Michelle Salter writes:

Along the path from Boathouse Corner to Hemelite Bay, you will see the shiny, bright yellow petals of Marsh Marigold bringing bold splashes of colour to the edges of the pond. A member of the buttercup family, this ancient native plant, also known as Kingcups, May-bubbles, and Mollyblobs appears in early spring and is sometimes still in flower late into the summer months. Its sturdy, dark green, heart-shaped leaves offer shelter to frogs and other pond creatures.

Also making an appearance at Hemelite Bay, and on the banks of the smaller pond to the side, is the Cuckoo flower. Commonly known as Lady’s Smock, it has pretty, pink cupped or ‘frocked’ flowers. These pale blooms attract moths and early-flying butterflies such as the Orange-Tip, as well as bees and flies.

Adding colour to the woods and along the banks of the Brookly Stream are masses of tiny Forget-me-nots. The five sky-blue petals of the Forget-me-not fuse at the base to form a very narrow tube and the five yellow scales form a ring at the entrance of this tube. The golden colour in the centre of the flower attracts pollinating insects and is a nectar source for early solitary bees.

Common dog-violets are currently peeking out from under the boardwalks around the Gelvert Stream and Sandy Bay area. Unscented, these are one of the commonest violets and can be identified by the curved, paler spur at the back of the purple petals. The leaves of violets are a vital food source for the caterpillars of certain butterflies, particularly the Fritillaries, as they thrive for many months after the flowers have faded.

Next month, look out for Bogbean and the dreaded Skunk Cabbage.

Picture credits: Michelle Salter

Michelle Salter writes:

If you catch the scent of fried onions as you walk through Brookly Glade this week, it’s not your imagination. Amongst the beeches in the glade, alliums are currently in flower and giving off a strong, oniony fragrance. The variety here is the Caucasus immigrant, Allium paradoxum, known as Few-flowered leek or garlic. Part of Brookly Glade was once a privately owned garden, hence the number of imported flora in this part of the nature reserve. The British variety, Three-cornered leek, has a three-cornered cross-section of the stem and is larger and smellier than our imports.

After I’d photographed the alliums, I turned to find I was being watched. A pair of roe deer were standing under the trees on the other side of the fence, enjoying the sunshine. They didn’t appear to be disturbed by my presence and this fellow obligingly posed for the camera.

Picture credits: Michelle Salter

Michelle Salter writes:

The flowers of Wood sorrel (Oxalis acetosella) traditionally appear between Easter and Whitsun. This has led to the plant becoming popularly known as Alleluia throughout Europe.

This Easter, the delicate white, veined flowers can be seen in clumps either side of the path that runs alongside the Gelvert Stream passed the bridge towards Sandy Bay. A shade-loving plant that often forms large groups, Wood sorrel loves damp, mildewy soil and can grow in locations that see only one percent daylight.

The distinctive leaves of Wood sorrel have led many botanists to suggest that it was actually the original Irish Shamrock, rather than clover. St. Patrick is thought to have used the trifoliate leaves of Wood sorrel as his visual aid when he preached the Holy Trinity.

The three drooping, heart-shaped leaves are connected to the leaf stalk by limbs that undergo different movements. In normal shade or diffused light they lie fully open, whereas at night or in direct sunshine they droop downwards and fold onto their stem in a ‘sleeping position’.

Picture credits: Michelle Salter

Related blog post: May 2013 Wildflower Watch – Wood sorrel

Michelle Salter writes:

As you cross Brookly Bridge, the yellow flowers of Lesser Celandine (Ranunculus ficaria) are currently bringing some welcome colour to the banks of the stream. A member of the buttercup family, Lesser Celandine is one of the earliest spring wildflowers to appear and provides nectar and pollen for bees emerging from hibernation. Visible only when in bloom from March to May; Lesser Celandine dies back completely after flowering.

The photo above shows Brookly Stream before the bridge was erected in 1977 (you can just make out a thin plank laid across the water to allow the team of volunteers, preparing to install the new bridge, to reach the opposite bank). If you compare it to the picture below, look at the difference in the width of the stream and the lack of mud banks in the older photo. The celandine seed, brought down by the stream, has grown up along the banks of the deposited silt.

The yellow flowers of Gorse (Ulex europaeus), a traditional heathland plant, can also be seen coming to life all around the pond, in particular on the Dry Heath and at Sandy Bay. A member of the pea family, the bright golden flowers of gorse have a gentle coconut fragrance and provide nectar for early emerging Brimstone butterflies.

Photo credits: Michelle Salter

Brookly Steam 1977 photograph courtesy of Colin Gray.

In a previous post, Joanna described what to see at Fleet Pond during winter including “siskins often flock together with redpolls and these mixed flocks are commonly seen in the areas of wet woodland around the Pond where they feed on the seeds of alder and birch”.

I thought it would be good to have some pictures so that everyone could keep an eye out for them! The siskin is pictured above and the redpoll below.

Picture credits: siskin here and redpoll here.