Walks
THE DUKE AND THE ORCHIDS
In early May 2019 we had a fascinating walk in Denge Wood. The walk was organised by Dick Vane-Wright in association with Alan Cooper and colleagues at the Kent Branch of Butterfly Conservation. The outing was time to coincide with the emergence of adults of the rare Duke of Burgundy butterfly (Hamearis lucina ). Numbers of the Duke are thankfully starting to increase thanks to the efforts of staff and volunteers at Butterfly Conservation working with Natural England and the Forestry Commission to establish and maintain suitable habitats for the species. The success of this initiative became evident as many Duke of Burgundy butterflies were seen as well as other butterflies and moths. Plenty of lady orchids (Orchis purpurea ) were also seen amongst the primroses and cowslips.
TOWARDS 10,000 STEPS
Walking more, whether it's for work or leisure, is an easy way of being more active without trying too hard. Setting yourself a target of walking 10,000 steps a day can be a fun way of increasing the amount of physical activity you do. Sometimes overlooked as a form of exercise, walking can help you build stamina, burn excess calories and give you a healthier heart.
OHSCA members and friends are welcome to join the weekly “Toward 10,000 steps” walks which leave from the Kent & Canterbury Hospital gates opposite Cromwell Road, at 9.30am. See the Events Diary Page for more information on the schedule and Whatsapp walking group. No need to make a regular commitment. We walk moderately briskly for about one hour. Weather permitting,we typically walk through the open areas of Ridlands Farm, the orchards and what is expected to become Mountfield Park – enjoy them before they are turned to bricks and mortar! Sturdy footwear advised.
WALKING GROUP - Notes from Tim Carlyle
Additional walks
Several times a year special walks have been organised, notably by Tim Carlyle. These walks have included:
A walk along the Old Dover Rd using the Local History Group Guide to the street, which Mike Brain kindly explained to us on site. The long and varied process of the development of the street, with its numerous chalk pits and wooded parks has created one of the most varied roads in Canterbury.
A misty moisty Stour Valley walk from Wye climbing up hill to Kings Woods then descending back along the river meadows .
A primrose and cowslip April walk in Chilham.
A Bluebell walk in Whitehill Wood.
The Dover Patrol walk, starting from BlueBird Café to St Margarets Bay,up to the South Foreland lighthouse, and back followed by a descent to Dover. Great views!
A butterfly walk in Blean Woods to view the heath fritillary, with our own local expert Dick Vane- Wright and Michael Walter.
Future walks will be announced by email to Members and listed on this website in the events diary.
