'Blue-tiful' Bluebell Walks
(C) Martin Holroyd
Bluebell walks season
April – June 2008
This Spring/ Summer, the Ramblers Association (RA) is holding a season of bluebell walks aimed at saving one of the countryside’s best loved features; the delicate British bluebell.
Taking place in 100+ locations around the country, from April to June, the walks are part of a with the Natural History Museum/ Plantlife to save the British bluebell, which may be currently under threat from hybridisation with foreign species. More details of the campaign below
The Ramblers’ Association is encouraging walkers to join a bluebell walk, help ‘spot’ the delicate gothic arches and deep hue of the British bluebells, then enter their findings into a Natural History Museum online survey when they get home. Experts will use this crucial data to build a map of nationwide hybridisation patterns, to help reverse hybridisation trends in the future.
This Blue-tiful season, will offer a chance to walk through Britain’s loveliest woodland and open countryside, when it is looking at its very finest. The walks are free and open to all.
Native bluebell Spanish bluebell Hybrid
Ruth Wembridge, Head of Membership at the RA, comments: “The deep blue hue and gothic arches of the British bluebell, currently under threat from hybridisation, have brought immeasurable pleasure to walkers throughout history. What better way to help preserve these flowers, than putting on your boots and joining a led bluebell walk through Britain’s loveliest countryside this Spring and Summer?”
Find Bluebell walks near you
Search using our map of bluebell walks
Or see the full list of bluebell walks
The Ramblers’ Association is delighted to be working, for the
third year running, jointly with the Natural History Museum (NHM)
and Plantlife to find out how climate change and hybrids are
affecting Britain’s favourite flower.
There are three species of bluebell in Britain – the familiar
native bluebell (Hyacinthoides non-scripta), the
cultivated Spanish bluebell (Hyacinthoides hispanica),
plus the hybrid, originating from the native and Spanish
varieties.
The Spanish bluebell and its cultivated varieties were introduced to British gardens more than 200 years ago. In 2004 a report by Plantlife, Bluebells for Britain www.plantlife.org.uk, highlighted concerns that hybridisation may be having negative effects and could threaten the future of the native bluebell. The charity analysed 4,000 records sent in by the public and it was found that one in every six of the woodland sites surveyed were also home to Spanish and hybrid flowers.
Since then, scientists at the Natural History Museum have called on members of the public to help them build a picture of hybridization and growth trends of bluebells in the UK. Using field studies and genetic research, scientists at the Natural History Museum have selected a set of ‘characteristics’ to help identify the British and foreign bluebells. This knowledge will help limit possible hybridization trends in the future.
How you can help
When out walking
this spring, either on your own or as part of a led walk, look
out for colonies of bluebells growing in your local area. Then
log your findings on the Natural History Museum website. For
more information about the project and how to take part, go to
Bluebells - Natural History Museum