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Nature Notes by Anne Clarke Full article available HERE Many artists take inspiration from the natural world creating wonderful images which help us to see our world with fresh eyes. Works of art in...
Recent nature notes
Nature Notes by Anne Clarke Full article available HERE Many artists take inspiration from the natural world creating wonderful images which help us to see our world with fresh eyes. Works of art in...
Nature Notes by Ian Brand Full article available HERE I have just been looking back at my previous December Nature Notes, and I am surprised I have never chosen Norway Spruce (Picea abies), our...
Nature Notes by Ian Brand Full article available HERE Since I last penned October’s Nature Notes the view from our study window has changed dramatically. The autumn spectacle of orange, yellow and red colours...
Nature Notes by Ian Brand Full article available HERE On Sunday 30th October we will be turning back the clocks. Giving us an extra hour to snuggle beneath the duvet, but also darker evenings,...
Nature Notes by Ian Brand Full article available HERE August should be one of my favourite months, it is after all my birthday. However, I find myself in a reflective mood. Perhaps I am...
Nature Notes by Aidan Smith The glens of Scotland were once home to bustling communities that lived off the land and led what we would perceive today as a simpler way of life. On...
Nature Notes by Aidan Smith May is a strange month for moths. Butterflies are seen on the wing frequently, but while daytime temperatures are warm, and my shorts make an appearance after their winter...
Nature Notes by Denis O’Connor For me the defining moments of spring are the emergence of the first butterflies, the arrival of migrant birds and the appearance of frogs in our ponds. The first...
Nature Notes by Aidan Smith Over the years I have acquired lots of knowledge about birds and insects, but when it comes to identifying flora my abilities to recognise even some of the commonest...
Nature Notes by Denis O’Connor As winter storms battered the country in the third week of February, signs of spring emerged from the bramble patch growing up against our house wall. Three of the...
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The secret to spotting otters is to go birdwatching and wait for a kingfisher to appear. That’s what Frank Munkes a regular visitor to the reserve did on Monday morning with stunning results. I believe we have here a male kingfisher eating a stickleback and a dog otter that includes the this section of the … Continue reading August 8th Kingfisher and Otter! → [...]
A stunning female Golden-ringed dragonfly photographed by John Gavaghan last week. Will be checking back on our records to see how many sightings we have had in the past. From a distance its similar to a Southern Hawker so wondering if we have misidentified them I the past. [...]
Great to host 1st Ben Rhydding Beaver Scouts last night on their 1st visit. The sun shone and all seemed to have a fun time on our nature trail and a bit of pond dipping. Look forward to welcoming you back in the Autumn [...]
When visiting the reserve why not take a few minutes checking out the butterfly info. You can see photos of our main species and a handy table to see which butterflies you have a chance of seeing that week. Warm, still, sunny times are best. When the sun comes out after rain shower can be … Continue reading Butterflies → [...]
Wonderful to see that the orchids are back in abundance this year after the massive decline a few years ago. Many are quite small which may be down the dry spring.. Estimate around 200 flowering stems. Most are southern marsh orchid with a few common spotted orchids and hybrids of the two. The large fenced … Continue reading Orchids → [...]
We discovered this American signal crayfish whilst working on restoring the beck. These were introduced into the wharfe over 20yrs ago and have spread everywhere. Unfortunately they brought a virus with them that our native crayfish are very vulnerable to and are now locally extinct. I believe this is a large male. It is … Continue reading American Signal Crayfish → [...]