Heber’s Ghyll, Ilkley

Thursday 30^th June 2022

Leaders: Laurie and Janine Wildwood

It was a very wet night when we went to Heber’s Ghyll at Ilkley, but we somehow missed the rain while at the Ghyll and had a very nice, dry night. We met Laurie and family at the bottom of the ghyll, where we saw giant specimens of ferns, such as Common Male Fern (Dryopteris filix-mas), Golden-scaled Male-fern (Dryopteris affinis), and Hard Fern (Blechnum spicant). We also saw huge common plants such as Garlic Mustard (Alliaria petiolata), Enchanter's-nightshade (Circaea lutetiana) and Wood Avens (Geum urbanum). The ghyll seems to have the perfect conditions for these plants. We slowly made our way up the ghyll (watching out for plastic dinosaurs on the way, which had been placed on the trees). Criss crossing the stream on some very nice, recently improved bridges. At one point, Laurie took us off the path into a flush to show us a nice patch of Marsh Hawk's-beard (Crepis paludosa).

We passed many more ferns on our way to the top, including some very nice, and again large, Lemon-scented Fern (Oreopteris limbosperma). At the top of the ghyll, we came across the old Victorian spring. At least one person sampled the waters, although it is not advised to do so these days.

After looking at the spring, we moved on to the moor, with its cup and ring marked rocks. The vegetation here was very different, as you would imagine. We saw many very nice grasses, sedges, and rushes, as well as other plants such as Sand Leek (Allium scorodoprasum).

After the moor, we worked our way back down the hill to the road, down steep steps, giant clumps of Persian Ivy (Hedera colchica) and very large houses. Back at the cars, thanks were given to Laurie and family for such a lovely walk. It had stayed dry the whole evening, but it was then a drive home through torrential rain.

Text by Paula

Photographs by Ian D