Limestone PavementFourteen of us enjoyed a splendid day out on Hutton Roof Crags, a limestone outcrop which towers above the M 6 motorway. Initial worries about the weather, finding a parking space and meeting up with Margaret's friend Maureen were soon dissipated. We were led into the delightful woodland of hazel and oak by Julia. The Bees conservation volunteers have been involved in tasks on Hutton Roof over several years giving welcome assistance to Cumbria Wildlife Trust in maintaining and creating habitats in which the special plants and butterflies can thrive. We stopped for lunch in an open glade which allowed us to view the many species of plant and butterfly present. Occasionally a butterfly took to the wing but as it was cloudy many were resting on their favourite plant. All seemed to be in pristine condition.. 
Common Cow-wheat The blues stood out as shining jewels. 7 butterfly species were seen including Ringlet (in good numbers), Common Blue, Meadow Brown, Small and Large Skipper and Grayling. John was able to capture a Northern Brown Argus to demonstrate how its diminutive size helped to distinguish it from the Common Blue. The flora of the glade was an interesting variety including Cow Wheat, Common Spotted Orchid, Betony, Rock Rose, Bird's Foot Trefoil and an interesting Lady's Mantle. A further exploration of the sloping grassland and limestone pavement yielded Carline Thistle, the leaves of Lily of the Valley, Juniper (a nationally rare and threatened shrub) and delightful Dropwort.
We continued along the woodland path to the clearing where Julia and her band had been working. A considerable number of trees had been felled to create a large open habitat. It was here that we saw a Fritillary butterfly- was it Dark Green or High Brown ? The group was undecided. We emerged at an outcrop of classic limestone pavement with its deep grikes from which ferns( Hart's Tongue, Maidenhair Spleenwort), sedges( Flea sedge) and flora were emerging. Once we got our eye in we could see that the pavement was littered with individual spikes of the national rarity, the Dark Red Helleborine. The specimens were very fresh looking, we had timed our visit well. Other favorites seen were Wall Lettuce, Traveller's Joy, and Ploughman's Spikenard ( identified by Joan but not yet in flower) and finally Angular Solomon's Seal ( mission accomplished for John).
Northern Brown Argus Please consult Joan and Alice for the full list of 140 flowers recorded. Donald's bird count was limited to 8 including a Raven -its loud, abrupt, echoing cronk cronk call being heard. Also a delightful wren made a fleeting appearance on the top of a wood pile.
As the walk was quite demanding of concentration and physical effort we returned to the minibus tired but satisfied souls, nothing that a long soak in the bath and a glass of wine couldn't put right for the next day. Our sincere thanks go to Julia for both leading and driving also Sue and Robert and everybody for taking part in a lovely day out.
Margaret