The pictures show Herb Paris ( Paris Quadrifolia), Three Veined Sandwort ( Moehringia Trinervia),False Oxlip and Procumbent Pearlwort ( Sagina procumbens).
12 members of the Botany group met at Feizor on a warm, sunny Spring morning and had a wonderful day. We spent the first hour or so walking along the lane towards Austwick discovering some favourites like Herb Paris, Goldilocks Buttercup and a small patch of Three-veined Sandwort before having lunch in the sun on the slopes below the OxenberWoods nature reserve.
We then spent the next couple of hours enjoying the wonderful limestone slopes of the reserve which, at this time of year, are covered in Bluebells, Cowslips and Early-Purple Orchids. With 12 pairs of eyes, we found a number of interesting flowers and grasses including False Oxlip, Procumbent Pearlwort, Parsley-piert and Thyme-leaved Speedwell. We were also serenaded by a Redstart high in the tree canopy above us. The Columbines in the woods at the top of the reserve were emerging but not yet in flower.
After a brief refreshment stop, we walked back down the lane into Feizor for a well-deserved cup of tea at Elaine’s Tea Shop. In total, we spotted over 130 species and enjoyed a lovely day in a beautiful part of the world.
Jane Welsh
Our next trip, led by Rosemary Jackson, is to Leyburn Old Glebe and Ballow Field, Carperby on 21 May. Please come and join us.
