Author Archives: Colin Booker

Dingy skipper and small yellow underwing moth

Posted on May 11, 2017 by Colin Booker

A walk around Haigh provided me with good views of yellowhammer and dingy skipper, while Billy’s Wood produced small yellow underwing moth. At both Billy’s Wood and Haigh, the leaves of common spotted orchid were showing so it wont be … Continue reading →

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Early purple orchid at Brockadale

Posted on April 30, 2017 by Colin Booker

The early purple orchids were in full bloom at Brockadale today, in the woods as well as the meadows. I also had a raven fly over.

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Lizards at Brockadale

Posted on July 29, 2016 by Colin Booker

A fruitful trip to Brockadale resulted in a great encounter with these common lizard (Lacerta vivipara) found basking on a log. . Like adders, the common lizard manages to reproduce in our relatively cold climate by bearing live young, rather than … Continue reading →

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Dingy Skipper on the wing at Haigh

Posted on May 5, 2016 by Colin Booker

During a quick trip to the former colliery site at Haigh, I came across my first dingy skipper of the year and managed a few images.

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Peregrine Chicks hatched

Posted on May 4, 2016 by Colin Booker

The peregrines have nested successfully again and we now have three chicks in the Wakefield Cathedral box! Two hatched between 22:30 and 23:45 on 3rd May and the third, between 14:00 and 15:00 on 4th May. We will add some images … Continue reading →

Posted in Nature notes, Peregrine watch | Tagged peregrine falcon Wakefield, peregrines in Wakefield, Wakefield cathedral peregrines | 1 Comment

Butterflies at Brockadale

Posted on June 27, 2015 by Colin Booker

Here are a few images from Brockadale. The butterflies are at their best at the moment with plenty of marbled white on the wing and lots of dark green fritillaries over a wider area than usual. Orchids are … Continue reading →

Posted in butterflies | Tagged brockadale nature reserve, Butterflies around Wakefield, dark green fritillary in Yorkshire, Wakefield wildlife | Leave a comment

Four Spotted Chaser at Haigh

Posted on June 4, 2015 by Colin Booker

A walk around Haigh to day produced this newly emerged four spotted chaser.

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Signs of spring: Primrose at Brockadale

Posted on February 22, 2015 by Colin Booker

I had my first primrose of the year at Brockadale today, Sunday 22nd February and also noted 30+ fieldfare and displaying buzzard.

Posted in Nature notes | Tagged brockadale YWT reserve, fieldfare, spring nature sightings, Wakefield wildlife | Leave a comment

Brockadale notes

Posted on June 1, 2014 by Colin Booker

Here are a few images from a recent Brockadale trip. Bee and common spotted orchids are flourishing and there were plenty of insects

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Long-tailed tit nest at Haigh

Posted on April 21, 2014 by Colin Booker

We walked from Haigh to Darton today, lots of warblers and good numbers of butterflies. The highlight was a pair of Log tailed tits building a nest in the fork of a large willow, overlooking the river.