Due to the car park closing at 8pm at Stockgrove Country Park (scheduled for 4th August), it has been decided to visit Sandhouse Lane instead – this is the visit previously scheduled for 23 June, which was cancelled due to the exceptionally hot weather.

Tuesday 4th August        SANDHOUSE LANE NATURE RESERVE – Di Parsons

Sandhouse Lane is a small nature reserve off the A5, packed with flowers and insects. At its centre it has a brick-pit which is now a water-filled lake surrounded by trees. This is home to many types of insects; in particular, Bedfordshire’s first Downy Emerald Dragonfly – an insect scarce north of the Thames was found in 2006.The lake and trees have around them meadows containing many varieties of wild flowers and an area that was once an asphalt works. This shows the effect on flowers of attempting to grow in tarmac, such a restrictive substance. One of the highlights is an area growing several varieties of orchids.

Meet in the car park of the Flying Fox pub, on Sheep Lane just off the A5 south of Little Brickhill, from where we will car-share to the site.
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