<<

The Lakes and Fells – Wildlife of England’s North West

Naturetrek Tour Report 6 – 9 June 2019

Large Heath Butterfly Red Squirrel

Lady’s-slipper Orchid Pied Flycatchers

Report and images compiled by David Morris

Naturetrek Mingledown Barn Wolf’s Lane Chawton Alton Hampshire GU34 3HJ UK Naturetrek T: +44 (0)1962 733051 E: [email protected] W: www.naturetrek.co.uk

Tour Report The Lakes and Fells – Wildlife of England’s North West

Tour participants: David Morris (Leader) with eight Naturetrek clients

Day 1 Thursday 6th June

After meeting at midday at our hotel, within the bustling Lakeland town of Kendal, we headed off to the northern edge of Morecambe Bay and to Township Allotment on Whitbarrow. We parked up on the edge of the diverse Ash, Yew and Hazel woodlands overlaying the limestone pavement and headed out to explore the rides and glades within, in search of butterflies in the warm afternoon sun. The woods were alive with birdsong from Blackcap, Marsh Tit, Song Thrush and Willow Warblers. We entered the clearings on the open limestone grassland exposures in search of and butterflies. Dingy Skippers and Small Heaths were well represented with small numbers of Brimstone and Small Pearl-bordered Fritillaries seen, along with the nationally scarce day-flying White-spotted Sable moth.

From here we moved a short distance down onto Meathop Moss, a small lowland mire bordering Morecambe Bay, to explore the acidic bog habitats. The bog had a good range of ericaceous dwarf shrubs including Cranberry, Vaccinium oxycoccos, in full flower, Bog Rosemary, Andromeda polifolia, along with Round-leaved Sundew, Drosera rotundifolia, and Bog Asphodel, Narthecium ossifragum. Out on the bog we found good numbers of Large Heath butterflies, along with Tree Pipit, and Osprey on its huge nest.

Continuing to take advantage of the fine afternoon weather we headed over to Latterbarrow to explore the woodland and floriferous limestone grasslands on site. Entering the site, we were met with a riot of colour from Columbine Aquilegia vulgaris, Common Rock-rose Helianthemum nummularium, and other limestone flora along with a good range of orchids including Greater Butterfly-orchid Plananthera chlorantha, Common Spotted-orchid Dactylorhiza fuchsii, Twayblade ovata, and a few Orchids insectifera. Butterflies included freshly emerged Large Skippers, Northern Brown Argus and Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary. On the way back to the hotel we briefly dropped in at Foulshaw Moss, another lowland raised mire, where we had good views of displaying Lesser Redpolls, Large Heath, another pair of Osprey and more bog-edge flora, including some attractive displays of Marsh Cinquefoil Comarum palustre. After an evening meal, we headed to bed ready for a day in the Lakeland fells.

Day 2 Friday 7th June

We woke to a lovely sunny morning in Kendal, with Swifts screaming around the hotel, but rain was forecast later in the afternoon, so we had breakfast then headed out to make the most of the day. We headed north of Kendal to spend a day exploring the lesser-known parts of the Eastern Lakeland Fells and Orton Fells within the new Westmorland Dales National Park extension. Our first stop of the day was Shap Fell, where we had a wander across an area of moorland adjacent to a tumbling beck. Peregrine, Common Buzzard and Sparrowhawk were all picked up, along with Siskin, Lesser Redpoll and Mistle Thrush in a nearby woodland block. The Heather- Calluna vulgaris- dominated dry heath held some interesting finds including Moonwort Botrychium lunaria, Stagshorn Clubmoss Lycopodium clavatum, and Alpine Clubmoss Diphasiastrum alpinum. Next stop was Shap Wells where we had close views of a number of Red Squirrels that posed for photos, coming to take the nuts we came armed with, as well as feeding on the seed of a fruiting Wych Elm Ulmus glabra.

