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I already have my own blog (accessible from my web site) which describes the walks that I go on - I generally walk 12-15 miles, two or three times a week, all over Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Hertfordshire and the southern part of Oxfordshire. Here on my WAB blog I will just comment on the wildlife that I see on my walks. I love being out in the countryside and enjoy seeing all types of wildlife, but I am especially interested in birds and wildflowers.
Bison Hill
Posted 29-06-2008 at 05:36 PM by Pete Collins
RingletThis afternoon I had a short walk at Bison Hill, a steep area of chalk downland that is so-called because Whipsnade Zoo has a paddock containing American Bison (or Buffalo) on one side of the hill.
Immediately above the car park is a small level area of grass where I found numerous Pyramidal Orchids - I expected to see them, as they were here last year. I also saw some Ringlet butterflies and a Marbled White.
Marbled WhiteI then wandered along some of the paths going up and down the steep chalky hillside, including one tiny path I'd not walked before. There are two or three old drovers paths, so ancient they have worn grooves in the hillside, so that you have the steep hill on one side and a small bank on the other. Along one of these I found an absolute profusion of Common Spotted Orchids, more than I've ever seen anywhere else. There were a few more Pyramidal Orchids, and some Common Twayblade too. I also saw a Red Admiral on the path.
Common Spotted OrchidsOther flowers I saw included Common Rock-rose, Germander Speedwell, Wild Mignonette and Lady's Bedstraw. Near the bottom of the slope I came across a very tiny white flower which I'm pretty sure was Squinancywort.
Squinancywort
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Recent Blog Entries by Pete Collins
- College Lake (21-06-2009)
- Fowlmere (21-11-2008)
- Fallow deer at Ashridge (17-10-2008)
- A walk near Royston (10-09-2008)
- A very long Wildflower Walk! (04-07-2008)
