Good news from North Warren! Sand Catchfly has flowered on the reserve this year for the first time in 10 years!
Sand Catchfly Silene conica is a nationally scarce plant which is found in just 59 10km squares in Britain (New Atlas of the British & Irish Flora, 2002). It last flowered at North Warren in 2002 when 271 flowering spikes were recorded. We were very pleased when it reappeared this year after its 10 year absence. Eight flowering spikes were recorded just south of Thorpeness. Fingers crossed we won’t have to wait another ten years to see it again!
Picture showing flowering Sand catchfly at North Warren, June 2012
In other news from the reserve, the Konik ponies have gone back to Minsmere for the summer, and have been replaced by cattle from local graziers. Beesthorpe Nobleman, a Redpoll bull who usually resides on the Sandringham estate has joined a herd of Redpoll cows and calves at North Warren for the summer.
After a slow start to the butterfly season, possibly partially due to the inclement weather, numbers have really picked up in recent weeks with many gatekeepers and small coppers around at the moment. On my walk around the reserve the other day clouds of butterflies were erupting from the bramble bushes by the side of the footpath, grayling were resting on the ground in their characteristic manner and a southern hawker dragonfly was hunting along the old railway line. A beautiful place for a peaceful walk while the sun is shining!