By mid-morning we made our way into the Naddle Valley at the RSPB Haweswater reserve, enjoying a welcome coffee in the sunshine whilst listening to Green Woodpecker, Redstart and Cuckoo. We walked into the ancient

© Naturetrek June 18 1

The Lakes and Fells – Wildlife of England’s North West Tour Report

wood pasture of veteran Oak, Ash and Alder, first noting Tree Lungwort Lobaria pulmonaria, along with a range of charismatic bird species including Redstart, Tree Pipit, Siskin, Lesser Redpoll and a pair of Pied Flycatchers busy feeding their chicks in the hole of a trackside tree. A quick venture into Mirkside Wood saw a diverse flora beneath the Hazel Corylus avellana, including Wood Cranesbill Geranium sylvaticum, Sanicle Sanicula europaea, Pignut Conopodium majus, and a spike of Bird’s-nest Orchid Neottia nidus-avis. For lunch we headed around the corner to the Haweswater Hotel, nestled in Naddle Forest with views over the reservoir, where we saw a small group of Red Deer on the opposite fell. By the time we were ready to move on, the rain had arrived.

For the afternoon we moved to the nearby Orton Fells to explore the network of floristic roadside verges, limestone grasslands, moorland and fens. One verge was incredibly diverse with a wide range of charismatic, upland-meadow, tall herbs and a large number of orchids, including deep-purple Northern Marsh-orchids Dactylorhiza purpurella, Twayblades , and a few good clumps of Frog Orchid Dactylorhiza viridis. We moved on towards Sunbiggin Tarn where the heath and pastures held drumming Snipe, Curlew, Lapwing, Wheatear and Brown Hare. In areas of species-rich calcareous fen, we found Black Bog-rush Schoenus nigricans, along with Heath Spotted-orchid Dactylorhiza maculata, and Early Marsh-orchid , in addition to large numbers of Bird’s-eye Primrose Primula farinosa, and Common Butterwort Pinguicula vulgaris. By late afternoon we headed back to Kendal, calling en route to look at Spignel Meum athamanticum, before freshening up and then going out in the town to enjoy a delicious evening meal at a local restaurant.

Day 3 Saturday 8th June

With a front of low pressure stuck over the UK today we knew it was going to be a bit damp, so after breakfast we headed off across the Kent Estuary to explore the Arnside and Silverdale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. We paused for a brief stop outside the village of Sandside, donned the waterproofs and explored a section of sensitively managed roadside verge, finding a good display of wildflowers including Fly Orchid , Common Twayblade Neottia ovata, and Common Spotted-orchid Dactylorhiza fuchsii. From here we drove around the bay and along lanes through the rolling scenic landscape, arriving at Leighton Moss RSPB reserve.

We started at the bird feeding station, noting a range of common woodland bird species, before moving up to the sky tower to give us commanding views across the reedbed and wider landscape. From our vantage point overlooking Lillian’s Pool we observed Marsh Harriers quartering the reeds along with Great Crested Grebe, Gadwall, and Coot on the pool. From here we moved out along the boardwalk through the reeds hearing the incredibly loud song of Cetti’s Warbler and noting a range of plants, including Great Water Dock Rumex hydrolapathum, Figwort Scrophularia nodosa, and Tufted Vetch Vicia cracca. Along the causeway we located squealing Water Rail, Reed Bunting, Reed Warbler and another Marsh Harrier, before moving into the hide where we found Tufted Duck and Great Crested Grebe in the shallow water and had close fly-by views of a male Marsh Harrier. A further walk through the reedbed took us to Lower Pool and hide close to a pair of breeding Bitterns. Unfortunately the Bitterns didn’t show, but we had good views of a pair of Lapwing sheltering their chicks from the rain, as well as Gadwall, Wigeon, Pochard and a pair of Mute Swans with their cygnets.

After a filling lunch at the visitor-centre café, we made our way to the saltmarsh pools, first visiting the Allan Pool hide where the raucous noise of the Black-headed Gull colony greeted us on arrival. Dozens of young fluffy Black- headed Gull chicks were spread about on the pool edges and islands and within the colony we found Oystercatcher, Shelduck and Avocets. A further short walk along to the Eric Morecambe pool hide was highly productive with

2 © Naturetrek June 19

The Lakes and Fells – Wildlife of England’s North West Tour Report

large flocks of Black-tailed Godwit, smaller numbers of Bar-tailed Godwit, along with a mix of other waders including Greenshank, Knot and Redshank. A number of Avocet were incubating eggs on nests on the small muddy islands and at one point, a fly-over Marsh Harrier flushed most of the waders, putting them into the air, wheeling around before settling back down on the pools.

