Tuesday 17th June - Teggs Nose Country Park

It was a beautiful evening for our visit to Teggs Nose Country Park. The Park is on the western edge of the Peak District with extensive views over the Cheshire plain.

Cheshire plain from Teggs Nose Country Park

Ox-eye Daisies (Leucanthemum vulgare)

The four fields known as the meadows are at their best at the moment, with a stunning display of wild flowers, including in particular vast numbers of Ox-eye Daisies and Common Spotted Orchids. Other species seen were: Yarrow, Marsh Thistle, Pignut, Hogweed, Meadow Buttercup, Bird's Foot Trefoil, Red and White Clover, Germander and Heath Speedwell, Heath Bedstraw, Tormentil, Red Campion, Rowan, Bush Vetch, Ribwort Plantain, Foxglove and Eyebright.

One of the spcialities of the area is Mountain Pansy, found on the higher slopes with shorter grass. It was pleasing to see a number of these delicate flowers, all except one yellow, as in the picture, but one a deep bluish violet.

Common Spotted Orchid (Dactylorhiza fuchsii)

Mountain Pansy (Viola lutea)

Grasses identified were: Crested Dog's-tail, Cock's-Foot, Yorkshire Fog and Quaking Grass, and Scaly Male Fern was common in the quarry area.

Birds seen included Great Tit, Skylark, Magpie, Wood Pigeon, Swallow, Swift and a Heron.

Unfortunately we did not see the Weasel family, seen last year at the same time in the quarry.

A wonderful sunset brought a photographer up just as we were leaving - a fitting end to a very pleasant evening.