Monthly Archives: July 2016

Townclose Hills Field Meeting 10 July 2016

Posted on July 30, 2016 by Richard Bell

Pyramidal, common spotted and a hybrid orchid were in flower on the plateau at Townclose Hills Nature Reserve, also known as Billy Woods. Despite the breeze we saw ringlet, meadow brown, small tortoiseshell, small skipper and a few marbled white … Continue reading →

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Fledgling Owls

Posted on July 29, 2016 by Francis Hickenbottom

In Wakefield, the tawny owl family is doing well. One of the youngsters left the nestbox earlier this week and a second one has been preparing to go by scrambling up to the entrance hole. As well as bringing in … Continue reading →

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Lizards at Brockadale

Posted on July 29, 2016 by Colin Booker

A fruitful trip to Brockadale resulted in a great encounter with these common lizard (Lacerta vivipara) found basking on a log. . Like adders, the common lizard manages to reproduce in our relatively cold climate by bearing live young, rather than … Continue reading →

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Moths in Hemsworth

Posted on July 24, 2016 by Francis Hickenbottom

The moth trap regularly brings in species that I have not seen previously in my garden. Last night, a new species was the satin moth (Leucoma salicis). At first glance, this is similar to the yellow-tailed moth (Euproctis similis) but … Continue reading →

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Rabbit Ings wildflowers

Posted on July 24, 2016 by Sue Gaynor

What a scorching day for our walk around Rabbit Ings, we were fortunate to be accompanied by one of the rangers, Tom, who let us take the cars up onto the established heath area where heather is now thriving, saving … Continue reading →

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Tawny Owl Update

Posted on July 22, 2016 by Francis Hickenbottom

The two oldest of the tawnyl owls in Wakefield are now approaching three weeks old and the latest picture from nestbox camera shows that all three are growing well. Meanwhile, at Ackworth the two tawny owl chicks being reared in … Continue reading →

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Juvenile Peregrines

Posted on July 21, 2016 by Francis Hickenbottom

People frequently ask whether the young peregrines are still around. This is a reasonable question as we do not know exactly when they will move out of the parents’ territory, though this should happen by late autumn. We’ve had one … Continue reading →

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Moth-Trapping in Hemsworth

Posted on July 20, 2016 by Francis Hickenbottom

In Hemsworth, the moth trap has been attracting some familiar species recently. In the following picture, clockwise from top left, there are maple button (Acleris forsskaliana), shaded broad-bar (Scotopteryx chenopodiata), peppered moth (Biston betularia) and scalloped oak (Crocallis elinguaria). When … Continue reading →

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Lesser Stag Beetle

Posted on July 19, 2016 by Francis Hickenbottom

I put out the moth trap in my garden in Hemsworth last night, expecting a good catch because of the warm, humid conditions. As well as the usual moths, an interesting beetle flew into the trap. I identified it as … Continue reading →

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Summer Fungi and Great Crested Newts

Posted on July 8, 2016 by Francis Hickenbottom

In a wooded area at Ackworth, there is a fallen log, about 70cm thick, which has been lying on the ground for several years. About two weeks ago, I lifted a piece of bark from the log as I helped … Continue reading →

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