Maythorn out now!

With so much hawthorn on the reserve it's easy to take it for granted, but take a closer look at one of the mass of bushes flowering right now and their beauty will surprise you. The pure white petals and pink pollen-filled stamens - simple, but very beautiful!

Cowslips galore!

The cowslips planted along the old bypass beside the Itchen Navigation are looking at there best just now, especially when viewed from the entrance at Plaque Pits Valley beside St Catherine's lock.

This picture by Bari Glew shows the bypass land in front of the hill with summer flowers including yarrow ladies mantle and knapweeds. A little taster of whats to follow.