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Thursday, 30 March 2017
Sunday, 12 March 2017
Scarlet Elf Cup
We have a large number of these fungi in our woodland at Todmorden and they are spreading to different areas and increasing in number each year. Centre Vale park had its first record this year.
I have never seen one as large as this but if I had been born further into Yorkshire I would have used smaller coinage.
Scarlet Elf Cup fungi
I have never seen one as large as this but if I had been born further into Yorkshire I would have used smaller coinage.
Message from Hugh Firman, Conservation Officer
The Countryside and Woodlands team will be launching
their e-newsletter later this month. If you would like to be on the
circulation list, please e-mail
countryside@calderdale.gov.uk
Toad Patrol Round-up
We have had 3 nights of definite toad movement on the roads, 10th,11th & 12th March.
On the 9th I had 4 new volunteers, but only 2 could turn up on 10th, and I was on my own on 11th.
We could do with some people who could patrol several nights, maybe alternating at sites to give people a night off.
WASHER LANE This once massive colony has now disappeared due to firstly to the Copley Data Centre being built, then dams being drained and built over. No toads sighted this year so far.
BOULDERCLOUGH DAM 10th - 64 toads (a few couples in amplex) 6 dead toads and one Palmate newt, several frogs. 11th - 30 toads including 7 pairs in amplexus. Several frogs and a fabulous frog chorus in the rain from the bottom little pond.
COPLEY NEW ROAD 10th - first sighting of toads on this new road, though I had predicted to Hugh Firman the Conservation Officer that there would be a crossing. There was always a lot on the track that used to be there.
10th - 9 toads moved from the Copley new road, 23 squashed. Four males in the nearby pond. Snag with this crossing is that toads are going both ways. On 11th I moved 6 couples in amplexus, 8 singles and 4 dead. There was one big fat Palmate newt. This new road is very dangerous with a risk of speeders; one guy has already written his car off, and the lamp post he hit. Hi-viz gear is most advisable, and preferably at least two patrollers so as a team they can alert each other and oncoming cars to people in the road.
On 12th there were 2 patrollers at each of the two sites mentioned above. Not got the count for Boulderclough Dam yet but at COPLEY NEW ROAD we had 24 toads including 2 pairs in amplexus, and 12 dead, Six Palmate Newts were picked up from the road. THE TRAGEDIES of this road are that when amphibians go onto it, they can never get off; the kerbs are too high and smooth for them to climb. So they go wandering along looking for a way up till the fall down the gullies. Each of about five of these I looked at had several toads and newts in the filthy water. I don't know if they are trapped, or can find their way out through the drainage system. If they did so, they would be well off course for their breeding pond.
Timings - movement starts at dusk, currently about 6.30. You can stay as long or as little as you like. I did 1 hour 15 mins in the rain on Saturday at Boulderclough, and after an hour off to do my weekly shop, just 15 mins at Copley New Rd.
On the 9th I had 4 new volunteers, but only 2 could turn up on 10th, and I was on my own on 11th.
WASHER LANE This once massive colony has now disappeared due to firstly to the Copley Data Centre being built, then dams being drained and built over. No toads sighted this year so far.
BOULDERCLOUGH DAM 10th - 64 toads (a few couples in amplex) 6 dead toads and one Palmate newt, several frogs. 11th - 30 toads including 7 pairs in amplexus. Several frogs and a fabulous frog chorus in the rain from the bottom little pond.
COPLEY NEW ROAD 10th - first sighting of toads on this new road, though I had predicted to Hugh Firman the Conservation Officer that there would be a crossing. There was always a lot on the track that used to be there.
10th - 9 toads moved from the Copley new road, 23 squashed. Four males in the nearby pond. Snag with this crossing is that toads are going both ways. On 11th I moved 6 couples in amplexus, 8 singles and 4 dead. There was one big fat Palmate newt. This new road is very dangerous with a risk of speeders; one guy has already written his car off, and the lamp post he hit. Hi-viz gear is most advisable, and preferably at least two patrollers so as a team they can alert each other and oncoming cars to people in the road.
