Bardsey Fields

Saturday 3rd June 2023

Leader: Kay McDowell

Number of attendees: 24

In the car park of Bardsey Primary School, David from East Keswick Wildlife Trust (EKWT) gave an introduction to the site. Bardsey Fields was recently purchased by EKWT, thankfully saving it from property developers. The fundraising campaign last December by EKWT was hugely successful. Thanks to the generosity of individuals and local natural history groups, in less than 3 weeks, the Trust was able to raise enough money to acquire 23 acres of land located in the centre of Bardsey village. The land runs from Bardsey Primary School down to Bardsey Beck and beyond. EKWT would also have liked to have saved a piece of land to the west of the primary school if funds had permitted, however the land the Trust did acquire was the better wildlife habitat of the two sites. David informed us that the bottom part of the site, by the beck, used to be wetter, but some drainage work was done by the previous landowner. The site is mainly acid grassland, but the pH is influenced in the wetter parts of the site by Bardsey Beck, adding to the biodiversity and creating a species-rich fen meadow. EKWT intend to stock-proof the site, then use their own herd of Dexter cows to lightly graze the area, to maintain the meadow habitat and prevent it from reverting to scrub and woodland. Currently the site is not open to the public, except for organised events such as today’s, but EKWT hope to open the site to the public in the future.

We entered the site through a gate near the school, then walked down the northern edge of the field. It was wonderful to see a great abundance of Pignut (Conopodium majus) turning large parts of the field white. Greater Stitchwort (Stellaria holostea) and Lesser Stitchwort (Stellaria graminea) were growing in close proximity to each other, allowing us to easily examine the differences between these species. Germander Speedwell (Veronica chamaedrys) was in flower, forming patches of blue in the field, with pops of yellow from Bulbous Buttercup (Ranunculus bulbosus). Some members took the opportunity to familiarise themselves with common grass species, which were in full flower, such as Meadow Foxtail (Alopecurus pratensis). This species was showing its lilac anthers at their best. In the hedgerow to our left we spotted Blackthorn (Prunus spinosa) with fruits infected by a gall-causing fungus called Pocket Plum gall (Taphrina pruni). The galls were only at a relatively early stage but, given time, they will elongate to produce bean-like pods with a cavity or pocket where the stone should be (hence the name pocket plum).

At the bottom of the slope, in the north-east corner of the field, we were entertained by a group of Yellow-barred Long-horn moths dancing exuberantly in the sunshine, their extremely long antennae making quite a display (thanks to Sky for finding out what these insects were called). I don’t recall ever seeing these moths before.

We kept to the field boundary, now heading east, until we emerged at a break in the scrub where we could cross the stream. Plants of note here were Floating Sweet-grass (Glyceria fluitans) and Lesser Water-parsnip (Berula erecta). In the field on the other side of the steam we soon found Hairy Sedge (Carex hirta) and Changing Forget-me-not (Myosotis discolor), as well as a Small Copper butterfly.

We explored a shaded strip of land in the south east of the site, on a narrow path between the stream and a mill leet. Here were shade-loving species such as Wood Speedwell (Veronica montana), Enchanter's-nightshade (Circaea lutetiana), Dog's Mercury (Mercurialis perennis) and Ramsons (Allium ursinum). Garden escapes from the near-by houses included Tutsan (Hypericum androsaemum) and Reflexed Stonecrop (Petrosedum rupestre).

We then partly retraced our footsteps to explore the meadows to the north (initially keeping east of Bardsey Beck). Sitting in the long grass for lunch, it was amusing that our large group almost dissappeared, with only the tops of peoples heads being visible! We came across a good diversity of plant species in the fen meadow, with species including Greater Bird's-foot-trefoil (Lotus pedunculatus), Ragged-Robin (Silene flos-cuculi), Common Valerian (Valeriana officinalis), Brown Sedge (Carex disticha) and False Fox-sedge (Carex otrubae). Further along, the large tussocks of Greater Tussock-sedge (Carex paniculata) were unmistakable. To add to the excitement, a swarm of honey bees made their way over the meadow (I had to duck to avoid them!).

Final plants of the day worth noting were a single flower of Druce's Crane's-bill (Geranium x oxonianum) and a good sized sedge, which Jesse later confirmed as Lesser Pond-sedge (Carex acutiformis), despite the unusual arrangement of the spikes. 

We were lucky to have Don Grant join our number today and his company and excellent plant id skills were most welcome. Don identified a species of bramble as Rubus scissus, which I’ve never knowingly seen before.

We had enjoyed ourselves so much at Bardsey Fields there was no time to visit another EKWT site as mentioned in the programme. Hopefully we will see that another time. Thanks were given to Kay for leading.

Text and photographs by Susan