During 2000 we enjoyed together two successful trips. In the summer to reserves at Waitby Greenriggs and Smardale, where amongst many interesting sightings, particularly memorable were the show of orchids, especially Marsh Helleborines at Waitby, and the all too brief views of Hummingbird Hawkmoth and Red Squirrel at Smardale. In the autumn our destination was Martin Mere where in addition to the fascinating spectacle of wild Whooper Swans and other wild fowl, extra interest was provided by the Northern Bird Fair programme and exhibits.

At our Open Evening and Members Evening we rely heavily upon member participation and this year we were well supported with a good variety of exhibits and slide contributions, once again proving that there is much ability within our membership. Member support and participation was again much in evidence at our coffee morning, many providing items to be sold and manning the various stalls which enabled us to make a number of donations to Nature Conservation.

Our Society depends for its existence on those who have the interest of Natural History and Nature Conservation at heart and who are willing to devote time to it in various different ways. It currently has a strong backbone, i.e. its Officers, Committee and Recorders who I know devote much personal time on behalf of the membership, especially so the Secretary and Treasurer upon whom we rely greatly and who handle their considerable duties with such enthusiasm and efficiency, and I wish here to record how much we all appreciate their work. Also valuable are the efforts of many others who help in so many ways to ensure the smooth running of this Society which means so much to us all. Thank you everyone.

As I write this I am conscious of the delight experienced recently by numerous members in viewing the Waxwings present for a week or so in Ilkley, and following Doug Simpson’s lecture, Red Kites Restored, the sightings some members have had of these graceful birds in the Harewood area. Just two recent examples of the delights of nature which as members of the Wharfedale Naturalists Society we share and enjoy.

David Alred

Editorial

The current Review for 2000 brings the decade to an end and the ten issues for 1991-2000 will now be bound to match the other five volumes in the Society’s possession, which provide a fascinating insight into the Society’s development of more than half a century.

As you look through this, Vol 55 of the Review, you will see that, as usual, it includes articles, reports and records. We now have records going back to 1945. Ken Limb’s article about a beetle on Ilkley Moor, first recorded in 1891, emphasises the importance of this aspect of the Society’s activities.

We should like draw your attention to an important report on part of Ilkley Moor, a Countryside Stewardship Agreement Area. This survey continues the Society’s interest in Ilkley Moor from one century to the next. Ilkley Moor is not only a SSSI but part of a larger Special Protection Area of the North Pennines. The interest, now on a European scale, is mainly connected with its unique patchwork of vegetation which in turn attracts insects and birdlife. We look forward to further studies in this direction.

We thank all those who have contributed.

DL and JD

Against all Odds!

How plants adapt to beat the competition

Life is tough if you’re a plant! Any place with good growing conditions – light, water, air and fertile soil – will be snapped up before your flowers are even fertilised unless you can ensure that you are first off the stocks, or you adapt to life where others fear to tread!

In this country, the dandelion stands out to me as a successful plant – it has a tough tap root to anchor it in the soil (and even if this is broken, the remaining part will grow two or more new shoots); the leaves lie low, or even flat, to catch the sun and rain (which is funnelled to the centre around the root) and to make it difficult for grazing animals to eat them (they are bitter to the taste as well); the flowers open early in the year (traditionally at their peak on St. George’s Day, 23rd. April), are bright yellow to attract fertilising insects, and quickly turn to seed; the seeds are produced in large numbers and have their own little parachutes to carry them far and wide in search of new land to conquer. Meadows and verges carpeted with dandelion blooms in the spring show how successful they are!

In other places plants have other challenges – in countries where bush fires are frequent (e.g. South Africa, the Mediterranean countries and Australia) some plants survive by having an insulating layer, like the Australian Grass Tree (often called the Black Boy, although I’m told that this is not considered politically correct so perhaps it should be the ‘sun tanned young person’) which has the protection of a thick layer of dead foliage, or the cork oak with its thick bark. Another strategy against fire is to ensure that there is a new generation to follow even if the adults are lost – the seeds of the Banksia trees in Australia, together with the Eucalypts and many plants of the African ‘fienbos’, will only germinate after they have been exposed to smoke (it is now known that it is chemicals in the smoke, rather than the heat of fire, which initiate germination) and the Banksia actually waits for fire before it ejects its seeds from the cones (‘nuts’). This also means that the seeds have clear, fertilised ground in which to start their life.

Another strategy for success could be summed up as ‘If you can’t stand the heat (of competition) get out of the scrum’ – the mangrove type plants in the tropics have found that there is little competition for the soft salty mud beside river estuaries (which is hardly surprising!) and they have made this habitat their own by growing aerial roots to provide oxygen to their anchoring roots, developing glands on their leaves to exude excess salt, and seeds that germinate on the tree and grow there until they are big enough (up to three feet long! – see picture) to plant themselves in the mud by spearing down into it. If they land when the tide is in, then another clever trick comes into play – they float horizontally in sea water but if they float into more congenial brackish or fresh water, the difference in the density causes them to float vertically until they run aground and settle into the mud.

Another difficult environment in which to get established is the dark of the tropical rainforest where as little as three percent of the light penetrates to the forest floor. Here some of the trees drop their seeds to the ground, where they germinate and grow a foot or so tall but then run out of energy and stagnate until a tree falls and lets in the light. If this doesn’t happen they live for ten or even twenty years and then die frustrated, poor things! Another way of coping with the rainforest is to stay in the canopy – there’s plenty of light up there, and water, but a distinct lack of soil! However, by developing fleshy leaves or pseudo-bulbs (and by making the most of the humid air and the accumulations of dead leaves in the tree forks) orchids, bromeliads and ferns manage to find their niche. Some of the figs start the same way but then send roots down to the ground to give them extra nutrients which enable them to grow more roots, eventually surrounding and murdering the tree which is supporting them, by strangulation.

However, I suppose that the ultimate in adaptation must be the desert plants; to survive long periods of drought the cacti have turned their leaves into spines (which limits water loss and protect the plant), and formed a globular or cylindrical ‘trunk’ in which to store water, with chlorophyll in the surface skin to make up for the loss of leaves. Some succulents protect themselves by growing almost underground, with only the ends of the stems flush with the ground surface, but these stem ends are almost transparent to let in light to the underground chlorophyll.

I have mentioned just some of the ways in which plants succeed – others include the carnivorous plants which eat flesh to compensate for the lack of nitrogen in the bogs, and there are many more. Ain’t nature marvellous!

Don Barrett

Carabus nitens 1891–1998

Carabus nitens is a species of ground beetle described as being confined to sandy regions, moors and boggy country, mainly in the north and centred on the North York Moors and Pennines, with outlying populations on the New Forest and Dorset Heaths. Its status in Britain is described as very local. (‘Notable B’)

In May 1998 I was searching for Hoverflies on Ilkley Moor and was attracted by 3 beetles running at the side of a bog. I eventually caught one of these beetles in a glass tube and inspected it with a hand lens. The elytra were golden green, with a series of dark ridges and bordered with gold, head and thorax were also gold. I later identified the specimen, with the aid of a Field Guide to Beetles, to be the above species.

Last year Joan Duncan passed on to me the old insect records compiled by Dr F.H. Fidler, who was once the insect recorder for the Society, together with a box containing specimens which he had collected. I was interested to see that Carabus nitens had previously been recorded twice before. The first entry for this species was "1891 Ilkley Moor from John Flint in sphagnum bog". John Flint, who I had the pleasure to meet 30 years ago, was an eminent Yorkshire entomologist. The second record was for "May 1961 Burley Moor recorded by Freda Draper and determined by Dr F.H.Fidler".

