12-month Teesdale Mercury subscription
Price:£52.00
Spring arrives with flowering of rare plant
May 9, 2008
SPRING has finally arrived at the Moor House Upper Teesdale National Nature Reserve - the beautiful spring gentians are beginning to flower, as are the delightful birds' eye primrose.
These and other spring flowers can be readily seen by following the Natural England's nature trail at Cow Green Reservoir.
A leaflet about the trail can be collected from the car park or local Tourist Information Centres.
There is a specially fenced enclosure that allows spring gentians to be seen flowering - safe from the nibblings of rabbits and sheep.
Visitors are asked to make sure they do not trample any plants by leaving the road – the vegetation alongside the road is very fragile and easily destroyed by feet.
In the British Isles and Ireland, spring gentians are only found in upper Teesdale, Co Clare and Galway.
The special array of plants found on the upper Teesdale reserve is in part due to the interesting geology of the area. There is an opportunity to investigate the geology in both upper Teesdale and the Moor House area of the reserve in the company of expert geologists.
On May 17, (10.30am to 12.30pm) there is a joint event with Durham Wildlife Trust when Jenny King will explore the geology of the Bowlees area. This will be an easy/moderate walk that includes a series of steps and some stiles to negotiate.
On May 18, (10am-4pm) for the more energetic, geologist Eric Johnson is leading a walk along the upper reaches of the South Tyne investigating the geology in the area. A minibus will be used to take participants from Garrigill onto parts of the Reserve that cannot be easily reached.
Further details of both of these events will be available when booking. Contact the reserve base on 01833 622374. Both events are part of the reserve's Green Guide Project that is funded by Natural England and the Heritage Lottery Fund.