The Sun Peeps Through On this week's trip the bus met up at Kippax Leisure Centre with Margaret and Marilyn who had travelled by car and Kate Phillips who works for the Yorkshire Wildlife Trust. Kate was our leader for the day and we followed her to our first site, Ledston Luck. This former coal mine is now a nature reserve that includes meadow, pond and woodland. Kate spoke to us about the history of the reserve and how it is now managed and we were then free to explore as we wished. The weather forecast was poor and we had experienced heavy rain on our journey.
Pyramidal Orchid It was cool and showery but we saw more than we expected given the conditions. Butterflies spotted included meadow brown, gatekeeper and ringlet. Common darters and blue tailed damselflies were seen. There was a vast number of orchids including pyramidal, southern marsh and common spotted. 109 plants in flower were recorded including yellow-wort and centaury.
As we were wandering back to the bus, Margaret became unwell. Although she did rally, it was felt inadvisable for her to continue and she went home with Marilyn. After having lunch in the car park, Kate took us to our second site of the day: Roach Lime Hills. This is a privately owned calcareous grassland. 
Spiny RestharrowThe interest here was largely botanical. 82 plants in flower were noted including clustered bellflower, small scabious, field scabious, greater knapweed and my favourite, the spiny restharrow which many in the group had never seen before. The rain continued to threaten and the sun tried largely unsuccessfully to break through the cloud.
Bird sightings numbered about 10. A pair of blackcaps was seen in the afternoon and buzzard and kestrel were seen in flight.
It was nice to have Robert's wife and granddaughter on the trip. Many thanks to Margaret for organising the day and to Kate for giving us her time.
Sue