WFV, Hodsock Snowdrops, 23rd Feb 2016

Submitted by Wildlife Field… on Fri, 26th Feb 2016, 1:38pm

SnowdropsSnowdropsAfter losing our designated driver to illness, the group were very grateful to Robert for stepping into the breech. None of the other drivers were available so without Robert the outing would not have been possible. Hopefully Sue will soon recover from her chest infection and be back with us before too long.

Although it was a chilly day it was sunny and cloudless throughout.

The 5 acre gardens were full of the snowdrops for which it is renowned. Hellebores and Cyclamens also abounded. Other plants in flower included; Primroses, Celandines and Irises. Plenty of snowdrops were also in the 12 acres of adjoining woodland. Birds seen were; Kestrel, Starlings, Greenfinches and Nuthatch. The best sighting was of a Small Tortoiseshell in the garden plant area next to the pavilion.

It was the pavilion where most of the group found themselves at one time or another, some of us more than once!  Robert and I both tried out the 'bespoke' pies and very tasty they were too though he was disappointed to learn that chips were not part of the menu! 

Some of the group attended a 15 minute talk in the woodland area about the history of the estate. The house itself,though, is not open to the public and the gardens are only open during the snowdrop and bluebell seasons.

We made good time on the journey there and back and unusually no motorway traffic jams. See photos here

John Gavaghan

 

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