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.
Over the last six years I have enjoyed looking at butterflies within a number of selected sites on the Common and surrounding area - The Bulwarks, Pinfarthings, the Knapp etc. The first sightings of the season are usually in my garden and this will spur me on to look further afield.
Small Tortoiseshell and Peacocks that have over wintered as adults, possible in my wood shed, appeared first in early April followed by Large White, Brimstone, Orange Tip and the beautiful Holly Blue.
Read more: Notes on Butterflies found in the Minchinhampton area in 2015
There is a very fine display of snowdrops at Cherington Pond at present. Worth a trip and a walk in the local wood. (I will not recommend the route that I did this morning, however. Far too much mud!)
As we were walking back from Rodborough Fort this morning, just entering the quiet back lane by Winstone's, my wife Mary shouted "Kite!". I had been told that they were around (Mary has seen them before) but it is nice to see with your own eyes.
This is the best I could do for a photograph: a couple of hundred pixels each way cropped from a full frame taken with an IXUS 100 compact as the kite flew overhead - but at least I had the IXUS with me as I normally do, almost always ready for action in a few seconds - while the camera with the long telephoto lens was in the cupboard at home (where it spends most of its time).
Roll on Spring!
Introduction
The watercourses in the Stroud Frome Catchment support a range of features of international and national value including:
Scattered and threatened populations of White-clawed Crayfish;
An assemblage of bats of at least national importance;
Strong populations of Otters, Bullheads and Dippers ;
Tufa deposits and natural springs;
Rich assemblages of aquatic invertebrates.
This walk involves descending to the Thames and Severn Canal from Rodborough Common, which runs into Stroud from the East, and then climbing back again (about 675ft, 210m). Although only 6km in length (4m) it is definitely for those who wish to be a little more energetic. However, you will be rewarded by a surprising variety of scene and some interesting wildlife observation opportunities. In Spring there are usually find fine displays of orchids in the open stretches of this Common which is also noted for its invertebrates, including the rather rare "Duke of Burgundy" butterfly. The canal is mainly derelict, but in the process of being restored, working from Stroud eastwards. (The Stroudwater Navigation, which runs into Stroud from the West, has already seen a great deal of restoration out to Eastington.)
We must admit to finding the overgrown channel and banks more interesting from a wildlife viewpoint than the restored sections. This walk covers part of the canal that is next on the schedule for restoration, so do the walk before the changes occur. There are, however, several sections of this old canal that are worth walking, all the way through to beyond the Sapperton tunnel, which we will no doubt document on this website in time.
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