Things to do this weekend #2

British bluebells

Search for Bluebells at Swell Woods

Just off the A378 heading out from Curry Rivel towards Fivehead, Swell Woods is home to nesting herons and little egrets at this time of year and, from mid-April to late May, an abundance of bluebells!

And it's free!

The native bluebell – (Hyacinthoides non-scripta) is known by many names, some less common than others, such as English bluebell, British bluebell, English harebell, wild hyacinth, cuckoo's boots, granfer griggles, witches' thimbles, lady's nightcap, fairy flower, cra'tae (crow's toes).

But don't confuse it with the Spanish bluebell (Hyacinthoides hispanica), which is quite similar to the British bluebell but grows upright rather than nodding to one side like the British bluebell.

Can you spot the difference?

nb: the British bluebell is protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act (1981) and it is against the law to pick, uproot or destroy them.

Tread carefully!

More info on Swell Woods here