Category: Botany

Greenleighton Quarry Visit- Highlights

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quarry

A general view of the site shows the effect of the dry weather on the plants. Noticeably the Bracken was still green. Although we went there for botany, the disused quarry at Greenleighton is an SSSI site for Geology. It exhibits an exposure of the Great Limestone and overlying sediments of Namurian age (330 mya).  The Namurian is a subdivision of the Carboniferous Period. The limestone is 15 metres thick in places consisting of large posts and shaly beds between, a section is seen below.

great limstone.JPG

The limestone floor is calcareous with normally wet flushes. Adder’s-tongue fern (Ophioglossum vulgatum), although yellowing was distinctive and occurred in two areas.

addertongue

Red Bartsia (Odontites vernus) looking very stressed but coming into flower.

red bartsia

Many of the wet areas had dried out but this Shoreweed (Litterella uniflora) was identifiable sprouting through the mud.

Littorella uniflora

The delicate white flowers of the Knotted Pearlwort (Sagina nodosa) looked exquisite.

knotted pearlwort1010113

In a wetter patch the Harebell (Campanula rotundifolia) made a striking splash of blue.

campanula

We found a few spikes of Autumn Gentian (Gentianella amarella) a biennial plant, this one was just coming into flower.

autumn gentian.JPG

There were many other plants but I was not familiar with this Yellow Sedge (Carex demissa) smaller than the taller  growing glaucous and common sedges.

yellow sedge.JPG

Unfortunately we came across a young Ash (Fraxinus excelior) showing clear signs of ash dieback disease, in the diamond shaped lesions on the stem. First confirmed in Britain in 2012, Chalara or ash dieback is a disease of ash trees caused by a fungus called Hymenoscyphus fraxineus.

ash dieback

Comb Moss (Ctenidium molluscum), looking very dry, is a typical  moss of calcareous habitats.

Comb moss

A loose rock composed of a fossil colonial coral.

colonial coral chaetetes.JPG

The shell fragment below looks like Pleuropugnoides greenleightonensis one of the marine shell fossils the site is noted for.

Pleuropugnoides greenleightonensis?

The soft shales above the Great Limestone contained fossil Brachiopods as in the photo below. We did not find the other famous fossil, Cravenoceras leion, mentioned in the SSSI citation.brachiopod

The fossil rock provided a resting place for this colourful Meadow Grasshopper.

meadow grasshopper

As we were leaving this bird pellet was found. It could be from a Little Owl since it is rich in insect remains.

little owl pellet

References: SSSI citation

 

 

 

Harbottle- Plants, Lichens, Mosses

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While mainly exploring the Geological features here, the vegetation and wildlife deserves some attention. Harbottle Moors consist of extensive areas of dwarf shrub heath with associated blanket bog and valley mire. Sandstone ridges are covered by heather (Calluna vulgaris) with, crowberry (Empetrum nigrum), bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus) and bracken (Pteridium aquilinum). See Harbottle Moors SSSI. Bilberry was abundant and forming berries whereas Bracken was yet to take over the landscape. Deergrass (Trichophorum cespitosum) formed large patches of  cover over a ground layer of bog mosses  Sphagnum spp.

 

.

bog

Sundew (Drosera rotundifolia) was growing well by the footpath and coming into flower.

sundew

It is a carnivorous plant, the leaves catch insects which stick to them. When the leaves curl up the insect is trapped and digested by the mucilage, thus supplementing the Sundew’s diet in the otherwise nutrient deficient soils. The plant below was a puzzle to me, I think it is Cross leaved Heath (Erica tetralix) but the hairy leaves could belong to Crowberry (Empetrum nigrum) which does grow here.

erica tetralix

Common Haircap Moss (Polytrichum commune) likes such damp conditions and was plentiful. Its golden capsules are distinctive.

