Blog

WFV, Foxglove Covert Nature Reserve, 28th June 2011

Submitted by Wildlife Field… on Tue, 28th Jun 2011, 12:01am
Two storey hideTwo storey hideToday we headed up the A1 to Catterick Garrison where Foxglove Covert Nature Reserve is located at Cambrai Barracks. A full minibus left Bradford full of expectation of a varied day out and hoping maybe to catch a sighting of a uniformed Major or two! As is often the case for us on our Tuesday outings, the weather took up as we headed North and the heat of the previous day had dispersed. Having reported to the entry gate and been given the security code for the gate to the reserve, we drove through the barracks and were welcomed at the field centre by Anne, our guide for the day. We were offered tea and whilst we marvelled at the facilities at the centre Anne gave us an introduction to the reserve, expaining that the site had first been a bird-ringing centre (now one of the top bird-ringing centres in the UK) before gradually being developed as a nature reserve through cooperation with the Army, Richmondshire District Council and Natural England. A recent grant from Natural England had funded new access-for-all paths, bird hides and further development of the impressive field centre. We were taken on a tour of part of the reserve before lunch and then although free to do our own things afterwards, Anne did in fact stay with us and most of the party followed her again in the afternoon. The habitats of the 100 acres at Foxglove Covert are varied, covering woodland, wetland, moorland, scrub and raised fen and the variety of flora and fauna diverse - over 2000 species having been recorded. Large SkipperLarge SkipperWe didn’t quite reach that number in the time that we were Dark Green FritillaryDark Green Fritillarythere, but nevertheless recorded an impressive number of plant species, 25 birds (including a woodcock disturbed by Sue which tried to distract her from its nest), 8 butterfiles, various moths, damsel and dragonflies, and two red deer. After re-gathering at the field centre we were again offered tea before we headed off happily back down the A1, vowing to return again next year. The reserve is truly impressive – Gillian described it as a 4-star plus reserve. It would probably have received a 5-star rating had the guide (50p) been up-to-date with recent path alterations ! The facilities are wonderful with lovely toilets, kitchen and study centre and we were made to feel very welcome. The reserve is holding an Open Day on Saturday 23rd July but individuals are welcome on any day during opening hours (although drivers need some form of identification). Check out the website at http://www.foxglovecovert.org.uk – you’ll even find a photo of the BEES group who visited today.

Stuart

WFV, Wharram Percy and Wharram Quarry, 21st June 2011

Submitted by Wildlife Field… on Fri, 24th Jun 2011, 12:01am
PondPond13 travelled on the minibus wondering whether we were going to be lucky or unlucky with the weather and whether we had brought the right clothing. The weather was decidedly uncertain as we headed to the deserted medieval village of Wharram Percy in the Yorkshire Wolds and there were several showers as we travelled, some of them heavy. However, the scenery en route was beautiful, especially the vast expanses of poppies some of them intermingled with bright yellow rape.Bee OrchidBee Orchid After a welcome stop at a cafe to use the facilities and have a cuppa we continued on to our destination meeting up with 4 people who had come by car. The views of the Wolds were splendid. We headed along the path through fields full of wild flowers to the village of Wharram Percy. The plan had been to walk down fairly quickly and to botanise on the return leg, but it became apparent that this was never going to happen! 18th century farm cottages, the ruins of a medieval church and a recreated fish pond were the main points of interest at Wharram Percy. The cottages were snuggled into the hillside in such an idyllic setting. It is believed that families had to leave the village in the late 15th century as it was turned over to pasture for sheep.We had lunch by the church and then made a circuit of the pond before returning to the bus. 114 plants in flower were seen including dropwort. Today's trip was more about the botany than the birds, but we did see linnets and also a yellowhammer in full song. From Wharram Percy we drove just a short distance to Wharram Quarry, a chalk quarry managed by the Yorkshire wildlife trust. Now disused, the quarry has a flat floor and steep cliff faces with scooped out hollows.Scorpion FlyScorpion Fly In the short time we had available to us we recorded 57 plants in flower. Bordered Sallow MothBordered Sallow MothThe highlights were the common spotted and bee orchids, and also broom rape, probably thistle broomrape. Clustered bellflower was also seen. Throughout the day we spotted several butterflies including common blue and small heath which were abundant at the quarry. Also, a marbled white and ringlet butterflies were seen as well as an uncommon moth - a bordered sallow, the first recording on this site for 12 years. As we returned to the bus, the weather was really closing in. Most of us managed to avoid the heavy downpour but a couple did get a good soaking.

