Phragmites Reed

 

Since the restoration of the forest streams, and the subsequent natural re-wilding of the bogs and mires which feed them, Phragmites Reed or Common Reed (phragmites australis) is fast becoming re-established in wetter spots. This has been particularly noticeable over the last couple of years. The higher levels of water retention is to their liking. I like it, they remind me of reconstruction illustrations of Mesolithic and Neolithic landscapes and hunting scenes.

In the summertime

 

'In the summertime, when the weather is high', quite, you'd have to be high to think this constitutes summertime. Blimey. I beleive a mistake of the climate change narrative is focusing so heavily on record tempratures and extremes, it gives the wrong impression. That might be the lot of others, though I see this as our climate change, at least in the meantime. Yeah, we'll experience some high temperatures, some extremes, though mostly a climate which lacks ryhme or reason, a barely seasonal smorgasboard of random unpredictable weather, slowly degrading as everything slides out of sync. This morning we had overcast, muggy and damp. Have you noticed there's been a noticable decline in the accurracy of the weather wizeads too, and a long term forecast has become a think of yore. Still, the forest is always lovely whatever; and it wasn't raining.

Carr wood

A lush sea of greens, the carr woodland running along side the restored length of Avon Water above Wootton Bridge is something to behold. They exert an allure over you, the call of the primeval maybe. We know from environmental archaeology that this type of environment would've been well known to our prehistoric ancestors, a favoured landscape as rich source of resource opportunities. We also know that these wet places were sacred to our ancestors through the numerous ritually deposited artefacts and burials associated with them. I think I'm going to have to go for an explore.

Bog Asphodel

The tapered spikes of densely packed dainty yellow flowers you'll notice in the boggy habitats of the forest are Bog Asphodel (Narthecium ossifragum). They're a very pretty flower.

Cotton Grass

 

Cotton Grass (Eriophorum angustifolium) is usually a common sight in the wet boggy regions of the forest, but this year appears to have been a particularly good year for it. Remember it, as it's a good indicator that you don't want to be walking where it's growing due the potentially hazardous nature of bog. Although it's called 'grass' it's actually a member of the sedge family. And its uses? Well, its stems and seeds are edible, and its roots and leave have medicinal astringent properties, and it has also been used to stuff pillows and to dress wounds at different times. Most things our here have some use or other, we've just forgotten them. Maybe it's time we began remembering.

Orchids

In a wet corner of a lowland meadow near Ossemsley ford on Avon Water, Southern Marsh orchids (Dactylorhiza praetermissa) are just beginning to burst forth and open. If you fancy a challenge, there are 15 species of wild orchid in the New Forest to spot between now and Autumn. On your marks!

Keep to the footpath

What with the sucking bog and all, walking in these parts can be frought with problems, you'd be wise to keep strictly to the footpath.

Obsidian pools

The sky touches an obsidian pool.

Holmsley Bog

Where ever you look evidence of the success of the stream restoration program is clear to see. I regularly comment on how the slower transit of water through the Forests' waterways is changing the nature of its' streams and their environs; it's also invigorated their watersheds too, where the Forests' bogs and mires are looking healthy. Which is a good thing.  These are rare environments. The Forests' shallow valley wetlands represent 80% of those in Lowland England.

Duck Hole

The view across Duckhole Bog, with Ferny Knap then Rhinefield Sandys' beyond.

Holmhill Bog

 

Our walk this morning was out on the exposed open heath of Wilverley Plain and Holm Hill and adjacent wet heath and bog valleys of Holmhill and Duck Hole bogs. Through Holmhill Bog there's a raised path at a point where a pond has developed; the pond is about half a mile from Ober Water into which the bog eventually empties; the water here is clean and clear, the colour of strong black tea.

Slick

A colourful slick on a wetland tributary, not to worry though as this oily slick is not the consequence of contamination, rather a natural phenomena caused by bacteria.  Groovy looking, reminds me of marbling with oil paints.

Bogbean

 

A particularly attractive wildflower the Bogbean (Menyanthes trifoliata) is nationally uncommon, though a fairly common sight in the wetter areas of the forest. Lucky us I say.

Duck Hole

 

Fingers of boggy wetland fill the hollows and shallow valleys of the forest, fed by springs and a filigree of rivulets, and helped massively by the regions underlying geology heavy with clays, they're the life blood of the landscape. Frequently  hidden, neglected, avoided by walkers in favour of easier terrain, they're strange eerie places, often very quite and unusually still, chains of dark peat stained pools, fringed in places with wiry carr wood. Our ancestors believed these places spiritually significant, a boundary between worlds maybe, or a source life and renewal, to them powerful magic and/or deities dwelt here. Maybe they still do.

 

Duck Hole

The heatwave continues, and forest dries out further. Or so it appears. No, that's being disingenuous, the forest is really dry on the whole, though if you venture off the beaten track, off into the heathland hollows you'll find them still wet, and a filigree of rivulets being fed by hidden springs still flowing well.  Take Duck Hole Bog here, in a fold below what was Markway enclosure (now clear felled and harvested), verdant and lovely, clear tannin tinged water bubbling along in stark contrast to the increasingly parched open heath around it. Definitely, a place to sit a while and take in the summer forest.