What a day for a bike ride. I decided to visit some woodlands in the area, whilst getting a bit of exercise in at the same time. Eventually I would get as far as Shrublands. Shrublands is a country house estate a couple of miles north of where I live. Its an area of parkland, scattered areas of woodland and farmland.
It is an area that is seldom mentioned in Suffolk birdwatching circles, despite being a quite a large area. I have never heard mention of the place in any birding publication, in print or on the net. I will try to go here more often, but the amount of spare time I have is an issue.
There was the usual twinkling of birds you'd expect from a late summer wood, whilst a pair of HARES had a big fight in a woodland glade.
All the woodland area had been divided into small plots, each with their own little name delicately painted onto a sign outside. It seems the owner of the woods wants to sell it off, and by parcelling them into little blocks seems the best way to go about it. If you're interested in owning a little patch of a beautiful area of Suffolk, go ahead and buy a part of this woodland. It may improve your life and you heard it here first.
The area of parkland is situated around the actual house, a large clunky place, as over the top as you would expect from such places. It is an area of scattered ornamental trees with uncut grassland. Being uncut the area was overgrown with such enemies of the farmer as the RAGWORT, and various thistles. As a result the area was full of BUTTERFLIES, and the scratching sound of grasshoppers and crickets, something that has disappeared from the general countryside. Long may this form of management continue.
Back to the cycling. It wasn't too sunny, but very muggy and I sweltered in the heat. Then my front wheel got a puncture and I had to walk a large chunk of the route home. But in the end it was worth it. I can't really complain too much when there are such areas in the world and I can visit them.
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