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Spot Fungus?Pennine mist greeted the 15 members of our group today when we arrived at Hardcastle Crags to enjoy a mild autumnal fungi foray in millstone grit country.  The mist evaporated as the day progressed and we had fine cloudy weather for our visit.  The identification of the variety of fungi and ferns distracted us to the extent that it took two hours to meander the 1.5 miles to Gibson Mill, the National Trust's flagship sustainable property, where we enjoyed our lunch and a look round the mill.  An almost equally slow return to the minibus completed our day during which we recorded 35 species of fungi, 11 ferns and not a great number of birds.  Number 1 in the fungi hit parade was Grisette (Amarita vaginata) which was followed in second place for most of the day by Jelly Babies (Leotica lubrica) but this species was relegated to number 3 late in the day by White Saddle (Helvella crispa) - a first sighting for Joan, in itself a remarkable occurrance!  The diversity of habitat - oak/beech/pine - was matched by the diversity in the knowledge of the members of our group as the experts discussed the finer points of identification whilst the novices tried to get to grips with the difference between the various species of fern. It wasn't a good day for the birders, but we did manage to record nuthatch, goldcrest, dipper and redwing in our total during another enjoyable day which was very ably led by Joan, Veronica and Eric. 

Stuart

I came across information about a wildlife photography exhibition on the Natural England website. Follow the link below to see where the winning photographs are being exhibited and  - more importantly - how to find out about next year's competition!

http://www.naturalengland.org.uk/gettinginvolved/photographywinners.aspx

Robin14 of us participated in today's trip, led by Joan, to the Waters Edge Country Park, situated to the north of Barton-on-Humber on the edge of the Humber estuary. On arrival we headed for the futuristic looking, eco-friendly visitor centre where the toilets are flushed using rainwater. We picked up leaflets with maps of various walks around this extensive country park with various wetland habitats. Most of us set out to follow the wetland and woodland trails. The path started on the banks of the Humber with spectacular views of the Humber Bridge. The sun was shining and there was barely a breeze. We saw occasional redshanks, then a few more. As we ventured further we saw more and more waders - blacktailed godwit, dunlin, turnstones and ringed plovers. A solitary heron stood on the waters edge.We were fortunate to have John and Carol with us. Without them we would have struggled to identify the numerous waders. We stopped for lunch on the banks of the Humber beside a rusted shell of a boat lodged in the mudflats. To the right of us were numerous lapwing. Following lunch we continued on our way, but the map was proving useless. It was so basic with no landmarks that we couldn't navigate the trail. Even though we couldn't find the route, we still had an enjoyable walk. The paths took us alongside little lakes and ponds. We saw an occasional butterfly and dragonfly. Over 50 bird species were recorded including ruddy duck, shoveller, bullfinch, siskin, willow tit and coal tit. A greater spotted woodpecker was seen on a peanut feeder, and a whooper swan was seen in flight. We recorded 44 plants in flower, including creeping thistle, purple toadflax and bristly ox-tongue.That seems quite amazing for the middle of October! Before heading back for home, most of us got a hot drink in the cafe. Whilst sat outside looking over the pond, we saw a kestrel fly low overhead. This was a gorgeous day out in a beautiful place, much of it still unexplored. Maybe we need to come back sometime......

Sue

Veronica Entrances Her AudienceIn the absence of Joan, nursing a sick husband (and we all wish Barrie a speedy recovery), Annie assumed full responsibility for today's trip back to Leeds and she was able to use her local knowledge of the site for our benefit.  17 members and one guest from Portugal, Rachel, who is doing a 10 month voluntary placement with BEES, enjoyed a varied day out in cloudy but dry weather with autumn tints adding to our enjoyment of this quite extensive area.

There was some early discussion regarding whether we were looking at a swamp cypress (taxodium distichum) or a dawn redwood (metasequoia glyptostoboides). The discussion was instigated by Amanda who likes the sound of the latin name for the redwood but wasn't really necessary as we found a label on the tree confirming that it was indeed a swamp cypress - Donald 1 Amanda 0!

