WFV, Tuesday 2nd September 2025, Malham Ha Mire

After a doorstep and Branch pick-up Julia swept us along the well-known route
westwards. Trees along the route were laden with fruit yet there was little sign of
autumn colour. Nearer our destination, driving up the steep and twisting Cove road,
there was some grey cloud ahead but mostly sunshine enhanced the landscape.
Repeated visits had not lessened our appreciation for the rock formation nor
admiration for the toil of the wall builders. Sue met us at the Water Sinks carpark for
the walk along the east of the tarn to Tarn House. It was to be a day when nature
favoured us. The grey cloud disappeared and we strolled in sunshine. The target
plants appeared, there was a smattering of more common ones, some in diminutive
form which needed consideration. Dragonflies performed including fighting each
other and it did not rain so encouraged the butterflies.
Within steps from carpark surface to fell autumn gentian, aka fellwort, was spotted.
Dung roundhead fungi were next and later in the day yellow brain was recorded.
Soon we reached Ha Mire an area rich in sedges and lime loving plants. The star of
the day was Grass of Parnassus, a northern speciality and a first for some members
of the group. Time was spent admiring its ivory- white, green veined petals and pink
domed carpels. With the abundance of specimens it was an opportunity to study this
gem in all stages from closed bud to dry fruit. Favouring the slightly cup shaped
blooms were broom moth caterpillars in both brown and green forms. At a distance
devilsbit scabious cast a pale blue canopy over the mire while nearer heads
contrasted beautifully with the star. Scattered throughout the sward was eyebright in
taller form than regularly seen . Knotted pearlwort was in profusion along the path
edge. Both these white flowers appeared over the day’s terrain. A second new
fenland plant for most was variegated horsetail. A few florets remained on marsh
lousewort plants, there was a little sneezewort, cat’s ear and hawkbits were plentiful,
cross leaved heath was spotted and, amazingly, a clump of bird’s-eye primrose
looking in prime condition. Butterwort leaves lightened the floor, fruiting spikes of bog
asphodel and orchids announced their presence.
Large and green veined white, small tortoiseshell and small heath butterflies sought
nectar from the flowers listed while a water filled pathside ditch provided an excellent
spot to watch dragonflies. Here we saw Common and Black Hawkers as well as
Common and Southern Darters.
Lunch was taken sitting beside the tarn. Here, amongst a collection of occasionals
often in miniature form, water mint predominated. Marsh arrowgrass was found. We
continued a short way into the woodland where spindle fruits caught our attention
then retraced our steps.
It proved difficult to resist re-examining some of the morning’s discoveries so only
Sue and John witnessed dragonfly antagonism. Where we had watched their

acrobatics in the morning they had seen a worn Southern hawker depositing eggs
and witnessed it being attacked by a Common hawker. The assailant was then
attacked by another of its kind. Sue has the drama on video. This saddest moment of
the day did not stop us lingering to watch another Southern hawker patrol the pool.
Bird life started well. A young buzzard flew close, low and parallel to us soon after
we left the A65. A heron landed at Water Sinks just before we left. Others seen were
pied and grey wagtails, meadow pipits and swallows.
Today’s Malham visit concluded the summer WFV summer programme. I hope that it
will become one of those well remembered Tuesdays and perhaps alleviate bad
memories of my leading this walk on previous programmes.
Once again grateful thanks to Julia who solved our transport problems.

Alice