Previous Field Trips

BEES hosts a Wildlife Field Visit Programme throughout the year.

The programme aims to explore a range of habitats to study their natural history and management issues relating to their upkeep. The programme is organised and delivered by a committed and knowledgeable group of volunteers.

The list below shows information about past visits. For reports and photos about these visits please visit:
* Blog
* Photos

 

Wildlife Field Visits - Past

Planning Meeting for Summer programmes

Please join us at Culture Fusion to help finalise the summer programmes and shape programmes going forward. We will be looking for volunteer leaders, and group agreement of the draft programmes (which will be presented on the day). Please let us know in advance if you are planning to come along, as the venue of the meeting will depend on who is attending. Let us know as soon as possible but by 5th March at the latest.  
 

West Tanfield and Nosterfield

We are hoping to see wild aconite, yellow star of Bethlehem and a good display of snowdrops alongside of the River Ure at West Tanfield before moving on to Nosterfield LNR where hides provide protection and bird species should be in good number.  Strong footwear is recommended at West Tanfield.  Toilets present.
Leader; Alice Gingell  
Minibus transport; depart Culture Fusion 9.10am*/Unitarian Church 9.30am.  Rawdon pickup.       Cost £11
 

Indoor Social at Culture Fusion

Join us for an indoor Social at Culture Fusion. Members will be showing photographs of wildlife from their travels and we will review the trips from 2023. It will also be an opportunity to contribute to the planning for the 2024 programmes. Bring food to be added to a buffet spread. Hot drinks provided.          
Culture Fusion 12 for 12.30 start 3.30 finish
 

Gargrave

For our first outing of 2024 we will be repeating a 3½ mile stroll at Gargrave, following in the footsteps of the walk Donald led us on in 2019. This comes as a timely opportunity for us to remember Donald, and celebrate the 
wonderful contribution he made to our group over many years. 

Blacktoft Sands RSPB

We are regular visitors to Blacktoft Sands, but today's trip is timed to watch the birds at dusk. Often at this time of year the harriers gather in notable numbers to roost in the reedbeds, so we will stay until dusk falls, guessing we will be setting off home at about 4pm. The reserve has a number of hides and walking is easy on flat surfaced paths. There are toilets, but no cafe facilities. The entrance fee for non-members is £5.

Leader: Julia Pearson
Minibus transport; depart Culture Fusion 9.10am/Unitarian Church 9.30am Cost £12 Pick up at Low Moor. 
 

Black Park

Embsay Moor Rd - Halton Heights

This is an excellent site for waxcap fungi. It is on the highest section of the Barden to Embsay road & sits above Lower Barden Reservoir. There is ample free car parking along the road. We will park at the largest of those on the very top of the hill.
We will begin by examining the area alongside the car park before heading downhill to the hard track that leads towards the reservoir. There is also fungal interest on the sides of this track, indeed throughout the entire site.
It is one of the few local sites for the Cedarwood Waxcap

Raw Nook NR, Low Moor

During our visit to this site in June, the warden, Martyn Priestley informed us that it is worth checking out the fungi in October. We are following up on his suggestion and he will be with us to lead us around the site.  Walking is all on the flat & we will not be going far.  As was the case in June, we will make our own individual transport arrangements.

Leader: John Gavaghan      
Own Transport meet: 10.30am Railway Terrace where parking is available (opposite Low Moor Railway Station)