tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-81445809493738531332024-03-14T07:24:25.813+00:00kirkstall creatures great and smallOccasional observations of fauna & flora around Leeds, Yorkshire & beyondkirstallcreatureshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13998154163393757732noreply@blogger.comBlogger339125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8144580949373853133.post-46967546614056139422012-09-08T17:39:00.002+01:002012-09-08T17:39:16.978+01:00North Cave Wetlands (2)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">More sightings from North Cave Wetlands, nice to see this <strong>Common Blue</strong> butterfly as I've seen so few this year.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Although <strong>Brown Argus</strong> are present at North Cave, I think this is a female <strong>Common Blue</strong>, with the tip missing from its right forewing. I'd be delighted to hear otherwise though!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This <strong>Red Admiral</strong> landed on top of the camera and sat for ten seconds or so.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Lots of male <strong>Common Darter</strong> dragonfly</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">and a few <strong>Brown Hawker</strong>, this one perched on nearby vegetation.</span></div>
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kirstallcreatureshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13998154163393757732noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8144580949373853133.post-80746671955434495532012-08-20T23:14:00.000+01:002012-08-20T23:14:02.762+01:00North Cave Wetlands<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">During the weekend we headed east to </span><a href="http://www.ywt.org.uk/reserves/north-cave-wetlands-nature-reserve"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">North Cave Wetlands</span></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">, a </span><a href="http://www.ywt.org.uk/"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Yorkshire Wildlife Trust</span></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> reserve, where we counted 40+ <strong>Peacock</strong> along with a couple of <strong>Red Admiral</strong> nectaring on newly flowering Teasels.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A closer underwing view of the Red Admiral, showing the strong contrast between the brightly marked forewing and the camouflaged hindwing. Usually it takes a little burst of flash to do justice to the colouring but strong sunshine helped illuminate the wing detail.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">All were lovely fresh looking butterflies, with as many as 5 Peacocks per plant.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We saw the majority of Peacocks </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">in this sheltered sunny ditch full of Teasels & Ragwort, bordered by hawthorn hedge,</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">and this, my first <strong>Painted Lady</strong> of the year amongst the Teasel.</span></div>
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kirstallcreatureshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13998154163393757732noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8144580949373853133.post-44040218534061633272012-08-05T20:26:00.005+01:002012-08-05T20:26:55.027+01:00Kirkstall Abbey sightings<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPuQO3jAly6-cNSHpH2kMa3f06zUltxibjHeUx-mX340LbyZ8qwrypoCaQoa7AW3RpC1Y1XgzxKzNUnXGg11jK3H0b4cQHmnLLXvmV3C7mVcgeneM-jGYzmKRjKRH1uQRPGAwfr8E4Qhpp/s1600/120802_kirkstall_0365.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPuQO3jAly6-cNSHpH2kMa3f06zUltxibjHeUx-mX340LbyZ8qwrypoCaQoa7AW3RpC1Y1XgzxKzNUnXGg11jK3H0b4cQHmnLLXvmV3C7mVcgeneM-jGYzmKRjKRH1uQRPGAwfr8E4Qhpp/s1600/120802_kirkstall_0365.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">During a rare moment this weekend when I wasn't glued to the TV, we wandered down to Kirkstall Abbey. There were<strong> Small Tortoiseshell</strong> butterflies (8+) in the herb garden opposite Kirkstall Abbey. 3 Brown Hawkers zipped around the garden, and we found one Banded Demoiselle on waterside vegetation by the River Aire. Earlier in the week we walked around Kirkstall Abbey Park at dusk to test a bat detector and found 6 Pipistrelles by the river, very exciting.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzh1zb2n8yJDl3kWFof621dAm3trLQA08NWiIShpr_Pn6yDzK-30rawnI2DX4M4uescgozGzsKIgR_usAmlyi2lImXrFrqFzAihML31HBDYSV4Au7dbkdNzI94M6tVYTfOI2qAX92YzsMl/s1600/120802_kirkstall_0375.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzh1zb2n8yJDl3kWFof621dAm3trLQA08NWiIShpr_Pn6yDzK-30rawnI2DX4M4uescgozGzsKIgR_usAmlyi2lImXrFrqFzAihML31HBDYSV4Au7dbkdNzI94M6tVYTfOI2qAX92YzsMl/s1600/120802_kirkstall_0375.jpg" /></a></div>kirstallcreatureshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13998154163393757732noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8144580949373853133.post-55230653125240505982012-08-03T18:03:00.001+01:002012-08-03T18:04:32.015+01:00Ilkley Moor<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT3eA8sbluPwzHhD2iaEK2lugG2YOuYLj0larRwU-BJaM5owrjfecOV0vIdB7hginw8_HfM1tiv7TkwBqNtSHqsmEOXgN5pOZ03M1zMpsBM9L60EJJx_WgMlWAslkyEzxpITdU6VnuYvJY/s1600/120801_ilkley_0236.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT3eA8sbluPwzHhD2iaEK2lugG2YOuYLj0larRwU-BJaM5owrjfecOV0vIdB7hginw8_HfM1tiv7TkwBqNtSHqsmEOXgN5pOZ03M1zMpsBM9L60EJJx_WgMlWAslkyEzxpITdU6VnuYvJY/s1600/120801_ilkley_0236.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">On the edges of Ilkley Moor I found my first <strong>Small Heath</strong> of the year, the diminuitive butterfly featured on the <a href="http://www.ilkleymoor.org/"><strong>Friends of Ilkley Moor</strong></a> banner graphic .</span> <br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">There was an abundance of Ringlets (30+) amongst the grasses and heather, this one perched obligingly to show off the white wing margin to best effect. And another nectaring on thistle, easily the most popular butterfly on the lower slopes of the moors.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Here's the view from the foot of Ilkley Moor near Wells Road, looking up towards White Wells.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqsTeEGH_aeL06WS37KdczXKOi-PkKia2av2Kz8BlB0G1xb4mJL5y872gTQ4r9J_4J5M_9bykHFtwEK0xot1KEpyZ4Td4sHZDGKAcla9gKYAQ5BbcsbGdRkiFetRzHfKSSXnBIMRb8X-BB/s1600/120801_ilkley_0259.