Hebden GhyllYarnbury and its environs was our destination today. From on high we looked down on a moon-like landscape of spoil heaps, shafts and hollows. Yet this is the home a a special group of plants that are lead tolerant - the metallophytes. The Bees group have visited a similar area in the past - Ballowfield in Wensleydale. The special plants we were looking for were Spring Sandwort, Alpine Pennycress and Mountain Pansy. All were seen. Our walk started in Hebden Ghyll and our ascent was a gradual one. Observations and recordings were made of flowers and birds. There were signs that summer was approaching at the beginning of the walk, Foxgloves were seen coming into flower. We were soon to spot a speciality - Spring Sandwort which covered the grassland and the hillside. Alpine Pennycress was seen by
Mountain Pansies Margaret and later spotted by Maddy. The ferns occupying the rock crevasses and mine shafts were numerous. They included Lemon-scented Fern, Hard Fern, Broad Buckler Fern and Hart's Tongue Fern.Of especial delight were the banks of Mountain Pansy, their bright yellow upright heads gleamed in the bright light. They were surrounded by an arc of vivid blue Germander Speedwell. A total of 130 flower species was recorded by keen botanists Joan, Alice and Veronica. The bird species were no less interesting, 20 species were recorded. We had good sightings of Northern Wheatear both male and female seen perching and flying between the rocks of the higher point of the Ghyll. 
Pheasant's NestThey will have arrived in March from Africa to breed in their chosen territory. Other good sightings were had of Grey Wagtail, Pied Wagtail, Oystercatcher, Curlew. Lapwing , Meadow Pipit, Partridge, Dunnock, Swallow, Starling and Goldfinch. Insect species included a great number of Green-veined White butterflies. The climb had lead to some tiredness in the ladies in the party. Yet again Stuart and John stepped in to assist and gallantly offered to return to the minibus and bring it to Yarnbury to collect the group. This suggestion was most welcome. The weather had turned out to be kind, cloudy and cool and the rain had kept at bay. It was sunny on our return to the environs of Bradford. A big "thank you" to Eric for suggesting and leading this most interesting day out in the field. Margaret