Our final stop of the day was Gait Barrows National Nature Reserve where we explored an area of calcareous marl fen, noting Bird’s-eye Primrose Primula farinosa, Black Bog-rush Schoenus nigricans, and some veteran Junipers Juniperus communis. The botanical highlight of the day was finding flowering (introduced) Lady’s-slipper , on the edge of a patch of woodland. Having taken photos, we headed back to our Kendal hotel for a relax before heading out for dinner.

Day 4 Sunday 9th June

On our final day of the trip we checked out of the hotel and after a brief look at the adjacent River Kent, we headed back down to Foulshaw Moss for another look for butterflies and dragonflies in the sunshine. Our first stop was the bird feeding station on site where we had excellent views of Tree Sparrow, Siskin, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Reed Bunting, Goldfinch and numerous Lesser Redpoll, including a stunning pink male in full breeding finery. Out on the bog, fragrant Bog-Myrle Myrica gale was abundant, along with a range of plants we had become used to on boggy habitats during the weekend. From the viewpoints we looked out over the Osprey nest and with a live link we could see into the nest to observe the female and her two chicks. The male arrived for a food drop at the nest whilst we were observing them and we saw another individual bird perched in a band of pines, providing good views in the scopes.

As we progressed along the boardwalks through the swamp, bog and woodland we noted large numbers of sunning Common Lizards, plus lots of Large Red, and Blue-tailed Damselflies and singing Tree Pipits. Although we couldn’t find any Adders, we did locate several White-faced Darter Dragonflies, Large Heath butterflies and flowering Bog-bean Menyanthes trifoliata in several swamp pools. As we were leaving the boardwalk, several of us observed a calling Osprey circling close overhead.

By midday we headed back to Kendal for a final enjoyable lunch before we bid our farewells and headed off in various directions.

Receive our e-newsletter

Join the Naturetrek e-mailing list and be the first to hear about new tours, additional departures and new dates, tour reports and special offers. Visit www.naturetrek.co.uk to sign up.

© Naturetrek June 19 3

The Lakes and Fells – Wildlife of England’s North West Tour Report

Species Lists

Birds (✓ = recorded but not counted; H = heard only) June Common name Scientific name 6 7 8 9 1 Red-legged Partridge Alectoris rufa 2 2 Common Pheasant Phasianus colchicus H ✓ ✓ 3 Mute Swan Cygnus olor 2 4 + 8 y 4 Greylag Goose Anser anser 40 5 Common Shelduck Tadorna tadorna 200 6 Gadwall Mareca strepera 10 7 Mallard Anas platyrhynchos ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 8 Common Pochard Aythya ferina 8 9 Tufted Duck Aythya fuligula 4 10 Goosander Mergus merganser 4 2 10 2 11 Common Swift Apus apus ✓ ✓ ✓ 12 Common Cuckoo Cuculus canorus H 2H H 13 Rock Dove / Feral Pigeon Columba livia ✓ ✓ 14 Stock Dove Columba oenas 2 15 Common Wood Pigeon Columba palumbus ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 16 Eurasian Collared Dove Streptopelia decaocto 2 17 Common Moorhen Gallinula chloropus 3 18 Eurasian Coot Fulica atra ✓ 19 Great Crested Grebe Podiceps cristatus 8 20 Eurasian Oystercatcher Haematopus ostralegus ✓ 21 Pied Avocet Precurvirostra avosetta 20 22 Northern Lapwing Vanellus vanellus ✓ ✓ 23 Eurasian Curlew Numenius arquata 2 10 4 24 Bar-tailed Godwit Limosa lapponica 36 25 Black-tailed Godwit Limosa limosa 1,200 26 Dunlin Calidris alpina 8 27 Red Knot Calidris canutus 40 28 Common Snipe Gallinago gallinago 4 29 Common Sandpiper Actitis hypoleucos 1 6 30 Common Redshank Tringa totanus 3 31 Common Greenshank Tringa nebularia 4 32 Great Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo ✓ ✓ 33 Little Egret Egretta garzetta 6 34 Grey Heron Ardea cinerea 2 2 4 2 35 Western Osprey Pandion haliaetus 3 3 36 Western Marsh Harrier Circus aeruginosus 4 37 Eurasian Sparrowhawk Accipiter nisus 1 38 Common Buzzard Buteo buteo 4 ✓ ✓ ✓ 39 Common Kestrel Falco tinnunculus 2 1 40 Peregrine Falcon Falco peregrinus 1 41 Black-headed Gull Chroicocephalus ridibundus ✓ ✓ 42 Common Gull Larus canus 8 4 43 Lesser Black-backed Gull Larus fuscus 4 44 Short-eared Owl Asio flammeus 45 Great Spotted Woodpecker Dendrocopos major H 2 2 46 Green Woodpecker Picus viridis 2H H 47 Eurasian Jay Garrulus glandarius 2