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqsTeEGH_aeL06WS37KdczXKOi-PkKia2av2Kz8BlB0G1xb4mJL5y872gTQ4r9J_4J5M_9bykHFtwEK0xot1KEpyZ4Td4sHZDGKAcla9gKYAQ5BbcsbGdRkiFetRzHfKSSXnBIMRb8X-BB/s1600/120801_ilkley_0259.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The second most popular butterfly of the day, <strong>Small Skippers</strong> nectaring on thistles</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS1wDZ47VeANZ5r_gwszlXkjGZdCtzEjO6k4xfH9pKaADsHS-E_X1PDrJ0VdEGeoKvL1n19UlHa2WFlEClvs9L2aM3lkcqGQPkfWm_w4Tc7oYSfU2bXGGaGoSE52vfYJISeAGTDrjI8kJz/s1600/120801_ilkley_0277.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS1wDZ47VeANZ5r_gwszlXkjGZdCtzEjO6k4xfH9pKaADsHS-E_X1PDrJ0VdEGeoKvL1n19UlHa2WFlEClvs9L2aM3lkcqGQPkfWm_w4Tc7oYSfU2bXGGaGoSE52vfYJISeAGTDrjI8kJz/s1600/120801_ilkley_0277.jpg" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLfc6MNyGD05ApKujqZavhT4n5Epz9HHjqdcLGB8oN_F7_cS6ymxUNve3DO9R1EC2bEfp7pnLSmO7mLa5spgaAzugqSS0cA-VK2XrQZGJi4W5VdUbS51oTdX8y4bBKuJeJHvW3Zh-7e7qm/s1600/120801_ilkley_0246.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLfc6MNyGD05ApKujqZavhT4n5Epz9HHjqdcLGB8oN_F7_cS6ymxUNve3DO9R1EC2bEfp7pnLSmO7mLa5spgaAzugqSS0cA-VK2XrQZGJi4W5VdUbS51oTdX8y4bBKuJeJHvW3Zh-7e7qm/s1600/120801_ilkley_0246.jpg" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSba5ywpjWldz2bKLDY31fzAqh1gAWEtOjnHaqTTLTzPshwSFTkvcNlM_rLFD6Hh7Z2btnDOA4NK5CJzWxnBmfvMzlTWcgfd9kYLy6sppTJCsN4UUW2Ml8V4O-z5_bvTZpPf1_N2HD1kyH/s1600/120801_ilkley_0275.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSba5ywpjWldz2bKLDY31fzAqh1gAWEtOjnHaqTTLTzPshwSFTkvcNlM_rLFD6Hh7Z2btnDOA4NK5CJzWxnBmfvMzlTWcgfd9kYLy6sppTJCsN4UUW2Ml8V4O-z5_bvTZpPf1_N2HD1kyH/s1600/120801_ilkley_0275.jpg" /></a></div>kirstallcreatureshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13998154163393757732noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8144580949373853133.post-47512483599276516662012-07-30T19:35:00.002+01:002012-07-30T19:35:44.521+01:00Letchmire Pastures butterflies<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9Nn0Y4qws2HrL6H0fPbnCsXCivyVaFKMsVIRZMfdDexdBEgTocD1rTY2veoIttidFa9p4FkKeYdlLeyemfxts9Z79hG3Am9jTX52trILAcJ7k0K4k7_zrYeKiujngjWVPepDifyZjm4Ek/s1600/120730_gatekeeperf_216.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9Nn0Y4qws2HrL6H0fPbnCsXCivyVaFKMsVIRZMfdDexdBEgTocD1rTY2veoIttidFa9p4FkKeYdlLeyemfxts9Z79hG3Am9jTX52trILAcJ7k0K4k7_zrYeKiujngjWVPepDifyZjm4Ek/s1600/120730_gatekeeperf_216.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">On a breezy walk around <strong><a href="http://www.ywt.org.uk/reserves/letchmire-pastures">Letchmire Pastures</a></strong>, near Allerton Bywater we found lots of basking <strong>Gatekeeper</strong> in sheltered spots, this one (above) is a female indicated by the absence of the dark branding of the upper forewing, a defining characteristic of the male (below) which is included for comparison.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwkAl1_ZkCqks_Eak9C9MLrWqx7SwrJglGYsLkL41PoIXbk3HzaD99JNSDX6UaVJsKt7XOm8ev60BqHxtKHn6IrH2mwuO_zsMnex6RTACv3Q8dm-k5z_r1fdpaIcw71IdPaQCf9WIgqL1v/s1600/120729_gatekeeper-m_65.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwkAl1_ZkCqks_Eak9C9MLrWqx7SwrJglGYsLkL41PoIXbk3HzaD99JNSDX6UaVJsKt7XOm8ev60BqHxtKHn6IrH2mwuO_zsMnex6RTACv3Q8dm-k5z_r1fdpaIcw71IdPaQCf9WIgqL1v/s1600/120729_gatekeeper-m_65.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A male <strong>Meadow Brown</strong> basking open winged.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS9MVTHIVVsvB4IjgSjh5WXQkgMsh6wZKdXY3khXeWUM1THlceB44o3SICG4vYW_xejta1mpGqFwC8wuveoRKv5QWZLfhM7J_VgowQeV-Jb3HCVzAuuhDyOsaadzm2FaPdNCvkLGgjGFM4/s1600/120730_meadowbrown_0181.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS9MVTHIVVsvB4IjgSjh5WXQkgMsh6wZKdXY3khXeWUM1THlceB44o3SICG4vYW_xejta1mpGqFwC8wuveoRKv5QWZLfhM7J_VgowQeV-Jb3HCVzAuuhDyOsaadzm2FaPdNCvkLGgjGFM4/s1600/120730_meadowbrown_0181.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This male <strong>Gatekeeper</strong> on Ragwort has a deformed hindwing, but seemed to get around OK. The single black dot underneath the double eyespot indicates the male. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWNVNmHw04oa_6_t3WKriDpfS3OvYylHIGS_PaqkdNHCxsoR9jYMznedN7ILvLUop16OdWEvgK3uoTeEU8hj5uqhqTHwOO8wMjdUpIAB14PHy8BBLkSATQ24ohyphenhyphendreAAnetBir9Avb_O7n/s1600/120722_brockadale_0072_gkeeper.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi-ve4eVXxiIwAMtynacTn5SyQikOL5sAvwbji7APt4wrWqCmjA0W6Ipr3OOUtO9eYXCYDSq2u60FnXfU_gqOkiumHSa9bZVofWtqiR6w_VV88CFB2-qgZALmL9r8ITq5jfvKqKeGkzJyP/s1600/120730_gatekeeper_0188.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi-ve4eVXxiIwAMtynacTn5SyQikOL5sAvwbji7APt4wrWqCmjA0W6Ipr3OOUtO9eYXCYDSq2u60FnXfU_gqOkiumHSa9bZVofWtqiR6w_VV88CFB2-qgZALmL9r8ITq5jfvKqKeGkzJyP/s1600/120730_gatekeeper_0188.jpg" /></a></div>
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</div>kirstallcreatureshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13998154163393757732noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8144580949373853133.post-87049432577911563342012-07-28T19:28:00.000+01:002012-07-28T19:28:05.152+01:00Brockadale further sightings<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQWcb4OoNxLD_sYqtamVOTwmiAzoedzCiMikorUXIc9grPVuNxtiiKOolHfle-ivF67acFwt8LxYKFPVeP77IGQLaIFN066AYIWF3y_1WH9Zx-iovPkbjvdwsIg_Uz0Apu2pDEXEEl65Xj/s1600/120722_brockadale_0072.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQWcb4OoNxLD_sYqtamVOTwmiAzoedzCiMikorUXIc9grPVuNxtiiKOolHfle-ivF67acFwt8LxYKFPVeP77IGQLaIFN066AYIWF3y_1WH9Zx-iovPkbjvdwsIg_Uz0Apu2pDEXEEl65Xj/s1600/120722_brockadale_0072.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">To add to the Marbled White sightings at <strong>Brockadale Nature Reserve</strong> we found our first <strong>Gatekeeper</strong> (<i>Pyronia tithonus</i>) of the year (15), this one a male, indicated by the dark patches on the upperside of the forewing, scent producing scales called androconia.</span> <br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Also <strong>Meadow Brown</strong> (Maniola jurtina) (8) similar to the Gatekeeper but lacking the double eyespot.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQO2shzREhji3Dmqe9N_rXfPIMRpByPsi7Rv985nXaqAlogD0WuyL3hjljCGjT3FLiAbKRf-yKBT1_QDEksK0K9Y5JsilPYXFzC17bYDd_qZRhbMIetJ39khV_8HuW_laL8M9_oy-xTD8Z/s1600/120722_brockadale_0079.