Whilst traipsing around on Erringden moor this morning Philip's earlier post on grasses came to mind when I came across several clumps of this grass in flower. I suspect it will be well known to the botanists out there?
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
Monday 31 March 2014
Saturday 29 March 2014
Chiff-chaff
My first Chiff-chaff of the year turned up in Sunnybank wood Todmorden this afternoon.
Also first Meadow Foxtail grass (Alopecurus praetensis) in flower. This grass is always the first one to flower in Todmorden and invariably occurs the last week in March, closely followed by Sweet Vernal (Anthoxanthum odoratum) after a week or two. Anyone wishing to know grasses should start at this time of year when you are guaranteed to get the identity correct of two of them!
Also first Meadow Foxtail grass (Alopecurus praetensis) in flower. This grass is always the first one to flower in Todmorden and invariably occurs the last week in March, closely followed by Sweet Vernal (Anthoxanthum odoratum) after a week or two. Anyone wishing to know grasses should start at this time of year when you are guaranteed to get the identity correct of two of them!
Friday 28 March 2014
This Saturday and Sunday
Mar 29th River Watch Day. A chance to see Otter and Kingfisher whilst counting wildlife throughout the day. Meet up after to collate lists in a warm hostelry. Plan your picnic in advance. Meet in the Anglers car park at 10:30 am
**
And on March 30th (Sunday) Amphibian watch day. Meet at Cromwell Bottom N.R. at 10:30 to look at all the ponds.
**
And on March 30th (Sunday) Amphibian watch day. Meet at Cromwell Bottom N.R. at 10:30 to look at all the ponds.
Thursday 27 March 2014
Bumblebee ID training session in Centre Vale Park Todmorden
Records of bumblebees are desperately needed for Calderdale and the
surrounding areas in order to determine the impacts of climate change and
disease on these attractive and highly beneficial insects. Bumblebees provide
vital pollination services to growers, gardeners and wildplants as well as
being a sure sign that spring is on its way. Please come along and learn how to
identify the species that are known to live in Calderdale, who knows, once you
are trained up, you may discover a species new to the area! The training
will be provided by an expert from the Bumblebee Conservation Trust. Places are
limited, so booking is essential.
The session will be held on the 7th May
at 9.45 for 10am start, lunch will be at 12.30 where you will need to provide your own lunch. After Lunch there’ll be a walk around the park to
put your new skills to the test.
This will be the end of the training session but if
any ones interested they can join the 2pm Bee walk to Stanally stones, part of
the Action for Bees in Calderdale project.
Please contact countryside@calderdale.gov.uk
to book the bee ID training session
Tuesday 25 March 2014
Toads on the Move
As most of you will know, toads start to move to their
historic breeding ponds at this time of year, especially on warm and wet
evenings. There are places where they
have to cross or travel along roads and groups of people gather to pick up the
toads into a bucket and transport them to a safe location.
The first reports are in:
First sightings of toads were at Shurcrack/ Shepherds Rest
then Gordon and Eileen had some at Lumbutts but after that there was a lull due
to the colder weather. Come the 7th of March it picked up again starting with a
toad found in Cheryl's courtyard at Woodhouse staring back at her from a hole!
Carolyn saw some activity too nearby and Portia found some dead on the road at
Pexwood but then a few days later found seven male Toads, six newts and frogs
all un-squashed. Finally Christine at Rodmer Clough, Colden rescued several in
the morning and Steve found his first toad of the year, at Thornhill Lane.
