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WFV - Ilkley Town Centre Tree Trail 20 September 2022

Submitted by Wildlife Field… on Fri, 23rd Sep 2022, 9:45am

It was a fine, still morning as 7 of us met in the Brook Street car park to start another of the Ilkley Tree Trails.  These trails are accompanied by a wonderfully illustrated and informative leaflet produced by Sue and Neil Stevens with funding given by the Ilkley BID for the printing.  We were also delighted to have Janet joining us for a short while as she is now living nearby.  Our first tree of interest was the broad-leaved cockspur thorn whose fearsome thorns provide an excellent defence.  In the same area the Norway maple looked magnificent having room to spread and show off what will, in a few short weeks, be spectacular autumn colour.  Alice drew our attention to the horizontal coloured bands on the bark of a Japanese flowering cherry, these being sometimes referred to as 'tiger stripes'.  A common lime nearby was full of fruit but it was noted that the flowers produce nectar and pollen for insects and aphids are particularly attracted to limes producing honeydew that may d

Tuesday 6th September Rodley Nature Reserve

Submitted by Wildlife Field… on Wed, 7th Sep 2022, 11:06am

A good group of 12 met Peter and Barbara Murphy at the main gates of the reserve at 10 30am. Peter and Barbara had put themselves out to accommodate our group today and we were very grateful to them. Peter gave us a short introduction which included informing us of the planned for nearby housing development and the closure of the reserve since the beginning of the year (reopened in June on Sundays).  Access is currently along the canal tow path as the swing bridge is in the process of being dismantled to be rebuilt. Progress has been extremely slow, and Peter was fearful that it would be a considerable time before the reserve could be fully reopened. Furthermore there is concern that the trees adjacent to the river and building site could be removed threatening the bird and animal life of the river. Kingfishers and goosander are frequently seen also a family of otters. A kingfisher was soon spotted by Sue from the bridge. 

Tuesday 16th August Golden Acre Park, Crag House Farm, Caring for Life

Submitted by Wildlife Field… on Wed, 17th Aug 2022, 12:41pm

A group of 6 enjoyed a pleasant day out in warm but cloudy conditions visiting a variety of habitats in the local Leeds area. A thunderstorm was anticipated but didn't transpire.

Our first port of call was a small "nature reserve" adjacent to the Parkway Hotel. We noticed a familiar but unusual tree at the entrance also seen on a visit to the nearby Hollies. This was later identified as Persian ironwood. Our comments were that the "nature reserve" was more like a jungle as we battled our way through the brambles and undergrowth .Nevertheless several significant flowers were seen including Purple Loosestrife and  Common Fleabane.

WFV, Ben Rhydding Gravel Pits & Sun Lane NR, Burley-in-Wharfedale, Aug 2nd 2022

Submitted by Wildlife Field… on Thu, 4th Aug 2022, 8:20pm

This outing was originally planned for the 16th July but sadly we were stymied by the record breaking heatwave & we agreed it would have been unwise to proceed so it was rescheduled for the nearest date when we were all next available. The delay of 3 weeks unfortunately meant that the orchid display that I had seen at the end of June had totally disappeared!

Even so there was still an impressive number of flowering plants; Yellow & Purple Loosestrife, Field Scabious, Narrow-leaved Water-plantain, White flowered Musk Mallow, Club Rush, Yellow Water Lilies, Evening Primrose & masses of Teasels. Common Blue damselflies & Brown Hawkers were on the wing as were Small Tortoiseshells, Small White & Green-veined White butterflies, Meadow Browns & Common Carpet Moth.

Swifts & Sand Martins were screeching overhead. Whilst we looking at the river a Kingfisher flew up & down the river so we all got at least one decent view!

