Bath Nats Field Trip to
Rainbow Woods on 20th
November 2013
A total of eight members braved the wet and windy weather to enjoy
some of the trees and their associated wildlife within Rainbow Woods itself and
part of Bath's Skyline Walk through a small part of the National Trusts
woodland. We began by observing the prolific natural regeneration, together
with the community planting within the area adjacent to North Road also known
as ‘Free Fields’, which was almost totally blown down in one night following the
devastating storm of 25 January 1990. Whilst the loss of such a unique and
beautiful Beech woodland was considered very sad by many people at the time, it
was evident that the 'new' young woodland has now become much more interesting.
There are many more species of trees including Silver Birch, Ash, Sycamore,
Wild Cherry, Scots Pine as well as young Beech along with a very much richer
under-storey of native shrubs and herbaceous plants all of which has improved
the wildlife diversity of the woodland in general.
Despite the loss of the majority of the mature Beech within this
area, members were treated to the beauty of a number of mature trees that
withstood the storm and a glimpse of what the former woodland must have looked
like. This was nowhere more apparent than in the two majestic Beech that are
still growing on a steep bank next to the old gymnasium in the grounds of Prior
Park College with their amazing exposed root systems that at least three
generations of children have used as steps and a launch pad for the rope swing
tied high in a long lateral limb.
After a coffee break, our gentle pace continued despite heavy rain, past
a stand of mature Lime trees with characteristic epicormic growth around their
base, towards a splendid view of the City – or at least it would have been if
it hadn’t been raining quite so hard! Then, as the rain began to give way to a
brighter spell, our walk continued towards Rainbow Wood House where Oak,
Hornbeam and Sweet Chestnut were seen in their 'open grown' state along with a
small group of Redwing feeding amongst the numerous ancient ant hills that
littered the field below us. Back through the National Trust skyline woodland a
number of fungi were found including Ivory Wax Caps (Hygrophorus cossus) Yellow-staining Wood Mushroom (Agaricus placomyces) and Foxy Dapperling
(Lepiota vetriosospora).
Heading back towards Free Fields, mature Silver Birch were observed
with their 'Witches Brooms' looking just like a large birds nest or a squirrels
drey, which are caused by a fungus known as Taphrina
betulina, which makes the tree produce a mass of small twigs. Also growing in the woodland edge alongside
the public footpath were native hedgerow trees including Spindle and Dogwood,
the former sporting their pink capsules with clashing bright orange seeds.
By this time the rain had stopped and there was blue sky breaking
through the grey clouds providing a pleasant and colourful walk back to our
cars.
Photograph by Peter Shirley
Paul Wilkins