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQO2shzREhji3Dmqe9N_rXfPIMRpByPsi7Rv985nXaqAlogD0WuyL3hjljCGjT3FLiAbKRf-yKBT1_QDEksK0K9Y5JsilPYXFzC17bYDd_qZRhbMIetJ39khV_8HuW_laL8M9_oy-xTD8Z/s1600/120722_brockadale_0079.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A female <strong>Small Skipper</strong> (Thymelicus sylvestris) on red clover, the lack of a chequered pattern on the upperwing differentiates it from the similar <strong>Large Skipper</strong>.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">We watched a couple of Dark Green Fritillary on the wing, dart restlessly over the grassland. <strong>Yellowhammers</strong> in the hawthorn treetops provided the soundtrack to our visit.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGtKnnauHdYGSg8pt71soAfub4NKCGq6sDE_ImAMv7cyMLmrLPxBNGrew_cnsPKh_NgP7ve8BcNK03AHolG6pqpcW3oqrDXV7fXqKgJROb9vMJ0xA6Z9gSQdlLDzjaUebYsMfhGqZ9eEmO/s1600/brockadale_yellowhammer_0399.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGtKnnauHdYGSg8pt71soAfub4NKCGq6sDE_ImAMv7cyMLmrLPxBNGrew_cnsPKh_NgP7ve8BcNK03AHolG6pqpcW3oqrDXV7fXqKgJROb9vMJ0xA6Z9gSQdlLDzjaUebYsMfhGqZ9eEmO/s1600/brockadale_yellowhammer_0399.jpg" /></a></div>kirstallcreatureshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13998154163393757732noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8144580949373853133.post-78113811770097865852012-07-25T19:54:00.001+01:002012-07-25T19:55:14.532+01:00Brockadale Nature Reserve Marbled White sightings<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">What better way to get back to blogging than with a trip to <a href="http://www.brockadale.org.uk/Home.html">Brockadale Nature Reserve</a> for some satisfying views of <strong>Marbled Whites</strong>.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJzpn19DvLyXPBKSh6hW_7agQjXjypv2gtpDRY4V7NfynAnbEWX9YM3jkowc6mHdP9Hizr14Mc011dm5kPpPVQdkOdaTRiQpPkT63MRQ3tAxebUt7KVfGpYGRbWSW2s9PCLDpEi3whryzI/s1600/120722_brockadale_029_marbledwhite.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJzpn19DvLyXPBKSh6hW_7agQjXjypv2gtpDRY4V7NfynAnbEWX9YM3jkowc6mHdP9Hizr14Mc011dm5kPpPVQdkOdaTRiQpPkT63MRQ3tAxebUt7KVfGpYGRbWSW2s9PCLDpEi3whryzI/s1600/120722_brockadale_029_marbledwhite.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Sharing a thistle with a <strong>6 Spot Burnet (?)</strong></span> </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBxwER85JjwmxNvz5SB6VlyVygDrPIJY5Nt4UxuWi2skpuzI10EiGPYdnDToq6iKKZMMfkeEM3uznNGxruUbGWJOp8r_y3fVw-R6nzX51POMFvbnQ54QwvRc6O_xQxuQqjNvaV_fdDJvOz/s1600/120722_brockadale_001_marbledwhite.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBxwER85JjwmxNvz5SB6VlyVygDrPIJY5Nt4UxuWi2skpuzI10EiGPYdnDToq6iKKZMMfkeEM3uznNGxruUbGWJOp8r_y3fVw-R6nzX51POMFvbnQ54QwvRc6O_xQxuQqjNvaV_fdDJvOz/s1600/120722_brockadale_001_marbledwhite.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">and another...</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK23tLTRmNi3nPClbxoLOEbwqG8DJK7pqdJ5pUozCDpyZmaDuBAW1jWMwbyDmurHHDHmKMAbOs1kN4wZqax1uh04AU228GiciZxNinBCT-xzl82UkkuDz5SWuUpmGnddIQFkVVl1nG6IaZ/s1600/120722_brockadale_281_marbledwhite.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK23tLTRmNi3nPClbxoLOEbwqG8DJK7pqdJ5pUozCDpyZmaDuBAW1jWMwbyDmurHHDHmKMAbOs1kN4wZqax1uh04AU228GiciZxNinBCT-xzl82UkkuDz5SWuUpmGnddIQFkVVl1nG6IaZ/s1600/120722_brockadale_281_marbledwhite.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">An upperwing view of a Marbled White nectaring on red clover.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmTHp7RDvnRY31igBTmJPFWz2RkjYlqz1w1qQdnQ7d1S_VYx_6ptnewbIdjFVFhgdbVL4wnl9tehATLYUZERemuc1ARXjvE4ueGI_4vN4cN4m7lNFegO4e3N3phlPLh-oPa9UmPpF2Pj_N/s1600/120722_brockadale_0060.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmTHp7RDvnRY31igBTmJPFWz2RkjYlqz1w1qQdnQ7d1S_VYx_6ptnewbIdjFVFhgdbVL4wnl9tehATLYUZERemuc1ARXjvE4ueGI_4vN4cN4m7lNFegO4e3N3phlPLh-oPa9UmPpF2Pj_N/s1600/120722_brockadale_0060.jpg" /></a></div>
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<br />kirstallcreatureshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13998154163393757732noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8144580949373853133.post-24800154643662057032012-06-23T19:16:00.000+01:002012-06-23T19:16:02.166+01:00Cley Marshes, Norfolk<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">On our way from Hickling to Holt we stopped at <a href="http://www.salthouse.org.uk/"><strong>Cookies Crab Shop</strong></a> in Salthouse for a crab sarny, then onto the Cley cafe for a cup of coffee and a delicious brownie. At <a href="http://www.norfolkwildlifetrust.org.uk/cley.aspx"><strong>Cley Marshes</strong></a>, we saw <strong>Marsh Harrier</strong>, <strong>Avocets</strong>, <strong>Green Sandpiper</strong>, <strong>Bearded Reedling</strong> (nowhere near as obliging as those at Hickling Broad), and the reeds were full of nesting <strong>Warbler </strong>and <strong>Reed Bunting</strong>. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We only had the briefest of visits as we were on our way to check in with the lovely Viv at <a href="http://willowhousebedandbreakfast.weebly.com/"><strong>Willow House B&B</strong></a> in Holt, which we can highly recommend.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Here are a few more pics taken on our wander round the boardwalk.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE_5uDrKNdN_BCoVEkZKTg-NSxTdD7LBZAA2tir6BxsjYk0LSI5zq2yV6cKCCMaerQLvgMkEzlbQrhjoiWd87SycZuUfGgR1SDvAilSDPgn6QtiJivZsHHA1l27_mRE1JMVHbs_PfpjyIm/s1600/1206_reedbunting_0183.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE_5uDrKNdN_BCoVEkZKTg-NSxTdD7LBZAA2tir6BxsjYk0LSI5zq2yV6cKCCMaerQLvgMkEzlbQrhjoiWd87SycZuUfGgR1SDvAilSDPgn6QtiJivZsHHA1l27_mRE1JMVHbs_PfpjyIm/s1600/1206_reedbunting_0183.jpg" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeY_s-37M3x6oJW3bBmKLt5ha5iAW6N9ymEYsMB89kAtJkqpmvOzyWo41fHKwX1d8UpLKeBU0dT_ecq2qU68ux8TSDT-_XSeZWH3E_jibWR-S5_SW5hwsinJQDAqoGgblWPq3sdug39-tp/s1600/cley_0012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeY_s-37M3x6oJW3bBmKLt5ha5iAW6N9ymEYsMB89kAtJkqpmvOzyWo41fHKwX1d8UpLKeBU0dT_ecq2qU68ux8TSDT-_XSeZWH3E_jibWR-S5_SW5hwsinJQDAqoGgblWPq3sdug39-tp/s1600/cley_0012.jpg" /></a></div>kirstallcreatureshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13998154163393757732noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8144580949373853133.post-9515585038411307982012-06-21T18:56:00.000+01:002012-06-21T18:56:06.678+01:00Hickling Broad additional sightings<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxy-oeY-yERDk9yezCLbcSvhMu3qXHwlutYelG110IxhQJ918Rm_tkgFWIhspHkBSTkF2qI9R2_v8vtwkSwp7x0P-BF4Q22ty5WMZ-DLTbQ0ozk1bllW8tK8WpadxqwgrzvCjX2HPlUQ_8/s1600/hickling_beardedtit_0364.