I was delighted that this splendid insect still survives in our area, 107 years since it was first recorded and hope that in another 100 years some future member of this society has the opportunity to observe it.

Ken Limb

Icelandic saga

Having reached the age of taking things slowly, Eric and I have become dedicated cruisers and when we read that Saga Rose (the ship for re-cycled teenagers) was heading for Iceland on a Natural History cruise we knew we just had to be aboard, and what a wonderful experience it turned out to be. Our guest lecturer was Simon Davey who has visited Wharfedale Naturalists' and is well known to several members. Joining him at the ship’s rail early one morning I saw just one seabird whilst he spotted 3 cormorants, 9 puffins and a whale - even Nevil Bowland could not have beaten that.

In a voyage packed full of interesting experiences, I think the small island of Heimaey stands out most in memory. I well remember seeing dramatic pictures on the TV news in January 1973, (yes, Iceland fascinated me even then) when in the middle of the night of the 23rd the volcano began to erupt. Fortunately there had been a storm at sea the previous day so the fishing boats were in harbour and everyone got safely away to the mainland. The eruption continued for 5 months and it was realised that the lava flow was going to block the harbour entrance so giant hoses were brought in and turned on the molten rock as it poured out of the crater, successfully diverting the flow and creating a new sea wall which now gives shelter to boats approaching the harbour entrance in stormy weather. Homes and possessions were all lost under the relentless flow of lava and volcanic ash so the houses today look quite new apart from one, left as a reminder of what happened, with just a corner of its roof showing above the debris. The crater is still warm to the touch and spirals of smoke still emerge here and there; indeed for 15 years following the eruption the volcano provided all the heating for the island.

Our time in the crater was all too short for I was finding small plants and flowers emerging from the ash and how I wished for Joyce Hartley at my side to tell me what they all were. Incidentally, the bits of lava I picked up look exquisite under the microscope. There is a strange beauty in a volcanic crater that can be utterly spellbinding as one considers the forces that lie beneath the Earth’s surface, and this was enhanced by the simple wooden cross which expresses the islanders’ gratitude that no lives were lost in the eruption.

Heimaey has its large colony of puffins. I was disappointed that by the time of our visit the adult birds had finished feeding their young and gone off to sea. However, the youngsters were still around and, driven by hunger, they are attracted by the lights from the houses. They clumsily descend into streets and gardens, totally disoriented, thus putting themselves in danger from predators. We were delighted to learn that during this period the children of Heimaey go out at night with cardboard boxes, rescuing the bemused birds and releasing them down on the shore the following morning. A few children like these in Ilkley and the WNS would soon have some junior members again.

Easily visible from Heimaey is the "new" (1963) island of Surtsey still in the process of being formed. Only scientists and conservationists are allowed to land there. Conditions being calm and clear, our ship circled Surtsey and it was a sobering thought that millions of years ago our own island was being formed in this way. Surtsey is a golden opportunity for environmentalists to monitor step-by-step what happened "in the beginning".

One does not visit Iceland for palm-fringed beaches and constant sunshine, indeed the early astronauts were shown the centre of the country, as it was anticipated that similar conditions would be found on the moon. For us it was a journey that filled us with awe, admiration and a very healthy respect for the unbounded force hidden in the heart of our planet.

Margaret Hutchinson

Trees

For some trees 2000 was a bumper year. Beech nuts were found in profusion on the ground and fallen horse chestnut fruits opened to reveal large healthy conkers. In Ilkley walnuts fell from the tree on the Grove at a more ripened stage than usual with the kernels brown and nearly edible. Among the garden conifers some cupressus bushes produced copious and crowded tiny cones, many more than usual.

It is interesting to relate the performance and development of trees to the weather conditions, careful observations through the seasons being needed.

The above examples would all have been wind-pollinated, but in the case of blossom trees which depend on insects for pollination, bad weather at flowering time would keep the pollinating insects away. Flowers which are not pollinated would not continue their normal cycle and so wither and fall instead of producing fruit.

The growth and development of different species of tree through the seasons can be an interesting study and sometimes any relevant or unusual effects are included in our records.

Observations, with dates, of the following would be of interest:

opening of buds and leafing,

abundance of foliage,

flowering and fruiting,

autumn colours,

leaf fall.

Results from any particular area may be compared from year to year.

Joan Duncan

The road to Corryvreckan

The Isle of Jura (‘Deer Island’) is a rugged and sparsely populated island 30 miles by 7 with only one road, about 200 human inhabitants and almost 6,000 red deer.

Most of it is made up of quartzite, an ancient metamorphic rock that forms part of a basin which curves under the sea towards the mainland and surfaces further east. This dip means that Jura’s rocks are tilted to the east ( about 30°) and brings about a rugged wilderness of rocky outcrops, lochans and waterfalls. Around 65 million years ago, molten rock was forced up into cracks to form the Tertiary volcanic dykes. The fine-grained, black rock, known as epidiorite, is harder than the surrounding rocks and today the dykes are left standing as walls. During the Ice Age the weight of ice pushed the land downwards, then as it melted, some 15,000 years ago, the land rebounded, raising beaches and sea caves well above sea level. Great stretches of boulders, weathered by the sea, are found 30 feet and 100 feet above sea level.

Jura’s west coast is virtually uninhabited, save for deer, otter, wild goats and adders, whereas the sheltered east coast is more gentle with some sandy beaches and a few settlements.

At the northern end of the island, between Jura and its uninhabited neighbour Scarba, is the Whirlpool of Corryvreckan. This maelstrom, the graveyard of many ships, is the third largest in Europe. At times it can look unimpressive, but when a strong westerly wind blows in opposition to a high spring tide, its great turbulence is very powerful. To this day it is classed as un-navigable by the Royal Navy.

I have been fascinated by Corryvreckan since, as a child, I saw the film I Know Where I’m Going in which the whirlpool is featured, and in later years, when walking on the mainland and seeing the silhouette of Scarba and Jura from a distance. Then, in early May last year we were finally able to visit Jura and view the phenomenon from close by.

Access to Jura is via the Feolin Ferry from Islay. We stayed at Craighouse, eight miles from Feolin, which left a journey of nineteen miles along a narrow, one-track twisty road, six miles of rough Landrover track, then 2½ miles on foot.

From Craighouse the road skirts Small Isles Bay, each inlet bringing a new delight. Some were sandy with bushes – birch, willow and alder – alive with thrushes and wrens, others rocky and colourful with crotal lichen, brilliant gorse and thrift. Grey seals lazed on the rocks, shag kept guard from outlying skerries, and stonechats searched among the rocks. Damper areas were covered with milkmaid, marsh marigold and flag. We saw several herons and, in the bay, were about twenty mute swans, including a pair of black swans. It is said there are a pair of otters for every three miles of coastline, but we saw none. On the landward side was an area of ‘lazy beds’, Hebridean cultivation strips where seaweed is heaped on the land, both as a fertiliser and to stabilise the soil.

Further along, the view of the Paps of Jura (of pink, white and grey quartzite) is spectacular, whether they are beginning to emerge from the morning mist or bathed in evening sunshine. As the road climbed onto the moorland there were masses of cottongrass and a few rowans surviving on cliffs. Here a pair of buzzards were circling lazily. There were many meadow pipits and several curlews around, and later we saw a hen harrier swooping low over the heathland. Deer were going to the coast to graze on the new growth, now showing at these lower and more sheltered areas. Among them would be some Cromie stags with a crooked antler formation, unique to Jura. As we dropped towards Tarbert, the deer were sharing the grazing with a herd of cattle. In deep ravines mosses, ferns and liverworts grow in abundance. There were gnarled oak trees, covered with lichens, lady fern and golden saxifrage, shady banks with violets and primroses and open glades with anemones, bluebells and greater stitchwort.