If you are interested in getting involved and helping a toad
across the road the sites and their coordinates are as follows –
Todmorden – Portia - 01706-816698
- Heather
Bank Road
- Tennis
Pond (Stansfield Hall Road)
- Dobroyd Road / Pexwood Road
- Golf
Course Pond
-
Bottomley Road
-
Shurcrack Farm / Lumbutts Road
-
Lumbutts
-
Woodhouse Road
-
Portsmouth Dam, Cornholme
Hebden Bridge – Betony – betony.atkinson@hotmail.co.uk
-
Horsehold / Hebble End
- Hebden
Hey / Lee Wood Road
-
Stubbings
East Calderdale – Steve Blacksmith -
steve.blacksmith@googlemail.com
- Washer
Lane, Sowerby Bridge
- Copley
-
Thornhills Beck Lane, Brighouse
Sunday 23 March 2014
A Bird Day
Two Golden Plover flying together over Flints Moor crossed Turvin Clough in the direction of Whiteholme Res area.
Also 1 Skylark
1 Meadow Pipit
1 Snipe
2 Red Grouse.
Earlier in the day a Little Owl on the usual wall below Ringstone Res for 6th year in a row in spring, and a pair of Nuthatches and a single Treecreeper in the valley bottom between Ripponden and Rishworth.
Also 1 Skylark
1 Meadow Pipit
1 Snipe
2 Red Grouse.
Earlier in the day a Little Owl on the usual wall below Ringstone Res for 6th year in a row in spring, and a pair of Nuthatches and a single Treecreeper in the valley bottom between Ripponden and Rishworth.
Monday 17 March 2014
Tawny Owls in long term decline
Field voles populations are stable. They used to fluctuate wildly and glut years let the tawny owls breed. Owls will slowly die out over the next decades. This vole stability is the same all over Europe and is linked to environmental change. Read the article here http://planetearth.nerc.ac.uk/news/story.aspx?id=1638&cookieConsent=A
Sunday 16 March 2014
Fungi on dead cherry
My old cherry tree has now another fungi
I cannot see this in Philips, any idea?
This one of the many and varied slime moulds (Myxomycete)
Thanks for the information Alison
I cannot see this in Philips, any idea?
This one of the many and varied slime moulds (Myxomycete)
Thanks for the information Alison
Monday 10 March 2014
Grayling (the fish)
I've been interested in grayling from my angling days when I was a lad and was wondering if there is anywhere in Calderdale where they can be seen/photographed? I'd be especially interested in a location where they are actually caught by anglers for a 'out of water' close up photo.
Somewhere down the line I have heard of places in the Calder where they are to be found (Mytholmroyd area I think and somewhere else, but can't remember), but am wondering, as they are very sensitive to pollution, if they are still present.
I used to watch them from the old bridge in Bakewell (Peak District), but have not seen them there for a few years now.
Many thanks, Chris.
Somewhere down the line I have heard of places in the Calder where they are to be found (Mytholmroyd area I think and somewhere else, but can't remember), but am wondering, as they are very sensitive to pollution, if they are still present.
I used to watch them from the old bridge in Bakewell (Peak District), but have not seen them there for a few years now.
Many thanks, Chris.
Wednesday 5 March 2014
Invasive Plants - presentation and survey
Hugh Firman, Conservation Officer with the Countryside Service sends this invitation to Naturalists in the Calderdale area:
On Wednesday 19th March at 7pm Jon Dunster from Yorkshire Wildlife Trust will be giving
a presentation on invasive plant species. Jon has an in-depth knowledge
of species of plants which threaten our native flora.
Jon will also
discuss how you can become involved in a project he is heading up, which
aims to map the distribution of invasive species in the Calder area.
The venue is The Mereside Cafe at Shibden Park. This is the modern cafe at the bottom car park, not the one at Shibden Hall.
Please book a place by emailing Philip.singh@calderdale.gov.uk.
Please book a place by emailing Philip.singh@calderdale.gov.uk.
Sunday 2 March 2014
Male Eider on Rochdale Canal at Walsden.
Kathy and I had superb views of this beautiful duck this afternoon. (Sunday 2.3.14) Pictures over on Calderdale Birds Blog. (Link at the top.)
I don't remember any previous records for this species in Calderdale.
I don't remember any previous records for this species in Calderdale.
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