Botanising at the Water of Philorth Reserve.

Grass of Parnassus (Parnassia palustris)

Grey Granite's favourite wild flower has long been the exquisite Grass of Parnassus (Parnassia palustris) which she first found growing on the shore at Egypt (between New Aberdour and Rosehearty) many decades ago. Locally common, highly selective in choice of habitat,  this beautiful, delicately veined flower grows in marshy ground, appearing in late summer. For Grey Granite there is an annual pilgrimage to one of the locations in which the plant grows.

Accordingly, Grey Granite and Rufus decided to walk to the Waters of Philorth to seek out the patch of Grass of Parnassus which grows in a secluded boggy area close to the car park there. We enjoyed a walk along the path between the bents and Fraserburgh Golf Course, this wide grassy path is still studded with patches of eye brights, stunted bluebells, red clover and a second flourishing of heartease pansies. Rufus points out that there are many interesting fox and rabbit smells to be explored along the way. We arrived at the marshy area and were pleased to find several patches of Grass of Parnassus and a few pale flowers of ragged robin amongst the damp grass. Here the vegetation is lush; the eye brights are taller, there is selfheal, meadow sweet, knapweed and common cow wheat.

Ragged robin (Lychnis flos-cuculi)

We followed the Water of Philorth down to the boardwalk and, after Rufus had had a swim, cut across the dunes where a small flock of  buntings was feeding, to the beach, by which time the sun was out and it had become very warm. Heading back to Fraserburgh along the sand we were surprised to see a single tufted duck swimming close to the shore. The beach, miraculously was almost deserted apart from the swallows sweeping the bay for insects.

This was a hugely enjoyable and rewarding walk.