Northumbrian coastal flora

The coastal flora was particularly beautiful during our stay in Northumberland in early July. These are some of the highlights.

Pyramidal orchids on the sand dunes at Embleton.

Agrimony on the coastal path south of Howick.

Bloody cranesbill (above and below) at Low Newton.

Common mallow on the coastal path between Low Newton and Football Hole.

Hawkweeds and quaking grass at Football Hole

Lady's bedstraw at Low Newton.

Meadow cranesbill growing close to the beach at Howick (typically crowded Northumbrian beach!) and ..

..... just above the high water mark at Low Newton

A magnificent display of ragged robin on the coastal path south of Howick.

Rest harrow at Low Newton.

Sea mayweed at Budle Bay (top) and on the black dolerite boulders at Dunstanburgh.

Sea pink at Cullernose Point (top) and at Dunstanburgh (above).

Silverweed (showing silvery underside leaves) on the shingle at Budle Bay

Wild carrot at Low Newton

White stonecrop and ....

.... yellow stonecrop, both at Budle Bay

A Summer Saturday on the Durham Coast at Dawdon...

One of the finest specimens of a marsh orchid that I've seen in a long time.

Spotted orchids in great profusion.

Bird's foot trefoil, with plenty of common blue butterflies.

Bloody crane'sbill growing on the magnesian limestone cliffs

Ox-eye daisies swaying in the breeze.

Harebells just coming into flower.

Cliff-top shrubs full of whitethroats, and finally ..............

.......... a lark ascending - for a soundtrack, click here....

Hawthorn Hive

The landslips on the beach at Hawthorn Hive on the Durham coast (above) have a fascinating limestone flora, where the shelter of the cliffs often coaxes plants into flower early.

Last weekend we found the first bloody crane'sbill flowers opening ...

 

... at the same time as the last of the dog violets were beginning to fade ....

..... while common milkwort was also just coming into bloom

 

... and glaucous sedge was also flowering. The upper flower spike on the sedge carries the stamens that have already shed their pollen, while the lower two flanking it are female, identifiable by the feathery white stigmas protruding from them. Sedges are easily identifiable by the triangular cross section of their stem - roll the stem between finger and thumb and you can feel that it's three-sided.

Meanwhile, twayblade orchid flower buds are still developing, and it will be a week or two yet before they open.