AWEG trip to Llanymynech Rocks

A rather grey but mild morning greeted the four AWEG stalwarts who arrived at Audlem Car Park on Wednesday for this rearranged trip to Llanymynech.

The journey was pleasant enough with only a little rain intermittently. A short comfort break was taken at Ellesmere, where there was opportunity to look at the live pictures of the heronry and take a look at the waterfowl near to the café area. Then on to our main destination.

We arrived at about 10.20am and after a change of footwear, set off up the path towards the main reserve area. Those who are familiar with botany trips will know that they are not fast moving with stops every few yards to observe the specimens observed – some readily identified and some which need a little closer inspection with the help of the Wild Flower Guides.

Along the pathway, now rich in its late spring vegetation we found dog violets, cowslips in good numbers, primroses and various other species about to break into flower.

As the path opened out into the wider spaces near the rock faces we were welcomed by a chorus of jackdaw 'chatter' as they whirled back and forth round their nesting sites on the ledges above.

Here the ground cover is closely cropped but we were soon finding a number of botanical species and then standing proud our first early purple orchid of the morning, then another and eventually a cluster of several more – this was what we had hoped to see and we were well rewarded. There was evidence too of other types not yet in flower, the common twayblade for example.

Whilst eyes are generally glued to the ground looking for more flowers, this site offers grand views of the lofty rock faces surrounding the old quarry site and though we did not see them on this trip there are nesting peregrines to look out for. Swifts also frequent the area as they glide effortlessly around the tops of the rocks.

On this occasion the insect life was a not much in evidence for whilst there was little rain, it was damp. Nevertheless there were a few feeding bees and the odd orange tip keeping us company. As we moved further into the site there is plenty of evidence of its' industrial heritage with the remains of old brake drum housing and a tunnel connecting the quarries on the Welsh side of the border with those on the English side. Indeed a little further into the site and through a kissing gate we stepped onto Offa's Dyke Path and into Wales.

Back to the car and so to lunch at The White Lion, LLynclys.

Well filled we made a brief visit to Sweeney Fen – a two acre marshy site. Perhaps a little early in the year to get the best from this site though there were plenty of Lady's Smock or Cuckooflowerand some beautiful water avens.

There was plenty of evidence of things to come with many spotted leaves of orchids not yet in flower. This site is also home to marsh helliborine – again yet to come to flower.

So back to Audlem where we arrived at about 3. 55pm after a thoroughly worthwhile and enjoyable day out.

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