Polytrichum commune.JPG

Sphagnum mosses are difficult to differentiate.This glorious pink hummock looks like S capitifollium and it is an important peat former since it tolerates drier conditions.

s capillifolium

The moss below could be S palustre another former of hummocks.

s palluster

I took a small sample from a wetter area, the area had dried out in the recent period of low rainfall.  It could be S fimbriatum. Round brown fungi were associated with the bog, probably Bog Bell (Galerina ssp.)

s fimbriatum

I  recognised this sedge as Star sedge (Carex echinata).

star sedge.JPG

However, these sedges were more difficult to identify perhaps the larger is Slender Tufted Sedge (Carex acuta) and the smaller White Sedge (Carex curta).

sedges

Lichens were everywhere. This looks like Cladonia portentosa.

c portentosa

These ones had bright red apothecia on their cups, perhaps Cladonia diversa.

c diversa.JPG

Are these could be Cladonia floerkeana or even C bellidiflora?

c bellidofora.JPG

This does look like C bellidiflora, tall and squamulous, and the green twiggy fingered one C subulata.

C Bellidiflora, C subulata

Yet more lichens! The cups  with red  pycnidia look like C diversa again, but the ones with the brownish fruits might be C cervicornis.

c diversa c cervicornus

Hares-tail Cotton Grass ((Eriophorum vaginatum) dotted the moorland in white fluffed heads  asign of a thriving moorland. Tormentil and Heath Bedstraw were common while Heath Milkwort was less prevalent.

harestail

We came across a large Green Tiger Beetle and a Two Banded Longhorn Beetle shown below  as it sunbathed on the bonnet of a car.

Rhagium bifasciatum.JPG

I failed to photograph any butterflies or moths but saw Small Heaths flying over the heather moors.

At the start of the walk a Cuckoo delighted us as we climbed up the crags, calling  for a long spell from the treetops. On the way down a Raven soared above us, black feathers gleaming in the sunlight.

 

 

Lindisfarne- Snook and Saltmarsh Plants

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Lindisfarne is an SSSI site comprising a wide range of habitats including stable sand dunes, slacks, extensive intertidal sand and mudflats. This site supports a number of rare plants, invertebrates, overwintering and breeding birds. A photo below is of the Marram and Lyme grass vegetation, the dominant grasses, although Piri-piri Burr also present is an invasive species.

snook

The plant pictured below was a puzzle. It is a variety of Cornsalad (Valerianella locusta), growing with Ladies , more ornate than the common winter salad grown in gardens.

cornsalad

Scot’s Lovage (Ligusticum scoticum) growing on the grey dunes is also edible, all parts can be eaten.

scots lovage

The Viper’s Bugloss (Echium vulgare) was strikingly handsome.

Vipers Bugloss.JPG

The lemon yellow flowers of Hop Trefoil (Trifolium campestre) were also unmistakable.

hop trefoil.JPG

Lindisfarne is renowned for its Orchids and Helleborines.  The Northern Marsh-orchid (Dactylorhiza purpurella) has diamond shaped lips and spotted leaves.

Northern Marsh orchid (Dactylorhiza purpurella)

Early Marsh Orchid (Dactylorhiza incarnata) was still flowering in the marshy conditions it prefers, as was the Marsh Pennywort (Hydrocotyle vulgaris) surrounding it.

Early Marsh Orchid (Dactylorhiza incarnata).JPG

This red variety is also Dactylorhiza incarnata, but is a sub species coccinea.

Dactylorhiza incarnata coccinea

Creeping Willow (Salix repens) was abundant and covered with fluffy seeds.

Creeping willow (Salix repens).JPG

It often occurs with Coralroot Orchid (Corallorhiza trifida) shown below.  There was a good showing of spikes of this mostly parasitic plant.

Coral root orchid(Corallorhiza trifida)

This Brookweed (Samolus valerandi) was a plant I had not seen before but was starting to flower.

brookweed

Heath Milkwort (Polygala serpyllifolia) looked attractive against a backdrop of the greyish lichen Cladonia ciliata and hairy Mouse-Ear Hawkweed leaves.

