WFV, Wensleydale- Leyburn Old Glebe YWT, Barrowfield LNR, Newbiggin Pasture YWT, 12.5.26

The focus of today’s trip to beautiful Wensleydale was on its wonderful botany. The weather was cloudy with some drizzle on our journey through Wharfedale. Following our customary comfort stop in Buckden, we made an ascent and then descent into the sweeping valley of Bishopdale to join the A684 near Aysgarth. We arrived at our destination Old Glebe Field shortly before mid-day.

Our day then turned into an “orchid hunt”. Following Martin’s map, we set off on the path parallel to the road to look for the burnt tip orchid (it had been seen here previously by Bees members). As Julia pointed out rhizomes could be present in the soil, however no flowering species were seen. We continued our exploration keeping to paths with heads down, only sometimes looking upwards for a sighting of a bird or butterfly or to admire the view of Pen Hill in the distance. 29 species of flower were recorded by Alice; the top species was the green winged orchid, dark purple in colour, seen good numbers on the south facing slopes (were any white specimens seen?). Other species in flower included early purple orchid, bugle, pignut, salad burnet, cowslip, crosswort, catsear, dog violet, germander speedwell, bulbous buttercup, lady’s mantle, white dead nettle and many more besides!

The afternoon we spent trawling the fields and spoil heaps of Ballowfield LNR where some eagle-eyed members of the group found and identified the rare diminutive fern, moonwort. This is a special area with an assemblage of plants that are salt/lead tolerant including thrift, alpine pennycress, spring sandwort
(in abundance) and pyrenean scurvygrass. Other plants identified were spring sedge, cuckoo flower, wild strawberry and tormentil. We had some sunshine, drizzle and icy cold blasts of wind while on this site.
Our journey to Wensleydale had provided us with many lovely sightings including hawthorn in flower (Wharfedale), marsh marigolds (ditches of Kilnsey) and the characteristic sweet cicely of the Wensleydale verges.
Returning via Bishopdale we made a brief stop at Newbiggin pasture which has been recently acquired by YWT. Worth keeping an eye on as to how it develops.
Bird recordings were somewhat limited (it was a heads down day). They were pheasant and partridge in Wharfedale; redwing, song thrush, red kite, heron seen from Old Glebe, curlew oystercatcher, greylag geese with goslings in Bishopdale. Butterfly species included holly blue and speckled wood.
A memorable day out for 9 participants enabled by our excellent drivers Julia and Viv to whom we are grateful.
Margaret