Sue

WFV, Sherburn Willows and Skipwith Common, 14th June 2011

Submitted by Wildlife Field… on Wed, 15th Jun 2011, 12:02am
Amongst the DaisiesAmongst the DaisiesWe welcomed back some old members whom we hadn’t seen Bee OrchidBee Orchid for a while as well as a couple of new faces who added an international flavour to this week’s full minibus group as we headed out East for a trip to Sherburn and Skipwith. It was the group’s first visit to Sherburn Willows, a YWT reserve on the Magnesian limestone where we enjoyed a pre-prandial walk along the banks and in the ‘marshy’ area (at present almost dry) before having lunch in lovely sunshine. We had to leave too early but before we did enjoyed a variety of limestone plants, including common spotted orchid, southern marsh orchid, bee orchid and purple milk-vetch. The illusive sainfoin remained so! The marsh area provided common meadow rue, meadowsweet and various sedges. We then moved on to Skipwith Common, a National Nature Reserve and SSI which is based on an old RAF airfield and is 50% woodland and 50% lowland heath with a rich flora and fauna.Whitethroat In Full SongWhitethroat In Full Song Piri Piri BurrPiri Piri BurrThe plants included piri piri burr allegedly introduced by New Zealand aircrew who used the base during the Second World War and which is now abundant. The site is too large to allow full exploration in the time available to us so perhaps another visit will allow us to see the great crested newts, common lizards, grass snakes and adders which inhabit the reserve. In the day we recorded 118 flowering plants, 20 birds including yellowhammer and a calling tawny owl, ten butterfiles including brimstone, ringlet and small heath and cinnabar and six-spot burnet moths.

Stuart

WFV, Lower Winskill Farm, Stainforth, 7th June 2011

Submitted by Wildlife Field… on Wed, 8th Jun 2011, 12:02am
Learning About The Lime KilnLearning About The Lime KilnToday’s BEES outing had a different feel as we visited Lower Winskill Farm at Stainforth where we were led on a tour of the farm by Tom Lord, the farmer who is also a local historian and achaeologist. A full minibus parked in the car park in Stainforth at about 750ft above sea level and we walked up the lane and through fields on limestone to Lower Winskill Farm at just under 1000ft whilst Tom showed us a lime kiln and told us about the history of the farm and area and how the farm operates today – to a large extent by not actually farming but by preserving pastures and meadows in a traditional way. Smearsett Scar and Ingleborough with head!Smearsett Scar and Ingleborough with head! Farm buildings have been cleverly converted into classrooms, workplaces and galleries in which we were able to escape the rain which arrived at lunchtime. We had time then to look at the very imaginative gallery which has been created for a forthcoming ‘Open Studios’ event when resident sculptor Sarah Smith and artist Margaret Uttley will display their works. Some of Sarah's work is also exhibited outside in the fields around the farm. The warning on the BEES programme - ‘because of the elevation warm and waterproof clothing is needed, even in June’ – was very timely as the rain continued to fall and the wind continued to blow as we continued our tour after lunch. A decision to abandon the high ground and seek more sheltered pastures came before the rain passed over and we enjoyed a leisurely stroll back to the minibus in Stainforth in much brighter weather. Chimney SweeperChimney Sweeper The sunshine encouraged winged creatures to fly and we saw many small heath butterflies and chimneysweeper moths. John’s joining the group has added another dimension to our combined knowledge and he was able to identify two northern brown argus butterflies – the first of the year at Lower Winskill. Numerous plants and ferns were seen including moonwort and even a few bluebells still flowered at the high altitude. The high Dales do not hold a great variety of birds and we only recorded about a dozen, which included the locally common wheatear and meadow pipit, but we did enjoy superb views to Ingleborough and Penyghent and beyond. We returned to the minibus enthused by what we had seen and been told but with a slight hint of sadness that farms such as Lower Winskill are no longer agriculturally viable but have to rely on subsidies in order to preserve the traditional landscape.

Stuart

WFV North Cave & Calley Heath 24th May 2011

Submitted by beesadmin on Wed, 25th May 2011, 12:03am

Our visit to North Cave and Calley Heath was very much enjoyed by a small group of 9 people. North Cave is a favourite reserve and it has developed tremendously since our first visit. It has attracted a wide range of birds who have settled and bred there. We were able to view the new developments which include the creation of an extensive lowland grassland area which will attract waders such as snipe and lapwing also new species such as wigeon and curlew. A visitors centre will shortly be opening.

The party completed a circular tour of the reserve, initially calling in at the East Hide then moving to the Turret Hide. We viewed a bonanza of birding activity. It was lovely to see the birds with their young broods moving around the lakes in convoy. Numerous species had bred including avocets, lapwing, shellduck, mallard, gadwall and greylag geese.Other birds seen were little grebe, red shank, ringed plover, reed bunting, swifts and swallows not forgetting the black swan - a total of 43 species for the day.

