There and Back

Fox Fritillary Meadow is an ancient floodplain. It is the largest of four remaining sites for the snake's head fritillary in Suffolk, and it was to here that we booked to visit to see these beautiful wild flowers. Visiting Fox Fritillary Meadow is by prior arrangement only, and visitor numbers are restricted, so we booked some 2 months back for this year. According to Suffolk Wildlife Trust:- The Snake's-head fritillary is a most unusual looking wildflower and the UK's only native fritillary species. When in bloom in spring, this flamboyant wildflower is unmistakable. Its nodding purple and sometimes white flowers have distinctive chequer-board markings resembling a snake’s skin. Before it flowers its presence may be overlooked as the foliage is grass-like, but once in flower it is a spectacular sight, forming a wonderful purple haze across the meadow. The number of local names, including Snake's-head lily, Crowcup, Leper's Bells and Chequered Lily, suggest that...

Minsmere is a great place to spend some hours, which we have done on numerous occasions. Today being one of those days, albeit with large numbers of other people! The Wikipedia entry gives a brief description of the place:- RSPB Minsmere is a nature reserve owned and managed by the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) at Minsmere, Suffolk. The 1,000-hectare (2,500-acre) site has been managed by the RSPB since 1947 and covers areas of reed bed, lowland heath, acid grassland, wet grassland, woodland and shingle vegetation. It lies within the Suffolk Coast and Heaths Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) and the Suffolk Heritage Coast area. It is conserved as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), Special Area of Conservation (SAC), Special Protection Area (SPA) and Ramsar site. The nature reserve is managed primarily for bird conservation, particularly through control and improvement of wetland, heath and grassland habitats, with particular emphasis on enco...

Some years we appear to have a considerable amount more wet weather than others. During these times, Layham takes on a new look, and indeed, the whole area does. This year was one of the wetter ones, although not the worst we have seen. Here are some of the images I have taken when we have experienced large rainfalls. The seat in the conservation area. You needed wellingtons to reach it, and the view was a bit different from normal. Where does the river start or finish? The path through the trees is flooded, but the odd oasis produces the occasional surprise. ... such as crocuses still managing to produce some colour. .... and snowdrops. It's as well that this house is standing on pillars of brick, although this year the water was not quite as deep but near enough. Facing the other way, the garden? and tennis court of the neighbours property. The water as it thunders under the bridge and down the overflow beside the b...