Bridgefoot of Phingask: No Entry

The verge of the track running from the A981 past Chapelton is, as always at this time of the year, ablaze with poppies. This track has a particularly rich flora, in addition to the poppies  current flowers include huge patches of birds' foot trefoil, white dead nettle, white and red campions, alkanet, cow parsley, pink purslane, vetches and yellow drifts of what is probably self seeded oil seed rape. Later in the summer these will be succeeded by species such as ox eye daisies and willow herb. The track gives a glimpse of what the countryside must have looked like before the widespread use of agrichemicals.  

Grey Granite and Rufus have long enjoyed the circular walk which includes the track, until recently clearly signposted as a footpath.

We were surprised and disappointed to find that the track is now barred at Bridgefoot of Phingask by two sets of locked gates and a stern warning. We wonder why this has happened and mourn the loss of an enjoyable walk.

Coastal flowers at Rosehearty

Friday morning was quickly too hot for  a serious walk but perfect for drifting slowly over the Wastart searching for flowers. 

The park between Mid Street and the Wastart, looking towards Lochielair and in the distance Troup Head. The field is bright with daisies, field buttercups and in the short grass on thin soil on the rocks, birds' foot trefoil, also known by the highly descriptive names,  'eggs and bacon' and 'birdies' taes'

There is great variety in the colouring of the thrift clumps varying from palest pink to mauve and rose pink. The effect is like a thick patchwork quilt laid out on the rocks to air.

Sea campion and thrift

Sea campion,(Silene maritima) known in some areas as Devil's Hatties or Dead  Mens' Bells, grows along side thrift on the rocks.

Rufus among enjoying the sunshine on a patch of Spring Squill and Tormentil studded grass. It was dry and warm enough to sit on the turf watching the gannets. We had to move from one spot because we were being harangued by an agitated a meadow pipit whose nest must have been dangerously close to where we sere sitting.

Late every Spring certain dryish areas of the Wastart suddenly become studded with the exquisite pale blue stars of Spring Squill. Usually described as 'locally plentiful', is much more common on the west coast than here in the east. Where it finds suitable conditions it forms great drifts of flowers and is undoubtedly one of the great treasures of our coastal flora.

These tiny, delicate plants are only about 7.5cms high but are  a joy to behold.

Spring Squill (Scilla verna)

Brooklime, (Veronica beccabunga) currently struggling to flower in the almost dried up bed of the Mill Burn

Cuckoo Flower,  (Cardamine pratensis)

Currently there are many plants in flower in the relatively damp, disused lazy beds below Piteughie, there seems to be a particularly wide colour variation this year, this is one of the palest examples.

Suddenly the earliest of the orchids (Dactylorhiza) always appearing first under Pitheughie are in flower.

The bright flowers of Tormentil (Potentilla erecta) stud the grass

Common Milkwort (Polygalia vulgaris) 'blue as summer skies'.

Low and creeping in the drier grass this tiny plant is easily overlooked.

June 1st, Orchids and the Moonlight Prowl

June 1st, officially the start of meteorological Summer, and a marked improvement in the weather,Grey Granite marked this by finding the first truly wild  orchid of the year and becoming 1 in 800 'Quines in Pink'.

Northern Marsh Orchid growing near the route of the old 'Belger Trainnie' between Inverallochy and St Combs.

Grey Granite,  later took part in the Moonlight Prowl, along with about 799 other pink clad ladies

The warm up at traditionally gets the Prowl off to a great start.

The Prowlers heading up Strichen Road, the support from members of the public who decorate their houses in pink and stand outside offering refreshments, encouragement and 'P stops' to the Prowlers is Fraserburgh at its best. There is a tremendous community spirit, as one lady walking behind Grey Granite was heard to remark, 'better than Edinburgh'.

Shops and individuals paint the town pink and offer support, to date the Prowl has raised over £605,000 for Breast Cancer Research

Been there, done that, got the Tee shirts.