Abbey RuinsA group of 12 set off on a cool, dull day; some 7 years since the group last visited this famous Wensleydale site: a ruin since the dissolution of the monasteries in the 1530’s.
The group divided into 5 Riverside Walkers led by Robert and Sue and 7 Abbey Amblers led by Joan. During their 4-5 mile walk the riverites encountered a Hare, birds of prey, Large Skipper butterfly, Banded Demoiselles (male and female) and a parcel of Oystercatchers.
Meanwhile the ‘amblers’ were engaged in a botanical survey of the abbey ruins, though myself, Janet & Phil delayed our start by indulging ourselves in a splendid early lunch in the excellent Abbey cafe.
Large Skipper After our repast we joined Joan, Alice, Eric & Peter in their foray. Some 145 plants were recorded most of them in flower and included: Fairy Flax, Hoary Plantain, Common Spotted Orchid, Viper’s Bugloss, Great Lettuce, Little Periwinkle and Greater Burnet Saxifrage.
At about 13:30 the sun emerged and it soon got quite warm and we were all removing layers of clothing. Strangely, despite the warmth virtually no butterflies were about apart from one fast flying white & one unidentified Vanessid. The area has many patches of wildflower meadow, full of clovers and Bird’s foot Trefoil, perfect habitat for insects. However, none were around probably because the spring butterflies are now finished and the summer broods have not yet emerged? 
Bees On ThistleOnly one moth was seen and photographed, a micro ‘Celypha lacunana’. A solitary damselfly was spotted by Joan, a large Red.
Plenty of birds were around however, the best of which were Spotted Flycatchers and Red-legged Partridge. After admiring some of the splendid trees such as Cedar of Lebanon we headed back to the cafe where we were soon joined by the ramblers which include David who was making only his second outing with BEES.
A splendid day and thanks to the joint leaders and the two drivers Robert and Sue
John Gavaghan