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxy-oeY-yERDk9yezCLbcSvhMu3qXHwlutYelG110IxhQJ918Rm_tkgFWIhspHkBSTkF2qI9R2_v8vtwkSwp7x0P-BF4Q22ty5WMZ-DLTbQ0ozk1bllW8tK8WpadxqwgrzvCjX2HPlUQ_8/s1600/hickling_beardedtit_0364.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I must post the additional sightings found during our wander around <strong>Hickling Broad Nature Reserve</strong>, including these two female and juvenile <strong>Bearded Reedling</strong> (well done Andrea for spotting these, I'd wandered off to look for the Swallowtail butterflies at this point and missed them completely). We've only ever seen them once before at Blacktoft Sands RSPB and then only momentarily at a distance.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">These male and female <strong>Black Tailed Skimmer</strong> dragonflies darted around the boardwalk and perched oblingingly on the deck in front of us.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Three <strong>Azure Damselflies</strong> perched on a reed.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A male <strong>Large Red Damselfly</strong>, identifying features, black legs, black pterostigma, the lower yellow antehumeral stripes just visible.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I'm pretty certain that this is a female <strong>Red-eyed Damselfly</strong>, eyes brownish red, short antehumeral stripes, "<em>all black abdomen (except for narrow blue rings between the rear segments) seperates females of this species from other damselflies</em>"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Brooks, Steve and Richard Lewington. Field Guide to the Dragonlfies and Damselflies of Great Britain and Ireland, BWP, 2004</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Always nice to see a Marsh Harrier, one of four spotted over the reserve.</span><br />
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<br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A view of Hickling Broad Nature Reserve overlooking the reed beds.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_I7igb7Ub1iM61lXQzgsrQH_ZL88aIL5mLZpYV42BPegfAofr_Anb2lHd96F9mtZEh34KSxy8fferqqF1mMeQs8tQmk0k7FytpStSuVhq6esqvX8jy49NQPl5ZoOIssbmLEw4UUivGf0h/s1600/hickling_0317.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_I7igb7Ub1iM61lXQzgsrQH_ZL88aIL5mLZpYV42BPegfAofr_Anb2lHd96F9mtZEh34KSxy8fferqqF1mMeQs8tQmk0k7FytpStSuVhq6esqvX8jy49NQPl5ZoOIssbmLEw4UUivGf0h/s1600/hickling_0317.jpg" /></a></div>kirstallcreatureshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13998154163393757732noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8144580949373853133.post-35371454759208222812012-06-19T19:27:00.000+01:002012-06-19T20:58:46.747+01:00Swallowtail at Hickling Broad<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We've just returned from a weekend in Norfolk, where we visited <strong><a href="http://www.norfolkwildlifetrust.org.uk/hickling.aspx">Hickling Broad</a></strong>, a wonderful reserve run by the <strong><a href="http://www.norfolkwildlifetrust.org.uk/Home.aspx">Norfolk Wildlife Trust</a></strong>, and one of the few places to see <strong>Swallowtail</strong> butterflies. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Our first sighting was the briefest of encounters when one zipped across the path in front of me, and we assumed that was probably as good as it would get until we reached a warm sheltered boardwalk bordered with tall reeds and grasses and occasional patches of Yellow Flag Iris. Here we watched half a dozen swoop across the reed beds, disappearing for minutes before taking to the air again and virtually impossible to photograph. A passing warden recommended that we keep our eyes focussed on the Yellow Flag Iris a favourite nectar source of the butterfly and a potential resting spot. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And eventually, after a considerable number of obscured shots, I managed to get one reasonably clear view, phew!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8vekZf-TUe2AhTmgZKZg95rNXCThr0l5SMcueNQrPwZNYS7hr_vFYJaIgqGoT-z7GBo7k03xuuZnBOXDx-GkDIDvaoeHLgzHygscENEZd8o9tLRBu9JjGrrHsJJ5cad3BcPzNhwzrC1me/s1600/1206_hicking_st136.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8vekZf-TUe2AhTmgZKZg95rNXCThr0l5SMcueNQrPwZNYS7hr_vFYJaIgqGoT-z7GBo7k03xuuZnBOXDx-GkDIDvaoeHLgzHygscENEZd8o9tLRBu9JjGrrHsJJ5cad3BcPzNhwzrC1me/s1600/1206_hicking_st136.jpg" /></a></div>
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kirstallcreatureshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13998154163393757732noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8144580949373853133.post-4884154842904446402012-06-10T22:43:00.001+01:002012-06-10T22:43:16.568+01:00Ilkley Moor Mipits<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh89tuI0NScVKPsohHWnUjlSFydVPRGBeb6Of8hirqlsllaconQngbuVInZ-sW5tYLyfj6EANo9kWETiuo-ZHqI3NaV_89fJEdZXqojBZ_T3bYvDNskECtvNl0qqvtCsBqAikgBkgmfK5__/s1600/120609_mipit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh89tuI0NScVKPsohHWnUjlSFydVPRGBeb6Of8hirqlsllaconQngbuVInZ-sW5tYLyfj6EANo9kWETiuo-ZHqI3NaV_89fJEdZXqojBZ_T3bYvDNskECtvNl0qqvtCsBqAikgBkgmfK5__/s1600/120609_mipit.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><strong>Meadow Pipits</strong> perched on stony outcrops above the bracken, heather and bilberry at <a href="http://www.ilkleymoor.org/"><strong>Ilkley Moor</strong></a>. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUFCxol3pOPxiJw2mLkiQa2o5lf_z4iAmukQ63DH8hb6JaR0Jqgr4mnV4FQn1293zSwCSXIcI_aoSQcXlz1Cb-X9q4-hlC6SD5oxLjdiyhmMey3ImSVGS0UoA2JM2SjghecoWexpt_EvBg/s1600/120609_mipit2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUFCxol3pOPxiJw2mLkiQa2o5lf_z4iAmukQ63DH8hb6JaR0Jqgr4mnV4FQn1293zSwCSXIcI_aoSQcXlz1Cb-X9q4-hlC6SD5oxLjdiyhmMey3ImSVGS0UoA2JM2SjghecoWexpt_EvBg/s1600/120609_mipit2.jpg" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjALJqjyyKiFoUJZFP_5MgExIK-P7TNpQtJKq_TDC1viFTx9PpijaXzi1azYOLDawyQ06PAYQgvDJM72qrxHuOnVJkd6ZFrupH_gNTOr8wedMGeJHB8eoWCQyeSL7QlCKMyvnKcmvX-QG_D/s1600/120609_323.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjALJqjyyKiFoUJZFP_5MgExIK-P7TNpQtJKq_TDC1viFTx9PpijaXzi1azYOLDawyQ06PAYQgvDJM72qrxHuOnVJkd6ZFrupH_gNTOr8wedMGeJHB8eoWCQyeSL7QlCKMyvnKcmvX-QG_D/s1600/120609_323.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A Warbler (Willow Warbler perhaps) hopped from branch to branch on a conifer gathering insects.</span> <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy6OiJtLqNzVjrRFBd4XpYAJfks0hGixkIW6R1XLLBGR1I3Ay9OxqWCW2b0HsVj4FKbd_IKNyggMhHzTxZIyQXs7_T7Wdjdwid4LqEYaTwMKeu9WihghtKQP66nAqfNJ1UJgibD1zSsAJO/s1600/120609_360.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy6OiJtLqNzVjrRFBd4XpYAJfks0hGixkIW6R1XLLBGR1I3Ay9OxqWCW2b0HsVj4FKbd_IKNyggMhHzTxZIyQXs7_T7Wdjdwid4LqEYaTwMKeu9WihghtKQP66nAqfNJ1UJgibD1zSsAJO/s1600/120609_360.jpg" /></a></div>
