WFV, Ballowfield LNR & local sites Wensleydale, 30th June 2015
Ballowfield near Aysgarth has a variety of habitats including riverside, lead spoil heaps, hillside grassland, hazel-coppiced woodland and wetland. There were beautiful patches of pink and yellow. The pinks included Thrift, Common Spotted Orchids and Marsh Valerian: the yellows Common Rock Rose (the hillside was covered with flowers) and the Hawkweeds in the lower grassland. We saw two of the special plants, Spring Sandwort and Thrift but not Alpine Pennycress or Moonwort. However it was good to see butterflies on the wing including Northern Brown Argus, Common Blue, Ringlet, Green-Veined White and Dark Green Fritillary. Among several day-flying moths the Chimney Sweeper was seen.
In the afternoon we made a brief visit to Old Glebe Field. We were somewhat alarmed to see that a line of trees which would have given the lower part of the field shade had been felled creating a more open habitat. We wondered whether this would have implications for the beautiful and rare Burnt Tip Orchid which flowers at the bottom of the field in May. The sward of plants included Yellow Rattle, Common Spotted Orchid, Eyebright, Pignut and a variety of grasses. A small number of birds were seen or heard including Oystercatcher, Willow Warbler and Buzzard. Our day out was nicely rounded off by a visit to Berry's farm shop at Swinithwaite. While the majority of the party enjoyed tea,cake or a beer, Maddy strode off to complete the 1.5 mile walk to Redmire Falls and back, however with some anxiety as it involved walking through a field of cows and then bullocks!
A good team effort and thanks to Sue and Robert for the driving and Joan, Margaret and Martin for arranging the trip. Margaret