On Wednesday, 10th June, 9 of us met in the Bowlees car park on what turned out to be a beautiful sunny and warm afternoon, not the predicted rain.
We formed two separate groups for this wild flower identification: Ruth Stables took 4 to the Quarry, whilst Anne Thomson took 3 along towards Scoberry Bridge.
Scoberry by Anne Thomson - Four of us walked down past the meadow, crossed the Wynch Bridge and along towards Scoberry Bridge identifying 42 wild flowers on the way. Hiding in amongst a profusion of Buttercups in the meadow were both red and white Clover, Eyebright, Pignut, Yellow Rattle to name but a few.
On the path down to the Wynch Bridge the Garlic or Ramsons were going over but there were still some in flower with Wood Avens protruding through. Looking over the Bridge were Wild Roses to one side and Low Force to the other side.
Heading towards Scoberry Bridge we found 1 solitary Bluebell, the rest having finished; also Water Avens, Alpine Bistort, Salad Burnet, Foxgloves, Marsh Marigolds, Common Milkwort and Tormentil. We were delighted to find Common-spotted, Early Purple and Northern Marsh Orchids along the riverside of the River Tees.
Quarry by Ruth Stables - Whilst the energetic members of the Wildflower Group went from Bowlees towards Scoberry Bridge, 5 of us enjoyed a more leisurely exploration of the flora of the Quarry at Bowlees.
We saw over 50 different species: the highlights for me were the Orchids - Northern Marsh, Common Spotted, Marsh and Twayblade. A close second came the beautiful dark blue Common Butterwort, the flower that gets its nourishment from insects settling on its distinctive pale Green sticky leaves, hence its being called insectivorous.
Amongst others we saw were Wood Cranesbill, Ragged Robin, Salad Burnet, Bush Vetch and Marsh Hawksbeard - a veritable feast.
Come and join us!