Forest Bathing and Butterflies at Brandon Marsh
Brandon Marsh. Photo Credit: Warwickshire Wildlife Trust
Brandon March, Brandon Lane, Coventry.
Review by Anne Cee.
Spring has sprung in Warwickshire and you’re probably wondering how to enjoy all things green with your family. Perhaps you just need to chill out in nature a little bit and get some fresh air, or perhaps you want to watch the wild fowl on the water or maybe it’s time for some wildlife spotting.
On a sunny morning recently, my friend led me by the hand, down the gravelly path into the deepest, freshest greenery by the bluest pools and let me breathe the air and listen. All we could hear was birdsong from every direction – a high, happy, joyful ensemble that kept us focused and gently pointing in the direction of each new voice. “That’s a blackbird” or “can you hear the drumming of the woodpecker over there?” was the theme of our whispered conversation as we paused amongst the birches every few minutes.
Secluded glades offered up woodland butterflies such as the dazzling yellow brimstone, as well as peacocks, commas, speckled woods, and, sitting on the path enjoying the salt in the gravel, the stunning little holly blue. During our visit, we ticked off six or seven of our native butterflies, and if you’re walking with children or just like to know what you’ve seen, the Wildlife Trust have a wonderful website that has a number of ‘Spotter’ sheets that you can download or print to help you enjoy your visit.
As we wandered back along some narrow tracks, we paused in a number of the wooden hides overlooking the water and had fun checking out the muddy banks and reed beds with binoculars. Upending gadwalls in the shallows and oyster catchers with their long orange-red bill seemed to be attracting the most attention but there were also a good range of other species present – it was fun sitting on the wooden benches with other nature lovers, comparing pictures on aps with what we could see on the water.
We concluded our visit by pausing in the café for a brew and a bite to eat as we discussed our favourite moments and spots of the morning – was it the open areas where we saw a number of hobbies (small falcons) flying above the trees, was it our stealthy walk following the cuckoos or maybe it was just the cuteness of the fluffy goslings? For me, I loved seeing the oak tree flowers hanging from the branches overhead, it left me with positive thoughts about nature creating the acorns and oak trees of tomorrow.
The Warwickshire Wildlife Trust seem to be doing a marvellous job at creating so many fabulous habitat areas for our local wildlife. And so many species are embracing the green and blue spaces and making their homes here. I’m so grateful for the Trust’s hard work and expertise, as well as all the volunteers who contribute so much to keeping our natural local places in such good condition and letting us enjoy them.
So let’s step quietly through our woods and grasslands this spring, listen and look with loving appreciation of this precious resource, and leave nothing behind but our footprints on the paths.
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