A group of 6 enjoyed a pleasant day out in warm but cloudy conditions visiting a variety of habitats in the local Leeds area. A thunderstorm was anticipated but didn't transpire.
Our first port of call was a small "nature reserve" adjacent to the Parkway Hotel. We noticed a familiar but unusual tree at the entrance also seen on a visit to the nearby Hollies. This was later identified as Persian ironwood. Our comments were that the "nature reserve" was more like a jungle as we battled our way through the brambles and undergrowth .Nevertheless several significant flowers were seen including Purple Loosestrife and Common Fleabane.
On entering Adel Dam we were immediately confronted with the construction of an educational centre on behalf of the YWT. The path into the reserve will be through the middle of the centre. The YWT has a priority of involving the public in its nature reserves, not always benefitting the local wildlife. Several trees had been felled which had supported interesting fungi in particular Chicken in the Woods. A further development is the construction of a two tier hide adjacent to the pond. Here we saw several Tits also a Greater Spotted Woodpecker at the feeders. Further on a Heron was seen fishing in the lake from the second hide. We then completed the circuit of the woodland noting the route to where Purple Toothwort ( a garden escape) was seen in February. Common Hemp nettle and Honeysuckle were seen. There were a surprising number of fungi given the dry conditions but as John explained they would be getting nourishment from the tree logs not the soil. The fungi were Blushing Bracket, Honey fungus and Dryads Saddle. On our walk through the park towards the picnic tables Alice spotted a very pretty specimen of Small Balsam.
Our visit to Crag House farm proved worthwhile for the foursome who choose to visit their nature reserve. Of interest around the ponds were the wetland plants such as Purple Loosestrife, Lesser Spearwort, Water plantain and Gipsywort. Floating on the pond were White water-lily and Pondweed. Further down the slope in the drier valley area were Musk Mallow, Harebell and Wild Carrot in flower. Lots of flowers had produced seed heads. There was an abundance of Sloes in the hedgerows. Insect life included a range of butterflies, Small White, Small Copper, Speckled Wood, Gatekeeper and Green Veined White. Dragonflies seen included Common Darter, and Brown Hawker.
A very satisfying day out was had by this small group.
An additional note we received notification from Sue that she had seen a Spotted Flycatcher from the hide at Adel Dam.
See the photos here.
Margaret