For my walk ... U3A Nature Explorers: March 2023
U3A Nature Explorers - Fortescue
Despite overcast skies and a cold wind sixteen of us gathered at the Lavornia Road entrance to the Byes for the second nature recording expedition of the year. This time our route was to take us north along the upper Byes path, then along the footpath to Fortescue and finally a little way up Griggs Lane.
The upper part of the Byes path has housing to the left and the open grassland of Margaret's and then Gilchrist meadows to the right but the path itself is bordered mainly by woodland trees and hedgerow bank scrub with some open 'amenity' grassy areas.
Much of the flora here, especially in spring, is heavily influenced by the residential area and many of the species present have 'escaped' from nearby gardens or have been planted at some point in the past. These include a substantial number of daffodils and snowdrops as well as greater periwinkle and a few great snowdrop plants. Whilst the presence of so many non-native plants could be viewed with concern they certainly bring colour and interest to a bleak early spring day.
Being a wooded area there were a number of familiar bird species present with a some in good voice. Several robins provided the main vocals with dunnock and chaffinch joining the chorus. The blackbirds were too busy looking for breakfast to join in and a pair of blue tits were heavily engaged in house hunting and checking out a nest box that had been put up in the trees.
Once on to the path to Fortescue the habitat changes a little, with hedgerow now just on one side and open fields to the other. The hedgerow has obviously been established for some considerable time confirmed by the presence of dog's mercury on the bank. Being somewhat exposed to the elements here there are few other flowers or blossoms present at this time of year but the abundance of hedgerow shrubs bodes well for future walks along the path later in the year.
The open fields may not contain much floral interest but the pasture was providing a good source of food for magpies and carrion crows.
Arriving at the bridge over the river one gets good views both up and down stream as the landscape is open here. A dipper was busy near the bridge, herring gulls were using the fresh water to bathe themselves and a pair of mallard seemed at peace in the environment. A cormorant taking off from the river and flying south towards the sea may have been a surprise to some as cormorants are usually associated with coastal habitat but they are not uncommon on rivers at any time of year and often nest by rivers where there are fish to be found.
Once across the bridge and up to the 'main' road it is a short walk to Griggs Lane. This is a bit of a steep climb but the early stages are tarmac and easy on the feet. Whilst there are houses and gardens to the right on the left side is another well established hedgerow with a ditch and small stream running alongside it. The presence of the water means the flora here is a little different to that encountered earlier and there is also an increase in 'weeds of cultivation' as they are sometimes termed, notably hairy bittercress, red dead-nettle, patty spurge and ivy-leaved speedwell. There are also lesser celandine and primrose here and we found two early cow parsley plants in flower. There was also a last surviving red campion plant from last year that has survived the winter in flower.
Despite the weather and still being early in the year we counted about forty two species of one sort or another so another enjoyable morning with the group. My full species list can be seen here.
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