Taking in the ViewThe day started brightly when Sue distributed birthday flapjack to the 14 participants of today's local walk organised by Lorna and Brian. We were pleased to welcome Geoff and Mary Twentyman, local historians and conservationists well known to quite a few of our members, for their first BEES outing. The threatened rain did not appear but we were buffeted by winds on the high ground of Clayton before we dropped down to a more sheltered valley bottom and the Queensbury Triangle - the site of the unique three-sided railway station that was closed 55 years ago and which now forms part of the Great Northern Trail where we stopped for lunch. Fine views were obtained in the sunny spells that we enjoyed throughout the walk. The prize offered for the sighting of the first swallow of the year remained unclaimed (although one was spotted later in the day in Cleckheaton) but 20 species of birds were recorded, including a yaffling green woodpecker (in the same spot that we had recorded this bird two years ago). 24 plants were in flower, including what Lorna reckons is Clayton's last cowslip, and recorder Alice (deputising for an ill Joan) was pleased to be able to find dog lichen as well as different mosses and other 'miscellaneous' flora. Mud on one stretch and the high winds meant that we reduced the length of the walk somewhat and after lunching at 11.15, Clayton church clock was just striking 1.00pm as we concluded a short but very pleasant walk.
Stuart