4 © Naturetrek June 19

The Lakes and Fells – Wildlife of England’s North West Tour Report

June Common name Scientific name 6 7 8 9 48 Eurasian Magpie Pica pica ✓ ✓ ✓ 49 Western Jackdaw Corvus monedula ✓ ✓ ✓ 50 Rook Corvus frugilegus ✓ 51 Carrion Crow Corvus corone ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 52 Northern Raven Corvus corax 5 1 53 Coal Tit Periparus ater H ✓ ✓ 54 Marsh Tit Poecile palustris H 2 4 55 Eurasian Blue Tit Cyanistes caeruleus 8 ✓ ✓ ✓ 56 Great Tit Parus major 4 ✓ ✓ ✓ 57 Eurasian Skylark Alauda arvensis ✓ ✓ 58 Sand Martin Riparia riparia 2 59 Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 60 Common House Martin Delichon urbicum ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 61 Long-tailed Tit Aegithalos caudatus H 6 62 Willow Warbler Phylloscopus trochilus ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 63 Common Chiffchaff Phylloscopus collybita ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 64 Sedge Warbler Acrocephalus schoenobaenus H 2 1 65 Eurasian Reed Warbler Acrocephalus scirpaceus ✓ 66 Eurasian Blackcap Sylvia atricapilla ✓ H 4 H 67 Garden Warbler Sylvia borin H H 68 Common Whitethroat Sylvia communis 1 69 Goldcrest Regulus regulus H H H 70 Eurasian Wren Troglodytes troglodytes ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 71 Eurasian Nuthatch Sitta europaea 1 2 72 Eurasian Treecreeper Certhia familiaris 1 73 Common Starling Sturnus vulgaris ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 74 Common Blackbird Turdus merula ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 75 Song Thrush Turdus philomelos ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 76 Mistle Thrush Turdus viscivorus 2 1 77 Spotted Flycatcher Muscicapa striata 1 78 European Robin Erithacus rubecula ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 79 European Pied Flycatcher Ficedula hypoleuca 3 80 Common Redstart Phoenicurus phoenicurus 3 81 European Stonechat Saxicola torquatus 1 1 82 Northern Wheatear Oenanthe oenanthe 3 83 House Sparrow Passer domesticus ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 84 Eurasian Tree Sparrow Paser montanus 3 85 Dunnock Prunella modularis 2 86 Grey Wagtail Motacilla cinerea 2 1 87 Pied Wagtail Motacilla alba yarrellii ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 88 Meadow Pipit Anthus pratensis ✓ 89 Tree Pipit Anthus trivialis 6 2 3 90 Common Chaffinch Fringilla coelebs ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 91 Eurasian Bullfinch Pyrrhula pyrrhula H 2 H 92 European Greenfinch Chloris chloris 2 93 Common Linnet Linaria cannabina 4 94 Lesser Redpoll Acanthis cabaret 15 10 2 18 95 European Goldfinch Carduelis carduelis ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 96 Eurasian Siskin Spinus spinus H ✓ ✓ 97 Common Reed Bunting Emberiza schoeniclus 5 ✓ ✓

