Ripley Castle Grounds and Gardens was the last BEES’ outing before Covid restrictions began. Today, eleven members enjoyed a return visit.
With pick up points met, Julia chose the minor roads so affording opportunity to see life returning to the countryside and, as we have come to expect, the first red kite of the day. Parking in the Castle carpark near the Cedar of Lebanon with its impressive display of cones was a good botanical start to the day. The takeaway café barred the way to the grounds so early decisions were necessary. Some chose hot drinks, others icecream while some resisted temptation.
Sally, as leader, proposed following the circular walk centred on, yet at most parts distant from, the lake. As interests were followed the group splintered then reformed. Others chose the lakeside path.
An early sight was a herd of female fallow deer moving in the opposite direction to our route. Near the lake a group of oyster catchers were more stationary while on the water mallard, shelduck, little grebe and teal were seen. A pair of mandarin ducks were watched from the weir bridge as was a little egret on the fence of the distant boardwalk. A good number of Canada and Greylag geese were feeding on the wetland to the north side of the lake. Both red kite and buzzard were seen in flight. Later, near the ice house, Sue spotted a buzzard on the ground. We watched as it rose and pounced a number of times but were too far away to see its victims. Woodland birds seen were long-tailed tits, nuthatch and thrush as well as the more common robin, tits and blackbirds. Drumming by a great spotted woodpecker and the laughing call of a green woodpecker punctuated our lunch break.
The walk up the parkland was slow with each ancient tree being given full attention. Oak and sweet chestnut were prime examples. (See gallery) Unflattering words like lumpy, twisted or knobbly, are useful to describe these veterans, however, to me they are powerful and striking examples of nature’s ability to cope with adversity and to endure. Practical fieldwork was applied to obtain the circumference measurement of a massive oak trunk in order to calculate its age. The result is not yet in! Inside those gnarled and misshapen structures life goes on as shown by the branches bearing new buds. Fine mosses and small Cladonia lichens were only two of the numerous species which call the tree cavities home. Having gazed with awe into the inside of yet another veteran tree possibly felled by lighting, we sat beside it contentedly tolerating the fine drizzle and ate our lunch. The afternoon section continued through parkland and into woodland. We admired the redwoods, puzzled over some non native trees and, in John’s absence, were unable to identify the fungus with very dark fruiting bodies. Could it have been Herald of Winter? My next sighting was easy, a comma butterfly. The most conspicuous flowers today were the cultivated ones but in the woodland dog’s mercury, primroses and cowslips were seen. Other wild flowers were mainly of the mini white type with Common Whitlow Grass in drifts on the bridge over the weir. The walk finished with quick visits to the hot houses, walled and kitchen gardens.
Thanks to Sally, Julia and Kevin for their contributions to the day. Hopefully Kevin has
recovered from the shock of driving the whole of Pool bank without a stop!
See the photos here.
Alice