Monday 24th June: A come and find meeting in the Orton area.
Leader: Sheila Wynn
Meet at 10:30 in Orton at the small car park in the Square, which is in the centre of the village, next to Kennedy’s Chocolate Shop, CA10 3RU, Grid Ref. NY622082, what3words: validate.housework.usages. There is also roadside parking around the village. There are public toilets in the Square opposite the chocolate shop. (NB There is no longer a café at the choc shop, but take-away coffee is available. Also ice cream!)
In the morning we will explore the area from Orton towards Ray’s Bridge NY627091 (not marked on OS maps), where there is rich calcareous grassland. Leafless Hawk’s-beard Crepis praemorsa grows in this area – we might be lucky enough to find it! The second site will be confirmed nearer the time.
To book, contact Janet John wfs.meetings@gmail.com or phone 01753 884490
Tuesday 25th June: Waitby Greenriggs Nature Reserve near Kirkby Stephen and Tarn Moor near Orton, Cumbria.
Leaders: Sheila Wynn, Hardy Orchid Society members Alan Gendle, who is also a warden at Waitby Greenriggs and Carol Armstrong.
Meet at 10:00 in Christian Head Car Park in Silver Street, Kirkby Stephen, CA17 4HA, Grid Ref. NY773088, what3words: cement.ever.guess. Parking is free and there are two EV charging slots. There are public toilets at 29 Market Square, Kirkby Stephen CA17 4QT, which is a five-minute walk from the car park.
The Nature Reserve is accessed over a stepped-stile and has steep steps down to the paths, which are the old railway trackbeds. There is also a part of the trackbed that has tree roots protruding and rabbit holes. Care is needed and the site is not suitable for members with mobility problems.
There is very little parking space at either site, so we will car-share from Kirkby Stephen.
We will start the day at Waitby Greenriggs and then move on to Tarn Moor which is a 20-minute drive away. As well as looking at the diverse limestone flora of the reserve, our leaders Alan and Carol will be paying particular attention to all the orchid species which can be found at both sites, including Dactylorhiza spp., Fragrant-orchids Gymnadenia spp., as well as Lesser Butterfly-orchid Platanthera bifolia, Fly Orchid Ophrys insectifera, Frog Orchid Coeloglossum viride and several orchid hybrids.
Participants limited to 12 (Maximum number of cars 4, including leaders)
To book, contact Janet John wfs.meetings@gmail.com or phone 01753 884490