WFV, The Lines Way and Ledsham Bank, 12th August 2014

On "The Lines" RouteToday we commenced our exploration of the ten South East Leeds sites owned by Leeds Council which are now managed in partnership with the Yorkshire Wildlife Trust (YWT). The minibus left Bradford very promptly with ten members who were prepared for the heavy showers which were forecast for the day on our linear walk along the Lines Way, a four mile track along an old railway line which passes close by to the previously visited nature reserve of Townclose Hills.

We collected Stuart & Gillian who had left their car at the end of the walk at Allerton Bywater and proceeded to the starting point at Garforth where we had been very kindly offered a parking spot by Millrace Nurseries. SparrowhawkWe made good BEES time in ever-improving weather which soon had everyone taking off their outer layers and we lunched whilst watching an air display put on by swallows, house martins and probably the last swifts that we will see on a BEES trip this year before the star of the show - a male sparrowhawk - did a fly past and came to rest in a nearby tree, allowing Sue to record the event on her camera. There was plenty of botanical interest and Joan and Alice recorded a total of 166 plants, most of which were in flower. John noted 11 species of butterfly, including brimstone, painted lady and small copper whilst a few dragonflies and damselflies put in an appearance to add to the variety of the day. Common Darter

On reaching the end of the walk after lunch, Stuart conveyed Robert back to the start to collect the minibus so that we could proceed to our second site of the day, Ledsham Bank, a YWT reserve on the Magnesian limestone on the outskirts of Ledsham village. The main attractions of the site at this time of the year are autumn gentian and autumn ladies tresses and we were lucky to see both species as well as many other interesting plants such as rock rose, agrimony, betony, greater knapweed and viper’s bugloss. Another speciality of the site, dyer’s greenweed was present but had gone to seed. John showed us where the real star of the site – pasque flower - can be viewed and we made a note to organise a trip next year to try and see this rarity.Autumn Ladies Tresses

Birds were more abundant than on recent BEES trips and we recorded 24 including buzzard, whitethroat, red-legged partridge and willow warbler. We had only experienced a couple of very light showers during the day but as we concluded our visit the skies grew darker and heavier rain threatened as we boarded the minibus and headed off to the Chequers Inn at Ledsham for a comfort stop with refreshments before heading back to Bradford having had a very full day.

Thanks to Joan and Alice who had undertaken a very detailed recce of the area (which included negotiating parking spots) and who gave us a thoroughly enjoyable day out.