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Tree in the Fog

It was a damp and misty day in March when Brian led the party on a 3.5 mile circular walk from the visitor centre in Shibden Park, starting in a southerly direction towards Southawram. Our walk took us past the lake and park. We ascended a stone flagged path to gain height but sadly there were no views. However we enjoyed our exploration of the paths and ginnels en route. We returned to the park via Red beck (red colouration due to the iron content of the local rocks). Species seen were limited but included common field speedwell, red deadnettle, wall rue and common polypody.

BudsFollowing lunch in the environs of the visitor centre the majority of the party continued the walk in a northerly direction to Shibden Mill Inn, passing blankets of snowdrops, through Shibden village and back into the park.

The remaining group made their way up the hill for a visit to Shibden Hall, a wool merchant’s house built in 1420 and now a museum run by Calderdale Council. We returned to the visitor centre for a cuppa before departing.

Margaret

Sparrowhawk

OystercatcherOld Moor is a RSPB reserve near Barnsley which has been developed over the past few years to develop excellent wetland habitats as well as viewing hides. It was a cold but dry day and the highlights included marvellous views of a female sparrowhawk sitting in a tree as well as a barn owl quartering the reeds. Other species included wigeon, Mediterranean gull, golden plover, oystercatcher as well as yellowhammer, tree sparrow and red-legged partridge.

DeerA dozen people travelled in the minibus for the trip to Dunham Massey, a national trust property near Altrincham. It was a still, grey, mildish day which remained largely dry apart from occasional spits and spots of rain. In the morning, most of the party opted to go on the guided walk around the gardens, where there was a lovely variety of flowers including snowdrops, reticulata iris, hellebores, and cyclamen. The daffodils were not in full glory only just starting to bloom. FungusAfter lunch, the group explored the various paths through the deer park, enjoying the wildlife in the woodland and on the pools. Only distant views of the fallow deer were seen. Birding highlights included the sightings of jay, greater spotted woodpecker, long-tailed tits and treecreeper and there was a considerable number of tufted duck.There was a lot of fungi to be seen on the fallen trees and this would probably be a good place for a fungal foray in the autumn. The day was rounded off with refreshment in the tea room and as we set off back in the minibus, we were feeling pretty smug as the rain started to fall.

Sue

Taking In The ViewA few people had dropped out of today's trip, leaving only 10 who made their way by car to the meeting point at East Chevin Quarry car park. Our leader, Margaret spelled out the plan for the day - a walk on the heritage trail on the Chevin looking at the wood sculptures en route, going on to Knotford Nook afterwards to look for birds. The garden centre in Otley would then be a good place to stop for facilities/coffee before popping in to the Gallows Hill Nature reserve nearby. However, not long in to the walk our leader was taken poorly and it became clear that she could not continue. After she was taken home, the group did a short walk on the Chevin and stopped for lunch before we decided to call it a day. Most people headed for home, and a few of us stopped off at the garden centre for hot drinks.

Sue

Margaret

Our morning session at the YMCA was well attended. We all very much enjoyed the wonderful images taken by Sue of sites visited and wildlife observed on our outings in 2010. She worked backwards through the year starting with our last visit in November to Thorpe Marsh YWT reserve nr Doncaster. As well as the delightful images of plants, birds and people she showed some spectacular photographs of insect and butterfly life. A great show Sue!

We then moved onto our restaurant in Queensbury some of us using the mini bus transport kindly laid on by Julia and Nick. A superb meal was enjoyed by 28 of us.

A Happy Xmas and New Year to everyone.

Margaret  

Colourful TreesWe enjoyed sunshine and clear skies for our much anticipated visit to Thorpe Marsh YWT reserve. We were greeted warmly by Mike Townsend who guided us around the reserve in a very knowledgable fashion. He gave us an update on Eric Danby who had volunteered on the reserve and was known to Joan, myself and others. Eric's dedication and enthusiasm had been obviously transferred to Mike. We were introduced to the varied wildlife of the reserve. In all 33 bird species were recorded :-willow tit, coal tit, bullfinch, kingfisher, buzzard, jay, green woodpecker, gadwall, teal, widgeon, grey lag geese, cormorant and goldcrest were seen. However the long-eared owl which has recently returned to the reserve was elusive. We enjoyed the colour of the trees and the berries on this lovely winter's day.

