Abbey Meadows

Abbey Meadows

Sunday 20 April 2008

Unsung heros


Decided to continue with the little documented theme. In the borough woods as well as the usual colourful flowers that carpet the wood at this time of year, some plants tend to be handy for brushing the mud off your wellies when you come out of the woods or are luxuriant for dogs like Bennyboy to cock his leg up against. I am talking about grasses and sedges and their allies. I used to be guilty of overlooking these plants as they didn't quite whet the appetite but if more people took a closer look they would find they have a hidden beauty. I put in this picture of Great Woodrush (Luzula sylvatica). I chose this particular individual because it has a bushy flowering head. Growing alongside these were Hairy Woodrush ( Luzula pilosa)which has a flower in a singly forking cluster, it's hairy leaves are less shinier than the Great. A family walk this afternoon around the town produced little birdlife. Chiffchaffs and Blackcaps the only migrants in the woods. The postern burn; a steep sided ravine near the castle, was brightened up by thousands of Golden Saxifrage. at the castle I was delighted to find more toothworts growing in the shade beside the remains of the old castle wall. A Marsh Tit was calling at Carlisle park.

Yesterday I went along to Bothal pond. It was bright and sunny but very cold. There were dozens of Hirundines flying low over the pond but the highlight was 5 Little ringed plover. I don't think I have seen more than 2 at any one time. Two barnacle Geese looked settled and in no hurry to head home north.

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