© Naturetrek June 19 5

The Lakes and Fells – Wildlife of England’s North West Tour Report

Mammals

Grey Squirrel Red Squirrel Rabbit Red Deer European Brown Hare

Herptiles

Common Toad Common Frog Common Lizard

Butterflies

Green Hairstreak Small White Common Blue Small Tortoiseshell Small Heath Green-veined White Northern Brown Argus Large Heath Speckled Wood Large White Brimstone Peacock Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary

Moths

Yellow Speckled White-spotted Sable Lattice Heath Dragonflies Blue-tailed Damselfly Large Red Damselfly Common Blue Damselfly Four-spotted Chaser Small Red Damselfly White-faced Darter

Plants Scientific Name English Name Location

LYCOPHYTES CLUBMOSSES Lycopodiaceae Clubmoss Family Diphasiastrum alpinum Alpine Clubmoss Shap Fell Lycopodium cvlavatum Stag’s-horn Clubmoss Shap Fell

CALAMOPHYTES HORSETAILS Equisetaceae Horsetail Family Equisetum palustre Marsh Horsetail Leighton Moss

EUSPORANGIATE FERNS Ophioglossaceae Moonwort Family Botrychium lunaria Common Moonwort Shap Fell

LEPTOSPORANGIATE FERNS TRUE FERNS Adiantaceae Cryptogramma crispa Parsley Fern Haweswater

Aspleniaceae Spleenwort Family Asplenium ceterach Rustyback Fern Whitbarrow Asplenium trichomanes ssp trichomanes Maidenhair Spleenwort Common on walls and rock outcrops Asplenium scolopendrium Hart’s-tongue Common on limestone pavement and woodlands Asplenium ruta-muraria Wall Rue Common on walls and rock outcrops

Athyriaceae Lady-fern Family Athyrium filix-femina Lady-fern Fairly common in woodlands

6 © Naturetrek June 19

The Lakes and Fells – Wildlife of England’s North West Tour Report

Scientific Name English Name Location

Blechnaceae Hard-fern Family Blechnum spicant Hard-fern Whitbarrow and Naddle woodlands

Cystopteridaceae Bladder-fern Family Gymnocarpium robertianum Limestone Fern Whitbarrow

Dennstaeditiaceae Bracken Family Pteridium aquilinum Bracken Common

Dryopteridaceae Buckler-fern Family Dryopteris affinis Scaly Male-fern Whitbarrow Dryopteris filix-mas Male-fern Common, woodlands Dryopteris dilatata Broad Buckler-fern Whitbarrow Polystichum aculeatum Hard Shield-fern Whitbarrow

Polypodiaceae Polypody Family Polypodium vulgare Common Polypody Walls and rocks, Haweswater

GYMNOSPERMS CONIFERS

Cupressaceae Juniper Family Juniperus communis Common Juniper Gait Barrows, Latterbarrow & Haweswater

Pinaceae Pine Family Pinus sylvestris Scot's Pine Common

Taxaceae Yew Family Taxus baccata Yew Common in woods on Limestone

DICOTYLEDONS

Apiaceae Carrot Family Angelica sylvestris Wild Angelica Leighton Moss, Foulshaw and Gait Barrows Anthriscus sylvestris Cow Parsley Common Aegopodium podagraria Ground Elder Common Conopodium majus Pignut Haweswater, Latterbarrow & Whitbarrow Heracleum sphondylium Hogweed Common Meum athamanticum Spignel Day 2 Myrrhis odorata Sweet Cicely Orton Verges Sanicula europea Sanicle Haweswater

Aquifoliaceae Holly Family Ilex aquifolium Holly Common, woodlands

Araceae Arum Family Arum maculatum Lords and Ladies Common, woodlands

Araliaceae Ivy Family Hedera helix Ivy Common

Asteraceae Daisy Family Bellis perennis Daisy Common Cirsium arvense Creeping Thistle Common, pastures

