This was an own transport gathering & nine of us met at the topmost car park on the East Chevin Rd. We proceeded in an easterly direction along the Ebor Way. There was little botanical interest (just as well, as our principal botanisers were absent - maybe they knew?) as this was largely a boulevard of balsam. The remaining flora was a mixture of ferns, brambles & thistles with only the occasional native wild flower.
We went as far as the end of the new boardwalk & then walked past what used to be a splendid dragonfly pond. Alas, this has degraded considerably over the years & is now virtually reeded over. The weather was fine but unremarkable & only a few butterflies were seen; Speckled Woods, Green-veined White & a Red Admiral. Lunch was taken on the benches at Caley Crags. It is a shame that the views are diminishing year by year as the vegetation (birch, oak & rowan) takes over.
Those of us in the group interested in fungi found plenty of specimens to keep us busy & alongside the Caley Crags path we identified: Sulphur Tuft, Honey Fungus, Common Earthballs, Tawny Grisette, Buttercaps, Ochre Brittlegills, Blushers, Wood Woolyfoot, Deceivers, Amethyst Deceivers, Blackfoot Polypore & The Miller. The best tree identified was a Pedicure Oak !
It was after one o'clock before we arrived at Caring for Life (a religious retreat with on site garden centre, cafe/restaurant & gardens). It is situated within a mile of Cookridge, Bramhope & Horsforth & a car is needed to get there; unless you happen to be a good walker or cyclist. Three of the group opted to queue for a seat in the often busy cafe whilst the rest went for Brymor ice creams which we ate outside except for Sue who chose a cup of tea.
We headed down the steep gardens but only got as far as the first pond as the gate to the lowest section bore a sign saying closed due to erosion. A lot more wildflowers than the Chevin! Fleabane, Purple Loosestrife, Autumn Hawkbit, Bush Vetch etc. A few fungi were spotted: Brown Rollrim, Scaly Earthball & Blushing Bracket. A Brown Hawker was the only dragonfly seen but it was breezy & too little sunshine to expect anymore.
John Gavaghan