As the title says, does anyone know any good sites for insects and wild flowers within about 50 miles of Luton?
I have found a few good sites:
Blue Lagoon: A nature reserve with some lakes south of Milton Keynes. Well worth a visit and not busy.
Summer Leys, near Wellingborough: A wonderful nature reserve, created around flooded disused gravel pits. Good for bird watching, insects and plants. I spent a pleasant 30 minutes in the hide listening to Reed Buntings, Reed Warblers, Lap Wings and the background clack clack from several cameras.
At 7am on a Saturday I was surprised by the number of scope and binocular toting birders.
Sharpenhoe Clappers, Barton Hills, Pegsdon Hill: Beautiful chalk hills with chalk loving plants, including Bee Orchids, and butterflies including Silver Washed Fritillary.
Emberton Country Park: A council run park south of Northampton: Lakes and fields, but spoilt by lots of caravans, and cars.
Blows Down: On the edge of Luton. An okay site for plants but a bit too near Luton for comfort i.e. noisy and doggy.
Leif