4th July 2009 – Extreme Planting

The 4th July was they day that all my training would pay dividends as I embarked on my quest to see Lychnis alpina (Alpine Catchfly)! If only I had trained……..!

I set out through some pleasant forestry where I recorded Crossbills, Lesser Redpolls and Siskins; all very enjoyable! As I came out of the trees and made my way to the foot of the slopes leading up to the gorge I noted two Ring Ouzels flying along the ridge.

It didn’t seem too bad; the weather was even quite reasonable! Then my leg muscles and pounding heart gave me a reality check as I clambered up the slope. Having to stop every ten yards or so to draw breath made me realise I was not as fit as I should have been!

After a fair while I finally made it to the start of the gorge ‘proper’ where the real climbing would begin! There was a bit of light drizzle nicely timed to make both the grass and rocks nice and slippery….! I continued climbing; this was interspersed with the odd stumble and self questioning (am I going to die)! The rocks were nice and sharp as the blood dripping from the lacerations on my hands and arms could testify to!

I eventually came to a steep face of rock that despite many attempts I could not climb; so I descended the slope slightly and decided to sit and scan the cliff face with my ‘scope. Amazingly I found a ‘good contender’ for what I was looking for growing slightly obscured distantly further up the gorge. The challenge was on again….! I clambered on cut, battered and bruised until I found myself in a place where I though surely I would see the plant. I scanned for some time; but initially could not locate anything resembling it. Then all of a sudden I noticed this delightfully pink flower growing on the cliff face opposite me. I could not believe it I was finally looking at Lychnis alpine (Alpine Catchfly). There were actually two plants both with c5 flower spikes; though one had completely gone over. However one of them was in surprisingly reasonable condition.

The plant was a bit to far to get decent pics of with my DSLR; so I was glad I had lugged my ‘scope up with me. Digiscoping a plant – this was a first for me!

It had been worth the blood, sweat, tears and muscle tearing; it was a superb plant to see. I made my way back down the bottom of the valley tripping, slipping and sliding over rocks, mounds of grass and the bones of those who had tried and failed. I hobbled back through the forest and somehow made it back to the car along a completely different track! Still it had been an immensely successful adventure!

Now where did I leave my coat……….Oh no!