Knapwell Woods

Mothers Day today, and my choice of activity was a stroll round Knapwell Woods this afternoon.

The woods are on the site of an old manor house. They used to be predominantly Elm, but sadly Dutch Elm Disease has played havoc with the mature trees and the trees now are a mixture of regenerating Elm and young Ash, with the occasional mature Oak. The site hosts a fairly major badger set, and it's a good spot for badger watching in the Summer. There is also a rust-coloured chalybeate well, once held to have medicinal powers (not that I'd fancy drinking the water myself!)

Although the woods were bare of leaves today, the signs of Spring were there - new Stinging Nettles coming up, the arrow-shaped leaves of Lords and Ladies (Cuckoo Pint), and shoots of foliage giving a hint of the glories to come - Oxlips and Bluebells later in the Spring.