Venue: Smardale
Date: Saturday 15th July 2017
Weather: Fine Sunny breezy light Rain
Leader: Jean Wardle
Party Number: 23
Distance and Time: 6 miles 4 hours
23 people met at the Hob Inn Bamber Bridge at 9.00 am. We then drove up the M6 exiting at Tebay. After a short stop there, we continued up the Kirkby Stephen road soon coming to Newbiggin-on-Lune where parked in a cul-de-sac at the west end of the village. We crossed the main road with difficulty and soon turned right passed a large house to pick up the disused railway that has been adopted as Smardale Gill National Nature Reserve. This linear level route took us through the countryside for 3miles to Smardale Gill viaducts which over looked the valley below and Crag wood. We then returned via the same route to be collected at 3.00 pm.
Both sides of the path contained numerous plants, butterflies and moths and also a few birds.
It tried to rain on several occasions but when the sun appeared it was lovely and warm. Listed below are the birds, butterflies and plants we identify but we would have appreciated an expert on flowers to have accompanied on the trip to cover all species viewed.
We met on route another large group from Newcastle upon Tyne RSPB.
This was a lovely day out to an area which we had never visited before. Lots of historical sights including a packhorse bridge and medieval stock gate where cattle were driven off the fells between two walls and funnelled down into a corral.
This was a very good last trip organised by Jean Wardle. We would all from the Society like to thank Jean for all her hard work and enthusiasm over the last five years.
Date: Saturday 15th July 2017
Weather: Fine Sunny breezy light Rain
Leader: Jean Wardle
Party Number: 23
Distance and Time: 6 miles 4 hours
23 people met at the Hob Inn Bamber Bridge at 9.00 am. We then drove up the M6 exiting at Tebay. After a short stop there, we continued up the Kirkby Stephen road soon coming to Newbiggin-on-Lune where parked in a cul-de-sac at the west end of the village. We crossed the main road with difficulty and soon turned right passed a large house to pick up the disused railway that has been adopted as Smardale Gill National Nature Reserve. This linear level route took us through the countryside for 3miles to Smardale Gill viaducts which over looked the valley below and Crag wood. We then returned via the same route to be collected at 3.00 pm.
Both sides of the path contained numerous plants, butterflies and moths and also a few birds.
It tried to rain on several occasions but when the sun appeared it was lovely and warm. Listed below are the birds, butterflies and plants we identify but we would have appreciated an expert on flowers to have accompanied on the trip to cover all species viewed.
We met on route another large group from Newcastle upon Tyne RSPB.
This was a lovely day out to an area which we had never visited before. Lots of historical sights including a packhorse bridge and medieval stock gate where cattle were driven off the fells between two walls and funnelled down into a corral.
This was a very good last trip organised by Jean Wardle. We would all from the Society like to thank Jean for all her hard work and enthusiasm over the last five years.
| Pheasant Buzzard Curlew h Wood Pigeon Green Woodpecker h Magpie Carrion Crow Sand Martin Black Headed Gull Lesser Black Backed Gull Wood Pigeon Magpie Carrion Crow Jackdaw Raven House Martin Swallow Blue Tit h | Willow Warbler Wren h Starling Blackbird Stonechat m House Sparrow Pied Wagtail h Meadow Pipit Chaffinch Bullfinch 2 Goldfinch Greenfinch h Linnet h Reed Bunting Meadow Brown Small White Ringlet | Plant List: Clover Herb Robert Cow Parsley Daisy Pink Campion Meadowsweet Lady's Bedstraw Bird's Foot Trefoil Yellow Rattle Vetch Bugle Field Scabious Harebell Scotch Thistle Rosebay Willow-Herb Wild Thyme Bloody Cranesbill Great Burnett Melancholy Thistle Fragrant Orchid Teasel |