Habitats - Grasslands
Grasslands are excellent for insects, with plenty of
wildflowers for nectar/pollen collecting insects such as
moths, butterflies and bumblebees. The white flowers of
Greater stitchwort (Stellaria holostea) can be seen from
April through to June, and the purple-headed Knapweed (Centaurea
nigra).
You may also see a carpet of small groundlayer golden flowers called
Tormentil. The yellow flowers of Birds Foot Trefoil (members of the pea
family) sometimes called ‘dutchmans’ clogs’ or ‘ladys’ slippers’, or even
‘eggs and bacon’ alluding to the yolky yellow colouration of the flowers,
often streaked with a bright red, can commonly be seen.
Some of the grasslands along the trail are sites which would formerly
have been ancient woodland which has been cleared; this is evident from the
presence of Bluebells (a woodland species).
Grasslands
are popular with bumblebees, of which there are 25
species found in the UK. You may spot the distinctive
Red-Tailed Bumblebee, which is entirely black with a red tail end (from early spring,
and throughout the summer).