The trip to Moses Country Park and Nob End SSSI (near Bolton) started well when Sally and I watched a wasp eating a mayfly while we were waiting for the minibus to arrive. The journey from Bradford seemed surprisingly short, most likely helped by John entertaining us by reciting Stanley Holloway monologues like “Albert and the Lion”.
We had good weather this Tuesday unlike the previous two weeks when we were all drenched. I was happy to see various plants and creatures that I had seen before and was delighted to call out the names of these to the rest of the group, who had patiently tried to teach me how to identify them over the past weeks. Unfortunately my enthusiasm isn’t matched by my capability and despite frequent sightings of the beautiful vivid red, Narrow-bordered Five-spot Burnet Moth I persisted on calling it either thin-bordered, narrow-edged or thin-edged much to the frustration of my betters. To top it all, this week the Narrow-bordered Five-spot Burnet Moth was outnumbered by the nearly identical Six-spot Burnet Moth, three of which were quite often spotted cuddling together on one thistle flower.
For me the various orchids were a highlight and I was surprised to learn that the helleborines are actually orchids as well. The names of all the orchids spotted are included in the list provided by Alice below. To tell you the truth I was just happy to be able to say the things were orchids. I must confess when the rest of the group were animated identifying what appeared to be a dead twig sticking out of the ground, I did wander off in a daydream. Apparently, all the excitement was over a Common Broomrape which wasn’t dead at all! Although it was not a specimen in prime condition it was a fruiting stem. When I learnt it was parasitic and that is why it wasn’t green, it became much more interesting. We walked by a lake, river and canal so also had the interest of birds, plants and insects associated with water. I saw a cormorant flying by but missed the kingfisher that others in the group saw. The Brandy Bottle in the canal was at its best, it was in full flower and the dramatic seed heads were very visible as well.
The most dramatic part of the visit was the size and number of Giant Hogweed plants. They were the size of small trees and were in large clumps around the edge of the river. Giant hogweed is a non-native invasive species in the UK, originating from the Caucasus Mountains and Central Asia. Its sap causes terrible long lasting burns so despite it’s spectacular beauty is not one to plant in the flower border.
The journey back to Bradford was equally enjoyable with John serenading us
with Allan Sherman’s song “Hello Muddah, Hello Fadduh”.
Sample of some of the plants and creatures spotted
Birds – Kingfisher, Cormorant, Swans, Canada Geese, Grey Wagtail
Butterflies – Small Skipper, Meadow Brown, Ringlet, Red Admiral, Gatekeeper,
Large White, Comma
Brown Hawker Dragonfly
120+ plant species in flower were recorded including;
Hedge Bedstraw, Ladies Bedstraw, Bartsia, Hairy Tare, Burdock, Blue Eyed Grass
Orchids- Fragrant, Bee, Southern Marsh, Common Spotted Orchid, Marsh Helleborine, Broad leaved Helleborine,
Common Broomrape
In and by the canal- Frog bit, Brandy Bottle (yellow waterlilly), Bullrush, Skullcap,
Unbranched Bur Reed, Bistort
Angela