On 12th there were 2 patrollers at each of the two sites mentioned above. Not got the count for Boulderclough Dam yet but at COPLEY NEW ROAD we had 24 toads including 2 pairs in amplexus, and 12 dead, Six Palmate Newts were picked up from the road. THE TRAGEDIES of this road are that when amphibians go onto it, they can never get off; the kerbs are too high and smooth for them to climb. So they go wandering along looking for a way up till the fall down the gullies. Each of about five of these I looked at had several toads and newts in the filthy water. I don't know if they are trapped, or can find their way out through the drainage system. If they did so, they would be well off course for their breeding pond.
_____________
Timings - movement starts at dusk, currently about 6.30. You can stay as long or as little as you like. I did 1 hour 15 mins in the rain on Saturday at Boulderclough, and after an hour off to do my weekly shop, just 15 mins at Copley New Rd.
____________
An observation on scavengers of the dead toads: I have wondered who or what clears up the dead toads we see during an evening. (They have mostly gone when we return on the next day.) I was passing the Copley New Road toad crossing this morning (12th) and saw a crow picking one up. There may be others that take advantage.
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A heart-warming story from Gordon at Lumbutts via Annie:
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A heart-warming story from Gordon at Lumbutts via Annie:
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Saturday, 11 March 2017
Toad migration full on 6.30pm - till as long as you want.
While temperature holds up to about 10C after dark.
Those who would like to help at toad patrols can contact me by mobile/text.
Roads are much busier than they used to be and hi-viz or light coloured clothing is essential. Also a torch, bucket and gloves.
Due to increased risk from speeding traffic, I would not recommend it for families with young children, sadly.
07715005379
Those who would like to help at toad patrols can contact me by mobile/text.
Roads are much busier than they used to be and hi-viz or light coloured clothing is essential. Also a torch, bucket and gloves.
Due to increased risk from speeding traffic, I would not recommend it for families with young children, sadly.
07715005379
Friday, 10 March 2017
Local Geology Sites tour postponed
Unfortunately this outing will not take place tomorrow as the leader needs an emergency knee operation.
We will try to re-arrange it soon, and the details will be posted here.
We will try to re-arrange it soon, and the details will be posted here.
Thursday, 9 March 2017
Tree diseases compounded
Tree Health event today 9th March, hosted by the Forestry Commission, to provide information on the risks that trees in London may soon be, or already are, subjected to.
Asian Longhorn Beetle (outbreak has already occurred in Kent in 2012)
3,800,000 trees could get affected with replacement cost of a staggering £23,000,000,000
Ash Dieback (already everywhere throughout the country) In London alone could kill a possible 374,195 ash trees. It is projected that it would cost £447,345,251 to replace the dead ash in London.
Plane Wilt, which currently plagues parts of continental Europe, its emergence and impact would lead to 121,000 plane trees being felled / dying and an attributed replacement cost of £351,623,660.
Don't forget, these are estimates for London alone. It doesn't take much imagination to see the effect it would have throughout the country.
With Ash Dieback I think we will see much more evidence of this in Calderdale this year, following many early signs in the valley last couple of years.
Asian Longhorn Beetle (outbreak has already occurred in Kent in 2012)
3,800,000 trees could get affected with replacement cost of a staggering £23,000,000,000
Ash Dieback (already everywhere throughout the country) In London alone could kill a possible 374,195 ash trees. It is projected that it would cost £447,345,251 to replace the dead ash in London.
Plane Wilt, which currently plagues parts of continental Europe, its emergence and impact would lead to 121,000 plane trees being felled / dying and an attributed replacement cost of £351,623,660.
Don't forget, these are estimates for London alone. It doesn't take much imagination to see the effect it would have throughout the country.
With Ash Dieback I think we will see much more evidence of this in Calderdale this year, following many early signs in the valley last couple of years.
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