Willow warblers frequent these wooded areas, also whitethroat, blackcap, chiffchaff and wood warbler which favour mixed woodland with thick scrub.

As we drove on, the strip of grass in the middle of the road became wider and, just beyond Lealt Bridge, we reached the end of the road where we parked and met up with Mike, whose Landrover would take us along the rough road for the next six miles. Driving across moorland we watched as a cuckoo was mobbed by three meadow pipits, then descended across watercourses with rue-leaved saxifrage and bogbean. Scree vegetation in the dry gorges included wild thyme, stonecrop and foliate lichen.

We eventually reached Kinuachdrachd, the sole remaining dwelling in the township – at one time the preferred crossing to the mainland. The jetty is still there, and sheep and cattle were brought over this way, too. As we set out on the last stretch on foot, Mike reminded us to watch out for sea eagles from their nest sites in Rhum. Jura is home to fifteen pairs of golden eagles, but we saw neither. Underfoot were all shades of milkwort – white, mauve, purple, pale and deep blue – also tormentil, heath spotted orchid and masses of bog cotton. In a fenced off regeneration area, rowan trees were flourishing. The rocky end of Scarba came into view and after several bumpy hillocks we came into full view of the Gulf of Corryvreckan. Low tide and the calmest of seas meant the whirlpool wasn’t the maelstrom it could be in stormy weather, even so it was entrancing to see the small white-edged waves circling so strangely.

As we walked back we found a perfect pair of antlers; we were crossing a boggy patch when Doug looked down to see that the ‘stick’ he was standing on was an antler, and close by was the other! Antlers are shed in April and May with the increase in food supply and the onset of the new antlers in velvet. We arrived back at Kinuachdrachd with our prize and the sight of the whirlpool in our memories, and happy to have the bumpy ride back to the car. We’d had a superb day. Jura is a wonderful island and a trip to Corryvreckan must be one of the best in the Hebrides.

Olwen M Middleton

Bird observation

With much flapping of wings a big brown bird landed on the roof of the bird table. It was probably attracted by a piece of food on the shelf below. There was still more clumsy flapping as it moved to the apple tree nearby, but it didn’t seem to be capable of manoeuvring onto the shelf. In fact, it was thoroughly gawky.

We estimated its length at about twelve inches, and we saw that the feathers in the neck region were a lighter blown than the rest.

The bird finally flew off, but it reappeared a few minutes later accompanied by an adult jackdaw. The adult flew straight onto the bird table and demolished the food, a first class demonstration of how to tackle a bird table with a roof. Junior, watching from the front, must have felt frustrated, but no doubt he will learn in due course, when he can manage his wings better.

M M Kennedy

Local Geology

Some results and remaining problems arising from recent British Geological Survey (BGS) work in the Bradford District

Some readers interested in geology may not be aware that the BGS has recently published new geological maps of the ‘Bradford district’ on a scale of 1:50 000 that include an area of Wharfedale from Skipton Moor and Farfield Hall to Leathley and Bramhope. Maps at the 1:10 000 scale have also been produced. These maps result from a geological survey carried out mainly in 1993-1996. The advances in knowledge they represent are derived largely from an analysis of the huge amount of new underground data from the records of boreholes. Most of these were drilled for site investigation purposes in urban areas and road routes. However, three on or near Rombalds Moor, at Jaytail Farm, Bradup and Hag Farm, were drilled by the BGS to obtain new details of the succession of the various rock types, their relative ages from their fossils, and their mode of deposition, in the middle part of the Millstone Grit succession.

A glance at the geological map shows nine separately named sandstones (or gritstones) cropping out on Rombalds Moor in the uppermost part of the recently redefined Millstone Grit Group. It was known from boreholes elsewhere that shaly strata between these sandstones contain bands of marine fossils and it is only when these ‘marine bands’ are found that the sandstones can be correlated and identified with confidence; none are exposed on Rombalds Moor. The lowest four sandstones have been given names after the features they form on the moor namely, from the lowest upwards: Addingham Edge Grit, Long Ridge Sandstone, Doubler Stones Sandstone and High Moor Sandstone and it is this succession together with the essential intercalated marine shales, that was proved by the three BGS boreholes. Unfortunately, although the Hag Farm Borehole managed with difficulty to reach a depth of 74.59m (c. 245ft) below the base of the Addingham Edge Grit, the lowest sandstone, it failed to reach a marine band that would indicate this sandstone’s position in the succession and this is the main unsolved stratigraphical problem.

It is now tentatively concluded that the Addingham Edge Grit is also the sandstone, previously mapped as the Caley Crag Grit, capping the Otley Chevin escarpment where it closely overlies the remarkably fossiliferous, but now poorly exposed, marine band known as the Otley Shell Bed. However, although a long list of fossils has been recorded from this band, this list does not include any diagnostic species that would indicate its precise stratigraphical position. It seems likely that the Addingham Edge Grit in part represents the fill of a valley incised into previously deposited sediments including perhaps the Otley Shell Bed, thus explaining its absence from the Hag Farm Borehole.

Some day, excavations for road or building foundations in or around Ilkley may turn out fossiliferous strata that would help to solve the problem outlined above, and interested readers of this article are urged to report any such excavations, especially in dark shale, to David Leather or me. The recent excavations for the new hospital building on Springs Lane exposed about 3m of promising-looking dark grey shaly mudstone with ironstone nodules, but only yielded a few small bivalves which are unlikely to be diagnostic of any particular level in the succession.

Neil Aitkenhead

Ilkley Moor

WNS Botany Group Survey of Countryside Stewardship Agreement Area

The official designation and status of Ilkley Moor has changed significantly within the last decade. In 1994 the whole of Ilkley Moor was classified, by English Nature, as a Site of Special Scientific Interest. The Moor was included as part of the designation of the South Pennine Moors as nationally important habitats for upland birds under the Wildlife and Countryside Act. In 1997 the European Commission recognised the importance of the South Pennine Moors SSSI internationally, and an additional designation as a Special Protection Area was confirmed under a European Directive.

These designations mean that Bradford Metropolitan District Council, in consultation with English Nature is legally obliged to ensure that the management of the Moor at least conserves, and where appropriate increases, the habitats and species of conservation value. A management plan has been drawn up covering Ilkley Moor as a whole and its habitat types have been listed as Upland Heath, Upland Acid Grassland, Wetlands and Open Water, Woodland, and finally Bracken. Upland Heath (formed of a mosaic of Heather, Cross-leaved Heath, Crowberry and Bilberry) is further sub-divided into areas where Heather is dominant and those, now relatively small, where Crowberry is dominant.

The Survey Area on Ilkley Moor

In addition to this overall plan, a 10 year Countryside Stewardship Scheme agreement has been entered into with the Ministry of Agriculture Fisheries and Food (MAFF) to manage a small area of the Moor so as to deliver particular environmental benefits. This area comprises two previously enclosed allotments (south of Panorama Reservoir and west of Silver Well Cottage) which are outside the ‘Urban Common’ boundary, but still under Bradford Council’s ownership. This factor is significant as it means sheep grazing levels can be controlled – whereas in the main part of the Moor which is designated ‘Urban Common’, grazing rights are held by others. The aim is to restore drystone walling and improve vegetation cover so that regeneration of Heather and other shrub species is encouraged.

