24 From inside the community Nature Notes I said in earlier Nature Notes this year, it would soon be time for the buddleia (the butterfly bush) to flower and we would hopefully see more butterfly species to add to the many holly blues we had already seen. Well, that certainly happened this year, not only in our garden but many others, as some of you have been pleased to tell me when out and about. Thank you for talking to me about your experiences; it is a pleasure to hear them. In harmony with national results, the big numbers were the red admirals and the gatekeepers, although peacocks made a good late showing. The sight of so many colourful wildlife species is a real boost to our well-being, but there are other numerous occasions when this can happen. Many of you will have seen the horses that graze in the fields west of Mile End Road and north of Bergholt Road and here is a new addition posing for my camera. I often refer to the importance of the connection between ’green’ areas for the benefit of wildlife movement, foraging and nesting. It is also important for our connection that it is not broken or interrupted too often by developments. Myland is blessed with the access we have to Highwoods Country Park and I am delighted to tell you, if you don’t already know, that Colchester City Council has declared that the Cymbeline Meadows areas in its ownership will become a nature reserve. Bordering our Parish boundary we already have good access to the Meadows, but to know it will become enhanced for wildlife and boost our mindfulness and well-being is great news and I congratulate the City Council for this. This is especially good news because equally important to connectivity are water courses, especially rivers. A good example is the River Colne that flows by the Meadows.
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