<br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I spotted 20+ Small Tortoiseshell caterpillars on nettles.</span> <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSN81RyHzyQ5Tqf2Dfw1ft66N0pSBLntY5NlmznWEyyeVkW8ucHE8ensUrN4crV46b9i_oD3gjAyq9ehmjuuDyiqrTB5MGwygXPQUaevZWoySadzdWyW1DEhhBoYlFtjoQWLfgae51a33S/s1600/120609_303st.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSN81RyHzyQ5Tqf2Dfw1ft66N0pSBLntY5NlmznWEyyeVkW8ucHE8ensUrN4crV46b9i_oD3gjAyq9ehmjuuDyiqrTB5MGwygXPQUaevZWoySadzdWyW1DEhhBoYlFtjoQWLfgae51a33S/s1600/120609_303st.jpg" /></a></div>kirstallcreatureshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13998154163393757732noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8144580949373853133.post-11956890287586338422012-06-08T22:29:00.000+01:002012-06-08T22:29:20.430+01:00Rodley Nature Reserve Blackcap<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM4v26-XaW9k0mqTIy6kZRahhJYvByw7BhDC_gOxpV9GGgKwV1VwoHCRWiXMU6qaJZnGHsxeARkE3Vz_cpcr_5IZPR_tFSbNb2g3E6z3rcliN0K9IOjdJkLfMTY4t9V_qB1E9FSxKhLYEp/s1600/rodleyjun_079.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM4v26-XaW9k0mqTIy6kZRahhJYvByw7BhDC_gOxpV9GGgKwV1VwoHCRWiXMU6qaJZnGHsxeARkE3Vz_cpcr_5IZPR_tFSbNb2g3E6z3rcliN0K9IOjdJkLfMTY4t9V_qB1E9FSxKhLYEp/s1600/rodleyjun_079.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Rodley Nature Reserve provided this year's first clear sighting of a Blackcap. We watched this female hop tirelessly from branch to branch gathering insects, presumably to take back to the mouths of hungry nestlings. I was quite taken by its beautiful grey plumage. The distinctive chestnut cap easily distinguishes it from the black cap of the male. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeREEq5OdbF_PlVafFpRAqescfbei4Mw1EihDCA-eaJg8FQ3mOiG8xoqWwNz_HdDyuP-YT4H9pm8A0kY6d3eNS-5mJEpH5mrTVcQXZrTpZzxMZI9lQICdz5U8a9ikg81flrWZmspMnc_92/s1600/rodleyjun_fblackcap_086.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeREEq5OdbF_PlVafFpRAqescfbei4Mw1EihDCA-eaJg8FQ3mOiG8xoqWwNz_HdDyuP-YT4H9pm8A0kY6d3eNS-5mJEpH5mrTVcQXZrTpZzxMZI9lQICdz5U8a9ikg81flrWZmspMnc_92/s1600/rodleyjun_fblackcap_086.jpg" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>kirstallcreatureshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13998154163393757732noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8144580949373853133.post-14589978091629372812012-06-07T20:01:00.003+01:002012-06-07T20:01:40.258+01:00Rodley Nature Reserve damsel updates<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitlQrUKwS2Y2Jh7Y41iljMYwpxgTrlcA4GFvEqBYLEo11GfigSG-nWaTb8Qo5biZT2B5F8roEvU7vpTCm8Q1ZZUccNEXiYAskyJNH7Ph9Wxiw4SpQk2oH9f79QsVSD0nY9LVpss4J6DoSC/s1600/120505_demoiselle_161.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Banded Demoiselle (juvenile male)" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitlQrUKwS2Y2Jh7Y41iljMYwpxgTrlcA4GFvEqBYLEo11GfigSG-nWaTb8Qo5biZT2B5F8roEvU7vpTCm8Q1ZZUccNEXiYAskyJNH7Ph9Wxiw4SpQk2oH9f79QsVSD0nY9LVpss4J6DoSC/s1600/120505_demoiselle_161.jpg" title="Banded Demoiselle (juvenile male)" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Having finally resolved some technical glitches, here's the first installment from last weekend's jaunt to <a href="http://www.rodleynaturereserve.org/index.php"><strong>Rodley Nature Reserve</strong></a> which provided a great opportunity for damselfly sightings. My favourite was this lovely juvenile male Banded Demoiselle, basking on pondside vegetation. Last summer, we found good numbers of <a href="http://kirkstallcreaturesgreatandsmall.blogspot.co.uk/2011/06/kirkstall-creatures-banded-demoiselles.html"><strong>Banded Demoiselle</strong></a> on a stretch of the River Aire near Kirkstall Abbey, only a couple of miles downstream from Rodley. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">There were lots (20+) of male <strong>Azure Damselfly</strong> amongst the vegetation bordering the ponds and along the hedgerow leading up to the visitors centre.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF6XYiONICTl6wNx8OXKd7cKy98T1y7X1Qu4fKUPRSTVx-ItaAHvy_mYCk1_r3lP9xf_6cAVA_RxWYLlil0QKkUwXA5koQIUSRoEsq7qLH8B2vinngzVhLZYmm9mhhnVrjweW2PytFH7-_/s1600/rodleyjun_damsel_0109.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF6XYiONICTl6wNx8OXKd7cKy98T1y7X1Qu4fKUPRSTVx-ItaAHvy_mYCk1_r3lP9xf_6cAVA_RxWYLlil0QKkUwXA5koQIUSRoEsq7qLH8B2vinngzVhLZYmm9mhhnVrjweW2PytFH7-_/s1600/rodleyjun_damsel_0109.jpg" /></a></span></div>
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<br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And smaller numbers of <strong>Large Red Damselfly</strong> in closer proximity to the ponds.</span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_7BqF7bT3mfXKL0_PEUb8xaw14J1Hbx5e98yie3bEly42TTFDtqbkrqZJkf8FyBd-H6OrrIacP9wqmCo4zf-UC0P9ljEDg0TqzAoz8IKTt5I4-874CfebepSP91no3Fll3SgQh9cfJalc/s1600/120505_239.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_7BqF7bT3mfXKL0_PEUb8xaw14J1Hbx5e98yie3bEly42TTFDtqbkrqZJkf8FyBd-H6OrrIacP9wqmCo4zf-UC0P9ljEDg0TqzAoz8IKTt5I4-874CfebepSP91no3Fll3SgQh9cfJalc/s400/120505_239.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We also caught sight of a pair of <strong>Broad Bodied Chaser</strong> dragonfly, too quick for a pic. Here are views of some of the dragonfly ponds at Rodley, well worth a visit.</span></div>
