Tower, Chafer Wood
Fourteen of us thoroughly enjoyed our extended day out visiting the North York Moors on a sunny June day. Our aim was to explore a site new to us, Chafer Wood, a mixed broadleaved woodland on limestone situated on the edge of the North York moors north of Thornton le Dale. Chafer Wood is a mixed woodland with some plantation trees that are being replaced by native species including Cherry, Oak, Guelder rose and Elder. The ground cover included Bluebells, Ramsons, Stitchwort, Goldilocks buttercup and Dame's violet. There are some patches of grassland with Salad Burnet, Tutsan, Quaking grass and Rock Rose. We enjoyed stunning views of the Vale of Pickering through gaps at the woodland edge. The most interesting flora was seen growing on the banks on the side of the road on our return to the minibus. Those plants were not shaded by the canopy and included Dog violet, Wild strawberry,Leopardsbane, False Oxlip and Sanicle. Over 100 species were recorded in flower on the day.
In the afternoon we drove into the surrounds of the Dalby Forest. We encountered some navigational problems but this led to an encounter with three top species at the woodland edge - the Greater Butterfly Orchid, Early Purple Orchid and Star of Bethlehem. A reduced party choose the option of a walk along the forest track to Ellerburn Bank. The sloping grassland is well managed for its prolific range of limestone flora. We were greeted at the gate by the sign "no joggers" as if! The grassland was covered with a vibrant yellow blanket of Birds-foot trefoil and Cowslips. Spikes of the rare species Fly Orchid were seen in good condition although not in the numbers on my previous visit dated 9.06.2012 with the Bradford Botany Group. Other orchids seen were Common Spotted Orchid (just emerging),Northern Marsh Orchid and Pyramidal Orchid. There was a debate as to whether the thistle leaves were of Welted or Woolly Thistle. I believe Woolley Thistle has been recorded for this site. The Ellerburn Bank group were kindly collected by Julia who drove the minibus down the forest track to the reserve. We were weary following a tiring day. Also a thank you to Robert for the assistance given to the "geriatrics"!
It was a good day for moths / butterflies. John recorded 6 species of butterfly and some new moths.
It was a relatively quiet day on the birding front, birds were heard rather than seen. Birds recorded included Buzzard, Sparrowhawk, Yellowhammer and Jay. A giant Dryad's Saddle fungus was seen in Chafer Wood.
Our day out was nicely rounded with an excellent meal at the Black Bull in Escrick where Robert enjoyed Treacle tart and custard in a true Yorkshire style. It was late when we arrived back in Bradford, the roads were clear and there was still good light so it did not matter. Thanks go to Joan, Maddy, Sue and Julia for making this a splendid day out for the group.
See the photos here.
Margaret
Additional information:
Butterflies and moths recorded by John.
Speckled Wood, Green Veined White, Large White, Orange tip, Large Skipper, Small Tortoiseshell, Small Heath.
Silver-ground carpet, Brown Silver-line, Nettle Top, Yellow shell, Scoparia pyrolella, (new), Crombus Lothanlelus, Cydia ulicentana, Ethmia quadrillella.
Margaret