Heath Milkwort ( Polygala serpyllifolia )

Of deeper colour the Purple Milk Vetch (Astragalus danicus) pictured below is classified as endangered since it has declined in numbers in recent years.

Purple milk vetch (Astragalus danicus)

This pretty  delicate plant with a yellow thrum is Changing Forget-me-not ( Myosotis discolor).

changing Forget me not ( Myosotis discolor ).JPG

Another rarity is the Round Leaved Wintergreen (Pyrola rotundifolia). It was just coming into flower and is noted for its wonderful scent.

Round leaved wintergreen (Pyrola rotundifolia)

As we headed for the Saltmarsh we came across a Bitter Vetch (Lathyrus linifolius).

bittervetch.JPG

The saltmarsh was covered in Thrift (Armeria maritima) and flushed with pink.

saltmarsh.JPG

Samphire (Salicornia europaea) was poking up through the sand like a desert cactus.  Known as glasswort, it is a halophytic annual dicot which grows in various zones of intertidal salt marshes.

Marsh samphire(Salicornia europaea)

These short thin leaves, we thought were of the Eelgrass (Zostera noltii) or Z angustifolia.  Z noltii is intertidal, forming a definite belt between Mean High Water and Mean Low Water. It is the most tolerant of desiccation and is found highest up the shore.
It is rarely found below the low water mark. The bright green species is an Enteromorpha, a major food  plant for the overwintering Brent Geese.

zostera

These are just a few of the notable species we encountered in a small part of a small island.

 

 

 

Spring Walk – Gosforth Reserve

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A slow stroll around the Reserve focussed mainly on birds and insects but plants also featured. There were nine spikes of Coralroot Orchid (Corallorhiza trifida) which is a rare plant in the UK. Coralroot Orchid . It seems happy growing among the moss Sphagnum fimbriatum.

coral root orchid

The Reserve contains a shallow constructed lake with associated reedswamp, herb rich fen, willow carr, broad leaved woodland and remnants of heathy grassland. It provides a valuable refuge for wildlife on the northern fringe of the Tyneside conurbation and is of importance for the invertebrate populations it supports and because it includes the largest reedbed in the East Northumberland area.  Below is a photograph of a noticeable patch of Sphagnum squarrosum, looking very fresh and green with Pennywort  (Hydrocotyle vulgaris) peeking through.

Sphagnum squarrosum

In the pond dipping area Water Plantain (Alisma plantago-aquatica) was appearing, as

water plantain (Alisma plantago-aquatica)

was Marsh Cinqfoil (Potentilla palustris) apparent in the picture below.

marsh cinqfoil.JPG

Water Crowfoot (Ranunculus aquatilis) was in flower amid the Water Mint. Also growing nearby in flower was Ragged robin (Lychnis flos-cuculi) and Celery leaved Buttercup (Ranunculus sceleratus).

water crowfoot

A large stand of Yellow Iris (Iris pseudacorus) was coming into flower around the lake.

flag iris

Spike Rush ( Eleocharis palustris) was blooming by the duck board on the way to the bird hide.

Spike rush (Eleocharis sp)

Among the sedges I noticed this Bottle Sedge (Carex rostrata) by the lake side.

bottle sedge

These are just a few snapshots of things that caught my eye. The woodland floor also was rich with Three nerved Sandwort (Moehringia trinervia)

three nerved sandwort

and Pignut (Conopodium majus) shown below. It looked as if the Badgers had been foraging near this area. Tormentil, Euphrasia sp. probably E nemerosa were flowering by the paths.

pignut

Insect life was busy on its life cycle. We spotted Azure and Blue tailed damselflies. The blue of its tail was strikingly  bright in the sunshine. I managed to capture an image of Large Red Damselflies ( Pyrrhosoma nymphula) in courtship. In this water course were Three spined stickbacks, the males looking colourful with blue/green backs and red undersides.

large red damselfly

This Red-and-black Froghopper  (Cercopis vulnerata) was unmistakeable.

