Fortunately we beat the weather forecast and had a dry mild day with sunny intervals. It
was interesting to visit after last year’s very scorched scene and see many of the usual
species once again looking happy.
The blue Aquilegia vulgaris haze of the recce had disappeared and left no overall colour
but much freshness after the recent rain. The Common Spotted Orchids Dactylorhiza
fuchsii were prominent almost looking like Pyramid or Fragrant Orchids until the long
lower middle spurred lobe was noticed. Next were the Greater Butterfly Orchids
Platanthera chlorantha with their long spur and diverging pollen-masses, both species
present near the entrance and in relative abundance through the site.
It was good to see the following not as often seen species, Kidney Vetch Anthyllis
vulnereria, Lesser Stitchwort Stellaria graminea, and two Cranesbills, Cut-leaved
Cranesbill Geranium dissectum and Long-stalked Cranesbill Geranium columbinum.
Common Gromwell Lithospermum officinale is a quite tall plant with small creamish green
flowers, last years seed heads often still present as little silvery balls.
The main disappointment was the missing Fly Orchid Ophrys insectifera which we had
always found on previous visits, was this as a consequence of last year’s drought as no
other visitors quizzed had seen it?
We moved across the road to Meathop Moss where the highlights were Cranberry
Vaccinium oxycoccus a plenty and in flower, Bog Rosemary Andromeda polifolia was less
floriferous and no flowers were seen on the Round-leaved Sundew Drosera rotundifolia
but the big unexpected find and a first for most of us was the Oblong-leaved Sundew
Drosera intermedia, so different in appearance and in standing water.
An excellent day for the the six of us, two from as far alway as Leeds and one from
Greenhow and another Halifax such is the draw of this special area.
Josephine Drake

Limestone grassland is the habitat for Latterbarrow with some rock outcrops and old ant hills. A recce visit a week previous showed a very dry site reflecting the long, dry spell with warm days but very cold nights.  The main visit a week later after a few days of rain showed the difference.  Great Mullein Verbascum thapus had looked virtually moribund previously and though some plants were dead, others had recovered beyond expectation. The ant hills were still very dry and brown on top but the lower edges were beginning to colour up with Common Rock-rose Helianthemum nummalarium or hints of blue with Germander Speedwell Veronica chamaedrys. The highlights were the orchids, so many Greater Butterfly Orchid Platanthera chlorantha and widespread throughout the site, Common Spotted Orchid Dactylorhiza fuchsii had increased in number between the visits.  Fragrant Orchid Gymnadenia conopsea had just appeared.  With extra careful searching one final specimen was found – Fly Orchid Ophyrys insectifera – what a reward.  Others not often seen species included Common Gromwell Lithospermum officinale and Columbine Aquilegia vulgaris.

After lunch under the shelter of trees, from rain not hot sun, we took the special road under the dual carriageway A590 to Meathop Moss where we quickly followed the path and duckboards out to the Raised Bog and soon found its special treats.  The first was the lovely delicate Cranberry Vaccinium oxycoccus, a beautiful small flower with rose-pink turned-back petals.  Bog Rosemary Andromeda polifolia was nearby, a more subtle plant.  The insectivorous plant Round-leaved Sundew Drosera was visible to the careful eye but the less common Hare’s-tail Cottongrass Eriophorum vaginatum with only one cotton head stood up high, a few of the Common Cottongrass Eriophorum angustifolium was also seen with its several cotton heads.  Only last year’s dead flower heads of Bog Asphodel Narthecium ossifragum were showing but the new leaves were there.  Two of the heathers were seen: Cross-leaved Heath Erica tetralix was in flower, a lovely pink contrasting with the greyish leaves, but the Ling Calluna vulgaris was not yet in flower.

A splendid day rewarded us for our patience with the Travellers’ horse drawn caravans and the rain which was at its worst while we ate lunch in shelter.

Report by Josephine Drake

Photos by Peter Kerr