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u3a Botany Group - 27 August, 2024 - Russadale
by Phylida Wright - 08:59 on 31 August 2024
Luckily for us Baker’s Dozen the forecast was correct and it remained dry, even hot, for our walk up Russadale. What a difference in the track since last week as it was a stream in places and elsewhere contained very deep puddles. Nevertheless we had a splendid outing despite the midgies.
It was lovely to be joined by Rosie’s granddaughter Bethany who managed to lower the average age!
We are so fortunate to have our ‘J’ experts in the group, John and Jenny as they lead us into great discussions, even more so when our intrepid Ian, (not so inexpert himself!) proved to be the only person with a botanical reference book with him. Shame that it was derided by one nameless individual so Ian did not get the credit he deserved....until now!!!
Ruth had kindly arranged that we could park by the barn so we were well placed for the start of the track to the quarry.
Almost immediately we came upon a woodland project which Jenny had caused to be planted in early 2000. It contained natural species with local provenance, amongst these were at least two types of Willow, Mouse Eared and Tea Leaf and this provoked our first discussion and demonstration in identification. Downy Birch was also noted and, on our return, the gorgeous red berries on the Rowans.
Along this section of the track Sneezewort, Greater Woodrush, Devil’s Bit Scabious , Meadow Vetchling, Lesser Spearwort , Angelica, Hypericum were all contributing to the colourscape whilst we were surrounded by the purple Ling together with Bell Heather.
BUT, horror of horrors , intruding into this peace was AN INTERLOPER ! A Gunnera at the side of the path. John would have dug it up there and then but Ian couldn’t fit a spade into his rucksack!
More pleasantly several wild roses were present on the left hand side. John explained that we have the concept of the species as it is something we can name them by but every wild rose is different. (We have a lovely one in the garden, given to us by Elaine Bullard , it has striking magenta flowers and vicious thorns but now boasts long hips.)
Moving along we found Water Avens, Yellow Rattle, Eyebright, great strands of superb Rosebay Willowherb ,Marsh Thistle, Soft Rush, Autumn Hawkbit and conveniently, on either side of the track for easy comparison, Wood and Common Horsetail.
John also pointed out the most common of the natural, wild Alchemilla which has no hairs on the leaves...we heaved a sigh of relief since it wasn’t the scourge of Keelyland which the field club are trying to control. What was prevalent here was the presence of Salmonberry which seems to be able to germinate in the darkest places , an example of which was amongst a dense patch of Willow, a thug indeed.
In this very wet area we found Sea Plantain, ( why?) Blaeberries, Glaucous Sedge, Jointed Rush, and Butterwort to name but a few.
And so to the quarry. The pool was full of Spiked Rush identifiable by the scales which enclose the fruit, whilst the larger pool boasted masses of Marsh Cinquefoil (also known as bog strawberry). John showed us Silver Hair Grass which was new to many of us. Round leafed lesser Sundew also grows here. The conundrum was posed by a small plant growing in the cracks of rock at our feet. Was it Knotted Pearlwort, or Fairy flax? John thought it may have been Thyme leafed Sandwort (Arinarius Seprifolia) hence the need for Ian’s reference book. I know he discounted the latter but can’t remember his conclusion!
The pool was teaming with little frogs and black darters were also seen.
On our return journey we spotted a lovely ( unidentified) caterpillar and several small galls on Meadowsweet leaves as well as larger ones on Willow.
Amongst other flowers seen along the track there were Ragged Robin, Prickly Sowthistle, Tormentil, Selfheal, Silverweed and Tufted Vetch.
This is by no means a definitive list but it certainly shows the abundance along this track in a very special area of Orkney.
Please feel free to correct any errors.
I hope everyone enjoyed it as much as me!
Many thanks again to our experts, and to the car drivers for transport.
Devil's Bit Scabious, Valerian, Rosebay Willowherb and Willows
Stand of Rosebay Willowherb
Rowans with an abundance of berries
Quarry Scene
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