froghopper

The birds were also wonderful. We saw and heard many species including blue and great tits, Mistle and song thrush, Great spotted Woodpecker, Robin, Wren, Magpie, Reed Bunting Chiff-chaff and Willow Warbler. The nesting platform was occupied by Common Terns and Black headed Gulls while Swifts, House Martins, Swallows and Sand Martin flew over feeding on insects. It helped to have the benefit of knowledgeable guides.

common tern

A pair of Gadwall shown below with intricate patterned plumage.

gadwall.JPG

This male Shoveller was relaxing by a post. We also saw Heron. Cormorant, Little Grebe, Coot, Moorhen, Swan, Teal, Reed Warbler and Mallard.

shoveller

 

Rothley Crags – Flora & Lichens

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C diversa

A lichen and moss collection showing some of the diversity. The lichen with the red apothecia (fruit-like) growths is probably Cladonia diversa.

This Corydalis (Ceratocapnos claviculata), not in flower yet, is the Climbing Corydalis. It likes to scramble among the Bracken for support as in the photo below.

Corydalis

Ling Heather (Calluna vulgaris) also likes the acid upland soils. Bell Heather (Erica cinerea) was also evident by its dried flower heads.

heather

On the crags the only trees noticed were Rowans, tenaciously growing on the sandstone bluffs.

rowans

Lichens abounded but they are difficult to identify by photograph. This black lumpy one could be Arthonia lapidicola. Arthonia is Greek for ‘to sprinkle’. Lapidicola means in Latin ‘dwelling in a stony place’. The names are more descriptive than you might think.

arthonia lapidicola

Also on rock, some familiar lichens like Ochrolechia parella, the Crab’s eye Lichen, common on sandstone walls.

Ochrolechia parella

and Tephromela atra, meaning ‘ashy-black dark’.

Tephromela atra

Pertusaria corallina is the white crustose lichen, the name means’ bored through like coral’. The red fruited one might be Cladonia bellidflora which means ‘twig like with beautiful flowers’.

cladonia, collalina

These pictured below is likely to be Cladonia chlorophaea?

c chlorophaea

Below is Cladonia portentosa meaning ‘monstrous’ or ‘unruly’, one of the reindeer lichen.

cportentosa

I am not sure what those below are Cladonia glauca?

C cooniocrea

Peltigera hymenina meaning  ‘shield bearing  little folded membrane’ seen struggling through the Big Shaggy moss (Rhytidiadelphus  triquetrus)

peltigera

The Cladonia beside the Star jelly might be C coniocrea or even (C ochrochlora)

c squamulosa

Another assemblage of lichen (Parmelia sulcata) is the green leafy one. Parmelia saxitilis was common on the sandstone boulders. Parmelia means ’embedded fruit bowl’; sulcata- furrowed; saxatili liking rocks.

livchen group

There were so many lichens that I collected some. Not a good thing to do in this area, but most were already loose. The names are largely guesswork.

lichen plate

Reference:

Lichens – Frank S Dobson

http://www.lichens.lastdragon.org/index.html

http://www.dorsetnature.co.uk/Dorset-lichen.html

 

Blyth Dunes

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Exploring the Dunes at the North end of Blyth bay highlit the hazards the dunes face. Threats such as ‘blowouts’ are frequent, where strong winds can break the dunes spreading sand over the vegetation. Groynes have been built to encourage sand deposition, Marram grass planting encourages dune growth by trapping and stabilising blown sand.

Transplanting Marram grass (Ammophila arenaria) and Lyme grass to the face of eroded dunes enhances the natural development of yellow dunes above the limit of  wave attack. These natural dune grasses act to reduce wind speeds across the surface, thereby trapping and holding sand. They grow both vertically and horizontally as the sand accumulates. Marram grass is particularly effective as it positively thrives on growing dunes, and is perhaps the easiest to transplant.

groynes marram

Other measures taken include brashing with old Xmas trees, use of coir matting as a stabilizer, sand replenishment and fencing. It was a fine day on the 24 Sept; there were many plants still flowering. Bloody Cranesbill was carpeting the slacks behind the dunes. Burnet Rose (Rosa pimpinellifolia) was ubiquitous, its black hips gleaming.

