Birdsong and Flowers

Our annual Birdsong Breakfast could not have had a more beautiful morning.  As the sun rose over the Covert at 4.30am this morning, fifty-two early risers gathered to take part in a guided walk around the reserve, and then go up onto the moor to see the Black Grouse.

Tony, Tom, John and Paul led a group each, and among the birds heard this morning were Woodcock, Willow Warbler, Reed Bunting and Blackcap.  After we had all worked up an appetite the whole group repaired to Wathgill camp for a full English breakfast!  Thanks go to everyone who came and who helped this morning.  See you same time, same place, next year!

Later in the morning twenty-five members of Yoredale Natural History Society came for a guided flower walk. 

Altogether we discovered sixty-four plants in flower.  Highlights were the Northern Marsh Orchids, Water Crowfoot (which caused much discussion!) and Arum italicum or Italian Lords and Ladies (below).

Other flowers were Bog Stitchwort, Dove's foot Cranesbill, Pignut, a very late Coltsfoot flower, and lots of Bluebells!