Following a suggestion from Midge Leather who lives on the edge of the enclosed area, as a Society we felt it would be of interest as a long-term project if we recorded the existing vegetation and monitored it again in 5 and 10 years time. The limited size of the area made the project feasible for us. The date for the main survey was fixed for 27h July, but before then several recces were made to ascertain the lie of the land. The base of the area is along the back of the houses in Panorama Drive, past Panorama Reservoir to the top of Heber’s Ghyll and the Swastika Stone as far as the next wall up the Moor. In this area the Moor has three distinct ‘terraces’ separated by resistant bands of Millstone Grit, the scheme area lying mainly along the lowest terrace and the first Millstone Grit band. The terrace slopes quite steeply upwards and bisected by Black Beck (which then descends into Heber’s Ghyll).

Looking down across the site from the top south-western corner, the greens and fairways of the old last century golf course can be made out, emphasised by the differing vegetation – they appear as bracken-free. Of the five habitat types designated for the whole of Ilkley Moor, two are hardly represented here – Woodland, and Wetlands and Open Water. A very few isolated trees are to be seen scattered across the terrace and a few more in the steep bouldery area below Woodhouse Crag. (Silver Well Cottage and its shelter belt are excluded from the area.) The mire at Crawshaw Moss, important for breeding birds, is out of the area, being above on the next terrace. Also from this viewpoint, the extent of the bracken problem is evident, particularly on the steeper parts which were presumably wooded in the past. Bracken is said to have an approximate upper limit of the 1100 foot (340m) contour and this seemed to be borne out when we climbed up the side of Black Beck all through Bracken until we reached the top, when we came out into a large area of Heather. Another recce was made by Midge Leather particularly to record the steep, difficult area below Woodhouse Crag.

On 27th July 2000 a dozen members assembled at the Leather household and conveniently spilt up into three groups to cover the area. The western section, including Black beck was taken by one group. The eastern section being much larger and going further up the Moor, was covered by two groups, one taking the land above Silver Well Cottage, and the other the land below. Each set off with a request to record separately (1) Trees and Shrubs, (2) Ferns, Rushes and Grasses and (3) all other flowering plants and particularly the amount of Heather. They were also asked to give their conclusions as to the dominant species in their section. Stationery was provided and we arranged to meet at midday at the top of Heber’s Ghyll. As we were returning from there to Panorama Drive, a very heavy thundershower came and the last few hundred yards were covered at a sprint. The rain drummed down on the conservatory roof as we had lunch, collected the reports and tried to discuss the conclusions. The sound of the rain was so loud, conversation was difficult.

Conclusions

A. Western Section The dominant species was without doubt Bracken. There were some small areas of Heather along the line of the old golf course and a significant amount right up at the top on the southern boundary. There were very small areas of Cross-leaved Heath. Bilberry and Crowberry were also present lower down, and they together with Cranberry were also in the two wet areas not far from Black Beck. The becksides themselves were not very productive. Most of the trees were in this section, but even then there were less than two dozen – mainly Rowan. There was a full range of ferns especially in the boulder area. Up near the top boundary was an unusual patch which appeared to have been treated (sprayed?) in the past, and this had been colonised by Sheep’s Sorrel. A group of Foxgloves was nearby.

B. Upper Eastern Section No species was dominant over the whole area. There was a wide band of Heather from the Neb Stone all along the top boundary wall westwards until just before the head of Black beck, where it was replaced by rushes. The next band across lower down was comprised of Bracken at the eastern end changing halfway to a mixture of Heather, Crowberry and grasses. The lowest band just above Silverwell Cottage was Bracken throughout. There were many patches of Cross-leaved Heath, both Cottongrasses were present, many mosses and lichens, but only one fern and four trees.

C. Lower Eastern Section Under Silver Well Cottage was a long steep bank of Bracken, the only break in it being a very large patch of Cross-leaved Heath. Below this was a spring, the water from which flowed diagonally across to the bottom ditch creating a large marshy area. Going westwards, there was an area of rough grass, with Bilberry, some Crowberry and vestigial amounts of Heather. Continuing along the line of the old golf course and opposite Panorama Reservoir, the Heather areas increased until rocks came near the surface when Bilberry took over, though still mixed with some Heather and with Crowberry, Cranberry and grass. An area of Bracken was crossed, a small stream, and then Heather occurred again. There were two trees only. Although Heather seems to be holding its own on the line of the old golf course, in many places especially on the uphill side (adjoining the lower band of the previous section) it is surrounded by encroaching Bracken. A strip alongside the bottom track had vegetation very different from the rest of the area, there being more species typical of rough grassland rather than moorland.

A full list of species follows. It is appreciated that although the optimum time was chosen, one survey cannot guarantee to find all, and particularly some of the early species may have been missed out.

Species seen within the Countryside Stewardship Agreement Area.

A = Western Section. B = Upper Eastern Section. C = Lower Eastern Section

Thanks to all who took part in the survey: Mike Atkinson, Nevil Bowland, Heather Burrow, Audrey Gramshaw, Sam Hartley, Jim and Joan Horsman, Midge Leather, Olwen Middleton, Joan Powell and Anne Tupholme. Even more special thanks are due to Midge Leather for the help and background information as she knows the area so well, for the photos she took specially for the presentation board and finally for her hospitality at the crucial moment when the members would otherwise have been soaked.

Bradford Council hope to complete restoring the walls of the area by 2003 and thereafter to operate low controlled stocking with sheep and with Bracken control if necessary. Sheep (at the rate of one ewe per hectare) will be allowed into the area only from early May to early August, with no grazing for the rest of the year, until such time as Heather cover reaches 40%. From what we have seen we feel sure that this will take some considerable time, and it would appear that separate Bracken control will be needed. It is encroaching on the patches of pure Heather and also covering up areas of mixed Heather, Bilberry and Crowberry. In these circumstances English Nature, who do not agree with total eradication, do permit its control.

We hope when we survey again in five years time to see some progress.

Joyce Hartley

Cranberry HB

Winter Walks 2000 – 2001

Hi folks, it’s Review time again and, as in times of yore, it falls to me to remind you all of the fun we have had on the past season’s winter walks.

In February last year we started our first walk from Leathley near the ancient almshouses and proceeded along Leefield Lane, up through Riffa Wood, pausing by the enigmatic carved stone, onwards through the fields passing Bogridge Farm and continuing by way of Round Hill where we were amused by a herd (if that’s the right word) of dancing ostriches who decidedly didn’t bury their heads in the sand at our approach but keenly followed our progress as we went sedately on our way. Further on we contemplated the charming little church of St. Mary’s at Stainburn with its odd windows. Later we passed Lindley Bridge and the fish farm where, as usual, we observed the besieging army of grey herons and so returned to the cars at the end of yet another day’s walking.

March found us on what has become one of our favourite jaunts, namely the world-famous Mosaic Walk at Dallowgill near Kirby Malzeard. Even if you do not see anything special as you trundle along the twenty-two charming little mosaics you encounter on the way make up for it. They are a delight to the eye and so excellently executed it makes you wonder at the patience and hard work that has gone into the making of them. They were put down about five years ago to commemorate the designation of the Nidderdale Moors as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, and they depict the culture and wildlife to be found there. One bonus of the day was meeting up with Tom Holman of Dallowgill, the stickmaker and dresser, a great character with many a tale to tell. His sticks topped with every type of horn are marvellous to behold, and Les Dewdney, a fellow craftsman, was particularly pleased to see them. After the walk a few of us tasted the delights of Roselea Tea-room at Kirby, an unforgettable experience and a reward for a good day’s walking.

