On
a decent morning, another bumper gathering of 20 set out on a 2.5 mile stroll
through this hilly bit of the northern Forest near Minstead and Emery Down. We
kept to the north of the cycle track in mixed woodland where conifers have been
felled in large numbers during the last few years leaving open areas with
resin-sticky stumps to glue the unwary, resting walker to the spot.
We
headed west along the cycle track then north across trickling Bagshot Gutter
and took a zig-zag, rolling, clockwise route eventually up onto the ridge near
Stonard Wood. Turning back into the trees at Hart Hill, we reached a memorial
bench marking the lives of members of the Burnett family, clearly distinguished
in medicine and the armed forces. The vista from here has been opened up by
removal of tall, mature conifers and now the Isle of Wight can be seen on a
clear day. However, at ground-level it is a bleak prospect, but the aim might
be to make the boggy valley wetter still to restore mire. The steep, skittery
descent led back to the cycle track.
Among
the vertebrates seen was a female Roe Deer, alone in the trees looking at us
looking at her until she slowly melted into the bushes. Tiny frogs were elusive
as were some birds, identified only by their call including Blackcap,
Chaffinch, Cuckoo and Robin. There were views of Blackbird, Chiffchaff, Common
Buzzard, Nuthatch, Song Thrush and Wren. A few insects were noted such as a few
Wood Ant nests, Pond Skaters, butterflies including Brimstone and some
day-flying moths.
The
fungi Birch Polypore, Blusher, Bog Beacon and Turkey Tail were seen plus the
green-grey trumpets of a lichen, Cladonia sp. As well as dense Bracken, Hard
and Male Ferns were present. Flowering plants were abundant including late
Bluebell, Common Dog Violet, Germander Speedwell, Herb Robert, Lousewort,
Milkwort, Ragged Robin, Round-leaved Sundew, Thyme-leaved and Wood Speedwells, Tormentil,
Wood Sorrel, Wood Spurge and Yellow Pimpernel. The ground was peppered with
Beech seedlings. MW/SP