Woodland and Wildflowers at Linacre Reservoir

The weather is back to being slightly overcast and chilly as we visited Linacre Reservoir this morning. There are actually three reservoirs here, consisting of the Upper, Middle, and Lower reservoir. This is a valve house situated on the dam wall.

There are lovely views over the reservoirs. Depending on how far you want to walk, you can choose flat walks or more challenging ones. Some walks take you through woods and fields, where you can spot nuthatches, cormorants, mandarin ducks, and much more. You can also hear the occasional woodpecker. There are tables where you can stop and have a picnic or to do a spot of birdwatching. We spotted a couple of cormorants preening in the tree next to the water's edge.

It's good to see signs of spring, with all the catkins appearing on the trees.

It's funny how your eyes get drawn to the lone tree. They can look quite striking in the distance. You can also see oak, beech, and larch trees etc if you walk through the wooded areas.

Flowers have also started to bloom. We get daffodils, violets, primroses, periwinkles, and celandine at this time of the year. Bluebells are next on the spring agenda and soon there will be a beautiful carpet of blue-purple flowers throughout the wood.

During the week, it is usually quiet but can get busier at weekends and during the school holidays. The reservoir looks different in every season. In spring, you have the emerging flowers and trees grow new leaves, during the summer the area comes alive with green leaves and sunny skies (hopefully). Autumn the trees turn to a lovely golden, red, and yellow colour. Even during winter, the air is crisp with the possibility of frost or snow on the ground. Whatever the season, it is a good day out, plus the car parking machine is very rarely in working order!