Firstly, thanks to Steve for initiating the idea of some field trips using the train, and for suggesting this route taking in Winskill Stones. It was just a shame that in the end he was unable to join us.
We had a successful day, in no doubt helped by pleasant summer weather, but also enjoying a foray into the limestone landscape as a change to the Bradford parks, hills and woodlands.
Shibden Hall a Grade 11 listed building was the home of noted 19th century diarist Anne Lister (1791- 1840) From the hall gardens a tunnel leads under Shibden Hall Road to Cunnery Wood, so named because of the large number of rabbits (Coney) which once made it their home.
Here Anne (known as Gentleman Jack of the recent TV series) created the Halls Kitchen Garden (c1836) although now, despite a large amount of relatively recent construction work having been carried out is very overgrown. Remains of the garden can still be seen today however, in particular the base and pillars of a large glass house and site of the head gardener’s house.
This was an extra-curricular evening outing for the sole purpose of seeing Barn Owls. Four of us met up at 19:30 at the lower of the two car parks on the Hawksworth road out of Baildon Village. Due to recent rains, sections of the track (mainly at the start) that lead to Sconce were muddy & puddled, so boots were needed. On reaching the scout camp we turned left & followed the boundary wall path till it reached a huddle of buildings. This took less than half an hour.
We began scanning the fields on the otherside of the stone wall that separates the moorland from the farmed area. Over the next hour we were treated to the delights of trilling Curlews, some of which flew over our heads; the plaintive calls of Lapwings, numerous Pipits & as we were departing a small flock of Linnets. Eagle-eyed Sue Z spotted a Little Owl that was perched on top of a derelict stone building.
Shipley; canal and river 18th May 2021
Today’s walk was a circular one beside the Leeds/Liverpool canal from Dock Lane to Buck wood Lane, crossing the River Aire then returning through Denso Nature Reserve and along the riverbank – a distance of approximately 3 km
Our group of six met up at a CP near the northern end of Shipley Glen. The weather was ideal, not too warm & not too cold, partly sunny & cloudy with very little wind & no rain. After listening to a loud Song Thrush we headed off up Glen Road and walked alongside the beck in an easterly direction until we came to a small wooden footbridge that took us past Glovershaw Farm.
We then crossed over the busy Glovershaw Lane & made our way along a well made path through Golcar Farm. Plenty of Lapwing were making their presence felt & we could hear the sound of far off Curlews. As we headed easterly across a large field & over a couple of stiles various other birds were spotted; Meadow Pipits being the most numerous, also Skylarks, a Reed Bunting & a Wheatear.
Today, despite it being Monday, we had an outing to enjoy the spring flowers in Heaton Woods, scheduled so that Joan could be with us.
The first stop was to look at the Butterbur flowers and Alice gave us some insight into their complicated lifestyle (I may add in some detail later - or perhaps it’s a topic for an indoor presentation?). Amongst the Butterbur there is a large pile of woodchip, the remains of an large willow that fallen across the path last year, and growing on it a fungi which we have tentatively identified as Peziza repanda - Palomino Cup.
A cold, breezy day, but thankfully fine, saw 5 of us commence our walk through the beautiful Middleton Woods, seen today in all their glory as they put on their annual spring display of bluebells. In certain areas greater stitchwort was starting to flower in amongst the bluebells and given another week or two to develop fully, will complement the blues perfectly. 26 species in total were seen in flower with wood sorrel being in evidence along with wood anenomes, opposite leaved golden saxifrage, pendulous sedge, wild arum and dog's mercury. Fringe cups were also noted and there was evidence of new fronds on 4 ferns - broad buckler, male and female and bracken.
Comment was made by us all on the wonderful variation in green apparent at this time of year, some of the beech appearing to have an almost translucent quality. We also remarked on the amazing shapes that the trunks of various trees produced adding a further dimension to the woodland canopy.
The second of two Field Trips today was a repeat of a five mile circular which a few of us did back in October. We timed the re-visit to enjoy the bluebells, other woodland flora and spring bird activity.
This was very much a casual outing and a chance to catch up with friends, looking and listening as we ambled through the woods.
The first section through Heaton Woods has a large patch of Butterbur with both flowers and leaves showing, reminding us that in the autumn the leaves we perforated with holes following a violent hail storm. The Lesser Celandine has almost finished flowering, but the Opposite-leaved Golden-saxifrage formed a bright patch and an opportunity to compare it to the Alternate-leaved species seen by some last week.
Todays visit one of the first since lockdown has been lifted was enjoyed by three members, Alice, Marilyn and myself. However it proved to be most enjoyable.There was a good variety of flora, trees and shrubs as well as birds on these two small oases. Alice took great delight in the challenges of identification. 35 flora species were recorded at Engine Fields, 12 species at Parkinson's park.
Hurray! Our first Field visit after lock- down, and how good it felt for 6 of us to be able to meet up again on a beautiful warm sunny morning by the river Wharfe.
The reserve is managed by a small group of volunteers from the Wharfedale Naturalist Society who, in order to improve the site and maximise bio-diversity, have undertaken a programme of invasive weed control, woodland management, and scrub clearance along with regular wildlife surveys to monitor progress.