Veronica then led part of the group on a fungi foray and indentified 25 species for us which included dead man's fingers, artist's fungus, horse's hoof fungus, beefsteak fungus and blushing bracket.  Alice did a flower list which contained the surprising number of 46 plants in flower.  We didn't see a great variety of birds, but we did record great spotted woodpecker, heron, nuthatch, jay, long-taied tit and red kite along with the resident water birds on the lake and ponds. Back in the environs of the cafe we were delighted to see red admiral, comma and painted lady(?) butterflies.  Some members made the additional trip to nearby Breary Marsh but did not record anything out of the ordinary.

Another very pleasant BEES outing which once again visited a local site and thus maintained our very small carbon footprint!

Stuart

Blushing Bracket FungusToday's trip took us to the far flung destination of Roundhay Park, Leeds. Several participants came in their own cars and met up with the minibus for this outing organised by Margaret and Joan. It was lovely to see Margaret on her first BEES day out for several months. Having been pointed in the direction of the visitor centre where we could get maps of the park, and purchase information about various trails, we were left to explore the park as we wished. A group of us chose to follow the ecology trail. The route commenced by skirting the smaller upper lake, and continued on woodland paths passing through the ravine and the castle ruins. Our initial frequent reference to the ecology trail leaflet tailed off and the walk became more of a fungal foray. We found numerous delightful specimens including deer cap, king alfreds cakes, fairys bonnets, dryads saddle, birch polypor, turkey tail, oyster mushrooms and hairy bracket, but the most striking fungi were the blushing brackets. Several branches were strewn on the woodland floor, and the brackets were laid on top of these branches like plates on a table. (See the gallery.) The beefsteak fungus was also quite impressive. The path continued around the large Waterloo lake, where we saw coots, canada geese, tufted duck, great crested grebe and black headed gulls. There was no formal recording of plants or birds. Four species of butterfly were sighted. We stopped for lunch near the waterside cafe. Early cloud was increasingly giving way to sunshine, but there was a definite autumnal feel to the day, and we felt its chill, so we called in to the cafe for a hot drink.  After lunch the group became more dispersed, but most of us ventured down to the monet, alhambra and canal gardens. Unfortunately the fountains in the alhambra garden were out of action due to maintenance. Although late in the season, the gardens were still very colourful and there was much to enjoy. Although this park is very familiar, it was still a joy to visit it, and after the minibus departed I took another stroll around both lakes and was rewarded with cracking views of a nuthatch. Even local, familiar places can yield fresh treasures.

Sue

Bee on Water MintToday's trip to Wycoller country park started on the outskirts of Colne, and was led by Joan. The weather forecast was not good, and we were prepared for rain. 13 walkers set off towards Wycoller passing ponds and streams and crossing fields, enjoying the extensive views of the lovely Lancashire countryside. It was blustery, but dry throughout the morning. We stopped for lunch in the pretty village of Wycoller. Unfortunately the village tea room was closed, so we sat and ate our packed lunches near the quaint little packhorse and clapper bridges, and the ruins of Wycoller Hall. We then spent a short time looking around the aisled barn, before continuing our walk. Unfortunately, the promised rain made its appearance. A light shower fell as we perused the willow creations in Wycoller, including an impressive sculpture of a horse and rider. We continued our walk along the road, with showers becoming more heavy and prolonged and accompanied by an occasional clap of thunder. Turning off the road, we continued our route across fields and through the hamlet of Winewall. A bull was grazing in one of the fields. He watched us closely, but fortunatley he didn't react badly to us, and we all breathed a sigh of relief as we safely negotiated his territory.

Approximately 125 plants were recorded including bogbean in flower, and sizeable areas of mimulus and water mint in flower. Stone walls were covered in lichens of numerous colours, including a foliose lichen.  

There were few birding highlights but we did see 4 snipe fly up from a pond as we passed by and disturbed them and we also watched a large flock of goldfinches feeding on thistle-down. 

We arrived back at the minibus having enjoyed another wet, but enjoyable walk. 

