Previous Field Trips

Blacktoft Sands, situated on the south side of the Humber Estuary, has the largest reed bed in the country and is the home to a number of interesting birds including Marsh Harrier, Bittern and Bearded Tit.  More recently a Montague’s Harrier has bred on the reserve.  At this time of year it will provide refuge for migrating birds, mainly waders.  There are 6 hides and the access path is level.  Toilet facilities on site. (Limited refreshments, hot & cold drinks, snacks available).  The area is exposed so be prepared.  Admission free for R.S.P.B members & a charge for non RSPB members.

Leader: Stuart Tordoff
Minibus transport; depart Unitarian Church 9.30am.  Cost £10

Rodley Nature Reserve needs no introduction as we have visited many times and at different times of the year, but it is always very rewarding. Late August should be a good time to see dragonflies over the ponds, flowers and butterflies and even some early fungi. The visitor centre will be open for hot drinks etc. with room to eat indoors or out, with nearby toilet facilities. 

Leader: June Ackroyd
Minibus transport; depart Unitarian Church 9.30am.  Cost £6

This reserve is situated on the south side of the Humber estuary near to the Humber Bridge. We have made two visits in the past and enjoyed the variety of plants and birds seen along the side of the estuary, by the lakes and woodland. Some of the plants we are likely to see are sea aster, sea buckthorn, ploughman’s spikenard and button weed. There is an excellent visitor’s centre where we will start the day. The site is exposed so be prepared i.e. sun cream and sun hat are necessary. 

Coordinator: Margaret Rees Leaders: Angela & Stuart Buckle
Minibus transport; depart Unitarian Church 9.30am.  Cost £11

For this visit we will use the car park at the southern end of the tarn, GR SD895657. We are hoping for better weather than previous years so that we can reach the boardwalk across the fen to the north of the tarn. On the way we will pass through different habitats with totally different flora. We start across grassland, then go onto the track between two parts of Ha Mire and finally into mixed woodland leading to the Field centre. Before reaching the boardwalk we can visit the bird hide for views across the tarn. Once on the boardwalk we must keep to the path. We will retrace our steps back to the car park, a total distance of about 4 miles but fairly easy walking. Toilets will be accessed in main car park in Malham.  

Leaders: Alice Gingell and Janet Mawson
Minibus transport; depart Unitarian Church 9.30am.  Cost £8

We will explore two reserves in East Leeds situated on magnesian limestone, both NEW to the group. Ledston Luck previously was a coal pit and closed in1986. It has been developed as a nature reserve including meadow, ponds and woodland. 4000+common spotted orchids were recorded in 2013, as well as southern marsh, hybrids and bee orchids. There is a variety of pond life including dragonflies. The woodland and scrub are home to breeding birds such as grasshopper warbler. Roach Lime Hills SSSI is a privately owned calcareous grassland containing rock rose, thyme, milkwort, eyebright and fairy flax. Toilet facilities will be available at Kippax leisure centre, Station Road, Kippax; which will be our meeting point for the day out. (Grid ref SE409301). Easy walking. 

Coordinator: Margaret Rees Leader: Kate Phillips YWT
Minibus transport; depart Unitarian Church 9.30am.  Cost £7

It is many years since BEES WFV group has visited Hutton Roof, however the conservation volunteers make regular winter trips to help with the woodland management, to improve the butterfly habitats. The trip will start on Clawthorpe Road (GR: SD 543 783), to the NW of the hill.  We will visit open limestone grassland, coppice woodland and limestone pavement to look for plants and butterflies. This is a good time for High Brown Fritillary, weather permitting. The terrain is relatively arduous – uphill and uneven and the limestone underfoot can be slippery, but we will progress as a group at the speed of the botanists (i.e. slowly). We will walk several miles, and depending on progress, may reach the trig point. Ticks are present; wear long trousers and bring insect repellent. 

Leader: Julia Pearson
Minibus transport; depart Unitarian Church 9.30am.  Cost £10

We will return to Scargill House to enjoy the scenery of Upper Wharfedale and the great variety of lime loving plants growing in the environs of the centre. The plants will include common spotted orchid, betony, bloody cranesbill, common rockrose and fairy flax. Butterflies should be on the wing. There will be up-hill walking followed by walking along terraces. There are facilities at the centre. 

Coordinator: Margaret Rees Leaders: Hugh & Lisa Firman
Minibus transport; depart Unitarian Church 9.30am.  Cost £8

This will be a day of two halves. We will start the day exploring urban wildlife sites on reclaimed industrial sites with wetland and meadows (Blackburn Meadows and Centenary Riverside, Rotherham). These lie adjacent to Tinsley Canal and the River Don. The sites are small and fairly flat. There are no seats in the hides at Blackburn Meadows, from which the fenced off lakes are viewed.

In the afternoon we will visit Carr House Meadows, a varied traditional meadow north of Sheffield. The site is on a slope and accessed over a high stile, but the walking distance does not need to be far. Some areas of the meadow are wet. There will be an opportunity to extend the walk to include woodland and reservoir.

We will access toilets during the day. We will stop for a pub meal at The Sovereign, Shepley on our return journey, for which advance bookings will be necessary. You will receive a menu if you book this trip, indication price £11.95

Leader: Julia Pearson
Minibus transport; depart Unitarian Church 9.30am. Cost £8

Ballowfield is an old lead mining site which is easily accessible. (Grid ref SE988892) It contains a special group of plants that are lead tolerant, the metallophytes, which include spring sandwort, alpine pennycress and Pyrenean scurvy grass. Also present are thrift, moonwort, common rockrose and lichens. Orchids grow along the river course. The reserve is on a moderately steep slope which should not be too difficult. We will complete our day with a visit to other local site(s) to look at summer meadow flora.  A toilet stop will be arranged. 

Leaders: Martin Taylor, Margaret Rees, Joan Dobson.
Minibus transport; depart Unitarian Church 9.30am.  Cost £10