Abington Naturewatch: Late April flora along Abington Park Farm tracks

Ross and Anne DN have been regularly walking the paths up the hill from Chalky Road towards Abington Park Farm, and east along the grassy ride to Hildersham Wood.

Anne noted a while back, that some field margins had been sown with an autumn ‘Bumblebird’ seed mix under the Countryside Stewardship Scheme, and the results are starting to show. The best area is along the edge of the top copse and all the way to the Wood. Here there is Fodder Radish in flower (white, pink and pale lilac), with the first flowers emerging of Phacelia – a ferny-leaved plant with stunningly blue flowers. Common Vetch plants are visible by their leaves but no flowers yet.

In addition, the bulk of the green leaves are those of Winter Triticale and Winter Barley, together with self-sown Black Grass (flower-heads now appearing) and the yellow flowers of Black Mustard (or similar). Lots to see, and lots more still to come through the summer. It makes the walk so much more pleasurable and promises a good nectar supply for butterflies and seed for birds.

The wide grassy path leading to Hildersham Wood is also full of flowers: the last of the Common Dog Violet, lots of Cowslip, White Dead-nettle, Cow Parsley, Dandelion, Ground-ivy, and, just inside the Abington Parish boundary, some escapes from the amazing Bluebell carpet in Hildersham Wood. Finally, near the Chalky Road gate, the first White Campion is in flower.