Bolton Abbey Archives - Upper Wharfedale Field Society https://uwfs.org.uk/tag/bolton-abbey/ The fells and valleys of Upper Wharfedale are overflowing with delights from which, once under their spell, very few can escape. Wed, 29 May 2024 16:09:46 +0000 en-GB hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.9.7 Botany visit to Bolton Abbey 23 April 2024 https://uwfs.org.uk/botany-visit-to-bolton-abbey-23-april-2024/ Tue, 23 Apr 2024 18:46:49 +0000 https://uwfs.org.uk/?p=9945 Report of the visit to the Wharfe

The post Botany visit to Bolton Abbey 23 April 2024 appeared first on Upper Wharfedale Field Society.

]]>

11 botanists met at Bolton Abbey to explore the west bank of the River Wharfe. Familiar with this stretch of river, I was surprised by the variety of wildflowers on the riverbank and further upstream in the woods. We identified 90 plants in all. We also enjoyed watching the Common Sandpiper and a pair of flirting Gosanders.

In particular we identified 7 ferns, recognised the unusual looking Butterbur and distinguished between the Common and Early Dog violets. We saw early examples of  Lady’s smock and Bulbus buttercup. We found Woodruff and Sanicle.

I was enchanted by the seeds of the Wych Elm ( Ulmus glabra). There were plenty of Wild Arum ( Arum maculatum) in flower.

We discussed the origins of non native Few Flowered Leek ( Allium paradoxum).

My highlights were the plentiful Native Bluebells and Wild garlic covering the woodland floor, Herb Paris and Toothwort (the later found on the wetter west bank of the Wharfe).

Our next outing lead by Jane is at Oxenber and Wharfe woods near Feizor, we hope that you can join us.

Rosemary

The post Botany visit to Bolton Abbey 23 April 2024 appeared first on Upper Wharfedale Field Society.

]]> Strid Woods, Bolton Abbey Estate https://uwfs.org.uk/strid-woods-bolton-abbey-estate/ Tue, 19 Apr 2016 14:29:10 +0000 https://uwfs.org.uk/?p=1156 Pied Flycatcher We were very lucky that the above date was in the lovely warm and sunny week before winter returned bringing snow and cold winds. Even those who like plenty of layers of clothing had to begin to shed some! Ten of us set out to walk first on the north bank, over the aqueduct

The post Strid Woods, Bolton Abbey Estate appeared first on Upper Wharfedale Field Society.

]]> Pied Flycatcher

Pied Flycatcher

We were very lucky that the above date was in the lovely warm and sunny week before winter returned bringing snow and cold winds. Even those who like plenty of layers of clothing had to begin to shed some! Ten of us set out to walk first on the north bank, over the aqueduct and back along the other side. A longer walk than we normally do. There is always lots to see in these woods.

Great Woodrush Luzula sylvatica which later in the season clothe the wooded slopes was just beginning to come into flower, contrasting with the delicate Hairy Woodrush L.pilosa. Ferns were beginning to unfurl and the magical blue haze of the Bluebells Hyacinthoides non-scripta beginning to appear. Many plants were starting to come into leaf and bud. Our discussions centred on identification of trees and Golden Saxifrage Chrysoplenium: had we seen the Alternate-leaved C. alternifolium (as against just another Opposite-leaved variety C.oppositifolium) or was the leader using her imagination too much! We found Yellow Star of Bethlehem Gagea lutea in its usual position on a steep bank near the river.

We are very much a mixed group of botanists and birders who are also interested in butterflies and were pleased to see Orange Tip and Peacock butterflies as well as the newly arrived Warblers. It was a really good start to the season except that we noted many seedlings of Himalayan Balsam Impatiens glandulifera, too many to pick out, no doubt brought downstream by the winter flooding.
Christine Bell.

The post Strid Woods, Bolton Abbey Estate appeared first on Upper Wharfedale Field Society.

]]>