WeirToday’s outing was led by Joan and Julia to Kirkstall Valley, a Yorkshire Wildlife Trust Nature Reserve only two miles from the centre of Leeds.The group of sixteen was welcomed by YWT warden Don Vine who told us something of the history of this former power station site before leading us on a tour of the 9.7 hectare (24 acres) reserve showing us the different habitats. Lying on the banks of the river Aire, management activity includes the provision of otter holts and whilst none have yet been used otters have been seen on the reserve.
Although lying alongside the Aire Valley railway line and on the flight path to Leeds/Bradford airport, the reserve is otherwise surprisingly peaceful and we explored the different habitats; riverside, meadowland, tree and scrub areas, the ponds and the orchard. Over 180 plants species have been recorded on the site and Joan logged a good proportion on the day, 
Totem Polethe highlights of which were probably Goat's Rue, Lesser Bullrush and Broad-Leaved Helleborine - still in flower to the amazement of our orchid expert, John, (and where did that Sea Buckthorn come from?). Don was able to point out the location of a native Black Poplar which is quite a rarity in this part of the world. Bird activity was low but we did see and hear Jays and admired a group of house martins hawking over the river where a pair of mallard provided the only sighting actually on the river. Dragonflies were buzzing about all day with Brown and Southern Hawker prominant. The warm, sunny weather attracted butterflies from their slumbers and we saw lots of Speckled Woods together with Peacock, Small Tortoiseshell, Meadow Brown, Green-Veined White and Holly Blue.
Small TortoiseshellOne of the objects of the trip was to identify and collect apples for the BEES Apple Day next month and our guest co-leader (and the day's driver), Julia, engaged some of the group in pursuit of this end, whilst the fruit themselves (together with the plentiful brambles) provided the sweet course for most people's lunch.
After the recent disappointing weather this was a lovely late-summer's day out - the sun shone, the trees abounded with haws, hips, sloes and other fruit and berries and all was well with the world again.
It's always nice when the BEES staff can join us on our outings so thanks to Julia for organising and driving and to Joan, as always, for her organisation and leadership.Stuart