I always like to finish the season off on a limestone high, so in April we were to be observed gathering at the National Park car park at Colvend in Grassington for an assault on the tops and a stroll to Coniston. The day was rather dree and dowly but we were in high spirits as we cantered up the high street and lugged it up Hungry Laugh Hill and onto Yarnbury. Here we introduced Lorelei Fox to the mournful moonscape setting of the old lead-mining operations with the humps and bumps of the long lines of bellpits which so scar the landscape around here. We proceeded along Limekiln Lane to the romantic ruin of Bare House, a typical Dales longhouse which in its day would have housed both humans and their beasts, Homo sapiens inhabiting one end and the cows etc living at t’other. After a good look around and a contemplation of what life might have been like up here in this lonely spot we girded up our loins and passed on our merry way, carrying on towards the top of Coniston Dib where we took Lorelei to see the fine stretch of limestone pavement on Wassa Bank. This is one of the many jewels to be found in the Park, for the grykes, the gaps between the clints, harbour many rare species of plants. Afterwards we wandered down the spectacular gorge of Gurling Trough into Coniston, then up by Dib Scar, along the back of Grass Wood Reserve and, by way of Lea Green, to Grassington, and so ended yet another season of winter walks.

However, once again the wheel has turned full circle and another series began in October when our intrepid band met once again - this time at the Cavendish Pavilion, for our grand assault on Simon’s Seat. Wending our way up via Hammerthorne Gate, we crossed the moors, always on the lookout for what we could see. We soon spotted a lone meadow pipit fluttering about the tussocks of heather. We also had fine views over into the Washburn Valley and beyond. On the summit we paused to take in the splendid vistas of upper Wharfedale before sauntering down the well known Bielby track towards the Valley of Desolation with its wild cataracts of white water tumbling over the ragged rocks into the deep pools far below. How well did the silent traveller describe the scene, likening it to similar ones in his homeland of China. Here the Chatsworth Estate has erected some picture boards showing what life must have been like here during the time of the early hunter-gatherers. Near this point a kestrel demonstrated its keen dexterity by plunging into a chicane around a tree trunk, plucking forth a vole and flying out again without mishap. This fine example of avian aerobatics had us transfixed for a while. When we had recovered we came down via Waterfall Cottage and so back to our vehicles.

Mid November saw us sampling the delights of Gargrave where we were somewhat rained upon. Here we were joined for the first time by new WNS member John Giles. The constant rain never once fazed him - long may he walk with us. We set off along the Pennine Way, went around by East Marton with its unusual double-arched bridge and, venturing round Ingthorpe Grange, followed the canal back towards Gargrave keeping an eye on the well known collection of wildfowl to be seen on its silver waters. Back at Gargrave the Alreds had a treat in store kindly taking us to a favourite hang-out of theirs, the local bistro, where we enjoyed hot steaming mugs of chocolate and marshmallows, a welcome finishing touch to the day’s walking.

December took us to another of our favourite haunts, the lonely Washburn Valley, at Blubberhouses to be precise. From the little car park below the church we wended our way past the site of the former Westhouse Mill and on through the fields towards Thruscross Dam. Here the river was racing along like a thing possessed, which could only mean that water was being released from the mighty reservoir; and so it proved to be. As we hove in sight of the awesome edifice we could see three columns of it slithering down the overflow, looking for all the world like three lacy curtains flapping in the breeze. Climbing out of the chasm we made our way through the fields to Spitalhouse Farm where we followed the track out onto the desolate moors. In spite of the heavy rainfall we managed to successfully negotiate the treacherous Willow Bog to eat our luncheon well within sight of the A59. We returned by the historic Kex Gill road to our cars and farewells after another day’s strolling.

The turn into the new year, and, according to some pundits, the new millennium, we embarked on our next little jaunt from Draughton, by the alluring little chantry of St Augustine’s. We set off in the direction of Haw Pike, climbing steadily with views opening up towards Wharfedale and Bolton Priory. Looking to our left we could see towering into the air the great gaunt alien pillars of the four wind vanes at Chelker. Descending to the road, we crossed over and made our way to the riverside where we were greeted by the sight and sound of a whirlybird coming in to land at the Devonshire Arms. Recovering from that experience we ambled on to the Priory where we ate our snap, chatted for a while and passed some time away in the shop by the village car park. We continued on our way to Halton East and then across the fields and back to Draughton. I have to say, however, that the highlight of the day was not on the walk itself but in Ilkley car park where we encountered a small band of waxwings. These buccaneering little rascals sally forth from their Scandinavian homes during the winter when food there is short and come, like the Vikings of old to plunder our rich granaries of berries. So here they were with one lone mistle thrush playing the role of an avian Alfred the Great trying to drive them away but with little success. It was my first sighting of these delightful small birds and I calculated that there were about 40 of them all resplendent with their buff crests, russet bodies and the brilliant reds and yellows on their wing-tips and tails. This colouring looks as if has been applied in wax, giving the birds their name, and once seen never forgotten. I shall certainly look out in case they arrive next year.

As we go to press there are three more walks in this season’s programme - in Nidderdale, Wharfedale and Littondale. I hope that if you would like to join our happy fellowship you will soon have a go.

Chris Hartley

Summer outing to Waitby Greenriggs and Smardale nature reserves, Saturday 15th July 2000

There is nothing like a thrilling start to up the anticipation, and we had it on this trip. The difficulty with Waitby Greenriggs Reserve is access. It is reasonable for a private car to go round the minor roads at the back of Kirkby Stephen to an old railway bridge and park on a small verge – the official entrance to the reserve is just opposite. For a large coach this is impossible and a different approach had had to be devised with much forward planning. Going up the M6 towards Kirkby Stephen, our leader David Leather announced over the intercom that the coach would be drawing up very briefly on the roadside approaching the town at an unauthorised place. To avoid the driver being prosecuted, would we please get all our gear ready for a commando style exit and disappear up the alleyway nearby. You have never seen such a prompt response – we popped out like rabbits. The excitement did not end there. No right of way to the Reserve exists from this end and permission had been obtained from the local farmer to go through his farmyard, unfortunately his dogs did not appreciate this and a chorus of barks and growls accompanied us as we hastened through. A very rough field had to be negotiated (no path) and a dodgy fence climbed before we entered woodland and then finally emerged on to the Reserve to take stock of our surroundings.

The Reserve is on part of an old disused railway line which eventually curves round and goes to Smardale. At the Reserve the line went through a deep cutting in the Carboniferous limestone which forms a broad band between Orton and Kirkby Stephen. Now all that remains are just two well-drained grass-covered banks, one far steeper than the other, with a damper area in between in the bottom. The flora they support is remarkable.

A member of the Cumbria Trust which cares for the Reserve was there to meet us and show us round. Orchids are a speciality of the site and they were in a concentration and variety that few of us had ever seen before. We were told there had been 94 flowering spikes of the Lesser Butterfly Orchid which flowers quite early. This had just finished but the ten other species were in full bloom. The first we saw were the Fragrant Orchids of which there were three different kinds. The normal one (which we get in Wharfedale) varied widely in colour, some being the typical mauvy-pink, whilst others were much deeper in colour and a few were pure white. Then there was the rarer Marsh Fragrant Orchid (previously called Dense-flowered) a much bigger and more robust plant, up to 18 inches tall, with in some cases a six inch long spike of flowers – cherry-coloured – making it a very striking species. Both these species were present in dozens. Finally there was one plant of an extremely rare sub-species ‘borealis’ (no English name) which has a lip which is scarcely lobed. Common Spotted-orchids were common and the Twayblades were huge.

