This is my usual bluebell wood, and although it's way too early for this spectacle, it serves as a good starting point for some walking further afield. We did spot some primroses, but we also spotted - in several points along our walk - patches of snow. It was clear that the Beast had caused significant drifts in places up here - it must have been amazing.
The reserve and wider woodland through which we walked contained numerous fresh green shoots of typical ancient woodland indicator plant species. Lots of bluebells and ramsons (wild garlic) of course, but also the often-overlooked dog's mercury. The route took us through the Rushmoor Estate's lovely ancient woodland, where it is clear much is being done to enhance it, through deer fencing to prevent copious nibbling, to recent coppicing to open up areas for more ground flora. We passed the small fort, which last year I had 'discovered', with the ramparts cloaked in ramsons, and the surrounding land in bluebells. Obviously, this was not as stark today, and actually the uniform carpet of green seemed to diminish it slightly in size.
We also encountered the strange butcher's broom plant - very spikey 'leaves' are in fact extensions of the stem, with the red fruit appearing in the middle of them. Another ancient woodland indicator of our chalky woodland fragments.
The route took us along woodland edges, with sweeping fields and pastures, and ancient sunken droveways with beautiful old oaks and beeches.
It's a wonderful part of the country to explore, and I can't wait to see it at its best in the spring, with a riot of colourful blooms.
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