WFV - Malham Boardwalk, 12 July 2022

Submitted by Wildlife Field… on Fri, 15th Jul 2022, 11:39am

An initial few drops of rain gave way to a fine day as 5 of us ventured onto the boardwalk at Malham.  So much to see and record, senses can become quite overwhelmed initially.  Sadly marsh cinquefoil had just gone over which was a shame but the mass of marsh valerian was wonderful and the smell of meadowsweet was delightful.  John spotted a pregnant common lizard on the side of the walkway obviously attempting to warm up.  Numerous butterflies were on the wing, these being mainly ringlet and green-veined whites.  A sedge warbler was spotted by Stuart on a nearby tree and reed buntings were also seen.  The variety of sedges on the site is amazing and Alice was in her element as she attempted to name them all.  John pointed out the lunar hornet moths which had been attracted to the pheromones he had bought with him.  Other moths seen were silver-ground carpet, clouded border, common carpet and pearl-band grass veneer.

28.06.2022 Ripon City Wetlands

Submitted by Wildlife Field… on Wed, 29th Jun 2022, 9:28am

A depleted group of three met up at Ripon City Wetlands on this fine but breezy day. We were joined by Stuart and Yvonne (the boat people). The visit met all expectations more especially botanically. Much interest was shown in the odanata, however bird species were limited. 

This newly created YWT reserve occupies a disused sand and gravel quarry with lakes, grassland, ponds, hedgerows and canal side. The facilities include a wooden gazebo ( we took lunch there away from the wind), picnic tables, several attractive information boards,  a hide and well made gravel paths. 

10.05.2022 Rougemont Carr

Submitted by Wildlife Field… on Tue, 10th May 2022, 7:57pm

On this breezy but sunny day we were able to enjoy the delights that this well loved walk afforded us and also some of it's challenges. A small group of five gathered at St Barnabus church car park and meandered down a quiet country lane observing the lovely mixed hedgerow and flora of the verges ( stitchwort, bluebell, celandine, goldilocks buttercup, garlic mustard, cow parsley). Chaffinch and yellowhammer dropped down from the tree tops to feed on the bird seed left by kind walkers. A hare was seen bounding over the fields. Our crossing of the field leading to the bluebell woodland was not without danger, a large group of cattle came over in our direction curious about the visitors.  

Goitstock - 26 April 2022

Submitted by Wildlife Field… on Fri, 29th Apr 2022, 9:55am

A beautiful sunny morning greeted the 9 of us as we met in the car park of Stephen Smith's Garden Centre for today's walk.  It was wonderful to have Joan out with us once more and even though she could not stay for long her presence and knowledgeable input was much appreciated by all.  We started our walk on the path above the woodland where the delights of the season were all around us.  There were large patches of wood sorrel, greater stitchwort and wood anenomes looking resplendent in the morning light.  Shining cranesbill was in evidence as was three-nerved sandwort.  There was much honeysuckle which would scent the air in a few weeks time.  Birch, oak, ash, sycamore and goat willow were all in flower and grasses were starting to make an appearance with meadow foxtail, cocksfoot, sweet vernal and wood melick being noted.  Further into our walk pendulous and wood sedge were seen as well as field and great wood-rush.

Kirkstall Forge and Leeds Liverpool canal 22nd March 2022

Submitted by Wildlife Field… on Tue, 22nd Mar 2022, 8:13pm

Our party of 9 met outside the No1 building at Kirkstall Forge having travelled by train and bus (one exception). We initially considered the development of the site from it's early beginnings as an iron forge to an industrial site manufacturing axles for vehicles. We took a walk along the bridge overlooking the River Aire where we could view the extensive site where the proposed development of residential housing, shopping and leisure facilities and school were to be built (some considerable delay because of Covid)- a model village for the C21st century. Looking over the bridge a Grey wagtail and Kingfisher were spotted.

On returning to the station we were joined by Steve who had experienced a delay to his train. The group then enjoyed a leisurely walk along the tow path of the Leeds Liverpool canal passing Newlay and Kirkstall Little locks and enjoying views of Kirkstall Abbey and Bramhall Falls woods. This was all in lovely spring sunshine.