In addition to the usual Frog Orchids there were a group which were obviously different – having very long bracts –these also are very rare and were protected by a cage. Marsh Helleborines formed large patches at various places and when we eventually went down to the damper area, there was a Fly Orchid and several Northern Marsh-orchids.

Orchids however were only the start of the colourful spectacle. On the steep north-facing slope there were the red (or pink) flowers of Betony, Great Burnet, Salad Burnet, Zig-zag Clover, Herb Robert and the beautifully marked buds of the rare Saw-wort, which had great variation in the shape and colour of its leaves. Yellow was provided by St John’s-wort, Kidney Vetch, Yellow –rattle, Mouse-ear Hawkweed, Creeping Cinquefoil, Meadow Vetchling, Rough Hawkbit, Autumn Hawkbit and in a damper hollow, Globeflower. Blue came from Common Milkwort, Tufted Vetch, Germander Speedwell and Devil’s-bit Scabious. White was mainly provided by the numerous Oxeye Daisies and Fairy Flax. The clumps of Black Bog-rush were enormous – over two feet across – and up from them came the very dark flower heads, over a foot tall, making a striking contrast with the colour around. The Hoary Plantains were also of giant size. There were areas of Blue Moor-grass. The other slope, south facing and not so high, seemed to have some quite different flowers – there were very large patches of yellow Lady’s Bedstraw, white Hedge-bedstraw and pink Wild Thyme. Towards the foot of the slope were Cowslips in seed and larger plants such as Foxglove and Meadowsweet together with one clump of its daintier relative, Dropwort. The bottom of the Reserve – the track-bed of the old railway line – was much damper with consequently an entirely different flora. Bird’s-eye Primrose and Common Butterwort had their last few flowers whilst Field Gentian was just coming into flower and Grass-of-Parnassus was in bud. There was also Round-leaved Sundew, Eyebright, Long-stalked Yellow-sedge and Jointed Rush.

Because of the extensive flora, it had been hoped to see many butterflies, but unfortunately the weather was ‘cloudy-bright’ rather than sunny and as a result only three species were seen all day – Ringlet, Common Blue and Meadow Brown. A Six Spot Burnet moth was found which had just emerged from its chrysalis, and also seen were Chimney Sweeper, Large Yellow Underwing and Hummingbird Hawk moth. A Grasshopper was hiding in the vegetation at the side of the track.

After lunch at the Reserve, we walked down the country lane to Waitby village and then continued on to rejoin the old railway line near Smardale Hall. Thereafter we were revisiting Smardale Reserve where we had last been on the 1996 Outing.

The views from the lane over rolling countryside were very pleasant. The hedges were largely Blackthorn with some Downy Roses and the verges were full of the normal common wayside flowers including Field Scabious, Goat’s-beard, Meadow Crane’s-bill and there was a long stretch of Sweet Cicely now in seed. Wood Crane’s-bill was over here, but was later seen in flower in the wood.

Entering Smardale Reserve along the railway line, the first section is a wooded gorge and here we refound Common Wintergreen which had been such an attraction last time. Unfortunately this year many of the plants were past their best. We saw Common Spotted-orchid, Valerian, Bitter Vetch, Marjoram and all three Scabious, Field, Small and Devil’s-bit. The Bloody Crane’s-bill made a beautiful sight, with patches stretching for many yards – most were the usual colour, but we did find a pure white, and also a very unusual flower with deep blue patches around the rim, but red in the middle. The variety ‘Lancastriense’ (pale pink flowers with dark maroon pencil lines) was still there. Nearing the end of the wooded section, just before the viaduct there was the highlight of the afternoon. Several members noticed chewed pine cones on the ground – usually the action of a Red Squirrel – and then they caught sight of the Squirrel itself high up in a tree. They had excellent views as it gradually came down to a lower branch before disappearing in undergrowth. After a break at the viaduct, there was the level walk along the line with fields on either side, distant views of the Howgills and many wild flowers. Particularly noticeable were large clumps of Melancholy Thistle, Common Restharrow and Hop Trefoil. There was also a little Heather and one Jacob’s-ladder. A few energetic members detoured into the quarry and found Carline Thistle, Greater Knapweed and Mountain Pansy.

Ken Limb reported that the ornithologists had seen 19 different species during the day, almost all of them in the afternoon. There was one raptor, Common Buzzard. The other birds were Curlew, Swift, Swallow, Grey Wagtail, Pied Wagtail, Wren, Robin, Redstart, Stonechat, Northern Wheatear, Blackbird, Song Thrush, Goldcrest, Spotted Flycatcher, Blue Tit, Rook, House Sparrow and Goldfinch. Interestingly although the bird lists for this year and for 1996 were roughly of the same length, only seven species were common to both.

The final treat of the day awaited us at Newbiggin-on-Lune, with tea and home-made cakes at the little café. Gratefully, members sank down. It had been a long day, but a very rewarding one to a beautiful area, difficult of access and only made possible for us by careful planning. Our appreciation was shown to David for all his work.

Joyce Hartley

Winter Outing to Martin Mere reserve, 18th November 2000

This year’s winter outing to the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust Reserve at Martin Mere near Ormskirk in Lancashire was particularly well attended, necessitating a small minibus in addition to our usual coach. It was a wet and misty morning as we began our journey, and the rain accompanied us for most of the way. Then, as we approached the reserve, the weather cleared and a watery sun appeared.

Martin Mere Reserve comprises a series of pens and pools for the Trust’s captive collection of wetland species from all over the world including some of our own residents and visitors. Beyond these is an extensive area of lake, pools and connecting waterways backed by low lying fields intersected by dikes. There are several well placed and roomy hides; one is actually heated! From these we were able to have splendid views of the overwintering waterfowl for which Martin Mere is famous.

There were over 5000 whooper swans on the reserve and a large proportion of these could be observed from the "Swan Lake" hide together with a few mutes. It was fascinating to watch the interactions within and between the various family groups as they greeted each other or postured to protect their own small area of water. The morning sunshine highlighted the brilliant colours of the various species of duck on the lake and ponds including pochard, teal , shelduck and a few handsome pintail.

Further along the track from the lake hides the Trust has set up a feeding station in a small bushy dell. Here we were able to watch various finches and tits visiting the feeders and goldcrests foraging among the alder twigs. From the hide overlooking the fields we could watch great flocks of geese flying in to graze or rest: there were large numbers of pink-footed geese and grey-lag and a sprinkling of barnacle geese. The only raptor on view was a rather distant peregrine falcon which spent a great deal of time sitting on a fence post.

By lunchtime the weather was changing and the afternoon saw a return of the mist and rain. However, we had once again planned our visit to coincide with the annual Northwest Bird Fair so there was plenty to do under cover. There was a full programme of lectures on offer, ranging from "The Secret Life of Garden Birds" to "Wildlife on the Galapagos", and lots of stalls selling books and tapes, outdoor clothing and paintings and photographs. There was also the usual display and demonstration of binoculars and telescopes. So, with all these delights and the Visitors’ Centre cafe, we were well occupied until it was time to return over the Pennines after a most enjoyable day out.

Thanks to Ken Limb who supplied the following bird list for the day:

Great Cormorant, Grey Heron, Mute Swan, Whooper Swan, Pink-footed Goose, Greylag Goose, Canada Goose, Barnacle Goose, Shelduck, Wigeon, Gadwall, Teal, Mallard, Northern Pintail, Shoveler, Common Pochard, Goldeneye, Peregrine Falcon, Pheasant, Moorhen, Coot, Lapwing, Black-headed Gull, Greater Black-backed Gull, Wood Pigeon, Pied Wagtail, Dunnock, Robin, Blackbird, Goldcrest, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Magpie, Tree Sparrow, Chaffinch, Greenfinch, Goldfinch.

