On Sunday three of us ventured out into the wilds of backwater Gloucester. Alney island is a small, mainly grassland, reserve on the outskirts of the City flanked on either side by the River Severn and acts as a flood plain. It was quite a windy day so we weren’t so lucky in seeing many butterflies (Green-veined White, Orange Tip,  Large White, Speckled Wood, Red Admiral and Tortoiseshell) but enjoyed the varied habitats and plants. We also walked over Telford’s Bridge and across to Over Wharf to look at the small stretch of Hereford and Gloucester Canal. On our way round we saw some of the Gloucester cattle that graze the site (along with some longhorns at times) and heard a Cuckoo near to the Electricity sub station. We also paid a visit to the Docks for a bite to eat.

In all a wonderful area of open space that deserves to be visited.