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.
At Engine Fields there was a wealth of spring flora in flower including bluebell, marsh marigold, early dog violet, dogs mercury, wild arum, primrose, cowslip, false oxlip, tibetan cowslip (a garden escape),cuckoo flower, cow parsley, celandine, ramsons, yellow archangel, borage, green alkanet and creeping comfrey. The reserve is host to a good variety of shrubs and trees many of which were in flower. They included alder, field maple, wild cherry, bird cherry, apple, goat and crack willow and box. The birds seen included wren, blackbirds, crow, robin, moorhen and mallard. A heron flew overhead. It was particularly pleasing to hear the bird song .
Moving on and due to a brief spell of rain we ate our lunch in our cars while parked in Guiseley station car park. However this did not prevent us continuing with our exploration of Parkinson's park. The park had originally been provided for the workers from the Parkinson's factory but in recent years has been managed by a group of Friends. The park has several constituent parts including a wild flower meadow, community orchard, woodland, grassland and pond with bog (curently completely dry). The flora included bluebells, wood anemone, in the woodland; greater stitchwort, woodruff, greater woodrush and garlic mustard by the stone wall; broom and gorse on the grassy slopes. There were a good variety of trees and shrubs including red current, pear. plum and hawthorn. A very satisfying day with a lot of surprises including some spectacular views towards Menston, Ilkley and beyond.
Margaret