A Bluebell Wood Walk Around Parbold 19th May 2018

.Date should be 19th May 2018.

Bluebells in the hedgerow early in the walk.

An early encounter, but wasn't hanging around to have a photo taken. 

One of two Brown hares seen on the edge of a wood North of Parbold Hill.

A Celtic cross memorial in a hamlet North west of Prior's Wood Farm.

Wild Ramsons, a flower in abundance today.

Sensible lambs.

Ramsons along the paths in the Fairy Glen.

The waterfall in the fairy Glen.

Bluebells in the Fairty Glen, Parbold.

A bank of Bluebells in the Fairty Glen, Parbold.

Bluebells in a wood North of Sparrow Hill.

Walk stats: distance: 10.1 miles. Climb: 850'..Time: 5 hours 0 minutes. On the move walking average: 2.5 m.p.h. Overall walk average: 2.0 m.p.h.

Group: Martyn, Elaine and John.

This was a good day for a walk, especially when trying to avoid all of the hysteria concerning other events taking elsewhere.

 The weather was bright and sunny with very little breeze, a little more would have been welcome as temperatures rose. the temperature must have risen above 20 Celsius at times.

 As a "Bluebell Wood Walk", the morning was a little disappointing with most of the Bluebells seen being well past their best.

 However the morning highlight was seen two Brown hares  as we descended towards Parbold Hill. One came within about 20 metres of us, but didn't stay still long enough to have its photo taken.

 Lunch was taken near the locks North west of Appley Bridge, where we took advantage of a bench. several ducks and one or two passing dogs showed great interest in what we were having for lunch, but only Elaine was willing enough to share some of her lunch with the ducks.

 as we walked along the towpath of the Leeds and Liverpool Canal we saw one female Mallard with at least 11 ducklings, but they weren't easy to count as they seemed were quite scattered, but still within about 10 metres of their parent.

 Bluebells were a little better in the afternoon, with good banks of them seen in the Fairy Glen and a wood North of Sparrow Hill.

 Distant view were very hazy, although we could just about see the mast on Winter Hill at one point and Blackpool Tower at another point.

 Birds seen or head today included: Chiffchaff, Willow warbler, Song thrush, Mallard, Greenfinch, Chaffinch, Common blackbird, Black-headed gull, Rook, Woodpigeon, Common starling, Wood nuthatch, Blackcap, European robin, Grey wagtail and Common pheasant.

 Although the Bluebells weren't at their best there were plenty of flowers blooming including: Greater stitchwort, Buttercups, Ramson, red clover, Herb robert, Red campion, Blackthorn and Hawthorn.

 We arrived back at the cars having had a good pleasant walk despite the Bluebells not being at their best, with the added bonus that our boots were still clean, the absence of rain over the last week meant that the usual muddy sections had mud that was baked hard, making our progress much easier.

 After walk drinks were enjoyed with a cup of tea when we got home, Elaine and John about 15-30 and me about an hour later.

 Overall a good walk to be repeated, but nearer the beginning of May to catch the Bluebells at their best.