Monthly Archives: April 2013

Danish invaders and kingcups!

Posted on April 21, 2013 by Francis Hickenbottom

The Danish Invasion 300 yrs on from the Vikings, the Danes are still coming after us! The salty spray produced by cars during the winter months makes the central reservations of motorways a hostile place for many plants but Danish scurvy … Continue reading →

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More spring sightings

Posted on April 20, 2013 by John Gardner

Mark Archer sent in a report from Walton Nature Reserve which included the following: 2 grass snakes, 6 brimstone butterflies, 8 peacock butterflies and cuckoo. Flowers in bloom included cowslip, wood anenome, colt’s-foot and celandine. Brimstones were recorded at Walton Hall … Continue reading →

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Sightings: 18th April

Posted on April 18, 2013 by John Gardner

Mark Archer reports 3 common sandpipers on the River Calder at Smalley Bight sewage works, Stanley. They can be seen flitting along the river banks. Also a number of swallows there as well. Swallows seen at Newmillerdam, Cold Hiendley and Ryhill … Continue reading →

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Is spring finally here?

Posted on April 13, 2013 by John Gardner

Brighter weather today and much warmer, if a little windy but definitely feels like spring is in the air. Mark Archer was at Southern Washlands this morning an had the first 5 sand martins of the year at the site … Continue reading →

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First frogspawn, late date!

Posted on April 1, 2013 by Francis Hickenbottom

The first frogspawn of the year appeared in my pond  at Hemsworth today. This date – 1st April – is the latest that the frogs have spawned in my garden as far back as I can remember. Usually, the frogspawn appears in late … Continue reading →

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