On Saturday 4th April, Colin Dibb led a walk in the lower Pang valley. The sun shone brightly as the group set out from Little Heath in Tilehurst down a steep path through the woods where spring flowers included both Common and Early Dog-violets, Wood Anemones and Wood Sorrel. Wild Cherry trees and Blackthorn bushes were covered in blossom and Brimstone and Peacock butterflies were flying in the sunshine. The group paused to admire the wonderful display of primroses and violets in Sulham churchyard. The walk continued past new-born calves in the fields next to the Sulham Brook. Cowslips were in flower in the drier parts of Corner Meadow in BBOWT’s Moor Copse nature reserve, while in the wetter parts, the bright green leaves of Great Burnet contrasted with the darker green of Meadowsweet. The route then led along Nunhide Lane, before climbing steeply back up through the woods to Tilehurst.
The walk was attended by 23 members.
Plant species observed:
Glechoma hederacea Ground ivy
Viola riviniana Common dog-violet
Viola reichenbachiana Early dog-violet
Ranunculus ficaria Lesser celandine
Anemone nemorosa Wood anemone
Asperula odorata (in bud) Woodruff
Sanicula europaea Sanicle
Ruscus aculeatus Butcher’s broom
Hyacinthoides non-scripta Bluebell
Potentilla sterilis Barren strawberry
Mercurialis perennis Dog’s mercury
Acer campestre Field maple
Prunus avium Wild cherry
Primula vulgaris Primrose
Euphorbia amygdaloides Wood spurge
Corylus avellana Hazel
Oxalis acetosella Wood-sorrel
Prunus spinosa Blackthorn
Erophila verna Common whitlow grass
Veronica filiformis Slender speedwell
Humulus lupulus (young plants) Hop
Ribes rubrum Redcurrant
Ribes uva-crispa Gooseberry
Ranunculus auricomus (in bud) Goldilocks buttercup
Sanguisorba officinalis (leaves and old fruit heads) Great burnet
Filipendula ulmaria (ditto) Meadowsweet
Primula veris Cowslip
Bird species:
Chiffchaff
Green woodpecker
Red kite
Butterflies:
Brimstone
Peacock butterfly
Speckled Wood