Black Bush: an evening walk in the New Forest

On August 27, 2022August 25, 2022 By Amanda ScottIn Joan Begbie, New Forest, New Forest heaths, Northern New Forest, Trees and forestryLeave a comment

In which I walk among gnarly old trees and pass by graves from long ago on Black Bush Plain in the New Forest

Arne Nature Reserve: a day of sun and friendship

On August 13, 2022August 12, 2022 By Amanda ScottIn Archaeology and history, Dorset, Dorset towns and villages, Joan Begbie, Lowland heath, Wildflowers, Wildlife4 Comments

In which Joan and I visit the RSPB’s nature reserve at Arne in Dorset

Requiem for a beech

On July 30, 2022July 29, 2022 By Amanda ScottIn Joan Begbie, New Forest, Northern New Forest, Trees and forestry8 Comments

In which I grieve the falling of an old friend - a much loved beech tree in Anses Wood in the New Forest

New forest, old forest: Beaulieu Heath and its woods

On July 16, 2022July 13, 2022 By Amanda ScottIn Archaeology and history, Butterflies, Joan Begbie, New Forest, New Forest heaths, Southern New Forest, Trees and forestry2 Comments

In which I visit an ancient wood, a new wood and some ancient barrows on Beaulieu Heath

The forest after rain: Beaulieu River and King’s Hat in the New Forest

On July 2, 2022July 1, 2022 By Amanda ScottIn Joan Begbie, New Forest, New Forest heaths, Southern New Forest, Trees and forestry, Wildflowers6 Comments

In which, on a sunny morning after a night of rain, I visit two ponds near the Beaulieu River and walk through King's Hat Inclosure

Highland Water and Puckpits Inclosures in the New Forest: a flower-filled walk of early summer

On June 18, 2022June 17, 2022 By Amanda ScottIn Birds, Butterflies, Joan Begbie, New Forest, New Forest heaths, Southern New Forest, Wildflowers2 Comments

In which I find wildflowers in the sunshine among the trees and heaths of Highland Water and Puckpits Inclosures and Withybed Bottom

The Grey Herons of Bickton

On June 4, 2022May 31, 2022 By Amanda ScottIn Birds, Joan Begbie, New Forest, Northern New Forest, Wildlife2 Comments

In which I walk to Bickton to find a heronry, and watch with Grey Herons by the water

Fordingbridge, Bickton and the Hampshire Avon: a walk of birdsong and buttercup-filled meadows

On May 21, 2022May 18, 2022 By Amanda ScottIn Archaeology and history, Birds, Butterflies, Joan Begbie, New Forest, New Forest towns and villages, Northern New Forest, Wildflowers6 Comments

In which I walk from Fordingbridge to Bickton and back again, among clouds of Cow Parley and buttercup-filled meadows