Category Archives: Sightings

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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Tern passage at Pugneys Country Park

Posted on April 20, 2014 by Eddie Andrassy

Arctic terns were on the move through Yorkshire today helped by easterly winds with 12 non stop over Pugneys going NE. at mid day. Also there were 4 white wagtails on the north grass bank until dog walkers arrived.

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Stanley Ferry Flash sightings

Posted on April 16, 2014 by John Gardner

Recent sightings at Stanley Ferry Flash sent by Mark Archer Sunday 13.4.14 – First two lesser whitethroats of the year. Tuesday 15.4.14 – First orange tip of the year: Wednesday 16.4.14 – First cuckoo calling just before dusk and four noctule … 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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Early record of reed warbler

Posted on April 10, 2014 by John Gardner

At the April meeting, Eddie Andrassy reported what is probably the earliest Yorkshire record of reed warbler, seen at Calder wetlands, so I thought I’d send a note to the Wakefield Express. They have kindly put it on the Wakefield … Continue reading →

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wildflowers of Wakefield: Common storksbill

Posted on April 5, 2014 by Francis Hickenbottom

I was driving into Wakefield on Friday evening and, as the traffic slowed, I was scanning the patches of Danish scurvy grass in the middle of the road when I spotted some conspicuous patches of pink flowers. I returned the … Continue reading →

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Firecrest at Smawthorne Marsh

Posted on January 29, 2014 by John Gardner

William Hesketh’s regular watching of his local patch, Smawthorne Marsh in Castleford, paid off today when he found a firecrest amongst the hedgerows there. This tiny jewel of a bird is a rare visitor to the district and one to … Continue reading →

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Stanley Ferry Flash

Posted on October 15, 2013 by John Gardner

Mark sent in a sightings report from Stanley Ferry today and his records included a female pintail, which is a scarce bird at this site and also, a good selection of insects including comma, 2 common darters and at least … Continue reading →

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Poppy spectacular

Posted on July 7, 2013 by John Gardner

The poppies have been spectacular this year with entire fields covered in a swathe of red. I missed a good set of photo ops late last month when the poppies and oil seed rape were all in bloom together but … Continue reading →

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