Foxglove’s Spring Flowers

Continuing on from the Bluebell Blog, it is noticeable that the Bluebells have benefitted from the habitat management work carried out over the years, as they are now seen in many different areas of the reserve.

Along Risedale Beck Wild Garlic or Ramsons, as they are sometimes known, grow intermingled with Bluebells.

Close up they are a stunning flower.  Once disturbed the garlic scent is easily detected.

Crab Apple trees are in full flower and providing plenty of food for bees.  Every flower that opens is essential to a variety of bugs, beasties, creepy crawlies and of course bees.

Common Milkwort is a low growing plant of moorland and in this case it has spread amongst the Lousewort.

The Bogbean pond in the Scrapes is in full bloom and for once the timing was right to take a photograph without the lower flowers fading.

Lady's Smock or Cuckoo flower with their delicate purple flowers are dotted around the reserve.  The weather has been so cold, it was a surprise to see the orange egg of an Orange Tip Butterfly fixed firmly onto the stem.  Only one egg per flower, as there is not enough food for more than one hungry caterpillar.

The long weeks of low day and night temperatures has meant that some flowers have been in flower for longer than normal.  Warm conditions often see them setting seed quickly.   June's warm sunny days will see the summer flowers bloom, with more insects on the wing feeding from them.