Silverdale 11th June 2011.
On their recent coach trip to Silverdale, the Rochdale Field Naturalists enjoyed beautiful sunny weather and all the sights and sounds of summer in the countryside on a guided walk that took them through a range of habitats.
The walk began in the reserve where Azure Blue and Blue Bodied Damselflies were seen to full effect in the sunshine and a Marsh Harrier was hunting over the reed beds. The walk continued through farmland where swallows swooped overhead and goldfinches delighted with their bright colours. The route then meandered through woodlands where many mosses, ferns and also fungi such as Blackfoot polypore, Beech Cramp Ball and Turkey tail were found. On emerging into the sun again good sightings of butterflies were expected over the limestone pavement, but the light breeze meant numbers were reduced. However, there were good views of Speckled Wood, Common Blue and Large Skipper. In the final part of the walk through Trowbarrow Quarry, Jackdaws wheeled and called overhead and could be seen perched in crevices on the rock face and there was an excellent sighting of a Broad Bodied Chaser Dragonfly with its iridescent wings spread out to catch the sun.
Throughout the walk a great variety of birds were seen and the songs of many more could be heard emanating from the trees and hedgerows. Summer flowers were abundant and it was pleasure to see so many different species. Those seen included Scarlet Pimpernel, Red Campion, Ragged Robin, Bittersweet, Doves Foot Cranesbill, Dog Rose, Salad Burnet and wonderful large displays of Ox-Eye Daisies.
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| Broad-bodied Chaser | Common Blue Damselfly |
Photographs by Peter Stevens, Steve Pinnington