© Naturetrek June 19 7

The Lakes and Fells – Wildlife of England’s North West Tour Report

Scientific Name English Name Location

Cirsium palustre Marsh Thistle Common Eupatorium cannabinum Hemp Agrimony Gait Barrows and Latterbarrow Leucanthemum vulgare Ox-eye Daisy Common

Betulaceae Birch Family Alnus glutinosa Alder Haweswater, Gait Barrows, Leighton Moss Betula pubescens Downy Birch Common Carpinus betulus Hornbeam Gait Barrows Corylus avellana Hazel Common, woodlands

Boraginaceae Borage Family Lithospermum officinale Common Gromwell Latterbarrow & Gait Barrows Myosotis arvensis Field Forget-me-not Common Symphytum officinale Common Comfrey Widespread

Brassicaceae Cabbage Family Cardamine pratensis Cuckooflower Haweswater and Leighton Moss

Caprifoliacae Honeysuckle Family Lonicera periclymenum Honeysuckle Common, woodlands Sambucus nigra Elderberry Common Viburnum opulus Guelder Rose Gait Barrows & Leighton Moss

Caryophyllaceae Pink Family Cerastium fontanum Common Mouse-ear Common, grassland Silene (Lychnis) flos-cuculi Ragged Robin Gait Barrows and Leighton Moss Silene dioica Red Campion Common

Celastraceae Spindle-Tree Family Euonymus europaeus Common Spindle Gait Barrows

Cistaceae Rock-rose Family Helianthemum nummularium Common Rock-rose Latterbarrow, Whitbarrow & Gait Barrows

Droseraceae Sundew Family Drosera rotundifolia Round-leaved Sundew Foulshaw Moss and Meathop Moss

Ericaceae Heather Family Andromeda polifolia Bog Rosemary Foulshaw and Meathop Moss Calluna vulgaris Heather Shap, Foulshaw and Meathop Moss Erica tetralix Cross-leaved Heath Shap, Foulshaw and Meathop Moss Vaccinium myrtillus Bilberry Shap, Foulshaw and Meathop Moss Vaccinium vitis-idaea Cowberry Shap Vaccinium oxycoccos Cranberry Foulshaw and Meathop Moss

Euphrbiceae Spurge Family Dog's Mercury Common, woodlands

Fabaceae Pea Family Anthyllis vulneraria Kidney Vetch Latterbarrow & Gait Barrows Cytisus scoparius Broom Haweswater Lathyrus pratensis Meadow Vetchling Common Lotus coniculatus Birdsfoot Trefoil Latterbarrow, Whitbarrow & Gait Barrows

8 © Naturetrek June 19

The Lakes and Fells – Wildlife of England’s North West Tour Report

Scientific Name English Name Location

Medicago lupulina Black Medick Gait Barrows & Whitbarrow Trifolium pratense Red Clover Common Trifolium repens White Clover Common Ulex europaeus Gorse Haweswater Vicia cracca Tufted Vetch Foulshaw, Leighton and Gait Barrows Vicia sativa Common Vetch Common, roadsides and grasslands

Fagaceae Beach Family Fagus sylvatica Fairly common Quercus robur Pedunculate Oak Common Quercus petraea Sessile Oak Common

Geraniaceae Crane’s-bill Family Geranium molle Dove’s-foot Crane’s-bill Whitbarrow Geranium disectum Cut-leaf Crane’s-bill Latterbarrow Geranium pratense Meadow Crane's-bill Hedgerows and waysides Geranium robertianum Herb Robert Common Geranium sylvaticum Wood Crane's-bill Latterbarrow, Orton verges & Haweswater

Hypericaceae St John's-wort Family Hypericum perforatum Perforate St.John's-wort Latterbarrow, Whitbarrow & Gait Barrows

Lamiaceae Dead-nettle Family reptans Common Bugle Whitbarrow, Leighton Moss and Foulshaw Lamium album White Dead-nettle Latterbarrow and Gait Barrows Lamium purpureum Red Dead-nettle Latterbarrow Lycopus europaeus Gypsywort Leighton Moss Thymus polytrichus Wild Thyme Latterbarrow & Whitbarrow

