WFV Sizergh Castle & Environs 26th June 2012
Margaret
Five opted for the walk to Scout Scar. We parked at Heslington church and walked down into the Lyth valley, once renowned for damsons but now seemingly almost bereft of them, before we made the short but steep ascent of Scout Scar. The overcast grey weather made any long-distance views non-existant and seemed to discourage many of the birds too, although we did see and hear stonechat and saw a buzzard but only recorded 22 species all day. Botanical highlights were dropwort, greater butterfly orchid and the usual delights of Scout Scar – lovely limestone plants and the Scout Scar specialities: heather on limestone, juniper and Lancastrian whitebeam. The grey weather did not encourage many butterflies onto the wing, but in the brighter intervals we did manage to find dark green and small pearl-bordered fritillaries as well as small tortoiseshell. A very pleasant walk thanks to Donald’s leadership.
Stuart
Eight of the group chose the steady walk up to Heslington Church with the main interest being botanical. Along the way plants encountered included hairy st john's wort, smooth hawksbeard and pale lady's mantle. Only one butterfly, a speckled wood, was seen and a rather attractive hoverfly as well as a few day flying moths. On the woodland path a superb example of jelly ear fungus was spotted. It was hoped that butterfly orchids would be found in the churchyard as they had been seen there a few years earlier. The search revealed only a few twayblades until Joan donned her x-ray specs and discovered a solitary unspectacular greater butterfly orchid. The return journey provided nothing further. The wildflower meadow in the grounds of Sizergh did however contain many twayblades and also greater butterfly orchids plus common blue damselflies and once again it failed to rain.
John