Nidd Gorge, Knaresborough

Saturday 23^rd April 2022

Leader: Nyree Fearnley

We were a group of 21 for this meeting, including several new members who were warmly welcomed. It was a bit chilly at the start but evolved into a sunny day in which the spring woodland flowers were showing at their best. Throughout our walk the Wood Anemones, Wood Stitchworts, Wood Sorrel and Bluebells made a beautiful colourful carpet. Nestled in these carpets tiny Thyme-leaved Speedwell, Wood Speedwell and large areas of Opposite-leaved Golden Saxifrage could be found.

Our walk took us alongside the river and produced a wide variety of plants. A lot of leaf identification was going on which included Giant Bellflower, Pignut, Burnet Saxifrage, Common Valerian and Hemlock Water Dropwort heralding what is still to bloom as the year progresses. We also saw fungi, butterflies and Mandarin ducks.

Walking down from the car park we were pleased to see Yellow Archangel – a sure sign we were in ancient woodland. Just beneath the bridge which we needed to cross to the other side of the river, we found Coralroot Bittercress – the plant we all wanted to see. Further on we would see vast amounts of it, but the first sighting is always special! Also here Ian found Town Hall Clock (Moschatel) – another nice find. Pink Purslane and Fringecups were here too. Later we would find Pick-a-back-plant so were able to compare the leaves and see how that grows differently by spreading whereas the Fringecups grow in more separately spaced clumps.

We came across Toothwort and as we walked along found quite a lot more, together with a range of sedges, Pendulous, Remote and Wood and two Wood-rushes – Great and Hairy.

A grassy area was where we stopped to have lunch. Two of the group finished their lunch in record time and provided us with some entertainment by skimming pebbles across the river.

Setting off again we saw American Skunk Cabbage poking out of the water on the opposite riverbank, followed by Bird Cherry by the path.

Part of the Group walked on a bit further to see Marsh Marigolds whilst some decided to retrace our steps. We all met back at the bridge with another little splinter group heading off to see if the Early Purple Orchids were blooming; however we were just a bit too early for those.

Owing to a sudden unforeseeable circumstance, Carmen could not lead our walk as planned. However her daughter Nyree, who had been on the recce, took over her Mum`s role and we were grateful indeed because it had been a very pleasing day. Good company, good botanising.

Text by Rita

Photographs by Alan, David and Tom