Car excursion to Lyme Park 22nd May 2010
LYME PARK DELIGHTS.
On a very warm day towards the end of spring fifteen members of the Rochdale Field Naturalists’ Society congregated in Nelson Pit car park adjacent to the Macclesfield Canal. The group walked along the towpath of the canal for a short stretch before heading along the side of Elm Wood, with scent of May blossom in the air, towards Lyme Park. In the meadowland alongside the wood were patches of Lady’s Smock that were attracting the Orange Tip butterflies and their eggs could be identified at the base of the flowers. In a small wooded glade by the side of the path more Orange Tip and Green-veined White butterflies could be observed and the group were able to watch a
Blue Tit coming and going into a hole at the base of one of the oak trees. Progressing along the path past Haresteads farm, in a small patch of woodland some members of the group were able to see a very impressive group of Dryad Saddle fungi on a fallen log above a small stream.
The group entered the Park by a house called Four Winds where House Martins could be seen nesting under the eaves. In the parkland there were quite extensive patches of Creeping Cinquefoil in the grass and a Small Copper butterfly was seen flying through. Descending to the area of the mill pond and its adjacent buildings the group intended to visit Crow Wood. Unfortunately this was closed. Bypassing the area, lunch was eaten perched on some fallen logs. Here some desiccated examples of Lumpy Bracket and Oyster Mushroom fungi could be seen on the decaying wood.
The walk then weaved through a patch of woodland where Celandine, Large Bittercress and Bluebells were much in evidence. Leaving the woodland at the park gate, with a Sparrowhawk circling overhead and a Brimstone butterfly spotted through the trees, the group began a long ascent to the Cage. This is an 18th century hunting tower at the highest point of the park, recently restored by the National Trust. On their way the group was rewarded for their exertions by fantastic views of the park’s Red Deer herd, many with fresh, developing antlers. At the top of the hill, a further brief climb to the top of the tower gave amazing views of the Peak District and Cheshire plain, unfortunately partially shrouded by a heat haze. The group then descended to the busy car park and Hall.
A few members climbed up to Hampers Wood behind the Hall to listen for some of the woodland bird songs. In the distance could be seen some Fallow Deer. Within the wood the songs of Wood Warbler, Willow Warbler and Chiff-chaff were heard and a Speckled Wood butterfly was also seen.
On the return through the parkland to the Macclesfield canal and the car park these same members were serenaded by and rewarded with a superb view of a Skylark sitting on a tuffet of grass not far from the path. What a fantastic ending to the day at Lyme Park.