Burnet roseDewberry (Rubus caesius), still flowering and fruiting amid the Burnet rose.

Dewberry (Rubus caesius)

I found this soft Downy Rose (Rosa mollis) with red prickly hips.

Soft Downy rose (Rosa mollis)

Harebell (Campanula rotundifolia) quivering delicately through the cranesbill and wiry grasses.

harebell

Storksbill (Erodium cicutarium) both pink and white forms scrambled over the groundin rabbit grazed turf.

Storksbill

white storksbill

Below is Hemlock (Conium maculatum) with a very dark stem.

hemlock

Ox Eye Daisies (Leucanthemum vulgare) seem to like the dunes, although they could be garden escapes.

oxeye

Tansy (Tanacetum vulgare) seemed to mark the change from flower rich to greyer flower poor dunes.

tansy

Other plants : Horse Radish, Creeping thistle, Yarrow, Ladies bedstraw, Birdsfoot trefoil, Rest Harrow, Dovesfoot Geranium, Bittersweet, Sand Sedge, Catsear.

Birds are difficult to get close to although Meadow Pipits were still calling and singing. This one was high on a hawthorn bush.

meadowpipit

In a stubble field across the road Lapwing were feeding. They arose in glorious flight along with a flock of starling. The sky came alive with birds.

lapwing

This Jackdaw was happy to be photographed showing off his magnificent black plumage.

jackdaw

Fungi was starting to fruit, Shaggy Inkcap  (Coprinus comatus) pushing through he grass.

Shaggy Inkcap (Coprinus comatus)

Could this be Marasmius oreades Fairy ring Champignon? I am not sure.

Marasmius oreades Fairy ring Champignon?

Meanwhile on the beach, the tide was very low exposing the rocks covered in Enteromorpha flexuosa, a bright green alga.

Enteromorpha flexuosa?

The bobbing heads of Kelp (Laminaria ssp), moving with the swell off Collywell Bay.

kelp

The wooden bench at the Bus Stop had a display of lichen. Caloplaca flavocitrina (yellow spots) with Lecanora symmicta.

Canderiella reflexa, Lecanora symmicta

Lecidella elaeochroma? found a place on the same bench.

lecidella elaeochroma

 

 

Simonside Flora

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heather moorland

A view of the heather moorland from the path along the crag tops showing  Heather (Calluna vulgaris) and part of a conifer plantation. I photographed a few plants as we went along; Bell Heather (Erica cinerea) near the path.

Bell Heather (Erica cinerea)

Selfheal Prunella vulgaris also in flower.

Prunella vulgaris

Bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillis) was well berried and being picked by some people.

Bilberry, Bilberry (Vaccinum myrtilis)

Whereas Cowberry (Vaccinium vitis-idaea) was scarcer further up the crag, was not.

Cowberry (Vaccinium vitsi-idaea)

This is Black Spleenwort (Asplenium adiantum-nigrum) or looks like it. Not as common as Bracken.

Black Spleenwort (Asplenium adiantum-nigrum).JPG

There was a patch of Hard Fern (Blechnum spicant)

Hard Fern (Blechnum spicant) Northern Deergrass (Trichophorum cespitosum) was common. It is a sedge with wiry grass like stems.

deer grass.JPG

The Hawks are tricky. This could be a Lesser Hawkbit (Leontodon saxitilis).

Lesser Hawkbit (Leontodon saxatilis),

Lousewort (Pedicularis sylvatica) growing in boggy ground.

Lousewort (Pedicularis sylvatica)

This taller version could be Marsh Lousewort (Pedicularis palustris).

Marsh Lousewort (Pedicularis palustris),

A closer view of some Ling Heather shows a withered Bracken frond and  young Birch.

