Blog
WFV, Blacktoft Sands RSPB, 02.03.10
The sighting of a Herald Moth was a true herald of Spring when 12 of the group visited Blacktoft Sands on a beautiful sunny day. Unfortunately high Spring tides had cut off access to two of the hides to all but welly-wearers, but there are 5 other hides from which to view the birds and we managed to record a total of 37 different species on the day. Highlights were marsh harriers - the star attraction of Blacktoft - black-tailed godwit, snipe and tree sparrows but although there were most of the duck species that we could have expected, waders were thin on the ground.
After the cold winter, flowering plants were difficult to locate but we did eventually find three speices - daisy, groundsel and pussy-willow. Mammals were represented by hare, roe deer, evidence of moles and a brown rat which seemed to have adapted to living in a tree over the top of the bird feeders!
Three big birds which spectacularly over-flew us appeared to be a bomber with fighter escort, but in reality were likely to be a K-135 Stratotanker preparing to re-fuel two F-15s, which gave a different twist to the day's sightings and we all returned to Bradford having thoroughly enjoyed our first outing of Spring.
Stuart
By Canal And River From Rodley, February 16th, 2010
Only eleven people came on today's trip, a local walk starting at Rodley.Several people came by car. One participant had withdrawn due to snow in Queensbury and unfortunately Enid, today's walk leader, had to withdraw from this event due to family commitments. Responsibility for leading then fell to a trio of ladies who had recently recced this walk with Enid.
Happily, although cold, Rodley was snow free. Dark clouds did linger, but thankfully the sun shone throughout the day. We set off from Bridge Road, Rodley, crossing the swing bridge to walk alongside the canal towards Calverley. Several swans and cygnets were seen, along with some mallards, canada geese and moorhens. Soon after passing Rodley visitor moorings we turned off the canal path to cross the Packhorse Bridge over the River Aire, where we saw a pair of goosanders. On the far side of the river we took the riverside path heading towards Newlay. We had to watch our footing in the very muddy conditions.Little fungi was evident, but Veronica shared her growing interest in lichens with the group. We saw some snowdrops in flower.We also saw a couple of male bullfinches. Our path headed away from the river towards the Newlay housing estate. Having walked at an unusually steady pace, we reached our lunchstop near the Abbey Inn quite early before the pub had opened. We ate our packed lunch outside and then had an unhurried drink in the Abbey Inn before heading back along the canal towpath towrds Rodley.We took time to look at the buds, catkins and cones on the trees, including alder and hazel.A flock of long-tailed tits were seen. A tufted duck was spotted on the canal. We arrived back at the starting point around 2pm. Having seen little sun of late, this turned out to be a very pleasant walk.
Sue
Pruning at the Orchard
We have just about completed the winter pruning at Bowling Park Community Orchard now. When we first had some tuition from Peter Blackburn-Maze he talked about remembering what was done to teach tree each year. I couldn't understand how - but realise with a sounder understanding of the pruning principles it is easier to recall what was done last year. However I thought a timely blog entry now may help us remember what we were thinking when we come to do the task next winter.
Pruning is a good time to have a real good look at the trees and it doesn't take long to notice the different growing tendancies of the trees. The Allington Pippin has many lateral branches creating a dense, spiky tree, not dis-similar to a blackthorn, where as Arther Turner is still intent on 'his' vigorous upright growth with barely a side branch to be seen (we have pruned to encourage branching). Last autumn a lot of our fruit was picked by others - not people voluneering to manage the orchard through the rest of the year - so in that sense it is a benefit to have fruit produced where you need a ladder to pick it.I still have a lot to learn about this pruning business but actually realised that I felt a little more confident at times this winter, however I am still making some less than text book decisions I am sure. We still have some young trees that require formative pruning, whilst others are older and we concentrated on removing crossing, damaged and diseased branches and reducing the inward growing laterals. I need to keep an eye on these as I don't know what the effect will be. I also want to explore further the idea of some summer pruning to restrict the growth of parts of the larger trees. The Kidd's Orange Red is suffering with a canker on the main trunk where it branches. There is some strong growth from below the infection so we decided to remove one of the branches at the infected point and used a knife to clean up as best we could. We wonder if we need to remove the other branch emerging at this point too - but there is still healthy bark serving it and we do not know how much infection the tree will cope with as it grows older (it was planted 7 years ago). So we will watch and learn. Peasgood Nonsuch has some canker as well - I was not brave enough to attempt a bridge graft last year...maybe sometime. In the meantime we are trying to encouage more growth towards Anne and Bob's plot as it is leaning significantly towards our path. We continued with the plan Martin instigated last year and removed another small branch from the heavy side. One of the cuts from last year as produced 3 strong shoots - we guess these shouldn't be left but as we weren't quite sure what to do we left them for now.Egremont Russet, Blenheim Orange and Discovery didn't have much done, whilst the Ribston Pippin had some lower shoots removed - the one's that drag in the grass. Fortune has suffered from shading on the south side so I removed some of the hedge and will do more when we are at the orchard with the bees volunteers. Belle de Boskoop is growing very well - but we wondered if one of the branches is becoming a bit too dominate as a central leader and will need checking - something to think about in the future. Winston had a significant break which we were reluctant to remove completlely due to the effect this would have on the tree as a whole - so removed what we could and cleaned it up. Lord Lambourne also had a broken branch. This had been taped but I hadn't realised - just thought it was left over from a sign at Apple Day so removed the tape. We cut the loose branced and left a small, clean wound that we hope will heal. That's all I can really remember now - expect we really must make a descision about the keswick Codling Arch or not arch so we can prune accordingly. A couple of branches of the larger tree have been broken - i think because they are in the way of the path so have been damaged accidently. All in all the orchard is looking good. It will be seven yars since our opening ceremony on March 26th (I think) - isn't there a saying 'show me the boy of 7 and will show you the man'. I think thatfeels very fitting - the orchrad feels like it isa real place now, well established and we can look to the future. pip pip.
Ripley Castle Grounds, February 2nd, 2010
Only 8 people were on the minibus for today's trip to Ripley Castle grounds, where we met up with 4 ladies who had travelled by car. When we arrived in Ripley, it was very cold, grey and raining and some people had to be virtually prised out of the minibus. After paying our entrance fees, we set off on the walk around the lake. The groups enthusiasm did grow as we got moving, and there was more to see than we had anticipated. We saw a lot of snowdrops and also a small patch of aconites over the old Ice House. Unfortunately visibility was not good, but the views would be splendid in better weather. Light but steady rain continued throughout much of the morning, and turned sleety for a short time. There were some very interesting,ancient trees including the self-perpetuating beech tree (see the gallery). Some of the oak trees are a thousand years old and are very knarled. On the far side of the lake the path skirted the deer park, where numerous fallow deer could be seen.We probably saw about 10 species of fungi incuding stereum hirsutum, turkeytail and jelly ear. Several species were sited on a single large tree stump which was quite spectacular. On completing the path right round the lake, we stopped for lunch. The clever ones ate in the hothouses. The others didn't discover the hothouses until after they'd eaten. After lunch, we explored the hothouses,walled garden and kitchen garden by which time it was snowing.Only 18 birds were recorded, the highlight being a greater spotted woodpecker on a nut feeder in the kitchen garden.Most people headed for a hot drink in the tearoom before heading back.It had been a good day but bitterly cold and we were all keen to get home and get warm.
Sue
Friday 29th January 2010, Brackenhill Urban Landscape Area
Boar's Well, 22nd Jan 10
WFV Tuesday 19th January 2010 BeesNew Year Social Bradford YMCA
WFV Xmas Event 8th Dec 2009
Our Xmas event started at 10 am at the YMCA. Sue showed us some of the superb photos of wild life and scenery she had taken since becoming involved with Bees, a real credit to her and the group.There were insects , butterflies and dragonflies , reptiles lizards and newts, flora , birds to enjoy as well as reminders of the superb scenery and good weather we had experienced on our outings.
Sue's "piece de resistance"which we all admired was her slide show to musical accompaniment - a truly professional presentation.
30 of us then departed in the direction of Queensbury for a festive meal.
Margaret
WFV Bees Slide Show YMCA 24th November 2009
We gathered at the YMCA for two superb slide shows. Stuart showed us the slides of the antipodean journey he and Gillian had completed in Feb 2009 visiting Hong Kong , Australia- Sydney and Melbourne then New Zealand both North and South Island and a final call at Singapore on the return journey. For some it was a reminder of destinations visited, for others it was an opportunity to enjoy their holiday.
Annie showed us slides of the spectacular and colourful people and scenery of Vietnam . There is more to come we have been told, watch this space!
Margaret