I was up for a longer walk today, and I had planned to walk to Beverley via Mill Beck and Beverley Parks LNR. The day dawned sunny, still and not too cold. I walked along the avenues, St Ninians Way, Chanterlands and Bricknell Avenue with the school run crowds and then took the sedated Snuff Mill Lane.
Snuff Mill Lane.
Roe Deer does.
A snoozing Roe Deer.
Goldfinches were feeding on the buds of an Elm at the other side of the railway line.
A just fledged Woodpigeon.
The Snuff Mill house.
I crossed Cottingham, walking just by St Mary's Church and then headed towards the King George V playing fields and Mill Beck wildlife area. Large oaks became more evident along footpaths, the rich soil along paths and ground flora of verges and hedges a relict of the extensive North Wood that covered much of the area to the north of Cottingham. Place names in the area still bear the imprint of the ancient woodland: Jillywoods, Platwoods Farm, Pillwood Farm, Woodhill Farm and Norwoods. Today the only ancient wood left is Birkhill Wood and some smaller remnants. Most of the area is now arable, the land rising gently towards the Wolds, and crisscrossed by wavy becks alongside the paths and fields.
Mill Beck Wildlife Area
Mill Beck Wildlife Area meadow. The soil here is quite peaty.
Trees near Pillwood Farm. Two Skylarks were singing and squabbling on the set aside fields. A pair of Buzzards soared over the fields meowing.
Reed Bunting, Pillwood Farm.
Surprised that there is water in the ditches given how little has rained in recent months.
One of a small group of Yellowhammers at Wanlass Beck.
I follow the footpath by the railway line, crossing under the A1079, soon entering the new woodland of Beverley Parks Local Nature Reserve.
Entrance to Beverley Parks wood.
The public footpath across the young woodland. It was planted in 1990.
The fresh leaves of Arum maculatum emerging.
As I walk along the parkland, I come across this spring, and stop by the bench near it for a snack.
Another woodland relic, flowering Dog's Mercury by a spring just south of Beverley surrounded by construction sites.
Spring.
The south side of Keldmarsh a series of springs surrounded by natural vegetation, a small Yorkshire Wildlife Trust Nature Reserve.
The end of the walk was Beverley Minster. The usual Jackdaws were sitting on ledges (top shot) and a pair of Rooks sat on an aerial nearby (below)
The day's route. I returned home via bus 23 from just by Beverley station.
2 comments:
What an interesting walk. I see that Dog's Mercury is so named not because dogs use it as a medication but because it's not edible and not fit for humans -- in fact it's very poisonous. I also looked up Snuff Mill House: a grade II building of 1750. The grand Venetian window is oddly placed because it's on the stairs -- wonder why they felt the need for it here rather than gracing the living room.
It was, Ralph, really interesting, and a bit of a change from my urban ramblings. I know its a private dwelling, have't looked on any more info on the inside of the building, thank you for your insights.
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