Ling (Calluna vulgaris)

From memory other plants include: Gorse, Cotton Grasses, Tormentil, various grasses and rushes. Trees were mainly plantation types such as Scots Pine, Sitka spruce and  others that appeared to be grown for Christmas cutting.  Below another view from the crags showing the Cheviot hills in the distance.

view

 

The Sill

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On 21 July we visited The Sill as part of our fieldtrip. This is The Landscape Discovery Centre of the Northumberland National Park at Once Brewed.

sill

It is called ‘The Sill’ after the geological feature of the Whin Sill; a quartz Dolerite volcanic rock ridge outcropping  cross Northumberland to the Farne Islands. The building is visually pleasing, its use of gabion baskets filled with Whinstone is similar to the Cutter at Woodhorn Museum, another spectacular modern building. The Sandstone blocks are also local from Millknock Quarry at Haltwhistle.

The living roof of the sill is a recreation of a Whin Grassland habitat. Whin grassland

Sheeps fescue

The grasses used are mostly Sheeps Fescue (Festuca ovina) and Common Bent. It is beginning to make a covering through the protective matting. It had been difficult to recreate the high pH ( between 7.5 – 7.8 ) and nutrient poor substrate on a roof open to visitors. Fertilizer and pH controllers have been added to enhance growth and plants are responding.

matting

This Maiden Pink (Dianthus deltoides) is in flower. This is the first time I have seen one in flower. Wild Thyme was beginning to flower as were Ladies Bedstraw and Biting Stonecrop. The plants have been grown from local seed in keeping with the rest of the building.

maidenpinkcloseup

Haresfoot Clover (Trifolium arvense) also in flower. I am not sure of the identity of what the plant growing alongside.

haresfoot

Crow Garlic (Allium vineale) in flower also.

Crow garlic

This project has created 1000 square metres of this scarce and threatened environment which will bring this unique landscape flora to delight visitors to the National Park. The view of Steel Rigg from the roof shows the landscape at its best.

steel rig view

 

 

 

 

Seaton Sluice Saltmarsh

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saltmarsh

A general view of the Saltmarsh. A closer view would soon show a sward of Sea Pink coming into flower. The picture below shows Sea  ink (Armeria maritima), Sea Milkwort (Glaux maritima) forming a ground cover. It was flowering over much of the marsh.

sea pink

Glaux maritima  now called (Lysimachia maritima) is a Saltmarsh specialist. it does not have petals. The pink petals are in fact sepals. On close up the leaves are dotted with pores, perhaps this is an adaptation to life in a saline environment.

glaux maritima

The salty environment also suits Sea Arrowgrass (Triglochin palustris) coming into flower as spikes emerge through the linear furrowed leaves. It was growing abundantly in the lower marsh.

seaarrowgrass

Saltmarsh Grass (Puccinellia maritima) is well fitted to its position in the lower marsh.

saltmarsh grass

Another resident of upper and middle marsh, Common Scurvygrass (Cochlearia officinalis), struggling through bramble and grass.

common scurvygrass

For comparison, this is, surprisingly, Pyrennean Scurvygrass (Cochlearia pyrenaica). Why is it here since it often grows near old metal mine workings?

pyr grass

The water bubbling up here in the middle of the Seaton Burn is from old colliery workings and is polluted by various metals. This environment might be tolerable for C pyrenaica.

polluted spring

Sea Aster (Aster tripolium) likes the muddy banks but was not in flower yet.

sea lavender

Alongside this is Hastate Orache (Atriplex hastata) also growing in the lower marsh.

hastate orache

Further up this Musk Thistle (Carduus nutans) was incredibly prickly.

Cotton thistle(Onopordum acanthium) Fine leaved Water Hemlock Dropwort (Oenanthe crocata) grows  further up by a freshwater marsh where Bulrush (Typha Latifolia) had been planted in an attempt to clean the polluted water.

water dropwort

Ditches have been dug in linear trench. Filled with fresh water, this habitat was ideal for tadpoles and algae.

ditches

False Fox Sedge (Carex otrubae) growing further up the Fresh water marsh.

true fox sedge

Birdsfoot trefoil growing near the marsh on sandy soil.