Menyanthaceae Bog-bean Family Menyanthes trifoliata Bog-bean Foulshaw Moss

Myricaceae Bog-Myrtle Family Myrica gale Bog-Myrtle Shap, Foulshaw and Meathop Moss

Oleaceae Olive Family Fraxinus excelsior Ash Common

Onagraceae Willowherb Family Chamerion angustifolium Rosebay Willowherb Common

Orobanchaceae Broomrape Family Pedicularis sylvatica Lousewort Shap and Foulshaw Moss Rhinanthus minor Yellow-rattle Whitbarrow, Gait Barrows and Latterbarrow

Oxalidaceae Wood-sorrel Family Oxalis acetosella Wood-sorrel Common, woodlands

Papaveraceae Poppy Family Mecanopsis cambrica Welsh Poppy Common

Plantaginaceae Plantain Family Digitalis purpurea Foxglove Common

© Naturetrek June 19 9

The Lakes and Fells – Wildlife of England’s North West Tour Report

Scientific Name English Name Location

Plantago lanecolata Ribwort Plantain Common Plantago major Greater Plantain Common

Polygonaceae Knotweed Family Persicaria bistorta Common Bistort Roadsides & meadows Rumex acetosella Sheep's Sorrel Shap Rumex acetosa Sorrel Common Rumex hydrolapathum Great Water Dock Leighton Moss

Primulaceae Primrose Family Primula farinosa Bird’s-eye Primrose Orton & Gait Barrows Primula veris Cowslip Common Primula vulgaris Primrose Common

Ranunculaceae Buttercup Family Anemone nemorosa Wood Anemone Common, woodlands Aquilegia vulgaris Columbine Latterbarrow, Foulshaw & Gait Barrows Caltha palustris Marsh-marigold Meathop Moss, Shap and Leighton Moss Clematis vitalba Old Man's Beard Whitbarrow Ficaria verna agg. Lesser Celandine Common, woodlands Ranunculus acris Meadow Buttercup Orton and Gait Barrows Ranunculus repens Creeping Buttercup Common Thalictrum flavum Common Meadow-rue Leighton Moss

Rhamnaceae Rhamnus Family Rhamnus cathartica Buckthorn Gait Barrows

Rosaceae Rose Family Alchemilla vulgaris agg Lady's-mantle group Shap, Whitbarrow and Latterbarrow Comarum palustre Marsh Cinquefoil Foulshaw Crataegus monogyna Hawthorn Common Filipendula ulmaria Meadow Sweet Foulshaw. Gait Barows and Leighton Moss Fragaria vesca Wild Strawberry Gait Barrows, Whitbarrow and Latterbarrow Geum rivale Water Avens Orton, Foulshaw and Leighton Moss Geum urbanum Wood Avens Common, woodlands Potentilla erecta Tormentil Common Prunus avium Wild Cherry Common Prunus padus Bird Cherry Latterbarrow woodlands Prunus spinosa Blackthorn Common Rubus fruticosus Bramble Common Rubus idaeus Raspberry Latterbarrow & Gait Barrows Rubus saxatilis Stone Bramble Whitbarrow Sanguisorba minor Salad Burnet Whitbarrow, Latterbarrow & Gait Barrows Sanguisorba officinalis Great Burnet Latterbarrow, Orton & Haweswater Sorbus aucuparia Rowan Haweswater Sorbus aria Common Whitebeam Common

Rubiaceae Bedstraw Family Galium saxatile Heath Bedstraw Shap Galium sterneri Limestone Bedstraw Whitbarrow Galium verum Lady's Bedstraw Latterbarrow & Whitbarrow Galium odoratum Woodruff Common, woodlands Galium aparine Common Cleavers Common

10 © Naturetrek June 19

The Lakes and Fells – Wildlife of England’s North West Tour Report

Scientific Name English Name Location

Saliciaceae Willow Family Populus tremula Aspen Haweswater

Sapindaceae (Aceraceae) Maple Family Acer pseudoplatanus Sycamore Common Acer campestre Field Maple Common