Sue

SundewDue to shooting activity on the Devonshire Estate our planned visit to Hazelwood Moor to appreciate the heather moorland was replaced by a 5-mile walk over Ilkley Moor which had the same intention.  We parked at Cow & Calf rocks and 12 members (10 baht 'at) struck out across the moor.  Our leader, Donald Lightowler, pointed out the profusion of calluna vulgaris and pteridium aquilinum (heather and bracken) which was very evident, especially the former which was in full bloom and a lovely sight throughout our walk.  Being moorland, the variety of flora and fauna was limited but we did also note erica cinerea (bell heather), erica tetralix (cross-leaved heath), drosera rotundifolia (common sundew) together with a few butterflies (mainly painted lady) dragonflies and birds (mainly meadow pipits and swallows).  The main purpose of this walk was, however, to enjoy the heather moorland and the extensive views which Ilkley Moor offers and Donald not only succeeded in making the walk very enjoyable by pointing out all the interesting features of the moor and the views beyond but also with perfect timing ensured that the walk finished just before the rain came.

Despite recent rain which had made some parts of the walk very boggy everyone stayed dry apart from our chief photographer and fellow-blogger Sue who somehow managed to get herself ensnared by a bog up to her calf and so completed the walk with one soggy foot!

Another excellent day out - thanks Donald!

Stuart

Small CopperA group of nineteen journeyed by car, minibus or on foot for today's very local trip to Rodley Nature Reserve. The reserve, a wildlife oasis in the midst of urban Leeds is not normally open on Tuesdays, but volunteer wardens June Ackroyd and Graham Barlow opened it up especially for us and were our hosts for the day.

We didn't stay together as a group, but explored the reserve as we wished. Initially, the weather was very dull and there was a litttle drizzle, but it soon brightened up and it just got better and better as the day wore on, and we enjoyed beautiful sunshine through the afternoon. Bird activity was a little quiet, but we did see goldfinch, long-tailed tits and a kestrel, and a kingfisher was seen on the river. Other creatures seemed to be delighting in the sunshine. Several dragonflies were seen including brown hawkers and red darters. Many were ovipositing on the dragonfly ponds. At least eight species of butterflies were seen including a small copper in the wildflower meadow.A highlight of the day was at lunchtime. We were sat outside the visitor centre having lunch, enjoying hot drinks and bara brith kindly provided by our hospitable hosts, when some small mammals were seen darting across the nearby paths. One little weasel was seen climbing up the steps towards the butterfly bank where it then disappeared into the vegetation.After lunch, we were shown several common newts that had made a cosy little home beneath a metal dustbin.  

The drama of the day occurred down at the dipping pond.A woolly bear caterpillar was in trouble, stranded on a floating leaf. Amanda wielding a net, and aided by Joan's pole, managed to save the creature from certain death. Well done, Amanda!

120 plants were recorded including white, yellow and fringed water lilies, and there was an abundance of colourful purple loosestrife.

Another very enjoyable day out and so close to home!

Sue 

Common BlueThis week's trip saw us returning for a summer's visit to Brockadale, a Yorkshire Wildlife Trust reserve situated on Magnesian limestone by the river Went on the Southern boundary of North Yorkshire.  Joyce and Paul Simmons proved to be very knowledgable and interesting guides and made our day very interesting.  The forecast showers hardly materialised but the day was mainly overcast and breezy which could have limited the butterflies but in fact we were constantly surrounded by them and recorded 12 varieties (although we were unlucky in our search for marbled white) plus a number of moths collected by Paul. Veronica identified a variety of fungi but bird song was quite limited although we did hear an occasional yellowhammer and bullfinch and we did see linnets, goldfinches and a jay but little else. On the other hand flowers there were in abundance.  Unfortunately we were without both Donald and Joan this week due to unforeseen circumstances and so we had to pass on the grasses, ferns and trees and recorded a total of 130 plants in flower.  There were quite a few highlights including wild liquorice, small teasel, kidney vetch, black and white horehound, black and white bryony, rest-harrow, corn mint, fern grass and barberry.

This was an excellent day out with something for everyone and a happy minibus party returned in good time to Bradford.

Stuart