My first encounters with Blean woods were not entirely happy ones. Cross country running. Wasn’t my thing at all, but I still had to plodge round before returning to school in nearby Canterbury. This was a long time ago and I haven’t any recollections of the wildlife at all – just the burning sense of injustice that only cross country running can leave in the non-runner.
I’ve been back a few times since – not nearly enough as the Blean is an impressive place. I’m writing this blog post from my family half term holiday and the sunny weather and news that Blean’s signature species was already on the wing (another sign of this early spring). The species in question is the heath fritillary butterfly – a rare woodland gem that thrives where its food plant, cow wheat, grows. The heath fritillary’s needs are a key part of how we manage the RSPB Blean Woods nature reserve.
Blean is one of those places where you can immerse yourself – circular trails extend to over 8 miles (though there are shorter ones) and ancient coppice dating back a thousand years gives way to high forest and then suddenly you break out into heathland before the path dives into the cool shade once again.
Searching for butterflies - a family activity
And then the winding woodland path crosses a dramatic ride, transecting the woodland and bringing the sun down to ground level. We turned on to one of these and almost at once, the black and orange chequered heath fritillaries were dancing in the sun – we counted 29 along just one section of the ride.
Heath fritillary
Jack loves his butterflies – but I think the wood ants ran them close we walked next to a column of ants trailing back to a massive nest. And all to a sound track of woodland birds – and not a single cross-country runner in sight!
Blean is well worth a visit and the heath fritillaries will be at their peak in a week or so.
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