Rushbeds Wood

I ran just over 5k through this reserve. I have a 10k race this sunday so I thought I'd save my legs a bit. Its a lovely reserve quite small but some lovely trails throughout. It opens out into a beautiful meadow full of wild flowers. Here are the photos....

Bernwood Meadows

My photos really do not do these stunning meadows justice. They are absolutely wild flowers and butterflies, a carpet of multiple colours! Running along side the meadows is a Forestry Commission wood which provided some fun trails and a great butterfly trail. Dozens of Ringlets and Speckled Woods raising up as I ran through. The trail ran for a short time along the M40, cars rushing by, a dramatic contrast to the tranquil wood. 

I ran 12k around this one. Through the meadows then zig zagging through the wood followed by a few circuits of the meadows. Trails varied from wide surfaced ones to twisting narrow ones with ditches and logs to jump...great fun!

I am trying to get to most of the meadow type reserves done before they get cut which will be soon I think. They certainly don't disappoint. They are so well managed, you can see a big difference between BBOWT's reserves and adjoining land. So much more diversity :)

Thank you for reading. I hope you enjoy the photos and I really hope that it tempts you to visit these wonderful places.

Warburg Nature Reserve

I have been really looking forward to this one...the handbook made it look amazing and included a photo of Steve Backshall so it must be good, (in my eyes he's a living super hero, they should make an Action Man of him) Anyway, I digress, the reserve didn't disappoint. It's sited down a tiny country lane, with a visitors centre and great pathways all around it. Hilly and flinty in places, open and sunny in others, but not much mud which made me very happy ;) Wide footpaths join on to the Wildlife Walk so there were plenty of trails to run on. I have to admit I did get a bit lost and found myself in Maidensgrove and Russells Water Commons. I ran the direction I thought was right and in the end asked a helpful mountain biker if I was heading in the right direction, which thankfully I was. I found my way back and did a couple of circuits of the Wildlife Walk to make up the distance but not risk getting lost again! 10K in total, and a few photos. I spotted a Silver-Washed Fritillary - I have included a picture as I couldn't get a photo. A first for me so I'm well chuffed with that. Bullfinches, Sparrow Hawk and loads of Marbled Whites. I stunning place.