Having parked up I had a choice of two gates to walk through, but looking at the map it made sense to walk through the entrance to the north. Or so I thought! According to the map there were a couple of board walks and ponds on route, so hopefully an opportunity for some amphibians. The trail took me through a small wood where the path was covered in hundreds of Garden Slugs Arion horntensis and Large Black Slugs Arion ater. Having tipped toed my way through them the wood opened out into a bit of a glade. I'm sure if the sun was out this would be fantastic for butterflies.
Just a few of the slugs along the pathway
The Large Black Slug, Arion ater
One of the glades
As I walked through the glade I passed one of the trail posts, which suggested there were dragonflies in this area. Something to come back for when the weather warms up a bit. On the map there was a board walk marked on it and I try as I could, I couldn't see any sign of one. The map also showed a long path and this one definitely turned to the left, well before it should. And as it turned, it did so again just a few metres further on. This was definitely the wrong Map!
Trail Post
The path actually double backs on itself and runs through another glade. Though this time on the right were lots of mature trees with Grey Squirrels running about. Up ahead was a metal bench and table, which overlooked a pond. Unfortunately the pond looked as if it had a puncture in its lining and wasn't as full as it was probably supposed to be. Instead there was just a green algae sitting in the bottom.
A bench and table overlook a pool.
The hedgerow in front was a bit more interesting as a came across 2 Blackcaps, a Common Whitethroat and Chiffchaff. Having passed the hedge, the path then turned to the left and doubled backed to the car park. Which was probably just as well as the heavens opened up and the rain came lashing down. I will definitely go back again, but will probably wait until the summer when there will probably be a very good chance of butterflies and dragonflies around.
When I got home I was straight onto the Wiltshire Wildlife Trust's website and sure enough the map download link on the St Julian's Wood page was for The Firs, which is at Royal Wootton Bassett. Nevertheless it was still an interesting walk.
Birds Recorded were: Wood Pigeon, Skylark singing overhead, Dunnock, Robin, Blackbird, Song Thrush, 1 Common Whitethroat, 2 Blackcap, 1 Chiffchaff, Coal Tit, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Wren, Jackdaw, Chaffinch, Goldfinch and Greenfinch.
Also Recorded: Grey Squirrel, Garden Slug and Large Black Slug
Today's Photos Here