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<img alt="Rodley Nature Reserve,Dragonfly ponds" border="0" height="178" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaV5cRzDwyV59l1X7fLfh5FRaR4Im0V1m905chmstj-sywahR4VXm_ifOIUSSfU3zAZHhfGGpjvAjVrztMMchWOSGDkJdX4oPP3fR6339eoR6pVMuFAd1QFlehbukFki2CSaKLH7d3aDGP/s400/120505_191.jpg" title="Rodley Nature Reserve,Dragonfly ponds" width="510" /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmtAPAOJkIq5VFQrJNT6vyWzTfRCxDsdnE5zZdtbt7x5AeiNB_KaVhg1AlMSqmCHOXs9lwPzt5vaiIpf5NcbKDcWWmUAM3SY5Mrbr6qMqbRZMcEUtdunT7MZ0e1WIn8uZyEcDlVSoqWXlp/s1600/120505_185.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmtAPAOJkIq5VFQrJNT6vyWzTfRCxDsdnE5zZdtbt7x5AeiNB_KaVhg1AlMSqmCHOXs9lwPzt5vaiIpf5NcbKDcWWmUAM3SY5Mrbr6qMqbRZMcEUtdunT7MZ0e1WIn8uZyEcDlVSoqWXlp/s1600/120505_185.jpg" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_IfdeOcRCGd7tnxHxcOB8-2DyUzuFhAjAqOl0EEODw9NL48sReOnKs62By4ZwW8v6_zt1diwBvjVrzzZRL6jKyXUM0GXrro0B9hsnm9IMFArFUiSR69mnNTm9EBSFpQz-a4soGTBCVJ4M/s1600/120505_175.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_IfdeOcRCGd7tnxHxcOB8-2DyUzuFhAjAqOl0EEODw9NL48sReOnKs62By4ZwW8v6_zt1diwBvjVrzzZRL6jKyXUM0GXrro0B9hsnm9IMFArFUiSR69mnNTm9EBSFpQz-a4soGTBCVJ4M/s1600/120505_175.jpg" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>kirstallcreatureshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13998154163393757732noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8144580949373853133.post-54859566205560797792012-05-31T23:38:00.000+01:002012-05-31T23:38:06.139+01:00West Park Small Copper update<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">An evening wander through <strong>West Park</strong> and the <strong>Small Copper</strong> appeared more relaxed, at rest on grass seed heads and buttercups.</span> <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqOlalMeOhfXonGYRo8jkheyNmSLIsMUXbejX57uZ-1nm9fg8kuMCIpRb4wGR5kKSoFb7LzDf577dlGHpjeFyzGXXUs9zxw4V2mjh2BRyDaCcAeT7TRERwJNBWI81R1ERtO7D3vVi_t-xU/s1600/smallcopper_01032.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqOlalMeOhfXonGYRo8jkheyNmSLIsMUXbejX57uZ-1nm9fg8kuMCIpRb4wGR5kKSoFb7LzDf577dlGHpjeFyzGXXUs9zxw4V2mjh2BRyDaCcAeT7TRERwJNBWI81R1ERtO7D3vVi_t-xU/s1600/smallcopper_01032.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I looked back through the previous day's photos and can identify 3 seperate individuals. Now I know that the females are larger than the males with less pointed forewings but I found it too tricky to scale them equally by size and angle. So I had to differentiate by markings - the left one is the freshest of the three with boldest markings, and a tiny mark on the right forewing margin, the middle is the most worn with bits missing from both the left hindwing and forewing, the right one has a light mark on the right hindwing and I'd say has the pointiest wings (a male maybe?). I'd welcome any thoughts on the sex of each butterfly.</span><br />
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</div>kirstallcreatureshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13998154163393757732noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8144580949373853133.post-82575586018169154412012-05-30T20:11:00.000+01:002012-05-30T20:11:42.340+01:00West Park Small Coppers<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2phBvjXZgGCvzzeDsh5_wB58yr1NP396_tTDXQKe_K_-y80LLMyV3JrYYFTT7ZMQX1bX6J5Em0CS8IHK_VTuEmqZgkToD4tsMfJJlD2hAywYRQ6lZ2NkAdqP5rz9VQLlxh-2FwyewxSAe/s1600/smallcopper_0068.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="354" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2phBvjXZgGCvzzeDsh5_wB58yr1NP396_tTDXQKe_K_-y80LLMyV3JrYYFTT7ZMQX1bX6J5Em0CS8IHK_VTuEmqZgkToD4tsMfJJlD2hAywYRQ6lZ2NkAdqP5rz9VQLlxh-2FwyewxSAe/s640/smallcopper_0068.jpg" width="510" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Today I was gifted with a local view of three <strong>Small Copper</strong> at my new favourite patch on the grassland at West Park near the university campus. I firstly located two seperate butterflies near the path in a sheltered, low lying area of the grassland (to the left in the pic below). </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I watched two tussle and shoot off at incredible speed and I lost sight of them for a minute before one reappeared on the path in front of me. Then I noticed another amongst the grasses on a sorrel plant where it crawled its way down the stem, typical behaviour of the female searching for suitable host plants.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A female Green Veined White, more heavily marked than the males, nectaring on Garlic Mustard .</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Here's the sheltered path bordered by Hawthorns and other native species where I spotted the Green Veined White and a male Orange Tip.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6tPzk1IEBNjs01h3Hz5to0LWXFXwRaBdSt57bQYEVrTeUwgSt8vYH3GcERN6z9_AjCmpTtzCocRA7y79XEK3IYWXg1FmONyvZRSFXLJV3AxcFPMAQJu77-8MVwzCAiZTYTRuGAaoc9nHz/s1600/walk_0088.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6tPzk1IEBNjs01h3Hz5to0LWXFXwRaBdSt57bQYEVrTeUwgSt8vYH3GcERN6z9_AjCmpTtzCocRA7y79XEK3IYWXg1FmONyvZRSFXLJV3AxcFPMAQJu77-8MVwzCAiZTYTRuGAaoc9nHz/s1600/walk_0088.jpg" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /> </span>kirstallcreatureshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13998154163393757732noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8144580949373853133.post-91525075539856906372012-05-29T21:00:00.001+01:002012-05-29T21:00:50.987+01:00Letchmire Pastures, Allerton Bywater<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEPxgv5o51K9r5LdnBMR74CZCHKiskquIXhAWZ_jf4FC8EVV4KVz77NNx-FKECbIcHHMlIOufZWtCoCq7tX1h0spyd1aKy2g52-2AvZTsV3QhHlotTHbTTvt5MXXpp2t-fiPtZCMBVdY8-/s1600/120526_00194_dragon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEPxgv5o51K9r5LdnBMR74CZCHKiskquIXhAWZ_jf4FC8EVV4KVz77NNx-FKECbIcHHMlIOufZWtCoCq7tX1h0spyd1aKy2g52-2AvZTsV3QhHlotTHbTTvt5MXXpp2t-fiPtZCMBVdY8-/s1600/120526_00194_dragon.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">On our first trip to <a href="http://www.leeds.gov.uk/page.aspx?pageidentifier=49f380e4-bb1d-40b9-8f9a-eaa1dc2fc688"><strong>Letchmire Pastures Local Nature Reserve</strong></a> a wetland and grassland site on a former coal area, we spotted a few firsts of the year, including our first dragonfly sighting. I have to admit that I'm out of practice but we think this is a female Four Spotted Chaser, broad tail,black tip & spots on wings. Below the same dragonfly a little closer.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv-weVuCTEWRphGXapPHJMSfQuGxq9Piq0c5Pif_2xnl_ASOK8PA2BYG2dAjs9omOHPa5vglRqbs4tDu8QM5C2pQrA4M5kndU7ct3wLqRMcWZ3rlQs_1tpEHzHzqGRv39lezVcuxXiQMQ9/s1600/120526_0198_dragon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv-weVuCTEWRphGXapPHJMSfQuGxq9Piq0c5Pif_2xnl_ASOK8PA2BYG2dAjs9omOHPa5vglRqbs4tDu8QM5C2pQrA4M5kndU7ct3wLqRMcWZ3rlQs_1tpEHzHzqGRv39lezVcuxXiQMQ9/s1600/120526_0198_dragon.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In a South facing sloped patch of grassland I spotted my first <strong>Common Blue</strong> (Polyommatus icarus) of the year (3 males), not such great pics so this one's just for reference.