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Margaret

The fruit harvest is now in full flow. Today we gathered approximately 40kilos, all weighed on our new spring balance but I have left the notes in the shed.Our new long handled picker was helpful, as was the harvesting bag (both bought with a donation made to us by the Coop - thanks Barbara), but we were also helped out by the wind. Quite a few apples had fallen but were unblemished.

Today's varieties were Ribson Pippin (hardly any left on the trees, earlier than normal), Arthur Turner (first time we have a decent crop of these), Peasgood Nonsuch, Grandpa Buxton, Katy (the last of these), James Grieve, Cockpit Improved (a small crop from a cordon), Irish Peach and a few Blenheim Orange (mostly wind blown).

Some of these will be used to cook for Apple Day, others will go straight to orchard volunteers.

We finished the summer pruning this weekend so now the espaliers and cordons are looking back in shape. We have decided that we will need to make some more radical changes to a few of them in the winter (if we were to do it now we would be cutting off to much fruit). The Brownlees Russet (near the central benches) has fluctuated between espalier and fan to try to make best use of the growth - however there has been significant damage were a branch split and we feel that the damaged area should be removed in winter. It still might not be clear whether this tree will be a fan or espalier, but not to worry, all we are trying to do is grow fruit in a resticted way...it doesn't have to be pretty! (though that had been the plan when we started out).

The Tydeman's Late Orange has folded over the wire and needs cutting back and we need to remove some of the top growth of the Court Pendu Plat and check over the others.

Some of the free growing trees were planted too close together so we have carried out a minimal amount of summer pruning in an attempt to restrict their growth, perhaps we should have been more radical? We will need to revisit the trees in winter and hope Martin will give us some guidance at Apple Day.

The trees are a really good example of how different varieties have different growing habits - Arthur Turner is going straight up (we need to get a long armed picker asap) whereas Blenheim Orange is stretching out horizontally.

Three branches have broken on Grandpa Buxton due to weight of fruit. They are not quite ripe yet but it is our first cooker to ripen adn we need to cut out the branches as we harvest.

Overall the harvest is looking promising with a good crop on the Bramley, Arthur Turner, Grandpa Buxton and Egremont Russet. It is disappointing that the Belle de Boskoop has no fruit this year but after the amazing crop last year it is not surprising, same with the Keswick Codlin. Not long before we will be in full harvesting and cooking mode. pip pip.

From Little Acorns.....

Smiths Pepperwort

Sloes and Hips

Stuart

Lake

Comma

Robin& Pincushion Gall

Margaret

The ViaductOur second extended day out of the season took us to Smardale Gill in South Cumbria, a nature reserve managed by the Cumbria Wildlife Trust. A full minibus plus 3 travelling by car were met by Stuart's cousin and his son, Martin and George who were our butterfly experts for the day. Having parked up near Smardale Hall, we walked along the long, straight path, a disused railway line that now provides considerable botanical interest. There was an abundance of enchanter's nightshade with its delicate white flowers. Wood and bloody cranesbill were both evident. The wintergreen had finished flowering but was seen in fruit. The fragrant orchid was indeed deliciously fragrant. The bird count is not even worth mentioning. A woodpecker was heard, but the birds were not putting in an appearance. However, this trip was all about the butterflies. Several were seen including red admiral, small heath, dark green fritillary, and common blue, but the star species was undoubtedly the scotch argus. Smardale Gill is one of only two sites in England where this butterfly can be seen. As our path cut through steeper grassy banks, we started to see the scotch argus in small numbers.Pair of Scotch Argus CranesbillWhere the path ended and we reached the viaduct, there seemed to be masses of them on the steep grassy hillside. The 130 foot high viaduct with twelve arches crossing Scandal Beck is very impressive and the surrounding landscape was stunning. Autumn gentian was seen just across the viaduct. At the start of the day it had felt a little cool, but we were blessed with sunshine and the temperature rose nicely through the day. Some of the group did longer walks and got as far as the packhorse bridge. A total of 162 plants were recorded. Several moths were also seen today including the shaded broad bar, the antler moth and the iron prominent. Having enjoyed a fantastic day, we set off to the Craven Arms in Giggleswick for our evening meal. A lovely end to the day. Many thanks to the birthday boy Stuart for leading the day, to Margaret for organising the meal and to Martin and George for sharing their butterfly expertise.

Sue

Looking Across the Lake to the HouseInteresting wetland plants, dragonflies, the history of Doncaster, these were the themes for our Bees outing today and they were explored by our group. Cusworth Park is a country park managed by Doncaster council containing two lakes and an extensive parkland area on the outskirts of Doncaster. The elegent Georgian mansion was once the home of the Battle Wrightson family and is now a museum representing the social and economic history of the hall and Doncaster area. Doncaster, as well as being a mining area, became famous for "the Plant" the locomotive works where some magnificent steam engines were designed and built. Dryad's SaddleIt was a warm, overcast day with sunshine appearing in the afternoon. 13 of us were hoping for something relaxing not too strenuous, perhaps a cup of tea and cake in the tea room at the end of the day. FleabaneOur morning walk was led by Eric and Joan and involved a hunt for green-flowered helleborine in the woodland beyond the lake. Several specimens were eventually located in a grassy area by the side of the path. The ground was exceedingly dry and several plants were in fruit displaying their bright red berries. The lakeside proved productive for several "newish" plants including fan-leaved water crowfoot, trifid bur marigold, sweet flag, marestail, black harehound and common fleabane. The dragonflies were the emperor and hawker species. Butterfly species included speckled wood, green-veined white and gatekeeper. Swans, coot and mallard were seen with their young on the lake. We were back in Bradford in no time having enjoyed a good day out.

Margaret

Carline Thistle

Lunch On The Crag

Musk Mallow

Stuart

Viaduct ArchThis week's trip was to the relatively local destination of the Healey Dell Nature Reserve in Rochdale. On arrival, the nearly full minibus was welcomed by the ranger, Richard. We were invited in to the rangers' office where we could make use of the facilities and were kindly provided with a hot drink before we enjoyed a very informative slideshow visual tour of the reserve. Following lunch Richard led us on a guided walk around the reserve pointing out the features of interest and patiently letting us stop and botanise as we wished. Healey Dell is a steep sided woodland carved out by the River Spodden and there is much archaelogocical interest due to past association with the textile trade. Key archaeological features include the stone rubbing mill where local stone was rubbed, polished and finished. Th'Owd Mill I'th Thrutch consists of twin bridges which were the site of a Broad Leaved Helleborinefulling mill in the 17th century. A disused railway line over a 100 foot viaduct affords fine views of the reserve. The setting with several waterfalls was very beautiful. It was a quiet day with regard to birds - only about 15 were recorded including jays. Dragonflies and damselflies were not evident in the largely dry but cool conditions. However, there was much to see from a botanical perspective. ChicoryThe most notable find was broad-leaved helleborine in flower. Numerous common spotted orchids were evident and many had grown very tall. Other interesting finds included dusky cranesbill and a large stand of chicory. 165 plants were recorded 115 of them in flower. 12 ferns/horsetails were noted. 4 butterflies were recorded including small skipper. Although the conditions were cool, it stayed mostly dry with just slight drizzle shortly before we were due to leave, but we had enjoyed a lovely day and we were very grateful to Richard for giving us so much of his time and sharing his knowledge of the reserve.

Sue

Walney Geranium

Grayling on Sea Holly

Tiger Moth

Young Stonechat

Margaret