My Wild Morning Stroll

The lane from my house to the village a mile away is bursting with life this spring. Flanked by unkempt deciduous woodland, in which shy woodcocks shuffle under the scrub and woodpeckers sound their rappings through the air, it's a lovely mix of sunny banks, full of spring flowers, and dank, shady areas with a variety of mosses and

ferns. The farmer's fields that abut part of the lane are sustainably managed, espeically since he's planted native saplings in them that skirt the edge of the lane. I've seen a difference, in the last few springs, of the abundance of wild plants and trees that are establishing. We didn't used to have bluebells at all, but now there are wreaths of them about to flower. And this year, I've seen for the very first time a type of wild English Geranium––and my favourite forage; wild garlic. There used to be the occasional violet poking demurely out through grassy patches, but now violets are bugeoning all the way down the hill. Good news for fritillary butterflies, who choose to lay their eggs on the underside of violet leaves. I do hope they spot the opportunity.

As I walk down the lane every day, listening wrens, robins, a cheerful thrush, as well as lots of tits and finches, all singing their hearts out, I did wonder if all these species had been here all along––that I just haven't noticed them. But I'm sure some of them are new, and that gives me heart, that something as mundane as an unmarked road between farms, can burst with wild things, glorying the springtime.

 

 

Today, I was so delighted with my walk,  I couldn't help but get my camera out to snap some pictures. The wild flowers I saw are:

• Bluebells
• Wood Sorrell *
• Herb Robert
• Pink Campion
• Lesser Stitchwort
• Wild Garlic*
• Shining Cranesbill
• Common Pennywort. *
• Wood Spurge (Euphorbia)
• Garlic Mustard *
• Lesser Celandine
• Blackthorn blossom
• Violets
• Bilberries 
• Cow Parsley
• Pink Campion
• Jack in the Hedge *
• Fringe Cups (garden escape)                                                           

The asterisks by some of the plants suggest they are forgeable, and, indeed I did arrive home with a handful of wild garlic leaves, from which I’ve made soup, pesto and a lemon sauce. Thanks, nature!

Have fun matching the pictures to the names above, and  why not get in touch with your own wayside flower pictures!