Author Archives: Francis Hickenbottom

Lesser Stag Beetle

Posted on July 19, 2016 by Francis Hickenbottom

I put out the moth trap in my garden in Hemsworth last night, expecting a good catch because of the warm, humid conditions. As well as the usual moths, an interesting beetle flew into the trap. I identified it as … Continue reading →

Posted in Nature notes | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

Summer Fungi and Great Crested Newts

Posted on July 8, 2016 by Francis Hickenbottom

In a wooded area at Ackworth, there is a fallen log, about 70cm thick, which has been lying on the ground for several years. About two weeks ago, I lifted a piece of bark from the log as I helped … Continue reading →

Posted in Nature notes | Leave a comment

Tawny Owls

Posted on July 7, 2016 by Francis Hickenbottom

A few days ago, I was told that a pair of tawny owls living close to the centre of Wakefield have young in the nest. The owls are using a nestbox in a large garden. The box has been there for … Continue reading →

Posted in Nature notes | 3 Comments

Juvenile Peregrines

Posted on July 3, 2016 by Francis Hickenbottom

The young peregrines are now roaming quite freely and there was a report, two days ago, of a juvenile seen chasing a black-headed gull at Wintersett, This could well have been a Wakefield bird. Although the juveniles are spending increasing … Continue reading →

Posted in Nature notes | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

An Unusual Sequence of Events

Posted on June 25, 2016 by Francis Hickenbottom

I was watching peregrines in Wakefield city centre this afternoon when I saw a bird flying over the lower end of the precinct. I saw it only briefly but I said to those around me, “I think I’ve just seen … Continue reading →

Posted in Nature notes | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments

Common Fiddleneck

Posted on June 23, 2016 by Francis Hickenbottom

During a walk at Ackworth School a couple of years ago, members of Wakefield Naturalists spotted an unfamiliar plant which turned out to be common fiddleneck. This plant is an annual that was introduced to the UK from North America. … Continue reading →

Posted in Nature notes | Tagged , | Leave a comment

A Few More Brockadale Sightings

Posted on June 15, 2016 by Francis Hickenbottom

The recent weather hasn’t encouraged flowers to open but the common spotted orchids looked about to put on a show and we found one or two in flower. There was also a flower remaining on an early purple orchid. A … Continue reading →

Posted in Nature notes | Leave a comment

One or Two Sightings from Brockadale

Posted on June 12, 2016 by Francis Hickenbottom

Conditions at Brockadale weren’t suitable for butterflies today but we saw a few things of interest. Common gromwell was in flower in the woods and we saw flowers on bugle and wood avens. One or two hoary plantain were flowering … Continue reading →

Posted in Nature notes | Leave a comment

Bat is a New Addition to the Peregrines’ Prey List

Posted on June 4, 2016 by Francis Hickenbottom

I have heard that peregrines can prey on bats, so I was interested to hear from two Wakefield peregrine followers on Thursday when they spotted what appeared to be a bat being brought to the nestbox by the male. A … Continue reading →

Posted in Nature notes | Tagged , , | 14 Comments

A New Prey Species for the Wakefield Peregrines

Posted on May 25, 2016 by Francis Hickenbottom

The webcam allows us to identify prey species which might otherwise go unobserved. On Sunday evening, Heather Gardner was watching the live images from the nestbox when the male brought in what she thought to be a swift. A look … Continue reading →

Posted in Nature notes | 17 Comments