Category Archives: Nature notes

Nature notes and observations from around the Wakefield district

Field Meeting July 12th RSPB Blacktoft Sands

Posted on July 12, 2020 by John Gardner

Due to COVID-19, the resreve remains closed to the public therefore, today’s field meeting is cancelled. The weather is set fair so I hope you can all get out and enjoy some wildlife after the heavy rains of this past … Continue reading →

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Getting into the Groove

Posted on June 4, 2020 by Roger Gaynor

These days I am doing the same local walk so often I can imagine I am cutting a groove in the tarmac along Jerry Clay Lane, Wrenthorpe.  This lane is my gateway to a small island of surviving countryside around … Continue reading →

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A distinct lack of moths!

Posted on May 27, 2020 by John Gardner

I have been putting the moth trap out quite regularly over the past couple of weeks but each time I go to empty it I find it quite devoid of trappoed moths! Whether it’s the clear cool nights that are … Continue reading →

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Getting Ready for Summer

Posted on May 24, 2020 by Roger Gaynor

The Corvid-19 outbreak lockdown rules have recently been relaxed.  Even so at the moment I continue to be loyal to my local walks all taken within one and half or so miles from home rather than travelling further away.  This … Continue reading →

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Not going far – seeing more

Posted on May 11, 2020 by Roger Gaynor

On the 12 April I noticed a small tortoiseshell butterfly egg laying on the garden patch of nettles.  These have now hatched and, characteristically, the caterpillars have formed a communal silken web around the uppermost leaves for protection whilst they … Continue reading →

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Wayside Flowers

Posted on May 10, 2020 by Richard Bell

As today would have been the first of our outdoor meetings, Richard and I decided we would spend our one hour walk to Smithy Brook, between Middlestown and Thornhill, recording the species we saw.After all the glorious sunny weather over … Continue reading →

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Orange Tip bonanza

Posted on May 3, 2020 by John Gardner

Our lockdown local walks have been drenched in warm, sunny spring weather during April with high temperatures more reminiscent of Spain rather than England, Along with alll the spring migrants arriving on these warm fronts, our own native orange tip … Continue reading →

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Swallows and Apples

Posted on April 30, 2020 by Roger Gaynor

Studies increasingly show us that just looking at pleasant landscapes and watching wildlife can significantly improve our personal health and well- being.  It is sometimes referred to as Nature’s Health Service especially in terms of helping to manage the stress … Continue reading →

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Comma returns to garden egg laying site for another year

Posted on April 13, 2020 by Roger Gaynor

Yesterday I watched several peacock and small tortoiseshell butterflies making their now regular visits to the garden.  Most are just passing through, but yesterday I noticed a comma circling around a sheltered corner containing a small, well established patch of … Continue reading →

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Flowers before foliage in spring

Posted on April 12, 2020 by Roger Gaynor

Over the last week my permitted outdoor exercise with some variations has been based on a walk from Wrenthorpe via the nearby Wakefield Junction 41 Industrial Estate, Lawns Lane, Brandy Carr Road and along Troughwell Lane back home.  The industrial … Continue reading →

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