friendly wave to all passing cars.
More of the normal kind are definitely around as well - we have been repeating our "Remember to shut the gate!" mantra at regular interval since my first exit this morning. They are of course important nutrient re-cyclers on our "unimproved limestone grassland", but watch were you put your feet on the next walk over the Common.
A bit of sunshine, a bit of rain and the Common is bursting into life. On a walk to Rodborough Common today my wife, Mary, and I saw eleven difference species of butterfly, including the Duke of Burgundy, and also found that the wild-flowers are rapidly changing the appearance of the Commons. The cows arriving back on the open ground tomorrow will even find the grass growing.
Duke of Burgundy |
"Roman" snail |
Not exactly local but we went for a walk to Clattinger Farm yesterday and the Fritillaries were lovely.
Also Green-winged Orchids just coming through, as they are on Minchinhampton Common.
We had our first sighting of this year's orchids today, both Early Purple and Green-winged (though we were told of a sighting last weekend). They are still few, far between and only just showing flowers, but now coming through in a number of the usual locations through which we passed.
The 6.6km (4.2m) walk follows the Cotswold Way from the car park near Harefield Beacon amongst the magnificent beach trees of Standish Woods. It is superb on a sunny day in the Spring when the bluebells are exceptionally abundant. The return is across the valley climbing to Harefield Beacon, rejoining the Cotswold Way back to the car park (about 220m or 700' of climbing in total). This could be completed in two hours at a brisk pace, but we always find that we linger taking photographs in the woods, or enjoying the view from Haresfield Beacon. Allow at least 30 minutes extra!
Read more: Walk: Circular from Haresfield Beacon via Standish Woods
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