Scrophulariaceae Figwort Family Scrophularia nodosa Common Figwort Gait Barrows, Leighton Moss and Latterbarrow

Solanaceae Nightshade Family Solanum dulcamara Woody Nightshade Gait Barrows & Leighton

Tiliaceae Lime Family Tilia cordata Small-leaved Lime Roudsea

Ulmaceae Elm Family Ulmus glabra Wych Elm Shap Wells

Urticaceae Nettle Family Urtica dioica Common Nettle Common

Valerianaceae Valerian Family Valeriana dioica Marsh Valerian Foulshaw Moss and Leighton Moss Centhranthus ruber Red Valerian Walls, rocks, cliffs and banks

Veronicaceae Speedwell Family Veronica chamaedrys Germander Speedwell Whitbarrow & Latterbarrow

Violaceae Violet Family Viola hirta Hairy Violet Whitbarrow Viola riviniana Common Dog Violet Gait Barrows, Whitbarrow and Latterbarrow

MONOCOTYLEDONS

Aliaceae Onion Family Allium ursinum Ramsons Common, woodlands

Asparagaceae Asparagus Family Hyacinthoides non-scripta Bluebell Common, woodlands Convallaria majalis Lily of the Valley Whitbarrow

Cyperaceae Sedge Family Carex digitata Fingered Sedge Foulshaw Carex paniculata Greater Tussock Sedge Leighton Moss Carex pendula Pendulous Sedge Leighton Moss Carex nigra Common Sedge Meathop Moss Eriophorum angustifolium Common Cottongrass Foulshaw and Meathop Moss Eriophorum vaginiatum Hare's-tail Cottongrass Foulshaw and Meathop Moss Schoenus nigricans Black Bog Rush Orton & Gait Barrows Trichophorum germanicum Deer Grass Shap

© Naturetrek June 19 11

The Lakes and Fells – Wildlife of England’s North West Tour Report

Scientific Name English Name Location

Iridaceae Iris Family Iris pseudacorus Yellow Flag Iris Leighton Moss and Foulshaw

Juncaceae Rush Family Juncus effusus Soft Rush Common, damp meadows, woods and grasslands

Nartheciaceae Bog Asphodel Family Narthecium ossifragum Bog Asphodel Shap, Foulshaw and Meathop Moss

Orchidaceae Orchid Family Cypripedium calceolus Lady's-slipper Gait Barrows viride Frog Orchid Orton Dactylorhiza fuchsii Common Spotted-orchid Common Dactylorhiza incarnata Early Marsh-orchid Orton Dactylorhiza maculata Heath Spotted-orchid Orton Dactylorhiza purpurella Northern Marsh-orchid Shap & Orton Epipactis atrorubens Dark Red Helleborine Latterbarrow Gymnadenia conopsea Fragrant Orchid Orton Neottia nidus-avis Bird’s-nest Orchid Mirkside Wood Neottia ovata Common Twayblade Sandside, Whitbarrow & Latterbarrow Ophrys insectifera Fly Orchid Sandside and Latterbarrow Early-purple Orchid Whitbarrow & Latterbarrow Platanthera chlorantha Greater Butterfly Orchid Verges, Whitbarrow and Latterbarrow

Poaceae Grass Family Anthoxanthum odoratum Sweet Vernal Grass Whitbarrow Briza media Quaking Grass Whitbarrow Cynosorus cristatus Crested Dog's-tail Latterbarrow Dactylis glomerata Cock's-foot Common Molinia cearulea Purple Moor-grass Shap Nardus stricta Mat-grass Shap & Haweswater Phragmites australis Common Reed Foulshaw and Leighton Moss Sesleria caerulea Blue Moor-grass Gait Barrows & Orton

Typhaceae Bulrush Family Typha latifolia Bulrush Roudsea and Leighton Moss

Social Media

We’re social! Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram and be the first to hear about the launch of new tours, offers and exciting sightings and photos from our recently returned holidays.

12 © Naturetrek June 19