Author Archives: John Gardner

Dark-edged bee-fly in Ryhill

Posted on April 13, 2015 by John Gardner

I was just having a mosey round the garden in the warm spring sunshine when I noticed a rapidly flying insect that, every so often, seemed to suddenly hang stationary in the air. I guessed it was going to be … Continue reading →

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Sparrowhawk on the Westgate run!

Posted on March 29, 2015 by John Gardner

Viv Owen, an artist who has a studio on Westgate, sent me a note to say she has been watching a visitor to the fire escape metal works who had been there for most of the day. This new visitor … Continue reading →

Posted in Birds, Rarities, Sightings | 3 Comments

Drake Smew at Pugneys

Posted on March 17, 2015 by John Gardner

Eddie Andrassy sent in this superb drawing of the Pugney’s drake smew on the River Calder. Anyone familiar with Pugneys will recognise the location straight away

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Huddersfield University lectures: Lyme disease

Posted on March 11, 2015 by John Gardner

Member Jon Cranmer has brought to my attention a series of lectures at Huddersfield University of which the last one of the season may be of interest to some. The talk is about Lyme disease and how it is passed … Continue reading →

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Coach trip to the Farne Islands

Posted on March 8, 2015 by John Gardner

I have had a not passed over from our friends at Wakefield’s RSPB Members’ Group who are running a coach trip to the Farne Islands in Northumberland. They are offering the opportunity for any of our members to join them … Continue reading →

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More signs of spring

Posted on March 7, 2015 by John Gardner

Pauline dropped me a note to say she’d seen the first coltsfoot of spring at Stanley Ferry on 6th March. Coltsfoot is a sure sign that spring is on the way, Walking around Ackworth today, I noticed that lesser celandine was … Continue reading →

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Signs of spring: Lapwings

Posted on February 23, 2015 by John Gardner

Spring really is hurtling our way as a glance around the countryside will show – hazel catkins, insects on the wing and lapwings displaying are all sure signs. Lapwings are back on their local breeding grounds and are really in … Continue reading →

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@Wakeynats – we’re now on Twitter

Posted on February 12, 2015 by John Gardner

Just a heads up to let you all know that Francis has created a Wakefield Naturalists’ Society Twitter feed. Were are @Wakeynats if you want to follow us and I have added the Twitter feed to the bottom of the … Continue reading →

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John Laws

Posted on February 8, 2015 by John Gardner

I have just heard the sad news that our Vice-President and long serving member, John Laws, passed away on Friday 6th February after a long illness. John and Catherine joined the Society in the late 80s and have been regular … Continue reading →

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January meeting: Change to programme

Posted on January 7, 2015 by John Gardner

Due to unforseen circumstances, the Annual General Meeting will be postponed from the January meeting until the February meeting and there will also be a change of speaker. However, the one thing that remains the same is that the lecture … Continue reading →

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