Bluebells & Bird Cherries

Went to Lynford today, starting from a parking area in Thetford Forest & walking northwards through the forest to Lynford Water (flooded gravel pits bordered by sandy heathland) & the River Wissey, then back along the boundary of the Stanford army training area to Lynford Arboretum and the forest again. We've done the walk before, but not at this stage of Spring - the area is more varied than the bulk of Thetford Forest, and soon the number of bird cherries in full bloom became obvious - we've never seen so many! We haven't walked through the Arboretum for many years - not since we adopted our springer - but now the signs banning dogs seem to have been removed - yay! So - lots to look at, lots to keep the camera busy, from bark patterns to bluebells to the occasional interesting shrub, like the Cornus kousa. Also heard our first cuckoo of the year, near the lake. A very varied walk, weak sunshine, no rain until this evening!