Author Archives: Roger Gaynor

White butterbur at Bretton Country Park

Posted on April 1, 2015 by Roger Gaynor

On Monday 30 March I noticed a large patch of what appears to white butterbur (Petasites albus) growing in damp shady woodland close to the gate and Dam Head Bridge and old quarry at Bretton Hall Parkland (image attached).  I … Continue reading →

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Garden birdwatch: Wrenthorpe sparrowhawk

Posted on February 26, 2015 by Roger Gaynor

How exiting can a bleary-eyed glimpse out of the upstairs windows be on a grey and grim morning at the end of February.  Usually not at all, but this morning was different when I slowly focused on a sparrowhawk perched … Continue reading →

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Spring is on the way

Posted on February 12, 2015 by Roger Gaynor

The recent cold biting north and north easterly winds may be persuading us to think it is still winter and to stay indoors in the warm.  However, perhaps spring is closer than we think.  Indeed, this morning I watched a … Continue reading →

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Elephant hawk moths in Wrenthorpe

Posted on August 29, 2014 by Roger Gaynor

Two elephant hawk moth caterpillars were spotted today somewhat risking their lives making their way along a friend’s driveway at Wrenthorpe.  At this time of year they can be seen during the day looking for a hideaway in low vegetation … Continue reading →

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Butterflies in a Wrenthorpe Garden

Posted on July 29, 2014 by Roger Gaynor

To many people, our garden at home in Wrenthorpe would appear to be an ideal candidate for a TV rescue programme.  The lawn is full of ‘weeds’ and there is a lack showy non-native plants elsewhere in the garden.  Indeed, … Continue reading →

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Stanley Ferry Flash butterflies

Posted on April 28, 2014 by Roger Gaynor

Today, I had only half an hour for some butterfly watching and decided to visit Stanley Ferry Flash. Without going too far I had counted large numbers of orange tips and speckled wood.  Also, I watched comma and peacock feeding … Continue reading →

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Stoneycliffe Wood bluebells

Posted on April 26, 2014 by Roger Gaynor

Stoneycliffe Wood is an ancient woodland close to Middlestown and Netherton. Ancient woodland has had tree cover in some way for around four hundred years or more.  It is one of our most precious natural habitats and home to many plants … Continue reading →

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Lofthouse Colliery Park butterflies

Posted on April 14, 2014 by Roger Gaynor

It appears many of our native butterflies that over winter as adults have survived in good numbers.  Their awakening has also coincided with a wonderful flourish of spring flowers for them to feed on, particularly dandelions. This plant, often the … Continue reading →

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Spring sunshine brings out the butterflies

Posted on April 11, 2014 by Roger Gaynor

A good few days for butterflies visiting my Wrenthorpe garden with a brimstone and peacock on 9th April, both in good condition. A nice surprise on the 11th April was a speckled wood, basking in some early morning sunshine.  

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Smooth newts out of hibernation

Posted on February 14, 2014 by Roger Gaynor

Today I noticed that two common newts have emerged from hibernation and found their way to my garden pond at Wrenthorpe.  The pond, although tiny in size, has been visited by a small population of newts each spring to breed for … Continue reading →

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