Holywell Dene, an ancient semi-natural woodland, has a bluebell area. These bluebells do not look like wild type, however.

bluebell

There was much else of interest on the way.

Heron

Mallard

Black headed gull

Pignut

Red clover (Trifolium pratense) below.

Knotted clover 9trifolium striatum)

Mosses crop up everywhere even on dry walls. This might be Common Beard Moss?

beardmoss

The flower below was unknown to me. It was in a roadside flower bed and is a cultivated plant, White Star of Bethlehem (Ornithogalum umbellatum).

flower

Havannah Nature Reserve- Botany

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havannah

A view of the wetland area showing Willow trees and nesting Mute Swans.

The site description by (Natural England) is quoted here,  ‘Much of the landscape you can see today can be related to the site’s industrial past, such as coal storage, a railway and grazing for pit ponies. Many of the wet areas are the result of subsidence associated with mining activity. What makes Havannah/Three Hills special is its very high biodiversity (variety of life.) This is due to the variety of habitats and the presence of some fairly unusual post-industrial environmental conditions. ‘ The Havannah Drift Mine opened in 1950 and closed in 1978.

This visit was short, as usual, but interesting. Northern Marsh Orchid (Dactylorhiza purpurella) was striking even though just beginning to flower.

Norhtern Marsh Orchid

Greater Stitchwort (Stellaria holostea) a glowingplant of woodland edges and hedgerows.

Lesser stitchwort

Wood Forgetmenot (Myosotis sylvatica), another striking plant with sky blue flowers.

creeping Forgetmenot

This Cranesbill had an unusual leaf. It proved to be Shining Cranesbill (Geranium lucidum)

Shining Cranesbill

In the damper areas, looking splendid, the Cuckoo flower (Cardamine pratensis) below.

cardamine

This Sedge was growing in abundance in wet flushes round the lake It looks like glaucous sedge (Carex flacca).

claucous sedge

On the drier ground an attracive grass was thriving. I took a sample home but lost it. Hence the need for a sample box. It looks like Sweet Vernal grass (Anthoxanthum odoratum).

Sweet vernal grass (Anthoxanthum odoratum0

The lowland heath looked to have deteriorated since my last visit. The heather (Calluna vulgaris) is being invaded by Gorse, Birch, and Scots Pine.

lowland heath

Heath Speedwell (Veronica officinalis), hard to identify even in close up.

mystery

We next found a Field edge bordering an Oil seed Rape (Brassica rapa) field. Yellow as far as the eye could see. Plants only hang on at the field boundary because they are less likely to be weed killed. Insecticides, fungicides and herbicides can be used on the crop. Oil seed rape is a honey plant, attractive to Bees and butterflies but the dark sticky honey is usually blended with lighter honey. The pollen too is heavy and sticky.

oilseed

Another Forgetmenot below (Myosotis arvensis) of the field margin.

Wood forgetmenot

Other field edge  plants below :  Red dead nettle, Curled dock, Wood Cranesbill, Bramble.

field boundary

Field Speedwell (Veronica persica) is a common plant of cultivation.

common field speedwell

Scarlet pimpernel (Anagallis arvensis) is another plant that likes disturbed ground. We stopped for lunch nearby. It was clearly visible in the sunshine but seemed to disappear when it became cloudy.

scarlet

Bush Vetch (Vicia sepia)

bush vetch

Field Buttercup (Ranunculus acris), Dog’s Mercury,  Red Clover were noticed. Trees were not the focus but were splendid. Hawthorn was flowering well. Goat Willow, Alder, Scots Pine, Field Maple, I recall seeing.

Here is one of the Lichen on a wall. The pale greenish lichen is Phaeophyscia orbicularis).

lichen