Page 15 - BBC Wildlife Volume 36 #04

WILD APRIL

THE KIT

Any self-respecting th
he field such as Collins
botanist needs ahand Wild Flower Guide
W
lens.These magnifierrs (2016), Wild Flowers
(right) help confirm the of Britain and Ireland
identity of those trickieer (2003),The Wildflower
(
species.A goodwildflower Key (2006) or Harrap’s Wild
y
Ke
0
0
(2
guide should also be taken into Flowers (2013).
CHOICE LOCATIONS
Bearinmind that spring arrives Bradfield Woods,
over a month later in the Suffolk Wildlife Trust.
northeast of Scotland when Steeped in history, this is
compared to England’s southwest simply one of Britain’s finest
coast.Here are five UK locations ancient woodlands.
to visit for your spring floral fix:
Coed Felinrhyd
Lower Woods, & Llennyrch,
Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust. GwyneddWoodlandTrust.An
One of the largest ancient extraordinary surviving fragment
woodlandsinthe southwest. of the Celtic rainforest in Wales.
Warburg Reserve, RSPB Abernethy Forest,
Berks, Bucks and Oxon Wildlife Cairngorms National Park. The
Trust. An incredibly rich mosaic largest remaining remnant
Caledonian
or
F
or
F
gr
and
sland
as
s
Caledonian
oodland
w
ancient
in
ancient
o o
o o f f w oodland and gr as sland in of ancient Caledonian Forest
of woodland and grassland in
t
t
e
s
f
f
e
the Chilterns. in Scotland.
KEY WILDLIFE
Wood anemone are pollinatedby bees, but
One of the earliest the minute blooms later
of all spring flowers, in summer also produce
wood anemone (right) viableseed.
is one of the most
Ea
rl
faithful indicators that Early purple orchid
you’re in the company of ancient One of the commonest of all
trees. Despite its flowers being British orchids, this handsome
pollinated by beetles, flies and plant (below) is widespread
bees, the seed is rarely fertile, so in many British woodlands
it spreads by creeping across the situated on non-acidic soils.
wood’s floor at a snail’s pace. Smelling like lily-of-the-valley
when they first emerge, mature
Ramsons plants take a pungent turn,
Known by many as wild garlic, with their pinkish-purple flowers
ramsons are commonest in then reeking of tom-cat.
damp places, such as along
streams or in wet, heavy soil. Wood sorrel
The tasty leaves appear Surely the most
first and by the time the distinctive feature
MANY WOODLAND umbel of white flowers have of this delicate
` SPRING FLOWERS ARE emerged, the collective odour woodland species
is almost overwhelming. has to betheir
ALSO EPHEMERAL BY NATURE, drooping,
MAKING THE TIMING OF Common dog violet shamrock-
YOUR VISIT EVERYTHING.” Separated from its sweet cousin shapedleaves.
byitspale mauve and unscented
Found in cool,
flowers,‘the dog’is found in shady woods,the
woodsall over Britain, except in lilac-veined flowers
the far north. The spring flowers are first seen inApril.
April 2018 BBC Wildlife 15