The botanists were equally pleased with their findings. Conditions were somewhat dry however 73 plant species were recorded for North Cave including fiddle neck, storksbill. weld and celery leaved buttercup amongst many more species.Although conditions were windy and somewhat dull 6 species of butterfly were seen including common blue, green veined white, speckled wood, orange tip, small skipper and meadow brown.

We moved onto Calley Heath to consider the special flora of a recently restored lowland heath(a nationally scarce habitat).The YWT volunteer group has been recently involved in conservation work including hedgelaying and scrub clearance. A flock of hebridean sheep have been introduced to eat the harder grasses of an enclosed field thus encouraging the more interesting plants including common storksbill, sheep sorrel and common centaury.The rarities shepherd's cress and heath cudweed were not seen athough their location was pointed out to us by John from the YWT who we met on our return to the entrance gate.

The weather had been kind to us although windy it was nevertheless a fine day with some sunshine. It had been a full if pleasantly tiring day .

There should be lots of pics from Janet, Stuart and Margaret.

Margaret

WFV North Cave Wetlands & Calley Heath 24th May 2011

Submitted by Wildlife Field… on Wed, 25th May 2011, 12:02am
North Cave Reedbed LakeNorth Cave Reedbed LakeOur visit to North Cave and Calley Heath was very much enjoyed by a small group of 9 people. North Cave is a favourite reserve and it has developed tremendously since our first visit. It has attracted a wide range of birds who have settled and bred there. We were able to view the new developments which include the creation of an extensive lowland grassland area which will attract waders such as snipe and lapwing also new species such as wigeon and curlew. A visitors centre will shortly be opening. The party completed a circular tour of the reserve, initially calling in at the East Hide then moving to the Turret Hide. We viewed a bonanza of birding activity. It was lovely to see the birds with their young broods moving around the lakes in convoy. Numerous species had bred including avocets, lapwing, shelduck, mallard, gadwall and greylag geese. Other birds seen were little grebe, red shank, ringed plover, reed bunting, swifts and swallows not forgetting the black swan - a total of 43 species for the day. Spear ThistleSpear ThistleThe botanists were equally pleased with their findings. Conditions were somewhat dry however 73 plant species were recorded for North Cave including fiddle neck, storksbill, weld and celery leaved buttercup amongst many more species. Although conditions were windy and somewhat dull 6 species of butterfly were seen including common blue, green veined white, speckled wood, orange tip, small skipper and meadow brown. We moved onto Calley Heath to consider the special flora of a recently restored lowland heath (a nationally scarce habitat).Hebridean Sheep On The MoveHebridean Sheep On The Move The YWT volunteer group has been recently involved in conservation work including hedgelaying and scrub clearance. A flock of hebridean sheep have been introduced to eat the harder grasses of an enclosed field thus encouraging the more interesting plants including common storksbill, sheep sorrel and common centaury.The rarities shepherd's cress and heath cudweed were not seen athough their location was pointed out to us by John from the YWT who we met on our return to the entrance gate. The weather had been kind to us although windy it was nevertheless a fine day with some sunshine. It had been a full if pleasantly tiring day . There should be lots of pics from Janet, Stuart and Margaret.

Margaret

WFV Hackfall Woods North Yorkshire 17th May 2011

Submitted by Wildlife Field… on Wed, 18th May 2011, 12:02am

ViewView to Masham13 of us; 11 travelling in the mini bus and 2 independently (Annie and Dania) enjoyed a superb day out in Hackfall woods, an historic ancient woodland and SSI situated in a 350 feet gorge alongside the River Ure Nr Masham in North Yorkshire. The woodland has a mix of native trees which have grown to a considerable height dominated by oak with beech, lime, elm and silver birch. There is a rich understory of plants including ferns. Hackfall was a place of pilgramage for those on the Grand Tour and visited and painted by Turner and other notable artists. Hackfall consists of a natural woodland and garden with folly features by William Aislabie (who designed the Studley Royal gardens). We were greeted by Paul Mosley, warden employed by the Woodland Trust, who own the reserve - purchasing it in 1989 as a result of the efforts of local residents who formed the Hackfall Trust and were fearful of it falling into unsympathetic hands. Peacock on Dog RosePeacock on Dog RoseThe vistas of Masham church, Mowbray Castle, Forty Foot Fall from the Grotto, Fountains Pond and Fountain, the Ruin, Fisher's Hall plus many other waterfall features and cascades were enjoyed. The trees and plants were magnificent; 130 plant species were recorded, 70 in flower. Noteworthy species were yellow pimpernel, sanicle, woodruff, common twayblade, greater horsetail, water and wood avens plus hybrids. The woodland floor was carpeted with dogs mercury, ramsons and ferns (10 species). Birds in evidence were blackcap, chiffchaff, wood warbler and buzzard. Butterflies were in present in the glades (4 species peacock, green-veined white, orange tip, speckled wood plus one interesting moth identified by John as Clouded Magpie were seen). The ponds yielded newts and tadpoles. Although cloudy it was dry and warm. Hackfall is a very special place.

