"An immense fenland" is how our Nature Group meeting place was described in prehistoric times. The Vikings gave it the name 'Carr from a word in Old Norse, 'Hjar', meaning 'Wetland’. An 18th century writer visiting the area described the view looking south from Balby High Road as "Water as far as the eye can see."
With the amount of rain that we have had in the last eight months I wonder if I should wear Scuba gear and put my boots away.
However as we left the visitor centre my choice of boots seemed to be the right one. Patches of Yellow Cowslip gave a splash of colour to the rich greens of our surroundings. Looking ahead the prolific white blossom of the Hawthorne was everywhere.
The rich foliage hid the makers of the cheerful birdsong that came from all around us, my own knowledge not been adequate for me to identify it.
Our first landmarks were landing platforms along the banks of a stream. It was where our very first nature group meeting was made many years ago. Like excited schoolkids we had peered into the trays we had scooped from the stream, watching tiny creatures darting here and there.
Through the woodlands there were many Silver Birch, many of which had bracket mushrooms attached . Looking up above us some were large discs looking for all the world like a shower head - oh no not more water!
A particular tree caught our attention, its leaves riddled with holes making patterns as intricate as Nottingham lace. Nora informed us that the tree was an Alder and the holes were created by the cleverly named Alder Beetle.
Patches of blue appeared as we continued, but the blue bells were past their best now as the season progressed
As we reached the path that led back to the visitor centre we were escorted by a solitary white butterfly. With the end in sight it left us amidst the white blossom once more.
Approaching the building we disturbed a pair of Pheasant canoodling in the undergrowth, flapping their wings irritated at being disturbed.
