Blog
WFV, Shibden Park 15th March 2011
It was a damp and misty day in March when Brian led the party on a 3.5 mile circular walk from the visitor centre in Shibden Park, starting in a southerly direction towards Southawram. Our walk took us past the lake and park. We ascended a stone flagged path to gain height but sadly there were no views. However we enjoyed our exploration of the paths and ginnels en route. We returned to the park via Red beck (red colouration due to the iron content of the local rocks). Species seen were limited but included common field speedwell, red deadnettle, wall rue and common polypody.
Following lunch in the environs of the visitor centre the majority of the party continued the walk in a northerly direction to Shibden Mill Inn, passing blankets of snowdrops, through Shibden village and back into the park.
The remaining group made their way up the hill for a visit to Shibden Hall, a wool merchant’s house built in 1420 and now a museum run by Calderdale Council. We returned to the visitor centre for a cuppa before departing.
Margaret
WFV Old Moor RSPB reserve 1st March 2011
Old Moor is a RSPB reserve near Barnsley which has been developed over the past few years to develop excellent wetland habitats as well as viewing hides. It was a cold but dry day and the highlights included marvellous views of a female sparrowhawk sitting in a tree as well as a barn owl quartering the reeds. Other species included wigeon, Mediterranean gull, golden plover, oystercatcher as well as yellowhammer, tree sparrow and red-legged partridge.
JuliaWFV, Old Moor RSPB reserve, 1st March 2011
Today's weather forecast was for overcast conditions, but 13 happy birders enjoyed constant sunshine for their trip to the Old Moor RSPB reserve. Unfortunately a problem with trichomonas has led to the temporary removal of the bird feeders, but in spite of this we had a birding bonanza of a day. We explored the trails and hides amidst the pools, reedbeds and grassland, and recorded 50 birds between us. The highlight of the day was the sighting of a barn owl from the Wath Dearne hide, both perched and in flight. (I can't believe I missed that!) From the tree sparrow farm we saw brambling, yellowhammer and tree sparrows. A kestrel posed at the entrance to a bird box and a sparrowhawk seemed unruffled as an audience gathered to watch it perched in a tree. Other sightings included linnet, reed bunting, gadwall, lapwing, oystercatcher, little and great crested grebes, cormorant and bullfinch.Coltsfoot was seen in flower, and there were lots of catkins on the trees. Some of our party enjoyed refreshment in the gannets cafe before we headed off to Broomhill Flash, where we added sightings of red-legged partridge, goldeneye and ruddy duck. What a fabulous day - 53 bird sightings in glorious sunshine. Sue
WFV, Dunham Massey, 22nd February, 2011
A dozen people travelled in the minibus for the trip to Dunham Massey, a national trust property near Altrincham. It was a still, grey, mildish day which remained largely dry apart from occasional spits and spots of rain. In the morning, most of the party opted to go on the guided walk around the gardens, where there was a lovely variety of flowers including snowdrops, reticulata iris, hellebores, and cyclamen. The daffodils were not in full glory only just starting to bloom. After lunch, the group explored the various paths through the deer park, enjoying the wildlife in the woodland and on the pools. Only distant views of the fallow deer were seen. Birding highlights included the sightings of jay, greater spotted woodpecker, long-tailed tits and treecreeper and there was a considerable number of tufted duck.There was a lot of fungi to be seen on the fallen trees and this would probably be a good place for a fungal foray in the autumn. The day was rounded off with refreshment in the tea room and as we set off back in the minibus, we were feeling pretty smug as the rain started to fall.
Sue
WFV, Otley Chevin, 1st Feb, 2011
A few people had dropped out of today's trip, leaving only 10 who made their way by car to the meeting point at East Chevin Quarry car park. Our leader, Margaret spelled out the plan for the day - a walk on the heritage trail on the Chevin looking at the wood sculptures en route, going on to Knotford Nook afterwards to look for birds. The garden centre in Otley would then be a good place to stop for facilities/coffee before popping in to the Gallows Hill Nature reserve nearby. However, not long in to the walk our leader was taken poorly and it became clear that she could not continue. After she was taken home, the group did a short walk on the Chevin and stopped for lunch before we decided to call it a day. Most people headed for home, and a few of us stopped off at the garden centre for hot drinks.
Sue
25th January Bees Indoor Social Meeting
Margaret
WFV Mytholmroyd in the Steps of Ted Hughes 11th January 2011
WFV Tuesday 14th December Xmas slide show and meal
Our morning session at the YMCA was well attended. We all very much enjoyed the wonderful images taken by Sue of sites visited and wildlife observed on our outings in 2010. She worked backwards through the year starting with our last visit in November to Thorpe Marsh YWT reserve nr Doncaster. As well as the delightful images of plants, birds and people she showed some spectacular photographs of insect and butterfly life. A great show Sue!
We then moved onto our restaurant in Queensbury some of us using the mini bus transport kindly laid on by Julia and Nick. A superb meal was enjoyed by 28 of us.
A Happy Xmas and New Year to everyone.
Margaret
WFV Thorpe Marsh Nr Doncaster 23 November 2010
We enjoyed sunshine and clear skies for our much anticipated visit to Thorpe Marsh YWT reserve. We were greeted warmly by Mike Townsend who guided us around the reserve in a very knowledgable fashion. He gave us an update on Eric Danby who had volunteered on the reserve and was known to Joan, myself and others. Eric's dedication and enthusiasm had been obviously transferred to Mike. We were introduced to the varied wildlife of the reserve. In all 33 bird species were recorded :-willow tit, coal tit, bullfinch, kingfisher, buzzard, jay, green woodpecker, gadwall, teal, widgeon, grey lag geese, cormorant and goldcrest were seen. However the long-eared owl which has recently returned to the reserve was elusive. We enjoyed the colour of the trees and the berries on this lovely winter's day.
The very varied interest in the reserve includes an ancient ridge and furrow pasture with associated special flowers (broad leaved helleborine was seen from the path on our visit) dragonfly and butterfly species including brown argus. This was a splendid final outing of our year.Thorpe Marsh was felt by all as deserving of another visit in the summer season.
Margaret