Margaret

WFV, Ilkley Riverside and Middleton Woods, 3rd May, 2011

Submitted by Wildlife Field… on Wed, 4th May 2011, 12:02am
Middleton WoodsMiddleton WoodsA group of 14 met on the bridge at New Brook St, Ilkley, the starting point for this week's outing. It was rather chilly - some of the group donned hats and gloves, although one hardy walker was wearing shorts. We had a leisurely walk along the riverside to the old bridge before crossing over and returning on the opposite side and continuing along to the entrance to Middleton Woods. The second section of wood had a different character to the first part due to the rich colours of the many copper beech trees. Orange Tip (taken by John)Orange Tip (taken by John)An orange tip butterfly was spotted and fairy foxgloves were seen growing on the old bridge. Dipper, grey wagtail and goosander were sighted on the river. Middleton Woods was a splendid sight with its glorious display of blubells. Here and there these were interspersed with other flowers - greater stitchwort, red campion and marsh marigold providing wonderful contrasts of colour. 28 birds were recorded. 72 flowering plants, 4 ferns and 2 sedges were noted. Towards the end of the walk we came across some large bittercress. We had looked out for owls in the woods, but to no avail. However, after being dropped off in Bradford three of our group heard the hooting of a tawny owl nearby. A lovely end to a very pleasant day.

Sue

WFV, Castle Hill Huddersfield, 19th April 2011

Submitted by Wildlife Field… on Wed, 20th Apr 2011, 12:02am
View to Castle HillView to Castle HillThe spell of fine weather which we are enjoying at the moment continued for today's walk around Castle Hill led by Peter. We parked the minibus just below the Victorian tower on a hillside covered in flowering gorse which proved to be a very popular habitat for linnets and yellowhammers. This gave us a good start on the bird recording front which by the day's end yielded 27 species. The walk was up hill and down dale over fields and through woods where bluebells were well in flower. Distant views were limited by hazy conditions but it was pleasantly warm throughout the day. When we stopped for lunch in the woods we were serenaded by a blackcap's melodious song and entertained by a party of young children on an Easter egg hunt. Wild flowers are present in ever-increasing numbers each week and today we recorded 61 flowering plants and ferns. Butterflies were abundant throughout our walk but we only spotted three varieties - orange tip, peacock and small tortoiseshell. The consensus of opinion amongst the 10 members who enjoyed the walk was that it was closer to 4 miles than the advertised 3 - a view influenced no doubt by the pull back up the hill to the minibus! Another very enjoyable day out.

Stuart

WFV, In the shadow of Pendle Hill, 12th April, 2011

Submitted by Wildlife Field… on Wed, 13th Apr 2011, 12:01am

Panorama

A nearly full minibus met up with several car travellers to form a group of sixteen. Our starting point was the very pretty village of Downham, which lies just east of Clitheroe. A little stream with a beautiful stone bridge was lined by quaint little cottages with immaculate, colourful gardens. It was surprisingly cold and blustery, and the sunshine was interrupted by light showers throughout the morning. We soon left the road to follow undulating paths through fields including an old Roman road, and alongside streams. The loud song of our first willow warbler of the year alerted us to its location. There were numerous stiles to negotiate, but this was a lovely route affording stunning views of the Ribble Valley. 29 birds were recorded including buzzard, kestrel and pied wagtail and our first swallow of 2011 was spotted as we sat having lunch. We were delighted by the spring flowers. Lime Tree LeafLime Tree LeavesPatches of primroses gave lovely splashes of yellow, and there was a resplendent bank of purple, mostly dog violets but with a smattering of sweet violets. An impressive clump of toothwort was seen. Wild garlic was prolific, but was not yet in full flower. 50 flowering plants and 3 ferns were recorded. Towards the end of the walk we dropped down onto a country lane that headed back into the village past a lime kiln. On this lane we saw lots of goldilocks buttercups, garlic mustard and rue-leaved saxifrage. The afternoon remained dry, and we had all enjoyed the splendid display of spring flowers and the stunning landscape. Before returning to Bradford, we enjoyed refreshments in the local tea room.

Sue

Subscribe to Blog