12 members of the Botany Group headed north up the A1 to visit this wonderful reserve in an old magnesian limestone quarry, abandoned in the 1930s. The site is famous for its orchids, in particular the Dark-Red Helleborine Epipactisatrorubens (see above) which thrive there and are in full flower in mid-July.  Down on the floor of the quarry we enjoyed trying to work out what all the orchids were, as many have hybridised.  We found a number of different sub-species of Fragrant Orchid including Marsh Fragrant Gymnadenia conopseadensiflora and Heath Fragrant Gymnadenia conopseaborealis.  Other orchid species included Common Spotted Dactylorhiza fuchsii, Heath Spotted Dactylorhiza maculata, Southern Marsh Dactylorhiza praetermissa, slightly faded Bee Ophrys apifera, Common Twayblade Listera ovata and Pyramidal Anacamptis pyramidalis.  

After lunching amongst all the orchids, we climbed up onto the top of the quarry where we found a number of different members of the Gentian family including Yellow-wort Blackstonia perfoliata, Common Centaury Centaurium erythraea and Autumn Gentian Gentianella amarella, the latter just coming into flower.  Other gems included Blue Fleabane Erigeron acer, Knotted Pearlwort Sagina nodosa and Thyme-leaved Sandwort Arenaria serpylliifolia.  Having 12 sets of eyes really helped us spot some lovely plants.

Our visit was enhanced by Yellowhammers serenading us and a number of different butterflies and moths including Durham Northern Argus, Fritillary (possibly Dark Green) and lots of Six-spot Burnet moths.

We had a lovely trip to this wonderful reserve and returned home quite content!

Jane

Our next botany trip is on the River  Wharfe upstream from Grassington Bridge on Tuesday 30th July, we hope you can join us.