Spring is slowly taking hold around Morecambe Bay, but as temperatures drop and the rain blows in, you could be forgiven for thinking otherwise. Even on a rainy day there are some special places to explore with signs of spring and hopes for a sunny day. Last week on such a rainy day I was lucky enough to head up to High Dam - which is a few miles inland from the coast of Morecambe Bay and a short trip from Windermere, to see if we could find the home of some of the rare butterflies found around Morecambe Bay. Would we see any signs of Fritillaries and Duke of Burgundy? We knew it was unlikely as they was no sign of sun, but as a novice at identifying butterflies I was looking forward to find out more about where they like to make their homes and what they need to thrive.
Martin Wain, who is the Woodland Advisor and butterfly expert for the Morecambe Bay Limestones and Wetlands Nature Improvement Area led a small band of us from the Lake District Natinal Park car park, along well work paths through some steep woodland. After a short walk we emerged at High Dam itself, a small lake dammed in the past to provide water power to Stott Park Bobbin Mill. This is quite a magical place even when the trees are shrouded in cloud. Walking past here the land opened out and we started to see small streams seeping down the grassy limestone slopes, and alongside the streams clusters of bright yellow primroses. This was what we were looking for. Without the sun and the cool temperatures we've had of late we knew we'd have no chance of seeing butterflies, but the primroses are the all important home for the caterpillars and we saw lots of these.
If you are passing by the northern side of Morecambe Bay later this month and into early June, and the sun is out, you could take a trip to High Dam and see if you can catch a glimpse of some of our rarer butterflies, making a home amongst the primroses and other flowers. The paths are great and the primroses can be seen very close to them. they even grow in perfect view of some of the seats dotted around the route! I hope to venture back another time to seek them out as I know they will add more wonder to this magical place.
Jenny