Lower Woods, near Wickwar, Glos.

11 June 2004. Walked in Lower woods. No nightingales as in previous years. Lacewings flying low over water, sometimes dropping into it, rolling over, floating downstream then flying up again, tempting the fish. Why? Up on the meadow banks cleared recently, Dyer’s Greenweed flowering, many grasses and reeds in the damp earth. Lots of Early Purple spotted orchids, some two feet tall! Greater Butterfly orchid, one plant on the right of the ride, a mile into the woods. More like a ‘moth’ orchid, a white shaped thing with swept-back wings. Plenty of Ragged Robin near the damp areas, Yellow Rattle and Hedge Bedstraw spreading across the clearances. Nuthatch calling. Saw two roedeer, one feeding unconcernedly in the ride, very dark red and big ears. Two Glowworms shining in the falling dusk as I stumbled back  about 10pm. Lower Woods appears to be well-managed now. This large ride with an abundance of meadow flowers seems to be cut once a year, and there are charcoal burning kilns dotted about near the coppiced hazel.