Rain We had a wet start to our walk with light showers and blustery conditions. In the afternoon it brightened up and was sunny on our return to the minibus. Starting from the car park of St Barnabus Church, Weeton we enjoyed a delightful spring walk in the flood plain of the River Wharfe. The objective for the day was to reach the lovely Bluebell wood in an area that had previously been the bailey of the medieval Rougemont Castle called Rougemont Carr. Our first venture was to explore the church yard for plants. Several species of primrose and cowslip were growing as well as one example of the hybrid false oxlip - a great botanical start! Our leader Margaret had some walking difficulties and after an initial briefing decided to drive down the lane - the party of 12 followed.
BluebellsThe hedgerows consisting of wild apple and hawthorn and the verges were covered in an attractive array of spring flowers - Violets, Stichwort, Lord and Ladies, Celandines, Red campion and Bluebells. The path led us across fields and an ancient pack horse bridge then uphill into the woodland. We were greeted by a sea of deep blue Bluebells.
Following lunch we explored the woodland further walking to the northern perimeter where the bank and ditch formation of the outer bailey could clearly be seen. Returning along the public footpaths we sauntered by a field of rape and found the path which led us down to the riverside. Some of the flowers we saw here included Barren Strawberry, Few- Flowered Leek and Wood Stichwort.
Male Yellowhammer The trees included flowering Wych Elm and Bird Cherry. Retracing our steps we stopped to look at a colony of Fiddleneck growing on the slurry adjacent to the sewage plant. 70 species of plants in flower were recorded as well as 4 ferns. The most spectacular bird sighting was the aerial display of three Red kites over the woodland. They are thought to nest in the wood. The wood and hedgerows were full of bird song. Birds seen and heard included Yellowhammer, Goldfinch, Linnet, Chaffinch, Blackbird, Crow, Jackdaw, Pheasant, as well as Blackcap, Willow Warbler and Chiff chaff. Unfortunately there were no butterflies on the wing on this rather cold, dull day. Needless to say the walk was rounded off by a "cuppa" at a nearby cafe.
Margaret