The entrance to the reserve is located off Lime Kiln Lane, where the footpath winds its way through a mixture of broadleaved woodland. Separating the reserve from cultivated farmland was a thick hedge of Hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna) and Field Maple (Acer campestris), intermingled with Black Bryony (Tamus communis) and Bramble (Rubus fruticosus agg.) Along this first stretch it was lovely to see the Sand Leek (Allium scorodoprasum), Field Garlic (A. oleraceum) and Giant Bellflower (Campanula latifolia).

Sand Leek

Leaving the dappled shade of the woodland, there is an area of open grassland and the magnesian limestone beneath has led to a rich combination of plant species. Although the shallow lime-rich soils are nutrient-poor, Common Centaury (Centaurium erythraea), Common Restharrow (Ononis repens), Agrimony (Agrimonia eupatoria), Bladder Campion (Silene vulgaris) and swathes of Common Spotted-orchids (Dactylorhiza fuchsia) grow in abundance.

Common Centaury

Agrimony

Bladder Campion

Pyramidal Orchids (Anacamptis pyramidalis), not seen in our local Dales flora, were prolific. Bee Orchids (Ophrys apifera) and Common Twayblades (Neottia ovata) were also identified.

Pyramidal Orchid

Bee Orchid and Common-spotted Orchid

On the bank sides were Squinancywort (Asperula cynanchica), Yellow-wort (Blackstonia perfoliate), Fairy Flax (Linum catharticum), Burnet Rose (Rosa spinosissima), and Lady’s Bedstraw (Galium verum).

Yellow-wort

A lovely selection of grasses was identified, and we spent some time distinguishing between the Barren, Hairy and False Bromes (Anisantha sterilis, Bromopsis ramosa and Brachypodium sylvaticum). Greater, Hoary and Ribwort Plantains (Plantago major, P. media and P. lanceolata) were noted along the footpath.

The distinguishing features between two scabious plants were studied, noting the 4-petaled florets and very hairy stem of Field Scabious (Knautia arvensis) compared to the 5-petaled florets and less hairy stems of Small Scabious (Scabiosa columbaria).

Field Scabious

After a cup of tea and cake at Harrogate Garden Centre nearby, we finished the day with a wander along the Bishop Monkton Railway Cutting (YWT), a breath-taking sea of Common Spotted-orchids.

Orchids at Bishop Monkton

Report and photos by Stella and Ian Hughes