Jenny Dixon

Geology excursions

Crummackdale and the Norber Erratics (18 May 2000) Not just one, but two classic sites in one, at this easily traversed miniature Yorkshire Dale. First we walked up to see the Norber erratic boulders, huge chunks of Austwick sandstone scattered about (of Silurian age), many of them perched on a base or plinth of Carboniferous Limestone. At Nappa Scars we stepped along the ancient eroded surface of the basement rocks where we could view the first pebbly (even bouldery) beds of the Carboniferous Limestone, representing an ancient shoreline. We saw where the Norber erratics had originated and crossed a syncline in the Austwick sandstones. At Moughton Whetstone Hole a spring emerges around which are pieces of rock striped red and green. They are of Ordovician age and show changes in the rock (liesegang rings) that came about probably before the Carboniferous Limestone was laid down.

Conistone Dib and Mossdale Scar (8 June 2000) The dry gorge of Conistone Dib evidently was once full of rushing water when the ground below was still deep frozen – the narrowest part is less than a metre across. Above the Dib we examined some of the best limestone pavements in the area. We passed a limekiln and dew pond before striding out along the Bycliffe Road to Mossdale Scar. Here a stream dramatically disappears beneath a limestone cliff. Some of the limestone appears glazed by the water and we found many examples of the large Gigantoproductus shells in cross section. There was so much water in the beck that it was difficult to cross. The track had been surfaced by rubble from an old leadmine and contained good examples of galena.

Dowber Gill, Kettlewell (20 July 2000) This is a pretty little valley whatever the season and makes for a pleasant stroll. We looked out for anything of geological interest along the way, soon passing from the Great Scar Limestone to the Yoredales, where there was a sandstone layer, a rarity in the Yoredales of Wharfedale. We examined leadmine tips and the entrance to Providence Pot. The shales round the corner appeared rather barren of fossils. On the way back we had a closer look at a small recent landslip and discovered several loose specimens of Gigantoproductus.

Scotgate Ash Quarry, Pateley Bridge (26 Oct 2000) The sandstone band at Scotgate Ash is near the middle of the Millstone Grit Group and is named the Libishaw Sandstone. Above it is the Brimham Grit which forms Brimham Rocks. The stone has been used in many famous buildings including the museum at South Kensington. We examined structures and evidence of biological activity in the sandstone. These included a swirling shape which represented a feeding burrow system called Zoophycus. There were also many worm tracks, some small ones were dotted across broad ripple marks. One of our members searched for a possible coal seam in the shales but without success. After returning down the incline most of us visited Coldstones Quarry at Greenhow to look down into what must be the biggest hole in Yorkshire, invisible unless you are right on its rim.

Impression of Scotgate Ash quarry at work, late nineteenth century

The September meeting to Helwith Bridge and upper Ribblesdale was postponed until further notice.

David Leather

Microscope group

Over the last year the group has covered many aspects of flora and fauna and held a number of practical workshop sessions.

We looked at geology, freshwater pond life and had a second session on lichens with Albert Henderson’s help in recognising thallus, folliose or crustose forms and their fruiting bodies.

An evening on ferns with the Curator of the British Pteridological Society – one of John Hobson’s many contacts – included a demonstration on how to make a microscope slide of the fern spores, used to identify hybrids. Then it was our turn to try with the specimens and equipment provided and to realise that it’s not quite as easy as the expert makes it look.

Spores of a different kind, fungal, were provided by Ann Bickley and Joan Powell who instructed us on making spore prints and cutting gill sections as an aid to fungi identification, again with specimens and help on hand.

Thank you to all those who have introduced topics and brought along specimens and given so generously of their time.

Heather Burrow

Obituaries

During the year 2000 we were sorry to hear of the deaths of eight of our members.

Mr R A Craven

Bob Craven, who died 4 August 2000, joined the Society in 1970 together with his wife Dorothy. They attended evening lectures and summer evening walks over many years, but Bob’s main interest was geology. He attended a WEA geology course at Ilkley College and later gained an ‘O’-level in the subject. Bob trained as an engineer and later went into teaching, as a tutor at Shipley College. He was a member of Pudsey Rambling Club as well as the Evergreens, joining in their many activities. He enjoyed walking the Dales, geology outings, and was always keen to share his interest with his friends.

Mr R W Draper

Bob Draper who died in July was one of those members who worked quietly behind the scenes. When his wife Freda was lecturing with her excellent colour slides, it was Bob who worked the projector; they were so well attuned that the presentation would go without a hitch. Working together in the Ilkley Moor Survey in the 1960s they studied ecological features which Bob photographed and these monochrome prints form a valuable historical record in the Society’s report. Other WNS projects were shared by Freda and Bob, such as Ben Rhydding gravel pits and the Sun Lane tip at Burley. Bob constructed some ponds in their garden which attracted pondlife colonisers of interesting species. Bob’s records, especially of birds, were diligently passed to the recorders and will remain a lasting contribution by a respected member. Although latterly Bob found it difficult to attend meetings, he valiantly came as a guest to the Annual Dinner of the year 2000 and members were pleased to greet him.

Mr John Kennedy

John Kennedy returned to his profession after war service and eventually came to Ilkley where he was a highly respected solicitor. When he joined the Society in 1954 someone asked him what was his main interest in natural history. With his quiet sense of humour he replied that he was interested in the secretary! – then Margaret Bartle. They were married in 1955.

John’s chief hobby was photography. He took excellent landscapes (prints and slides) of the countryside where he enjoyed long walks and cycling. He did later combine photography with natural history, taking close-ups of flowers and fungi. Margaret and john with their two boys spent happy holidays caravanning and walking in the Dales, Lake District, Scotland and Ireland. This favourite kind of holiday continued throughout their married life. John attended the WNS lectures as long as he was able, maintaining his interest and supporting the Society.

Miss N Rosemary Payne

Rosemary Payne died on 18 May 2000 in Threshfield Court. A member of WNS since 1954, her interests in botany, archaeology and geology led her to play a full part in the Society. From 1960-70 she was Geology Recorder chiefly for Upper Wharfedale. She was an exceptionally observant naturalist, enjoyed field meetings and helped Joyce Hartley with the recording squares in Wharfedale, as well as contributing to her own meticulous records. Rosemary joined in YNU field meetings and weekend Fungus Forays.

As a worker, warden and Committee member, Grass Wood YWT Reserve was a high priority for her to the end of her life. (She read and commented on the National Vegetation Classification survey of the wood in her last weeks.) She grew hundreds of trees from Grass Wood stock, which have been planted there as the conifers are felled. These trees are now a living memorial to her practical conservation interests. A good listener with a quiet, dry sense of humour, Rosemary made many long-standing friends. It was a privilege to be among them.

Miss Nellie Saunders

Miss Saunders was a Founder Member, one of those enthusiasts who started the Society. As an early Committee member she was always ready to help and make suggestions for activities. She enjoyed the Society’s lectures, outings and friendship. It is some years since Nellie left Ilkley and could no longer attend meetings but her contribution in the early days was recognised by making her a Life Member.

We are also sad to record the deaths of Dr J Southern (joined in 1994), Mrs Maxted (joined 1996) and Miss R M Prior (joined 1998) . We extend our sympathies to their families and particularly to Mrs Southern who is still a member.

