This is my first blog at Coombes Valley so I will just quickly introduce myself.............
Hello, I’m Rachel and I’m the new warden intern at the reserve. It’s been a busy start to my placement and I have been enjoying getting out and about assisting with the visitor trail upkeep with my newly acquired brush-cutting skills. This has given me a great opportunity to get to know the reserve, which is certainly looking stunning in all its Autumn glory (even if a bit drizzly at times).
My mornings at Coombes have been spent keeping track of moths on the reserve. The cooler weather has meant a much quieter trap than the last few months but yesterday I did see my first green brindled cresent, a real treat with its beautiful iridescent wings. Sadly, it didn’t hang around long enough for me to get a picture.
A sunny Saturday afternoon this weekend made a trip out on the reserve a must!
The network of paths around the reserve are all so inviting and I wasn’t sure which route to take but having time on my side I decided to make a day of it and take in the whole reserve.
Pick a path by Rachel Coyle
It is alive with colour here at the moment as Autumn sets in and almost as soon as I set off down the main path I chanced upon some beautiful fly agaric toadstools sheltered by a low hanging birch tree. As the bright red warning colour suggests these toadstools are highly toxic and as I hovered around them trying to get a good picture I did notice an unpleasant smell exuding from them, this apparently makes them very attractive to insects, certainly looks like something has been having a nibble at this one.
Fly agaric by Rachel Coyle
The warmer weather has also encouraged butterflies to get out and about again. During my walk I came across a variety of species basking in the meadows and sun dappled clearings of the woodland including this speckled wood which settled on a hawthorn leaf for a moment, long enough for me to take a quick picture.
Speckled wood by Rachel Coyle
The reserve is full of peaceful and beautiful spots to sit and take a breath. The woodland above Cloughmeadow looks stunning as the first hint of autumnal colour starts to appear in the leaves.
Cloughmeadow by Rachel Coyle
Coombes Brook Bridge down in the valley also makes a tranquil resting place to sit and listen to the rushing water, with the possibility of a rare kingfisher sighting for the very lucky, unfortunately on this occasion it wasn’t me.
Coombes Brook by Rachel Coyle