Late Cuckoo??

It seems that across the valley there are less Cuckoo Flowers (Cardamine pratensis) than previous years, and they seem a bit latter to.

Perhaps this is due to the exceptionally dry April and early May in 2017, not providing quite the right conditions for them?

Cuckoo Flower (Cardamine pratensis) in a wet Benter Meadow

Cuckoo Flower (Cardamine pratensis) seems a bit latter and less flowers than previous years

Cuckoo Flower (Cardamine pratensis) in a wet Benter Meadow

Cuckoo!

Just beyond Keepers Cottage, is an old Water Meadow that used to be fed by a continuation of the man-made culvert past the Cottage.

The ground is still obviously wet, as can be seen my the Rushes, and also in spring the flowers of Cuckoo Flower (Cardamine pratensis), a wetland plant.

Cuckoo Flower (Cardamine pratensis) in Lime Kiln Fields

Cuckoo Flower is also known as Lady’s Smock

It is a food plant for the Orange Tip butterfly (Anthocharis cardamines) and was once used as a substitute for watercress.

Cuckoo Flower

There are wet meadows all along the River Nettle, in this one Cuckoo Flower is in full bloom.

Cuckoo Flower standing tall

Wetland meadow near Benter