Category Archives: Nature notes

Nature notes and observations from around the Wakefield district

Wrinkled Fieldcap

Posted on July 29, 2017 by Francis Hickenbottom

I was walking by the River Calder, near the Hepworth Gallery, when I spotted a mass of fungi on a pile of woodchips. I did my best to identify them using books but again needed the help of the British … Continue reading →

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

Insects at Hemsworth

Posted on July 17, 2017 by Francis Hickenbottom

After a train journey from the south of England, I stretched my legs by walking back to Hemsworth, from Fitzwilliam, using the scenic route. By the path, I found common green bottles feeding on hogweed and they were very striking … Continue reading →

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

A Visit to Brockadale

Posted on July 14, 2017 by Francis Hickenbottom

Colin Booker and I took a trip to Brockadale yesterday, with the expectation of seeing lots of butterflies. However, we found very few flowers on the knapweed and this was one reason why butterfly numbers were low. We saw a … Continue reading →

Posted in Nature notes | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Peregrine Casualty

Posted on July 14, 2017 by Francis Hickenbottom

Unfortunately, one of this year’s young peregrines died earlier this week following a collision with a building. The female PCA was found near Sainsburys, Ings Road and was cared for by Jean Thorpe, of Ryedale Wildlife Rehabilitation. PCA was examined … Continue reading →

Posted in Nature notes | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Carlton Marsh

Posted on July 13, 2017 by Francis Hickenbottom

Colin Booker and I visited Carlton Marsh nature reserve today. It was my first visit and I was impressed by the range of things to be seen. Early in the walk, we found a golden-bloomed grey longhorn beetle – minus … Continue reading →

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

Fledging of the Peregrines

Posted on June 30, 2017 by Francis Hickenbottom

The 2017 season has been another successful one for the Wakefield peregrines. The same two adults have now bred on the cathedral in three successive years. This year, they had four eggs, with the female laying the first egg within … Continue reading →

Posted in Nature notes | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Wild flowers at Anglers Country Park

Posted on May 30, 2017 by Sue Gaynor

Anglers CP has always been a favourite for bird watching but the wildflowers are also improving year by year: dog roses, guelder rose and dogwood are in full splendour at the moment edging the path as we passed the right … Continue reading →

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

Peregrine Ringing, 2017

Posted on May 28, 2017 by Francis Hickenbottom

A big event on the peregrine calendar is the ringing of the peregrine chicks. This year’s ringing took place on Saturday, 27th May, when the youngsters were three weeks and four days old. The youngsters were collected from the nestbox … Continue reading →

Posted in Nature notes | Tagged , | 5 Comments

Urban Birding

Posted on May 20, 2017 by Pauline Brook

For those who like to observe wildlife close to home, here are a few sightings from Chantry Bridge. My first visit at the end of April found a male goosander alongside the common species such as 20+ mallard, which included six … Continue reading →

Posted in Nature notes | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Baby bird boom

Posted on May 19, 2017 by Roger Gaynor

Happily, this spring appears to have been kind to many baby birds with good numbers of fledglings of various species seen during my local wanderings.  At home, noisy queues of starlings and house sparrows jostle for position at the garden … Continue reading →

Posted in Nature notes | Tagged , , | 1 Comment