WFV Railway Terrace/Toad Holes Beck 30.06.09

Submitted by Wildlife Field… on Tue, 7th Jul 2009, 9:56pm

Plume MothPlume MothThis week's trip was very local, to the Raw Nook area of Low Moor and to Oakenshaw to visit the Railway Terrace (formerly Raw Nook) Nature Reserve, Bradford's first urban nature reserve, and Toad Holes Beck Nature Reserve which has recently been renovated and which would be officially re-launched a few days after our visit.  Railway Terrace is an area of lowland heath reclaimed from land which had previously spent 150 years or so as railway sheds and sidings and which was officially opened last year after much effort to bring the reserve to fruition by former BEES leader Peter Boyd and local naturalist Martyn Priestley.  Toad Holes Beck nature reserve was formed from local industrial wasteland and includes three ponds which provide a variety of wildlife.

The BEES reputation for fine weather was lost on the weather gods in the morning as we explored Railway Terrace when the highlight was a kingfisher which flew straight between our party as we investigated the pond.  We made use of the facilities at Woodlands Cricket Club at lunchtime but by then the weather had relented and stayed fine for the rest of the day allowing us to explore Toad Holes Beck at our leisure.

The bird count was low, although we were serenaded for much of the day by birdsong, especially chiffchaff and blackcap, but there were a few dragonflies and lots of damselflies and butterfiles about, mainly ringlets and meadow browns.  Joan Dobson did a very careful plant count at both locations and by the end of the day had increased the site count to 125 for Railway Terrace and 128 for Toad Holes Beck.

 

An enjoyable day spent not far from home was enjoyed by 15 members.

 

Stuart

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