Welcome to Minchinhampton Walking and Wildlife Group

 Minchinhampton Common north side

The group was formed to share knowledge about the unique wildlife habitats in the parish of Minchinhampton and to enjoy the local environment in the company of like-minded people. We also monitor and investigate local habitats in conjunction with conservation organisations. Knowledge that we gain is shared on this website and by creating documented walks around the parish.

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 A brief visit today to Daneway Banks on a balmy afternoon produced some good butterflies including a Marbled White getting frisky with a Small Heath, several newly emerged Large Blues on Wild Thyme, Painted Lady and a less than fresh Green Hairstreak. 

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Category: Butterflies

Good to see this weekend on the lower slopes at Pinfarthings both Little Blues and Adonis Blues; both looked fresh and there were quite a few Little Blues. 

  

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Category: Butterflies

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This is an excellent short walk devised by Tony Metcalfe which, having plenty of shade, is ideal for a sunny day in May. At this time it also has the promise of seeing the rare Marsh Fritillary butterfly, and also butterfly orchids, on Strawberry Banks nature reserve. The total length is about 5.3 km (about 3 miles) with a modest amount of climbing up to the top of Strawberry Banks.

  • Park in the long lay-bye between Old Neighbourhood and the entrance to Chalford High Street. 
  • Walk towards the "Lavender Bake House" (in the Cirencester direction) until you can pick up the entrance to the canal towpath.
  • Follow the towpath for approximately 2km, going under two road bridges. 
  • After the second bridge, arriving at Baker's Mill cross the bridge over the canal onto the road and turn right (back in the Chalford direction).
  • Follow the road back across the canal and keep left in the direction of Chalford.
  • Take a rising track into the woodland below Strawberry Banks along a public footpath.
  • Explore the two fields of this nature reserve, which are rich in wild flowers and butterflies. 
  • Descend along the stream and cross over stepping stones. Note the "tufa" on the stream bed.
  • Take a rising track to Oldhill Woods (name as marked on the OS map - possibly also know locally as Three Groves Wood). There are numerous tracks through this wood the required route is broad, stays high, runs west.
  • Follow the track through woods to Valley Corner, swinging north into Dimmel's Dale.
  • Descend back to Chalford and pick up the canal again to return to your car.

 

This walk passes through Strawberry Banks nature reserve, a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), it is managed by the Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust and has open access at all times. The fields, surrounded by woodland, are Oolitic Limestone grasslands supporting a stunning variety of flora and fauna. During our brief visit the Early Purple orchid, Greater Butterfly orchid, Common Spotted orchid, Wild Columbine, Common Rockrose, Milkwort and Sainfoin providing vivid splashes of colour throughout the grassland. Strawberry Banks is a local hot spot for the Marsh Fritillary butterfly and judging by the number of photographers there, one of the most photographed. Marsh Fritillaries breed in the same patch year on year. They are found on the wing from mid May to early June with the males emerging first. The male is usually smaller than the female and slightly darker, although the colour of both sexes can vary from bright to dull and pale to dark. This was very evident during our visit. The food plant for the caterpillars is Devil's-bit Scabious and the female prefers those growing in a warm sunny position to lay her eggs on.

Strawberry Banks is the highlight of the walk but the woodlands and the pathway running between the river and canal offer many delights, Dippers skimming over the water or bobbing up and down when perched to the slanting sunlight through the fresh green leaves. Enjoy nature at it's best.

Marsh Fritillary

Marsh Fritillary at Strawberry Banks

 Strawberry Banks

Sainfoin, Strawberry Banks

 

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Category: Non-local Walks

Observed at Tom Long's Post, 8:30 am 13th May 2016. I have failed to identify the breed. It seems pleased to be free roaming again, a little apprehensive of the traffic, but giving a friendly wave to all passing cars.

More of the normal kind are definitely around as well - we have been repeating our "Remember to shut the gate!" mantra at regular interval since my first exit this morning. They are of course important nutrient re-cyclers on our "unimproved limestone grassland", but watch were you put your feet on the next walk over the Common. 

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Category: Fauna

A bit of sunshine, a bit of rain and the Common is bursting into life. On a walk to Rodborough Common today my wife, Mary, and I saw eleven difference species of butterfly, including the Duke of Burgundy, and also found that the wild-flowers are rapidly changing the appearance of the Commons. The cows arriving back on the open ground tomorrow will even find the grass growing.

Duke of Burgundy

Duke of Burgundy

 Roman Snail

"Roman" snail
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Category: General

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