I visited the Malham area on Tuesday; and despite dire wheather reports we only had one short spell of rain. We took the route from Malham up through Goredale Scar (climbing up through the waterfall as we went), on to Malham Tarn (brilliant site and well worth another visit) and then over the tops on to Malham Cove, not a massive walk but a very varied one with plenty of highlights.
A male Hen Harrier was a real surprise between Gordale Scar and Malham Tarn, also Peregrine, over 80 Wheatear, Wood Warbler, 15 Redstart, Yellow Wagtail, Grey Wagtails, Great Crested Grebes with young, Oystercatchers, Lapwings, and Curlews.
Plant species included Birds-Eye Primrose, Bog Asphodel, Round Leaved Sundew, Northern Marsh Orchid, Common Spotted Orchid, Giant Bellflower, Lady's Bedstraw, Marsh Cinquefoil, Common Valerian, Devils Bit Scabious, and a number of rather odd looking Orchids at Malham Tarn that seemed to show charachteristics of the rare Pugsley's Marsh Orchid (see photo below).
Also 2 Common Lizzards on the boardwalks at Malham Tarn, Dark Green Fritilary, Small Heaths; but alas no sign of the areas holy grail...............Northern Brown Argus.
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