Unidentified FungiThe very varied interest in the reserve includes an ancient ridge and furrow pasture with associated special flowers (broad leaved helleborine was seen from the path on our visit) dragonfly and butterfly species including brown argus. This was a splendid final outing of our year.Thorpe Marsh was felt by all as deserving of another visit in the summer season.

Margaret  

Autumn ColoursIt was a cold, rainy autumnal day when a small party of 8 set off from the Italian centre in Bradford for a visit to Clumber Park in North Nottinghamshire. Several of our group were indisposed others felt disinclined to brave the elements. Those of us who did had an enjoyable outing. We enjoyed the tints of colour in the leaves on the trees and on the ground. Also a good variety of fungi. Wild fowl had congregated on the lake in good numbers.

A walk around the lake was proposed and completed by 3 in the party. 5 of us decided to return to the vistor's centre when the rain became particuarly fierce. There were short periods of sunshine followed by intermittent showers throughout the day. Our waterproofs and umbrellas were much appreciated as well as a "cuppa" at the National Trust restaurant. We departed around 2 30pm arriving back at 4pm.

Clock Tower28 species of bird were recorded by Donald including great crested grebe(young), tufted duck, goosander and cormorant. The fungi identified included ink caps , jelly ear, candle snuff, turkey tail and others.

Margaret   

Autumn ColoursWeather conditions were poor when we set off with continuous rain. Intermittent showers and cloud were experienced during the day. The Bees group were well prepared with waterproofs, woolly hats, brolleys and walking sticks (very useful for clearing leaf litter as well as assisting on steep slippery slopes). All but spirits were dampened in our quest for fungi in the wild wood. The party numbered 17 and included Vicki and Peter (friends of Stuart and Gillian) also Julia our mentor.

A total of 28 fungi species were identified by our mycologist Joan. The day was far more productive than on the previous Wednesday when Joan and Margaret had joined a Yorkshire Dales national park guided walk. The most attractive fungus was green wood cup chlorosplenium aeruginascens found on a log. Clouded funnel clitocybe nebularis were seen in good numbers forming a ring as well as common funnel. Other species included beech wood wart, hypoxylon fragiforme or was it King Alfreds cakes not fully formed ? Also seen black foot polypore polyporus leptocehalus, birch polypore piptoporus betulinus, glistening ink cap coprinellus micaceus, coral spot nectria cinnabarina, candle snuff xylaria hypoxylon, turkey tail trametes versicoloe, purple jelly disc asocoryne sarcoides, lilac bonnet mycena pura and common puff ball lycoperdon periatum.  What a mouthful these latin names are!   Green Wood Cup Fungus

The ground cover although not in flower was notable for violet, dogs mercury, rock rose and meadow rue.

There was abundant evidence of the Grass Wood working party's hard work in bringing the wood back to a deciduous woodland and creating a habitat for biodiversity of species. We observed ring barking on a tree creating upstanding dead wood, a haven for insects and birds. Saplings had been planted and were protected either by plastic  tubes or a more natural wig wam of sticks and twigs. There were the ubiqiutous log piles havens for insects, reptiles and fungi. The autumnal tints of the leaves of the trees were much admired.

We enjoyed a late lunch in the environs of Far Gregory, an Brigantian hill fort in the centre of the wood which had necessitated a hard climb over slippery limestone steps. Our descent was almost equally hazardous but great care was taken and chivalry shown. We all arrived back at the minibus in good shape.

Birds species were notably absent although nuthatch, tawny owl and chaffinch were spotted in the wood. Tree creeper, blue tit and pheasant were seen near the feeder in the car park. Hopefully we will have sunshine to enjoy the autumnal colours at Clumber park on our next outing.  

Margaret