An evening meander out to Alderfen from Norwich to try and locate some botanical goodies that lurk there. Walking down the entrance track from Threehammer Common no.1 target was found with ease - the stunning shrub Darwin's Barberry with it's yellow/orange flower clusters and dark green almost holly-like leaves. While admiring it a Great Spotted Woodpecker was chipping away at a dead tree above my head and then my first Cuckoo of the year started calling. Entering the reserve itself it would have been hard to miss target no.2, Red-berried Elder as it was taking over one area with loads of bushes. Luckily some were within camera range without having to brave a ditch! I then embarked on a walk finding a couple of other new plants of my own - Heath Wood-rush and the impressive Greater Tussock Sedge as well as Raspberry.
On the walk back I noticed a vaguely familiar broom-like bush beside the path which, upon closer inspection turned out to be French (or Montpellier) Broom. This find caused a little excitement within the local botanical community as it is a completely new site and only the 2nd ever vice county record. I was chuffed to say the least!
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