This Blog covers nature sightings and related news in the Calderdale area.
It includes all groups - Plants, animals and fungi with links to specialist sites.
Anyone wishing to become a member of this Blog and post sightings please contact us.
If you would like to join the Halifax Scientific Society either email me or come along to the next meeting.
All welcome:
calderdalewildlifeblog@gmail.com
Please contact us about any sensitive records before posting on the blog

Walks and Surveys

Walks have now resumed with Social Distancing in place.

Walks are led by experienced naturalists.
The walks are open to all but participants join at their own risk.
Walks may have a specific theme but there is time for all natural history subjects.
The walks vary in length and difficulty.
Wear strong footwear. 
Please bring a packed lunch and a drink.
Donations are welcomed to offset expenses.

January 2020

 

Wednesday 1st January - 10:30 to Dusk
New Year’s Day Bird Count
A walk through North Dean Woods and around Norland Moor
Meet Steve Blacksmith at Clay House, West Vale. HX4 8AN
7 miles

Saturday 11th Jan10:30 to 14:30
Ten Common Woodland Mosses
  Get to know some of the locally common moss species
 Meet Peachysteve at Stansfield Mill Lane by Triangle Cricket Club.  HX6 3JX
3.5 miles

February

 

Saturday 22nd Feb10:30 to 13.30
Tree ID from Winter Twigs/Buds
Using John Poland's "Key to Winter Twigs"
We'll learn the key winter features of a number of tree and shrub species
Meet  Peachysteve at Mirey Wall Farm, Shield Hall Lane, HX6 1NJ
2 miles

March

 

Saturday 21st March10:30 to 15:30
Native Wild Daffodils and Little Owls
Meg Scar Wood is the main site for Native Daffodils in Calderdale
and with any luck we'll see Little Owls in the fields above too
 Meet Steve Blacksmith and Peachysteve at Mill Fold Way, HX6 4HS
4 miles

April

 

Saturday 18th April - 10:30 to 13:30
Amphibian and Freshwater Biology Search
Family morning out investigating the ponds and pools at Cromwell Bottom
Meet Steve Blacksmith at Cromwell Bottom cabin. HD6 2RG
3 miles

May

 

Saturday 2nd May10:30 to 13:30
The Magnificent Native Bluebells of Park Wood
If we catch it right we'll see one of Calderdale's hidden treasures
A carpet of Bluebells as far as the eye can see
 Meet Steve Blacksmith at Plains Lane, Elland, HX5 9HR
3.5 miles.

Saturday 16th May - 10:30 to 15:30
Bird Life of Warley Moor
A walk to see which Summer migrants have returned to the moors
Meet Sarah Flood outside Wainstalls School. HX2 7TF
4 miles

Saturday 30th May - 10:30 to 15:30
Cragg Coiners Country
A ramble through the landscape of Mytholmroyd, Erringden Moor and Cragg Vale
Meet Sarah Flood at Mytholmroyd Community Centre HX7 5AF
5 miles

June

 

Saturday 6th June10:30 to 15:30
Botanically Rich Meadows of the Luddenden Valley
Luddenden Dean contains some of the finest unimproved meadows in Calderdale
Join us to see a range of meadow flowers, grasses, sedges and the rare Adders Tongue Fern
Meet Peachysteve at Jerusalem Farm, Booth. HX2 6XJ
4 miles

Sunday 14th June - 10:30 to 15:30
Shibden Ramble
Take in the beauty of Shibden Valley and learn something of its history
Meet Julian Birkhead at the Junction of Swales Moor Road and Lee Lane
By the Ski Slope, HX3 6UH
4.5 miles.

July

 

Sunday 5th July10:30 to 13:30
Big Butterfly Count
And search for the Essex Skipper, our newest species, seen in 2018
Family Friendly
Meet Andy Cockcroft at Cromwell Bottom cabin HD6 2RG
3 miles

Saturday 11th July10:30 to 15:30
Sundews On Walsden Moor
Sundew is a carnivorous bog plant
We'll look for that and other plants on the moor
We'll also enjoys the views and head back via Bottomley and the Rochdale Canal
A joint walk with the Upper Calder Wildlife Network (UCWN) 
Meet Steve Blacksmith at Todmorden Unitary Church. OL14 6LE
5 miles

August

 

Saturday 8th August10:30 to 15:30
A Ryburn Tributary Walk
A walk in a watercourse, wet feet are likely
This is a great way to cover new ground and see little known features in the landscape
 Meet Peachysteve on Halifax Road, Kebroyd.  HX6 3HN
3 miles

Sunday 23rd August10:30 to 15:30
Botany and Wildlife Survey of Shibden Valley
We'll walk around the valley and survey the wildlife within one grid square
It will be slow going as we record every thing we see
This is a great opportunity to learn and get involved in Citizen Science
Meet Julian Birkhead and Peachysteve at the Junction of Swales Moor Road and Lee Lane
By the Ski Slope, HX3 6UH
3 miles

September


Sunday 20th September - 10:30 to 15:30
Autumn Crocus and the Knights of St. John
 See the Pyrenean Autumn Crocus and learn of its connection to the Knights Hospitaller
See evidence of the historic presence of the Knights around Bradshaw
 Meet Julian Birkhead at Bradshaw Church car park.  HX2 9UX
4 miles

October


Saturday 3rd October10:30 to 14:30
Cotton, Poverty and Eccles Parlour with a Starfish thrown in
Meet Mick Harrop at Cottonstones Church. HX6 3EU
4 miles

Saturday 10th October - 10.00-12.00 and 13.00 -15.00
Family Friendly Fungi Foray
The early session will be with the Ogden Water Wildlife Group
We'll collect samples to take back to the cabin for further study
After lunch we'll look at another area
 Ogden Water has a good range of woodland fungi due to the variety of tree species
 Meet Peachysteve, Sarah Flood and Robin Dalton at Ogden Water cabin. HX2 8XZ
2 miles (twice)

Saturday 31st October - 10:30 to 15:30
Autumn Colours of Todmorden
A joint walk with the Upper Calder Wildlife Network (UCWN)
Meet Annie Honjo at Stansfield Road, TodmordenOL14 5DL
5 miles

During October and November
Grassland Fungi Surveys
Calderdale is an important area for grassland fungi
These habitats are vulnerable and declining
We'll be identifying potential sites and arranging surveys during the waxcap season
Dates to be posted when known.
  

November  


Saturday 14th November10:30 to 15:30
Jumble Hole Clough - Fungi Foray
Looking for fungi in the wooded Clough and the pastures above
Meet Peachysteve on Jumble Hole Road. HX7 6PP
4 miles

December

 

Saturday 5th December - 10:00 to 15:00
Winter Tree ID
The Crags have a good range of deciduous and coniferous trees
Meet Peachysteve and Steve Blacksmith at Midgehole car park,
Hardcastle Crags.  HX7 7AL
5 miles
Early Start to maximise daylight

Saturday 19th December - 10:00 to 15:00
A Winter Walk around the Hubberton Green Countryside
Meet Peachysteve at Mirey Wall Farm, Shield Hall Lane  HX6 1NJ
5 miles.
Early Start to maximise daylight



Meeting places and arrangements for walks are given above
If you would like more info you can contact Steve Blacksmith
0771 500 5379
or email steve.blacksmith@gmail.com

You can contact Peachysteve by email
peachysteve@gmail.com

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