Blackthorn

A hedge of blackthorn flowering along the edge of the southernmost field of the Bishop Wilton Poorlands. Eduardo and I went for a walk from BW along Thorny Lane, over Bray Gate and across Farmer Andrew's fields and into the Poorlands. This was a route I hadn't taken before, and it was impressive for the number of brown hares that we bumped into along the way. There is a bit more information on the Poorlands, in this blip from last June.

There was more to see in the Poorlands than I had expected for this early stage in the season. The middle field of the three is the most species-rich, and contrary to what I had thought, it is only this one that enjoys Site of Special Scientific Interest status. The other two are less rich reflecting episodes of application of fertilisers or slurry that have reduced the diversity of species. In the midlle field I was surprised to find numerous leaves of adder's tongue, a small fern that has diminished in abundance as old hayfields and pastures have been agriculturally intensified. There were plentiful cowslips just coming into flower. Many of the herbaceous species that will later provide a riot of colour are identifiable now, growing rapidly in the warmer Spring weather. At one end of the field, Eduardo spotted large arcs of darker grass, almost certainly parts of ancient fairy rings of grassland fungi. Our walk to the Poorlands was accompanied by the music of curlews and skylarks.

I added two new species of bird for the year on the walk: yellowhammer (120) and linnet (121) while on the drive over from Cumbria the night before Wifie and I had seen a barn owl (119) flying along the road verge.

We have left Reg and Bob in the care of Arnside Simon for the three nights we are away. Meanwhile, Wifie is going down with the cold I had last week.