Forest of Dean and Wye Valley Tour Guides
Guided walks, coach tour commentaries and talks in the Forest of Dean and Wye Valley
The prolonged dry spell and hot weather continues in the Forest but the walkers from Whitemead are un-deterred. The dogs on the weekly walk were very glad of the extra water carried for them by their thoughtful owners. In the hot weather remember to leave out water for wildlife in your garden.
Mid June: The Bluebells have gone until next Spring. The Ferns are growing higher and will soon envelope large areas in the woods and roadsides. Near New Fancy there are currently good displays of wild roses, especially on the viewpoint ifself.
In a nearby area flattened by high winds just a couple of years ago swathes of foxgloves add a splash of mauve to the predominant green of the vegetation – or as the Forest Verderers would call it the “Vert”.
A family group of walkers from the Midlands enjoyed the weekly Whitemead walk in slightly damp – but not unpleasant weather. They saw a new arrival in the yard at the Flourmill engine repair works.
The Hawthorn flowers are now past their best and are fading back ready to produce a new crop of bright red berries.
Bracken (locally known as ferns) are shooting up to replace the bluebells.
Following a few days of rain and cold weather, sunshine has returned to the Forest. At this time of year the young leaves on the trees have a transparency and hue that is lost in the summer.
These trees are still allowing plenty of light to reach the forest floor, later their leaf canopies will drastically impair plant gowth beneath them.
The bluebells need to grow and flower while there is still plenty of light available. This year due to unfavourable weather, the bluebells are late and the best displays are yet to come.
A “witch’s hat” roof in Parkend.
Finally the sun has returned to the Forest. The birds are singing, buds are bursting, Spring flowers are beginning to bloom. A diverted footpath has revealed an unusual house in Parkend.
