Monthly Archives: April 2016

Tawny Mining Bees

Each year, the grassed area around Wakefield Cathedral is the place to spot tawny mining bees (Andrena fulva). During the past week, they have created many small “volcanoes” as they have excavated their burrows. Sunny weather has brought the bees … Continue reading

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Ten Days to Hatching

With approximately ten days of incubation remaining, it is interesting to see a change in the behaviour of the male peregrine. During the first three two weeks of incubation, he stopped bringing food to the box. However, in recent days he … Continue reading

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Wormstall Woods flower walk

It was a clear, warm day as we stopped to admire the first clump of sweet violets; sadly the distinctive perfume was indiscernible.  To the right of the path lesser celandine interspersed with dark bluebells covered the field, we were … Continue reading

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Raptors on the move

An osprey was recorded flying low over Stanley Ferry Flash today, it was heading north, mobbed by carrion crows, Red kites have also been recorded on several days lately at Wintersett and Anglers CP.

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Peregrines tread carefully.

Peregrines are equipped with sharp talons and they can, occasionally, cause damage to an egg as they step into or out of the nest scrape. To reduce the chance of this happening, the birds move very carefully , particularly when … Continue reading

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Wakefield peregrine bringing pied wagtail

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Spring migrants at Pugneys CP

A few interesting birds at Pugneys this morning, with two common scoter on main lake , two white wagtails and willow warbler, blackcap and wheatear all arriving. .

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Excitement at Altofts

A lot of fuss in the sky attracted my attention and there were four lapwings mobbing a red kite! (And it was on the Wakefield side of the M62,- tho’ only just!). I also heard skylark singing, saw a small tortoiseshell, … Continue reading

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Sweep’s brushes at Ackworth School

A sure sign of spring is the flowering of field wood-rush (Luzula campestris), which is also known as sweep’s brushes. This species likes to grow in damp lawns, where it is usually inconspicuous but becomes more obvious when the dark … Continue reading

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