WFV, Hooton Pagnell/Hampole Woods, 12th April 2016

Submitted by Wildlife Field… on Wed, 13th Apr 2016, 5:35pm
Wild Daffodil DisplayWild Daffodil Display

The main purpose of this visit was to see the renowned display of Wild native daffodils. We had originally planned to go in 2013 with Lorna and her husband Andrew leading the walk; however this had to be cancelled owing to Andrew's ill health. The rearranged trip the following year also had to be cancelled for the same reason. A decision was taken not to include this on the 2015 programme.

This bedevilled outing finally went ahead after Stuart, Gillian and Lorna kindly recc'ed the walk. Stuart informed the group that conditions underfoot were'nt too muddy as the soil was mostly sandy. Much of the evidence for this sandy soil was mostly hidden by the mud!  It had rained quite a lot since his visit.

We are often blessed by dry weather for our Tuesday outings, but not on this occasion. It was raining as soon as the party of 11 left the minibus, lightly at first but became incessant as the day wore on. We were only spared rain for a brief period whilst we were in the heart of this large ancient woodland. Far too wet to have our lunches outside so we had to wait till we were back in the bus, shortly after 13:00, before we could eat.  I did wonder if our 4 late cancellees had seen the weather forecast and decided not to risk it?   

They did however miss a treat as the wood contains many thousands of these daffodils, many of which were seen in large swathes. Wild Garlic (not yet in flower, but with its unmistakeable scent) also abounded as did Bluebells. Several of the latter were in bloom.  Plenty of Greater Stitchwort and Wood Anemones also. A total of 31 (or was it 33?) plants in flower were recorded; this included a number of trees such as Blacktorn and Norway Maple. The latter was a new one for me.

On the path leading to the wood we were treated to the sight of several Yellowhammers. One female was on the same bush for several minutes till I arrived with my big umbrella and frightened it off!  Four species of fungi were spotted (Dryad's Saddle, Birch Polypore, Inkcaps and Yellow/Hairy Curtain Crust).

Obviously no chance of any moths or butterflies though Stuart did find on taking his hat off for lunch (ever the gentleman!) that a small looper (geometrid) caterpillar had hitched a ride. This was passed back to me for identification. Not an easy task but preliminary studies indicate Mottled Beauty as a strong possibility. I have given it a new home; a box with bramble leaves and honeysuckle as a foodsource. I reckon it has a better chance of survival than out there in Hampole Wood with all those hungry birds!

Alice saw a weasel and Robert, our joint driver with Sue spotted a fox. 

Our toilet stop on the way back also turned into an opportunity for a hot drink at Costa. This was at the Ferrybridge Services where a year ago we had called in after our never to be forgotten five hour journey back from North Cave Wetlands.

It was still raining when we arrived back in Bradford!  

John Gavaghan

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