Holderness: Lambwath Meadows with Hull Nats

The day after the record hottest May day, we head to the heart of Holderness in the Lambwath Valley to reach the SSSI Lambwath Meadows. This site consists of a series of fields separated by ditches on the basin of the old Lambwath Mere, now drained. Several of the meadows had been cut for hay for centuries in the traditional way, and hence they have retained a treasure trove of flora rare in the area. With the permission of the owners Carstairs Countryside Trust and led by a farmer that lives on the edge of the meadows, we start exploring the place. It is warm, but there is a light cool breeze from the north west that is very welcome. Butterflies and other insects are a plenty, and soon Matt Fox points out a Dingy Skipper and later finds a Brown Argus. There are many Chimney Sweeper moths, which reflect the abundance of Pignut. Pepper Saxifrage, Yellow Rattle, and Meadow Rue are also widely spread, the latter in the lower levels. We get a view of the wide valley, in places showing a steep slope. Two fields over, there is a carpet of orchids, many of them past their best. They are Green-veined Orchids, we find some that are still at peak condition. The farmer tells us that during winter the area is flooded, and that flooding used to last more.  

Swallow.

House Martin.

Swift.

Painted Lady licking salts from dog mess.

Chimney Sweeper.

Latticed Heath.

A view of the site.

Common Blue Butterfly.

Dingy Skipper. A species that appears to be expanding.

Possibly Common Spotted Orchid.

Marsh Harrier.

Green-veined Orchid.

Green-veined White.

Running Hare.

Small Copper.

Roe Deer buck.

Brown Argus.

Flower-rich meadow.

 

Holderness: Skirlaugh to Wawne

The sun came out after a couple of weeks of gloomy cloudy cover. I take the East Yorkshire bus 24 to the village of Skirlaugh and then walk eastwards towards Benningholme along the Lamwath Stream. Skirlaugh sits on a rise, about 13 m OSL. The meandering course of the stream runs through the north side of the village, lined with trees and bushes, and forming a wider flat bottom course as it leaves the village. So far, the stream had followed its natural course, and due to the incline of the land and the depth of the bed of the stream it is not embanked, however, it has very steep banks, and looks heavily deepened (top shot). A couple of Rabbits groom and sunny themselves on the edge of a field, whilst a Fieldfare calls from atop a bare ash.

At Benningholme, at about 4 m OSL, banks appear on the sides of the, at times, straightened stream course. It is here that the Lambwath leaves its well defined valley and the pattern of drainage becomes less clear, probably as it joined the extensive carrs of the river Hull valley. The monks of Meaux, the Lords of the Manor of Sutton and the Nunnery of Swine contributed to the drainage of the area by cutting ditches and drains. As early as 1210-1220, a channel was cut from the Lambwath between Arnold and Benningholme to Meaux Abbey. This, so called the Monkdyke, was navigable and also fed a water mill, and directly communicated the Lambwath with the river Hull. This drainage appears to have led to the disappearance of Lambwath Mere upstream.

I flush two Grey Wagtails by Lambwath bridge near Benningholme Hall.

The stream by Lambwath Bridge.

Later, on the gardens of the cottages before Benningholme Grange, there are Tree Sparrows. The thin, urgent call of a kingfisher comes from under the bridge, I can't spot it, but two Mallard watch me in the distance.

Tree Sparrow.

I walk along the road towards Meaux. Flocks of Redwing and Fieldfares are flushed from the hawthorn hedges. 

The pinkiest Howgeed I've even seen.

Drewery Sock Dyke.

A Grey Heron fishing at Drewery Sock Dyke.

Buzzard.

I was planning to get nearer to the old site of Meaux Abbey, but there is no public access and the road passing by it is busy, so I have to skirt around it. Two Buzzards call from trees on the edge of the site.

Meaux, hamlet.

From then onwards I walk quickly on the busy road towards the village of Wawne. It's a relief to leave it and take a public right of way shortcut to the village. I'm getting hungry and this was the end of my walk, but instead of getting the bus here I walk to the river by Greens Lane and sit on the river bank to have my lunch in the sunshine.

A young  nursery web spider basking

The river Hull at Wawne.

It is such a beautiful day that I decide to walk by the river to Beverley road to get my bus home. I am rewarded by a male Stonechat by the river bank.

Male Stonechat.