Rougemont Carr, Weeton

Saturday 26th April 2025

Leader: Nyree Fearnley

This was an afternoon walk (starting 1.30pm) to Rougemont Carr bluebell woods, Weeton followed by a meal at the Square & Compass, North Rigton.

Our group of 20 started the walk in Weeton Church car park, having made prior arrangement with the church. The approach road and many roadside verges had Greater Stitchwort (Stellaria holostea), Lesser Celandine (Ficaria verna) and Cow Parsley (Anthriscus sylvestris), spring flowers at their best.

As we walked down the lane, more interesting roadside plants (in small numbers) were Wood Melick (Melica uniflora), a delightful grass with graceful arching tiny flowers, Black Bryony (Tamus communis), a climbing vine with small yellow flowers, and Goldilocks Buttercup (Ranunculus auricomus) with their unusual habit of having either two or three petals.

The hedgerows were full of flowers and fresh green leaves, mainly Hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna) but also plenty of Apple (Malus sp.) blossom. We located Midland Hawthorn (Crataegus laevigata), which is unusual this far north, together with Hop (Humulus lupulus), which had increased dramatically since our last visit.

As we finally entered the woodland of Rougemont Carr, there was a large patch of Leopard's-bane (Doronicum pardalianches) (leaves only) together with a breathtaking vista of Bluebell (Hyacinthoides non-scripta), much enjoyed by the photographers.

Another speciality of the wood, although somewhat smaller, is Wood Speedwell (Veronica montana) with long-stemmed delicate flowers together with the much more widespread Ivy-leaved Speedwell (Veronica hederifolia), with extremely tiny flowers.

A very obliging Red Admiral butterfly had many admirers as it was the first of the year for some of us. Also Speckled Wood and Orange tips were fluttering around. The delightfully named Chocolate Mining Bee plus Marmalade Hoverfly were identified thanks to the expertise of David Nelson.

Once through the wood and down to the riverbank and adjoining meadow, Bird Cherry (Prunus padus) (laden with flowers) and Large Bitter-cress (Cardamine amara), with bright violet anthers, were seen (the latter requiring a walk along a stream bed).

We then retraced our steps through the wood on a higher path and eventually to the riverbank along an (optional) semi-hazardous path. Here we found Toothwort (Lathraea squamaria), Bugle (Ajuga reptans), Fringecups (Tellima grandiflora) and the sought after Moschatel (Adoxa moschatellina), also known as Town Hall Clock due to its four-sided yellow flowerheads, which indeed is well named.

A quick return to our cars and on to the Square & Compass for our annual meal, well attended by 17 members.

Grateful thanks to Nyree for leading the walk and even more for so ably arranging the annual meal which was most enjoyable. Also thanks to Bruce for recording all the plants.

Text by Anthony and Rita

Photographs by Tom and Susan