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.
Lunch was taken at the edge of Baildon Moor Golf course just above a coniferous plantation where it was hoped we might hear a cuckoo. Alas this did not happen! I had however brought along my 3 year old Emperor Moth pheromone lure & it did attract a solitary Emperor. Unfortunately it never stayed still long enough for any photos to be taken. If we had been in an area with a lot more bilberry I am sure more would have turned up.
Temperatures were no higher than14C or 15C so not a great day to see butterflies. A Peacock & a Green-veined White were the only ones seen. Sue N did turn up a papery puffball which was later identified as a Pestle Puffball. Plants in flower included Marsh Marigolds, Stitchwort & Red Campion.
We returned via the Golf Course taking an uphill route & on reaching Bingley Rd turned right & made our way back to Glen Rd and the glen. Julia who had made her way on foot continued her walking as she headed off to Saltaire. I waited at the bottom of Lucy Hall for the hourly 656 bus whilst the others had their cars. A good day to be out.
John Gavaghan