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And my first <strong>Small Copper</strong> (Lycaena phlaeas) of the year.</span> </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOavVDA4o9xoJmjXlHUlrz1SgM6mK5w-1tWXE9wxM8hkYd3FqF5mtDX4c8BFUzaFHxOMGX3sPke043WYIpLZ6ZzvAzsdm56I4y04kdhOaicQGRchlSIzsAAsRgV8o-W8HfRH-Y1Mi_I98o/s1600/120526_0047_smalcopper.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOavVDA4o9xoJmjXlHUlrz1SgM6mK5w-1tWXE9wxM8hkYd3FqF5mtDX4c8BFUzaFHxOMGX3sPke043WYIpLZ6ZzvAzsdm56I4y04kdhOaicQGRchlSIzsAAsRgV8o-W8HfRH-Y1Mi_I98o/s1600/120526_0047_smalcopper.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We also heard our first Cuckoo of the year and saw it briefly perched on a telegraph wire before it flew off into the woodland. Its shape was familiar to me as a result of having viewed cuckoo photos on blog postings, so thank you to everybody who has shared their cuckoo photos recently, its a great way to learn about unfamiliar species. Other bird sightings included Partridge, Lapwing, Jay, Swallow, Cormorant.</span></div>kirstallcreatureshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13998154163393757732noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8144580949373853133.post-859425242111289702012-05-28T17:32:00.001+01:002012-05-28T17:32:59.765+01:00Allotment Female Orange Tip<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiELOqcuLqW28B0n9M9u2X9R-PUwodknjotVvEYw-0V5rnvIf8cBavf2bQI2-kwG_CQK4PyVbQm-S0q9agIP3m3ui7QzWzVVi-zgkm-CBDsGW9FIxkEkFBP3T10U19Fd8nl5XgoHndTFWnD/s1600/120526_0057.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiELOqcuLqW28B0n9M9u2X9R-PUwodknjotVvEYw-0V5rnvIf8cBavf2bQI2-kwG_CQK4PyVbQm-S0q9agIP3m3ui7QzWzVVi-zgkm-CBDsGW9FIxkEkFBP3T10U19Fd8nl5XgoHndTFWnD/s640/120526_0057.jpg" width="433" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Down on the allotment, I saw the first female <strong>Orange Tip</strong> of the year nectaring on the flowers of Comfrey and Chive. All of the Orange Tips I've seen so far this year have been male so this little lady was a welcome visitor. It provided a pleasant break from removing bindweed amongst the fruit bushes. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The males have bold orange patches on the tip of each forewing, whereas the orange colour is lacking in the female which have similar upperwing markings to a Small White. Both male and female have the delicately mottled green and white pattern on the underwing. </span> </div>
<br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I also glimpsed a male <strong>Brimstone</strong> zipping around the hawthorn border but it shot off as quick as it appeared, well before I could grab the camera.</span>kirstallcreatureshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13998154163393757732noreply@blogger.com46 Platform One, Station Approach, Leeds, West Yorkshire LS5 3RY, UK53.81843969959737 -1.595034599304199253.816096199597368 -1.5999700993041992 53.820783199597372 -1.5900990993041992tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8144580949373853133.post-40240488910660544232012-05-27T20:27:00.001+01:002012-05-27T20:27:47.636+01:00Billy Wood - Townclose Hills Nature Reserve<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0J92brnZ5-FsadpavXbjEMjU-ld0a7198EKCNyW7LbCyx3du-2YZmSzWiA8ZVZqhgGBZc7ncNh_9GrJ9y9iiEf7GnpMpQQMDvb2IJzIXTPNvz3vlKVL_7UhTiZZUoS4Hws46NdTfosM0P/s1600/120526_0057_grasses.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0J92brnZ5-FsadpavXbjEMjU-ld0a7198EKCNyW7LbCyx3du-2YZmSzWiA8ZVZqhgGBZc7ncNh_9GrJ9y9iiEf7GnpMpQQMDvb2IJzIXTPNvz3vlKVL_7UhTiZZUoS4Hws46NdTfosM0P/s1600/120526_0057_grasses.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We visited Townclose Hills Local Nature Reserve (AKA Billy Wood) at the weekend, a grassland and woodland reserve on magnesian limestone, its the site with reported sightings of Marbled White last year</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">. </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> There was little butterfly action during our visit, although we did catch brief glimpses of Orange Tip and Holly Blue on the wing. The highlight was hearing and spotting Yellowhammer (4) in the trees near the top of the hill, our attention grabbed by the unmistakeable call of 'a little bit of bread and no cheese'.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">More information about the reserve via </span><a href="http://fobw.btck.co.uk/NatureReserve"><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><strong>Friends of Billy Wood</strong></span></a><span style="font-family: Verdana;">.</span></div>kirstallcreatureshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13998154163393757732noreply@blogger.com44 High St, Kippax, Leeds, West Yorkshire LS25 7AB, UK53.766869 -1.37097653.7621765 -1.3808464999999999 53.7715615 -1.3611055tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8144580949373853133.post-91673091379668629442012-05-24T23:02:00.000+01:002012-05-24T23:02:57.096+01:00Lunchtime stroll<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEint8SZQoaVfhiLAasSo6D1qAABQvH2My3i-1aJ0kKKN5535kBIUbPGTEO59uNLARgr109oQLgaROB74Hg7e8Sb8UmM46SyuI0xO_Vw3kvbJkzjGBz91qO0adOTIsjtFMgAmtfaKLS_76Mu/s1600/westpark_0215.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="188" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEint8SZQoaVfhiLAasSo6D1qAABQvH2My3i-1aJ0kKKN5535kBIUbPGTEO59uNLARgr109oQLgaROB74Hg7e8Sb8UmM46SyuI0xO_Vw3kvbJkzjGBz91qO0adOTIsjtFMgAmtfaKLS_76Mu/s400/westpark_0215.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">At lunchtime, in the scorching sunshine, I ventured out beyond the campus, via Queens Wood and across the land adjoining West Park playing fields. On the way I saw Great Spotted Woodpecker, Goldfinch, Long Tail Tit, Jay, Robin, Chiffchaff, Chaffinch, Greenfinch, Wood Pigeon, Magpie, Blue Tit, Wren. The view a</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">bove is from the top of the hill with the university sports pitches behind me, looking across to West Park. Its a nice open area of uncut grasses, cow parsley with occasional patches of buttercup and bluebells bordered by an assortment of native deciduous trees.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaolEwgewPEGuH-pshnkiASjxK2gp6l7E8JVff23fi9ftU_EoWdUtGD10G3LdBqKVOYWXc4Iy3nc8eyvZjRiZQIK7bedHFT9D_CsyEJsNyeOxoNwuR8B9E3aCFStmcMaGfwpQyeLpmiZHv/s1600/westpark_0272.