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Fountains Abbey Arches

What a brilliant day! Paul Hudson's weather predictions had turned out to be accurate. Fog and mist in the morning to be replaced by sunshine from midday onwards. On arriving at the Studley Roger car park we divided into two groups - those who planned to walk around the grounds of Fountains Abbey NT property and those who planned to complete the circular seven bridges walk in the environs. Six of us choose the walk which took us initially down the main drive with its avenue of lime trees. Unfortunately the mist shrouded Ripon Cathedral in the distance. At the bottom of the drive we took the farm track to the right passing a bank of snowdrops lining a field edge. A solitary curlew was spotted in the middle of the field. We walked through woodland to follow the banks of the River Skell and crossed over seven bridges. A grey wagtail was seen bathing in the fast flowing river. Alice took considerable interest in the lichens on the stone walls and trees. We admired the avenue of sweet chestnut trees with their contorted trunks and incised bark.The party emerged at the large ornamental lake where golden eye, tufted duck, greylag and canada geese were seen. It was an uplifting walk. At last we'd got it right and choosen a lovely day to be out and about.

Margaret

Our group chose to enter the Abbey grounds via the Studley Royal entrance. This proved to be wise as we were greeted by a National Trust guide who gave us an excellent introduction to the history of the site. None of us had realised that the World Heritage designation had been awarded not for the Abbey ruins but for the almost unique water features.

JackdawWe headed alongside the foot of the lake towards the Abbey and soon took a steep but short uphill path that led us past various features such as the Octagonal Tower and Ann Boleyn’s Viewpoint. By this time any lingering mist had dissipated to leave stunning views of the water gardens and abbey. Because there was no breeze, the water acted in its intended way as a mirror for the evergreen vegetation. These gardens had been designed to be green the whole year round.

Akram who had rejoined the group after an absence of over 3 years, due to health reasons, stayed on the lower path and we soon met up with him when we made our descent. Another attendee was Virginia, a young volunteer BEES worker from Spain who was making her second field-visit with the group.

Birds seen included a Buzzard, Nuthatch and Little Grebe. On the lake were Gulls, Mallards, Swans, Coots and Tufted Ducks. A solitary Primrose was spotted by Janet. Much evidence of ongoing work was observed such as removal of some of the Yew trees and the creation of Bosquets.

After a visit to the Abbey Tearooms we made our way back via the ruins where we investigated several of the rooms including the Documents room.

John Gavaghan

Blue Tit Oasis

Sue

Redwing

This was a Mystery Tour and apart from the organisers no one knew the ultimate destination, not even the driver! The mystery was added to when the navigator (the author of this piece!) gave incorrect directions to Sue the outward-bound driver. We were driving around in circles for 15 minutes. Much to the confusion of Alan who was behind in his car, gamely attempting to keep up! When we stopped at the car-park toilets at the south/western end of Fewston Res. the trippers wrongly thought they were at the starting point; but no.

The actual start was to be at the northern end - Blubberhouses car-park. Two problems then had to be overcome; the minibus was too high to fit under the car-park barrier although luckily there was enough space outside. Secondly the footpath on the western side of Fewston was closed for repairs which meant that Plan A was in tatters! The good news was that once again the weather was benign. The wet start in Bradford had been replaced by drier conditions and the cold north-easterly breeze was at our backs. We even had brief glimpses of the sun!

The group of 17 then had a decision to make; whether to follow Donald on the ramble around the 2 reservoirs or to go with myself on the amble around Fewston. SiskinFive hardy souls strode off on the longer jaunt and the rest shuffled off at an altogether different pace. Within a few yards of the start we were blessed with the sight of a flock of Lesser Redpolls, feeding below us on the bushes between the path and the water so that those who had remembered to bring their bins were able to see the red crowns which give the birds their name. Before we had gone a further 50 yards there were 3 Siskins on the path seemingly oblivious to our presence. We spent so long watching these scarce birds that it was no great surprise that at the end of our walk the ramblers were already at the minibus! Other birds seen that day were Redwings, Cormorants and a Heron.

Much time was also devoted to Identifying various fungi; fortunately much of it was too far gone over to bother with, due to the very heavy overnight rain or was on the wrong side of the wall; otherwise we would have been finishing in the dark! Species successfully ID'd : Wrinkled Club (Clavulina rugosa), Plums and Custard, Jelly Ear, Jelly Babies, Glistening Inkcap, Wood Hedgehog (Hydnum repandum), Purple Russula, Puffball and a half eaten Scarlet Waxcap.

RedpollJanet and Joan logged at least 21 flowering plants, not bad for late November. Dania who was discomforted by a dodgy knee decided discretion was the better part of valour and abandoned the group to head for the warmth of the Hopper Lane Hotel! Lunch for the group was at the picnic tables where we had enjoyed the earlier toilet break. That is apart from Gillian and Marilyn who couldn't wait and had already eaten theirs on a broken section of wall! The only rain of the day occurred during our lunch, but luckily was just a light shower.

We then retraced our steps back to the start. The unanimous decision of course was to join Dania in the pub. We were greeted with the sight of a wood burning range and a warm looking Dania. Those who chose to have tea were rather bemused by the quaint black tea teapots and the multi-coloured teatimers.

Once again a lovely day out

John Gavaghan

Deer

Common Stinkhorn

Margaret

I normally think of ladybirds and lacewings in the the same catagory of 'helpful' insects who eat food crop pests such as aphids.

I had not realised that lacewing larvae also occasionally eat adult ladybirds until we witnessed the devouring of this ladybird by two lacewing larvae. We couldn't understand why the ladybird didn't just walk, or fly, away if it felt under threat. It seems like the lacewing's venom must have paralysed the ladybird before it realised what was happening.

The first lacewing was joined by another and between the two it took 3 hours to complete their meal; the entire beast except the wingcases. There are more photos in the gallery.

Examining Fungi

Sparrowhawk

Sue

Acer

Yellow Stagshorn

Shaggy Parasol

Margaret

Start Of The Walk

Swastika Stone

Grouse

John Gavaghan