Our off-road mobility trampers have been very popular with the recent dry weather and influx of visitors to the Country Park so today I decided to take one on my ranger patrol. It’s good to have the experience yourself and better understand the routes and terrain when you are promoting the trampers to visitors.
I followed waymarked Meadow Tramper route starting from the Castle, through the woodland towards the Lighthouse. The thicket of Bay, Ivy and Holm Oak creates this darker, mysterious enclosed part of the woodland which is great for bird spotting. The sound of Blue-tits, Wren, Robin, Blackbird and Wood Pigeon ring out from all around. The Ash trees leaves are just starting to brown and curly up at the edges while the leaves of Sycamore of some trees are falling all around including their seeds.
I followed the log lined woodchip path until I reached Lighthouse Road, where the view opened up to a wide expanse of coastline, Anvil Point Lighthouse down in the Gully and St Albans Head to West. Along the top of Lighthouse Field, possibly the most bio-diverse field within the Country Park I found Greater Knapweed, Woolly Thistle, Spear Thistle, Sow-thistle and Mouse-ear Hawkweed all browning and going to seed.
Through the Centenary meadow I stopped to observe the flutter of birds along the field edge; Blue tit, Chiffchaff and Wheatear, while across the meadow Swallow, Meadow Pipit and House Martins flew all around. Small White butterflies fluttered, and White-lipped Snails slithered amongst the short grass.
Turning into the drove was like entering a wind tunnel lined with Sloe Berries, Haw Berries, Blackberries, Ivy Berries and Rosehips.
Reaching Saxon meadow, a fantastic mosaic habitat with large scrub patches, dry-stone walls, narrow tree lined paths, bare ground, short turf and tall grasses. Along the route Agrimony, Toadflax, Red Bartsia, Autumn Lady’s Tresses and Red Clover. I finished my Tramper route at the Learning Centre, a very enjoyable experience and next time I must remember that when you put your hand out to grab a passing Blackberry you come to an abrupt halt!