ON a grey and blustery Saturday in June the Cornwall Wildlife Trust Bude Group had a guided walk at Dundson Nature Reserve, near Pancrasweek, led by warden Steve Threlkeld.

Twelve gathered to see some of the 130 acre reserve, which includes a Coronation Meadow. They knew they wouldn’t see much fauna because of the conditions, but they did see a rather bedraggled Marsh Fritillary butterfly, evidence of Hazel Leaf Rollers and a heron from the heronry. They couldn’t get close up to the heronry but Steve said he thought there were five nests.

Dunsdon surrounds part of the old Bude Canal, and since a small area was re-watered, Steve said that the biodiversity had improved — many amphibians are now resident, which has pleased the herons no end.

Dunsdon is a fine example of Culm grassland and a great place to see the wildflowers and butterflies that live there. The orchids were flourishing — they saw many Heath Spotted Orchids and also the pale yellow Lesser Butterfly-orchid with its faint vanilla perfume. Among other plant species they saw Whorled Caraway, Meadow Thistle, Ragged Robin, Tormentil and Spearwort.

Coronation Meadows have been chosen by the Coronation Meadows Project, which is led by Plantlife in partnership with the Wildlife Trusts and the Rare Breeds Survival Trust, as outstanding examples of meadows which are rich in wildflowers and can be considered flagship meadows for their county. They are managed with low-key, traditional methods and retain local character and identity.

A member of the Bude group said: “We had a very interesting tour — Steve is a fount of knowledge which he imparted with great enthusiasm.”

Dunsdon is open to the public. There is a car park and a boardwalk takes you to the reserve.