This walk repeats the route of Walk 13.  But what a difference!  Gone are the flowers of spring to be replaced by those of high summer. 

The sides of the footpath leading from the car park to the beach have been mown, but the regrowth of the delicate pink Dove’s-foot Crane’s-bill is now showing, also that of the Cow Parsley, the white umbellifer you can see in the same area. 

Down at the beach, the previously distinct grassy path is almost lost in the forest of Sea Radish that now dominates the area.  In parts, only the taller specimens of Hogweed are capable of rising above it.

But don’t be deterred!  There are lovely oases in amongst this sea of yellow where a diverse range of flowers can be found.

One such area is right at the start where the burn empties out onto the shore.  Here, for example, you can see Red and White Clover, Common Bird’s-foot Trefoil, Marsh Woundwort, Meadow Buttercup. Watercress and Sea Mayweed;  the abundant Yellow Rattle, a semi-parasite, has almost finished flowering – shake its brown pods to see how it gets its name.

Branched Bur-reed

It is in this area also that you can find a number of examples of the attractive Branched Bur-reed.  Both male and female flowers are on the same stem, the female being in large, green, globular heads while the smaller, now faded, male flowers are higher up.

Lesser StitchwortThese ‘oases’ are where low-growing plants can thrive, such as Selfheal, Red Bartsia, Corn Spurrey, White Clover and Lesser Stitchwort, as well as the more widely occurring Yarrow and Yellow Rattle.

At the end of the track, you might continue through the gate and look on the shingle for the Yellow Horned-poppy (this is its only site on the island).

  Lady's Bedstraw

As before, make your return journey along the shore where you can now see extensive patches of Eyebright and, in smaller quantities, the sweet-smelling Lady’s Bedstraw. 

Two ‘sticky’ plants also feature on this stretch.   Sticky Groundsel has much bigger yellow flowers than its better known relative, but take note of its alternative name, Stinking Groundsel.  Perennial Sowthistle is a tall plant with a Dandelion-type large yellow flower, usually found close to the sea.   Its sepals (the small green ‘leaves’ that protect the petals when in bud) are covered with yellow, sticky hairs.

Sticky Groundsel

 Perennial Sowthistle

 Species in flower include: