Bude’s Natural Treasures

          

On 10^th January I had an hour or so to fill in Bude so decided to look around Summerleaze Dunes in winter.

I was pleasantly surprised to see strong, fresh and vigorous growth from masses of Sea Spurge Euphorbia paralias plants.  The skeletal remains of Sea Holly Euryngium maritinum  decorated the bare sand but promised new growth later in the year.

Sea Holly

I was pleased to see that the invasive Hottentot Fig Carpobrotus edulis had been removed except for a few dropped leaves.  These were, nevertheless trying to root so I pulled them up and piled them upside down to die away. 

Hottentot Fig

Among the Spurge and Marram  Ammophila arenaria was a specimen of Rock Samphire Crithmum maritimum previously unreported on these dunes and quite out of season.  I also re-found the small but thriving patch of Sand-hill Screw-moss Syntrichia ruraliformis.

Sea Spurge, Marram Grass and Rock Samphire

Sand-hill Screw-moss

Still having some time left, I wandered towards Petherick’s Mill.  In December Bude Marsh and Valleys Survey Group had a rare sighting of a Water Rail not far from the River Life Café.  I hoped to repeat the sighting so headed there along the path from the canal basin.  As I crossed the small bridge walking towards the river bridge, I looked along the drainage channel towards the bird hide.  I was delighted to see two Water Rails between the reeds and water channel, happily feeding and tolerating each other’s company.

Water Rail

After having my fill of watching these two birds, I walked over the river bridge and spotted a Kingfisher perched in the reeds on the river bank.  My camera battery chose that moment to die.  As I changed batteries, I missed photographing a Little Egret that flew up river under the bridge.  The Kingfisher stayed long enough for me to get a photograph though.

Kingfisher

What a bounty of treasures to be found in an hour in such a small area.