Swineham

[puddleshark]

Works. The Moors at Arne wetland restoration project, where the Environment Agency, RSPB and Natural England are working together to adapt approximately 150 hectares of low-lying pasture into a diverse wetland habitat on the fringes of Poole Harbour.




Before the paths grow too muddy, an end-of-summer walk down to Swineham through the reed beds, and back across the flood plain meadows. The wild geese passing overhead, calling.




Canada Geese. I think I saw Greylags too, but they were too distant for a good photo.


A grey morning, and none of my photos came out well. Some days are like that.


The meadows at Swineham, more rushes than grass. A few craneflies flying up from the long grass, but far fewer than there used to be in the old days. A Sika stag glimpsed in the distance with a small harem of does.


The sun thinking about coming out...


High above the meadows, the sky full of house martins. They hunt at higher altitude than swallows.


Cones on the alder.


Back along the dark holly-lined lane to Bestwall Park. It is interestingly economical, holly.


The leaves on the lower branches - within reach of grazing animals - have all the elaborate defences.


The leaves on the higher branches, without prickles. Back when I kept horses, we used to make ourselves very popular by hooking down the higher branches on the holly, so that the ponies could munch on them as a winter treat.

Comments

[heleninwales]

I must take a closer look at the holly tree in our garden to see whether the leaves are smooth near the top. The ones near the bottom are very prickly as I discover every time I have to mow under the outstretched branches.

[puddleshark]

Yes, holly is remarkably prickly. I rediscover this every time I brush past it on one of the overgrown paths near here.

I remember reading that, historically, holly used to be used as winter fodder for livestock when hay was in short supply. The ponies certainly used to enjoy it, and never seemed to come to any harm from a munch on the leaves.