Bird's foot Trefoil growing in a dune slack at Burnham Overy Dunes
On
the nice days we have been enjoying this summer if you’re at Holkham visiting
the beach why not take a bit of time to have a wander through the adjacent sand
dunes? As usual for the time of year the whole stretch of the coast between the
pines and beach from Holkham Gap through to Overy Harbour is awash with varying
hues of colour thanks to an abundance of wild flowers. The overwhelming colour
is yellow. Ragwort, so despised as an agricultural weed and renowned as being a
‘killer’ of cows and horses is just beginning to bloom. More subtle and lower
to the ground are the dandelion-like Cat’s-ear followed by succulent Biting Stonecrop,
and even shorter in height the pea-like Bird’s-foot
trefoil (often known as eggs and bacon) and Lady’s Bedstraw. The latter was formerly widely used to stuff bedding prior to the arrival of the modern day mattress. Its aroma described by some as smelling like honey (or dried hay!) was said to aid in a good night's sleep whilst the Scandinavians used it as a sedative for women during childbirth.
In
contrast are the pinks and purples of rosebay willowherb. This large robust
plant stands relatively tall and often grows in dense clumps. In the past it has
grown most prolifically on ground that has been scorched bare by fire (hence
its often used name ‘fireweed’) but thankfully we have escaped fire ravages of
a major scale in recent years. In a good year it can create a distinctive pink
swathe through the older dunes. All these plants provide a home for a
bewildering array of insects ever in search of nectar. It really is the time to be out in the dunes in
search of our native wildlife.
Dark Green Fritillary, a large strikingly marked butterfly of the sand dunes
Look out specifically for the Dark Green
Fritillary butterfly. This orange and black ‘sprite of the dunes’ moves fast
from bloom to bloom, unless you are
fortunate enough to find one that has just emerged. Then its full range of
colours can really be appreciated. With its orange and black chequered
upperwings and its stealth like movements I often liken it to a tiger of the
insect world! So if it is orange and black why is it called the Dark Green Fritillary? If you are lucky in gaining
a close up view, look out for very fine dark hairs covering its thorax and also
its beautiful green underwings with white spots. These spots when seen on the
right day can shine with an iridescence that makes them resemble jewel-like
pearls. These are best seen when the butterfly is low to the ground. I have
occasionally seen the odd one actually laying its eggs in the sand on the small
stems of violets that its caterpillars like to feed from.
Foxes and Cubs, sometimes referred to as 'the Devil's Paintbrush'.
One
plant that offers a slightly different hue is the striking orange Foxes and
Cubs or Orange Hawkweed. It too is a great source of nectar. This plant however
is not a native, being introduced to the UK in the 17th century from
Europe. It gains its main English name from the orange colour resembling a
fox’s fur and the buds found in waiting underneath looking like its cubs. Yet another
old name for it is the rather more sinister Devil’s Paintbrush.
Andy Bloomfield
Warden