Bluebell bonanza

Right now is the time to get out and about on the coast path and witness one of those seasonal magic moments. At Pentire Head the bluebells are looking their best, with parts of the cliff swathed in the blue flowers. Bluebells are more often associated with woodland, but are also common on unimproved grasslands. In the warm, moist climate of the south west bluebells can thrive too on the more sheltered aspects of the cliffs. Careful management with scrub cutting and then grazing prevents the grasslands being over run with gorse, thorn, brambles and aggressive grasses, instead allowing space for our delicate coastal wildflowers to flourish. The photos here were taken in the meadow just east of Lead Mines on the coast path towards Lundy Bay.
Of course there are dozens more different species of flower starting to bloom on the coast – do you know your spring squill…