Records for 2000

The weather in 2000

General Most people may remember 2000 as a very wet year which was rather cooler than usual. As for rainfall that memory is undoubtedly correct. The UK as a whole suffered the wettest year for over a century (probably much longer) and Ilkley was no exception. Its total rainfall of 1292mm (50.88 inches) was 42% above the long term average and far exceeded the previous wettest year of 1980 when there was 1112mm (43.78 in). As for temperature, memories may be clouded because the last three months of the year were all very cool but for the year as a whole the temperature exceeded the long term average by 0.5%. This was much in line with the figure for the UK as a whole. The year was probably one of the twenty warmest since records began 350 years ago.

Month by month in brief:

Temperature Eight months of the year were warmer than average; those which were cooler were July, October, November and December but no records were broken either for heat or for cold. Probably the best spell of the year was in the first half of May which was consistently dry and produced no less than nine days with temperatures of 20°C or more. The warmest days were the 14th and 15th when the thermometer went up to 25°C. Of the other days which produced temperatures of 20°C or more, ten were in June, only nine in July and nineteen in August. Surprisingly there was only one such day in September; the high average temperature for that month can be attributed to a series of very warm nights. The hottest spell was in mid-June with temperatures on two days reaching 31°C.

The coldest nights were at the end of December when the thermometer fell to –7°C on three occasions and when there were four days in which the temperatures was below zero all day. The last spring frost was on April 7th. The first frost of the Autumn in my garden was not until the extraordinarily late date of December 14th but the thermometer just managed to fall to zero on October 22nd so it is possible that others in the area might have experience frost on that night.

Rainfall The year broke all records. Not only was the year as a whole the wettest for at least 75 years (and probably much longer) but October and November also broke long term records. From September 9th to December 13th there were only three days on which there was no measurable rain but it was the quantity of rain as well as its persistence which was so remarkable. The wettest spell of the year was one of nine days at the end of October and the beginning of November on which almost 8 inches of rain fell. Included in that period are the following extraordinary records – 1.54 inches on October 29th, 1.47 inches on October 30th, 1.22 inches on November 1st, 1.17 inches on November 2nd and 1.42 inches on November 5th. There was however one day which beat all of them and that was on June 3rd when 1.71 inches of rain fell. It was this day alone which produced a very much above average fall for the month as a whole, a somewhat curious result because in the UK as a whole, June was a dry month.

The driest spell was one of eighteen days beginning on 28th April. The only snow of significance was on 15th February and over the Christmas period.

Note I am grateful to Jenny Dixon for providing me with her weather records for periods when I was away; also to Heather Burrow for letting me have her records for Addingham. The total rainfall for the year at Addingham, 49.42 inches, was slightly less than in Ilkley and the month by month picture followed the Ilkley pattern very closely.

John Ward

Botany

It has been a most unusual year. At the beginning, the relatively mild winter resulted in a wide range of early flowering reports: Snowdrop (ADL) and Primrose (UWFS) on 7th February followed by Celandine (OM) and Marsh-marigold (CJD) later in the month, and in March Butterbur, Coltsfoot, Ground-ivy and Wild Daffodil (N&AB). At the end of the year December was also very mild with Common Centaury, Bitter-vetch and Nipplewort still in flower (FCD).In between, the summer was dull and at times very wet.

In the following report the scientific name is added the first time a species occurs.

Special Records

Wood Club-rush (Scirpus sylvaticus) - 1st record. Thrispen Beck woodland (PPA).

Knotted Crane’s-bill (Geranium nodosum) - An alien. 1st record. Burley Old Tip Field (FCD).

Orpine (Sedum telephium) - 2nd modern record. Mossdale Scar (MHA).

Broad-leaved Ragwort - previously Saracen’s Woundwort (Senecio fluviatilis) - 3rd record. Parceval Hall grounds (AT).

Alpine Cinquefoil (Potentilla crantzii) - 3rd record. Dowber Gill (PPA).

Fool’s Parsley (Aethusa cynapium) - 4th record. Burley-in-Wharfedale (FCD).

5th record - new site in Otley centre (SH).

Adder’s-tongue (Ophioglossum vulgatum) - exceptionally large specimen 8 inches tall with flower over two inches. Menwith Hill (JH).

Marsh Arrowgrass (Triglochin palustris) - hundreds were found on the side of the Blubberhouses - Duck Street road near Humberstone Bank. This plant is not frequent in our area and normally occurs only in small numbers (JH).

Butterbur (Petasites hybridus) - a group of female plants on the small island on the Wharfe behind Burnsall Church. This is our most northerly record for female plants, which are uncommon (J&SW).

Flourishing plants this year

Goldilocks Buttercup (Ranunculus auricomus) - was reported from widely spaced sites all through the area. It was flowering profusely at Castley (Botany Outing) and down the Wharfe from Grassington to Burnsall. (J&SW, MHA). It was also seen at Threshfield (Botany Outing), Hudson Wood (MHA), Menston Old Lane, Burley (Sarah Ward) and Clarence Drive, Menston (Sarah Ward).

Herb Paris (Paris quadrifolia) - over a hundred seen in woodland on the east bank of the Wharfe at Bolton Abbey (Society evening outing).

Yellow Star-of-Bethlehem (Gagea lutea) - excellent displays at the main sites in Ilkley and Addingham (HMB) and a new site in Ilkley (MHA). At the site in Bolton Abbey Woods flowering was seen and there were many seedlings (AMG).

Botany Section outings

We had mixed weather for the outings this year - two beautiful days, two which were reasonable and one very wet.

Castley area – 4th May

The outing was to explore further this eastern section included in WNS recording area last year.

The vegetation was much more advanced than up-river. As we passed through the village, the grass on the verges was already so high it covered the Celandines (Ranunculus ficaria) and male Butterburs which were already dying back. The usual spring flowers were in abundance – Dame’s-violet (Hesperis matronalis), White Dead-nettle (Lamium album), Red Dead-nettle (Lamium purpureum), Cow Parsley (Anthriscus sylvestris), Garlic Mustard (Alliaria petiolata), Sticky Mouse-ear (Cerastium Glomeratum), Garlic (Allium ursinum), Crosswort (Cruciata laevipes), and in wet places Cuckooflower (Cardamine pratensis). The hedges were white with flowering Blackthorn (Prunus spinosa) and there were considerable colonies of Leopard’s-bane (Doronicum pardalianches). Following the lane uphill away from the river, steep banks had large areas of Greater Stitchwort (Stellaria holostea) and Bulbous Buttercup (Ranunculus bulbosus), and also far more Goldilocks Buttercup than we normally find (see special records).

Along the top road to Weeton were several clumps of Winter-cress (Barbarea vulgaris) and in a plantation at the side of the railway embankment many Bluebells (Hyacinthoides non-scripta). Returning through the fields alongside the railway there was little of interest until we came to a small stream at the bottom, whose banks were covered with Common Dog-violet (Viola riviniana) and Field Wood-rush (Luzula campestris). In a damp hollow nearby, amongst many rushes, were Slender Tufted-sedge (Carex acuta) and Square-stalked St. John’s-wort (Hypericum tetrapterum). After going through the underpass, the embankment sides which in the past have had hundreds of Cowslips (Primula veris), this year unfortunately had less than two dozen clumps. (It appears that considerable railway maintenance work has taken place, disturbing the ground, and this has encouraged the spread Brambles to the detriment of everything else.)

In the afternoon the verges and riverbank westwards towards Pool were explored. Many Allium were found on the verges, Field Garlic (Allium oleraceum), Sand Leek (Allium scorodoprasum) and Few-flowered Leek (