Saturday 26th July 2014 - Hutton Roof Crags

A very warm day for our day excursion to Hutton Roof Crags, but fortunately not as hot as preceding days. Hutton Roof Crags is a hill in south-eastern Cumbria, with ancient ash-maple woodland on limestone. Of particular botanical interest are the areas of limestone pavement and limestone grassland. Despite the very busy M6 with many people heading for Blackpool and the Lake District, we saw only about 10 people on the 5 hour walk. (Admittedly the bracken could have hidden a few thousand, but if so they were very quiet!)

While it was too late in the year for some specialities, notably Fly Orchid, which we have seen previously at this site, and Herb Paris, which was still just recognisable in the woodland at  the start of the walk, there were still many unusual plants to be found. Two ferns were seen only in the grykes of the pavements: Limestone Oak Fern and Rigid Buckler Fern, while another small fern, Beech Fern, was found in abundance in the woodland  near the pavements.

Limestone Oak Fern
( Gymnocarpium robertianum)

Beech Fern (Phegopteris  connectilis)

Spot the naturalist!

In contrast to these delicate ferns, it did not require much effort to spot the bracken - it required more effort to spot the naturalists in the bracken!
Ferns noted were: Wall Rue, Maidenhair Spleenwort, Hart's-tongue, Limestone Oak Fern, Bracken, Polypody, Beech fern

Green Woodpecker and Blackcap were quite vocal, but the woodpecker also made itself visible a few times during the day. A wren was seen in the thicker vegetation, but overall not much birdlife was seen.

Dark Green Fritillary (Argynnis  aglaja)

 Butterflies which were particularly attracted by the Knapweed and Burdock included Large Skipper, Ringlet, Common Blue, Dark Green Fritillary, Green-veined White and Speckled Wood.

Dark Red Helleborine
(Epipactis atrorubens)

Dark Red Helleborine
(Epipactis atrorubens)

 

Dark Red Helleborine
(Epipactis atrorubens)

Of the flora seen, Dark Red Helleborine was the highlight - one of the specialities of the area. Only one specimen was still in full flower, which was appreciated by two wasps, but even the fruiting ones were still attractive.

Angular Solomon's Seal (Polygonatum odoratum)

Angular Solomon's Seal, another speciality of limestone pavements, was found near the summit of Burton Fell.

A more detailed list of lowering plants seen - Pignut, Hogweed, Sanicle, Upright Hedge-parsley, Angular Solomon's-seal, Yarrow, Lesser Burdock, Daisy, Common Knapweed, Marsh Thistle, Spear Thistle, Rough Hawkbit, Wall Lettuce, Groundsel, Harebell, Honeysuckle, Lesser Stitchwort, Common Rock-rose, Rigid Buckler-fern, Heather, Meadow Vetchling, Common Bird's-foot-trefoil, Greater Bird's-foot-trefoil, Red Clover, White Clover, Meadow Crane's-bill, Heath Wood-rush, Betony, Hedge Woundwort, Wood Sage, Thymus polytrichus, Ramsons, Fairy Flax, Enchanter's-nightshade, Dark-red Helleborine, Eyebright, Ribwort Plantain, Greater Plantain, Common Sorrel, Meadow Buttercup, Lesser Meadow Rue, Lady's-Mantle, Meadowsweet, Wood Avens, Silverweed, Tormentil, Heath bedstraw, Lady's Bedstraw and Herb-paris.

With many grasses -  Common Bent, Sweet Vernal-grass, False Oat-grass, False-brome, Quaking-grass, Crested Dog's-tail, Cock's-foot, Tufted Hair-Grass, Giant Fescue, Meadow Oat-grass, Yorkshire-fog, Perennial Rye-grass, Wood Melick, Mat-grass, Blue Moor-grass. (Thanks to Liz Blackman for identifications.)

Burton Fell

Burton Fell

With thick and deep vegetation on the hillsides, it is a pleasant surprise to reach the open pavement area on the summit plateau, with (hazy) views across to Morcambe Bay, the Lake District and Howgill fells. It was a delightful place to visit.