WFV July 1st 2025, Jervaulx Abbey

Traffic congestion in Bradford led to long waits at pick- up points this morning. The
temperature had dropped from yesterday’s 30C, in fact at the toilet stop in Ripon
some donned another layer of clothing. Ably driven by Nina, on her first WFV
minibus event, we headed north to Jervaulx Abbey. Built by the Cistercians and
destroyed at the Dissolution of the monasteries the ruins and grounds provide a
peaceful setting well colonised by nature. We were pleased to have Marilyn with us
again in our all female party of eight.
After we ladies had lunched options were open. Some ambled along enjoying being
surrounded by nature while others extended their walk to encompass the nearby
fields and the river. The third group surveyed the plant life more critically which forms
the bulk of this blog.
Following the recent hot spell many plants had fruit as well as flowers and inevitably
many, especially the grasses, had completed their life cycle. Even so, there was
plenty to see. The ruin walls had many dried tufts but also pellitory of the wall, ivy-
leaved toadflax, wild strawberry, some wallflowers and some harebells. The most
colourful plant of the ground cover was purple selfheal. Common knapweed, yarrow,
marjoram, feverfew, great mullein and vipers bugloss were conspicuous at medium
height with hairy St. John’s wort here and there and a large, isolated jumble of hedge
bedstraw tumbled from a wall. One common spotted orchid, some glaucous sedge
and ladies bedstraw were also seen. Those on the longer walk recorded giant
bellflower and black horehound. A tree of note was Portugal laurel going against the
trend and having racemes still full of flowers. Amongst the ninety plants recorded
three stand out for me. Plant of the day for prettiness and one we rarely see was
great burnet saxifrage. Its delicate and open umbels were in profusion. Great lettuce
was scattered throughout with some plants at almost two metres arching down
towards the ground. Thirdly, spotted by Angela, was the vibrant inflorescence of dark
mullein outshining that of the earlier mullein species.
Soon after arriving Sue spotted a mistle thrush and heard a spotted flycatcher. The
riverside had oyster catchers, sandpipers and, yes, a kingfisher. Sue was later
captivated by a juvenile redstart. I can add song thrush.
Perhaps we were negligent checking for insects however, we did see green veined
white, small white and an unidentified darker butterfly together with bees of different
kind. The insects were not forgotten completely though as marble gall caused by the
gall wasp Andricus kollari was spotted on oak.
The peaceful, well kept site with good paths and ample seating was appreciated by
all and there was no disappointment for those who had waited ten years for this
return visit. Thanks to Margaret for planning the day and to Nina for her active
involvement as well as for stepping in as our driver today.

Alice