Nightingale Bridge

Nightingale Bridge is an ancient stone bridge used now as a footbridge for crossing the Frome between Frampton Cotterell and Watley's End.  It was nice to meet and talk to dog walkers there who make their own contribution to eradicating balsam while out with their pets and also to speak to some schoolchildren on their way home from school and to explain to them what we were doing to help the environment.

Balsam is now growing strongly and is producing its distinctive pink flowers. This at least makes it easier to spot amongst the other plants on the river bank. Once you've spotted one, there's almost certainly going to be others nearby.

Balsam was growing strongly on both sides of the river by the bridge and we were able to clear some large patches. We also cleared the footpath alongside the field next to the bridge. The path itself is barely visible as many people choose to walk across the field at this point rather than follow the footpath around the edge.

The balsam is often found amongst nettles which are a favourite food source of the caterpillars of the peacock butterfly. At this time of year these can be seen in large colonies which we try not to disturb as we cut our way through to reach clumps of balsam.

Peacock butterfly caterpillars