April 2008 – Coney’s Castle

On a warm sunny morning 10 of us met Marjorie Waters at Coney’s Castle just as the mist cleared. We set off round the ramparts, looking at the white-flowered Climbing Corydalis which, like the first Bluebells, was just coming into bloom. At the end of the Castle we descended past Great Combe Farm, where the first Swallow of the year was flitting around; we had already heard both Chiffchaffs and Blackcaps. 

By the footpath down to the stream a few Early Purple Orchids were coming into flower in the hedge. We then ascended the western side of the valley and skirted round its head, passing the old monastic fish pond that gives the area its name. Here we admired the recent hedge-laying and reed clearance but lamented the abundant and invasive New Zealand Pygmyweed. Primroses, Wood Sorrel, Greater Stitchwort, Wood Anemone and Lesser Celandine were everywhere in the hedges, and towards the end we saw a few Cowslips. Wrens and Dunnocks were both in good voice, a Sparrowhawk raced away in front of us, and a Green Woodpecker called as it flew up the valley. A delightful morning!