Greater Butterfly Orchid Platanthera chlorantha Photo by Peter Kerr
Fragrant Orchid Gymnadenia conopsea Photo by Peter Kerr
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.
Sundew Drosera rotundifolia Photo by Peter Kerr
Bog Rosemary Andromeda polifolia Photo by Peter Kerr
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
