Walks Fauna and Flora
The walks described here take you across fields, through woods and along the banks of the River Frome. These provide a variety of habitats for mammals, birds, insects, and wild flowers. The Frampton Cotterell Nature Group have more information about the diverse range of wildlife in the area.
English bluebell
English bluebells can be seen along the River Frome and in patches of woodland in spring.
Kingfisher
You may be lucky and catch a glimpse of a kingfisher along the River Frome. Though relatively common they are also very shy but the flash of electric blue as it darts along the river is unmistakeable.
Comfrey
Comfrey has large hairy leaves and drooping flowers ranging from white to purple. It is common along the Frome in late spring.
Yellow Hammer
Yellow hammers can be heard singing along Frampton End Road on summer evenings.
Peacock Butterfly
The spectacular eyespot patterns of the peacock butterfly are unmistakeable. They lay eggs on nettles along the River Frome and huge numbers of spiny, black caterpillars hatch in midsummer.
Whitethroat
A summer visitor easily identified by its eponymous white throat.
Speckled Wood Butterfly
The Speckled Wood is a common sight in woodland and in grassland.
Roe Deer
Roe deer can occasionally be spotted in the fields or investigating the crops on offer at the allotments!
Common Figwort
Grows in damp, shady places along the river. Recognisable by unusual square stems
Banded Demoiselle
The male Banded Demoiselle is an iridescent blue/green colour, and has a distinctive "thumb mark" patch on its wing.
Beautiful Demoiselle
The male Beautiful Demoiselle is a similar colour but the wings are initially a metallic bronze colour, turning darker as they mature.
Female Demoiselle
The females of both species are a metallic yellowy-green colour.
Blackthorn bushes
Early to blossom, blackthorn trees have clouds of snow-white flowers which appear before the leaves in early spring. Their blue black fruits appear in profusion in autumn and although too astringent to eat are used to make sloe gin.
Buzzard
Listen for the plaintive call of the buzzard as it circles overhead. Or look for its heavy-set profile perched in the tops of tall trees. Often seen in family groups soaring over Frampton End Road in late summer.
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