WFV July 8th 2025, Ribblehead Quarry by train

It has been a few years since we last visited this site so a return visit was well overdue.  5 of us made the train journey to Ribblehead on a glorious summer’s day to once again sample its botanical treasures.  Steve proved to be a very able scribe detailing what was seen very efficiently.  The delicate perfume of lady’s bedstraw, mingling with that of meadowsweet, was a delight.  Numerous orchids were seen predominantly common spotted but also northern marsh and fragrant along with some hybrids.  Twayblades were in abundance near the entrance to the quarry and here a chiffchaff was seen darting amongst the vegetation.  Our search for marsh helleborine proved successful and some good examples were found further into the site.  The small area of crystal clear water contained numerous tadpoles at various stages of development, some small froglets along with greater water-boatmen.  Lesser spearwort was in evidence around the damper areas and water horsetail was also seen.  Wild thyme was in abundance and a few of this season’s birdseye primrose were still to be seen.  At the top of the site melancholy thistle looked stunning and here we also saw greater knapweed.  Small scabious was spotted and fairy flax was in profusion.

A nuthatch was first heard, and then seen, darting over the quarry face and we assumed it may be nesting within some of the numerous crevices.  Meadow pipits were seen and swallows and house martins were busy collecting the bounty of insects.  Butterflies seen were red admiral, green-veined white, small white, meadow brown, ringlet and fritillary.  There were numerous 6-spot burnet moths in various pupal stages.

Lunch was taken whilst sitting on the beautifully crafted stone seats before walking over the fields to Salt Lake Quarry.  Sue and I had decided to leave for the 4.15 pm train so time here was short.  The remainder of the party opted to catch a later train but I was informed that findings here were pretty similar to Ribblehead.  The day was, for me, a botanical bonanza, the plants being the star of the show.  Thanks to Julia for organising and leading us.

Sally Tetlow