Wednesday 1 May 2019

Snippets of Wealth (1st May 2019) C. Whitethroat/Garden Warbler/Ang Solomons Seal/Wild Strawberry



Wednesday 1st May 2019 - Dalton Crags and top of Lancelot Clark Storth (CWT)

It was great to hear the Garden Warblers at last with one calling from just on entering Dalton Crags, also a Chiffchaff closeby.  Also to hear two separate Common Whitethroats from in the deforested part, male Stonechat sat on the wall.  Another Garden Warbler calling from the top of Lancelot Clark Storth (CWT).  Hatch of St. Marks Fly whilst traversing the deforested part of Dalton. 

I had set out today to check out the Orchis mascula (Early Purple Orchids) at the top of Lancelot Clark Storth whilst at the same time checking out the P. Odoratum (Angular Solomons Seal)

The orchids are numbering maybe a couple of hundred in this area (Lancelot Clark Storth - CWT), but although odd individuals are showing well, the majority will not be ready for at least 10 days which I guess is fairly norm for here. All beautiful but none photographed.

The real bonus today had to be the Odoratum (Angular Solomon's Seal - Lancelot Clark Storth - High population. I was surprised to see that these were the most advanced to say they are at the highest altitude of around 600ft asl. One of the plants was actually showing two drooping white flowers which I would guess must be at least two weeks premature on the rest of the population. I would expect the population to flower proper by about the end of the 2nd to beginning of the 3rd week in May. It was great to manage to capture both the advanced plant together with the Gymnocarpium robertianum (Limestone Fern), (P. Odoratum (Angular Solomon's) shoots and the Dryopteris sub-montana (Rigid Buckler fern) all in the same photo which you can see below!

Polygonatum odoratum (Angular Solomons Seal) with flowers, Gymnocarpium robertianum (Limestone fern) and ASS shoots and Dryopteris sub-montana (Rigid Bucker Fern)
Photo: Lancelot Clark Storth (CWT) Hutton Roof 1st May 2019

 Polygonatum odoratum (Angular Solomons Seal) with flowers 
Photo: Lancelot Clark Storth (CWT) Hutton Roof 1st May 2019


 Polygonatum odoratum (Angular Solomons Seal) young shoots at 3-4" 
Photo: Lancelot Clark Storth (CWT) Hutton Roof 1st May 2019


Polygonatum odoratum (Angular Solomons Seal) Gymnocarpium robertianum (Limestone fern) and ASS shoots and Dryopteris sub-montana (Rigid Bucker Fern)
In situ photo of the general area
Photo: Lancelot Clark Storth (CWT) Hutton Roof 1st May 2019

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Fragaria vesca (Wild Strawberry) showing the early onset of going into fruiting mode!


Fragaria vesca (Wild Strawberry) Click over to enlarge
Photo: Dalton Crags, Hutton Roof on 1st May 2019

From this photo (above) you start to see the early fruit bulging at the centre of the flower, the fruit is normally from early June in these parts but could well be earlier this year!


 Fragaria vesca (Wild Strawberry) Click over to enlarge
Photo: Dalton Crags, Hutton Roof on 1st May 2019

Also I have noted over the past few days that beside the bulging centres forming the fruit, the petals of the plant curl over and form a tight envelope protecting the centre as you can see above and below. 


Fragaria vesca (Wild Strawberry) Click over to enlarge
Photo: Dalton Crags, Hutton Roof on 1st May 2019

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Veronica serpyllifolia (Thyme Leaved Speedwell) Click over to enlarge
Photo: Dalton Crags on 1st May 2019

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I wonder if this is Pilosella officinarum (Mouse ear Hawkweed)?
It looks beautiful

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Old supersized anthills on Lancelot Clark Storth (CWT)
Photo: 1st May 2019

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 Sherardia arvensis (Field Madder) Click over to enlarge
Photo: Dalton Crags (Crag Farm side), 1st May 2019
Shows it growing on the sides of a "ant hills"

  Sherardia arvensis (Field Madder) Click over to enlarge
Photo: Dalton Crags (Crag Farm side), 1st May 2019
Shows it growing on the sides of a "ant hill"

Sherardia arvensis (Field Madder) Click over to enlarge
Photo: Dalton Crags (Crag Farm side), 1st May 2019

Shows it growing on the sides of a "ant hill"


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