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="170" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaolEwgewPEGuH-pshnkiASjxK2gp6l7E8JVff23fi9ftU_EoWdUtGD10G3LdBqKVOYWXc4Iy3nc8eyvZjRiZQIK7bedHFT9D_CsyEJsNyeOxoNwuR8B9E3aCFStmcMaGfwpQyeLpmiZHv/s400/westpark_0272.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This is the view at the base of the hill, looking towards Spen Lane, West Park Centre is just visible far right, Norman Towers is visible between the trees, left of centre. The grassland is full of buttercups, dandelions and red clover pictured in more detail below. Strangely I spotted only one butterfly in this area today, a <strong>Small Tortoiseshell</strong>.</span> <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfmTvglmAmY8DjNGa6qpacb0Dm988KdLtrMjiofqn4MeCcLGB4Qh3IbZsRmdYP3SNQcJFXRd_wk7GlkSJoIGApPpasYBwP-REqjk9tuhFvR_hvYra4B9rc3YO0Wmds1Y0Dda56ih6EnWrE/s1600/westpark_0268.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfmTvglmAmY8DjNGa6qpacb0Dm988KdLtrMjiofqn4MeCcLGB4Qh3IbZsRmdYP3SNQcJFXRd_wk7GlkSJoIGApPpasYBwP-REqjk9tuhFvR_hvYra4B9rc3YO0Wmds1Y0Dda56ih6EnWrE/s400/westpark_0268.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Here's the <strong>Small Tortoiseshell</strong> nectaring on a buttercup. I had a little more luck on the walk back spotting a <strong>Holly Blue</strong>, two male <strong>Orange Tip</strong>, and two whites on the wing at a distance. Its a nice patch and one I'll try to visit more regularly. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDrvw65kVhV4xoCnHyUFa9qkpBbP1wh0ahXWFtR4DmbOkAL5_lgMDSS8OVZ266iu6YVWlhfQgMPnu23JuEpS7StooWXdcy4XzhTyMVmldcoaY9w2sckRCvRqDHNz1s1w2DpEgVQE118OTt/s1600/120524_smalltortoiseshell_0266.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDrvw65kVhV4xoCnHyUFa9qkpBbP1wh0ahXWFtR4DmbOkAL5_lgMDSS8OVZ266iu6YVWlhfQgMPnu23JuEpS7StooWXdcy4XzhTyMVmldcoaY9w2sckRCvRqDHNz1s1w2DpEgVQE118OTt/s1600/120524_smalltortoiseshell_0266.jpg" /></a></div>kirstallcreatureshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13998154163393757732noreply@blogger.com819 Northolme Crescent, Leeds LS16, UK53.829129663126416 -1.597738265991210953.824444163126415 -1.6076087659912108 53.833815163126417 -1.587867765991211tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8144580949373853133.post-85617923006989907352012-05-23T22:58:00.002+01:002012-05-23T22:58:53.545+01:00Nature assortment<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinjjObkab08MtFNGBOmwZlHpz-73xc90oYDogmYCZGwERceEtq2pgukMGaopoAINolpd4oo45hnqBlYWFzWOKTx66Pp9qwpvmTubjhHtGD49DnRmydrK1LsihFbu_1guxCkNakm3PCMQrl/s1600/120522_greenveinedwhite_0022.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinjjObkab08MtFNGBOmwZlHpz-73xc90oYDogmYCZGwERceEtq2pgukMGaopoAINolpd4oo45hnqBlYWFzWOKTx66Pp9qwpvmTubjhHtGD49DnRmydrK1LsihFbu_1guxCkNakm3PCMQrl/s1600/120522_greenveinedwhite_0022.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We've had a number of good <strong>Great Spotted Woodpecker</strong> sightings over the past couple of days. Andrea found this one up at Lawnswood and I saw another this morning in the woodland of Queens Wood next to Beckett Park.</span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Andrea also spotted this <strong>Green Veined White</strong> butterfly, the first of the year at Adel churchyard.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs77seB_evBdBU0J7tvqKUqrX2x8iopk42iC-OfarzCEkF4x5PQprDt8bnbScaM5mkyM5wFkW6hn_eS4MKLijn3THtJm7E1rx6KMAQcxPn8GctTumEcJ4qgLH0PW53jjhPaIhl_QiySSD3/s1600/120522_greenveinedwhite_0016.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs77seB_evBdBU0J7tvqKUqrX2x8iopk42iC-OfarzCEkF4x5PQprDt8bnbScaM5mkyM5wFkW6hn_eS4MKLijn3THtJm7E1rx6KMAQcxPn8GctTumEcJ4qgLH0PW53jjhPaIhl_QiySSD3/s1600/120522_greenveinedwhite_0016.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I always enjoy my walk into work and on my way in this morning I startled a fox as it crossed over the path near the aptly named Foxcroft's. I also enjoyed today's two Holly Blue sightings on Beckett Park and Queenswood playing fields. Mustn't forget, on the walk home from work yesterday evening, Joyce and I spotted a Red Kite over Queenswood Drive.</span>kirstallcreatureshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13998154163393757732noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8144580949373853133.post-13170212416437662422012-05-22T21:45:00.000+01:002012-05-23T22:25:45.571+01:00A Holly Blue in our garden<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjyVeoXlIJPcRyyAom_PTcd-kl5rLNqYeeOM9G0E_OAMLxstc8fY9D35YzDftvKRrb37aN7mqHwj0wbc9Df6zjOeisBRXUQ1f4FqVF8Mr1zUlFo076H15X1p8obEpwwCOx3BZshwYRPVq6/s1600/120522_hollyblue_0067.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Earlier today, while Andrea sat on the front step she spotted a Holly Blue on the Pyracantha. It came to rest on the unbroken flowers buds and showed no interest in the other plants. She grabbed her camera, waited for it to settle and got a couple of shots to mark the visit. Pretty good going for a tiny front garden.</span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">As an update to yesterday's sighting, on my way into work this morning I saw one Holly Blue settle 3 metres up on a Beech tree on Beckett Park and then another at lunch time in a dried puddle on the playing fields next to the rail line. With only my phone to hand I managed a couple of ropy shots. Happy Holly Blue week!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5ldscLQKTvdD55t4axf6Aq-nWY9MDcK5TG66Gi0TQOneoljDPHRSBo8LBxnBOvTrSOb27lVUBHvFzFn4tgdWYqDZ1p1pPEd5cwF-hRlsr3dnQDvFa1letcEMB4iquSh4i4mY7mPZsN1kV/s1600/Photo0094_hollyblue.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5ldscLQKTvdD55t4axf6Aq-nWY9MDcK5TG66Gi0TQOneoljDPHRSBo8LBxnBOvTrSOb27lVUBHvFzFn4tgdWYqDZ1p1pPEd5cwF-hRlsr3dnQDvFa1letcEMB4iquSh4i4mY7mPZsN1kV/s200/Photo0094_hollyblue.jpg" width="132" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV_fxDt1kxMJWT0JkjsCVijoeotNaHB2DCuqLW4CiuVkbhLvfslw883UEH4WwUTk3IzDBTtny7CLCZkxggE5FFtTVygIvzg99Eod3ET416zNvaMa1RHgt5Eohk30i_PiLqbBXIvweFpH-l/s1600/Photo0097_hollyblue.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV_fxDt1kxMJWT0JkjsCVijoeotNaHB2DCuqLW4CiuVkbhLvfslw883UEH4WwUTk3IzDBTtny7CLCZkxggE5FFtTVygIvzg99Eod3ET416zNvaMa1RHgt5Eohk30i_PiLqbBXIvweFpH-l/s200/Photo0097_hollyblue.jpg" width="163" /></a></div>
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</div>kirstallcreatureshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13998154163393757732noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8144580949373853133.post-21275548345033844152012-05-21T22:25:00.000+01:002012-05-21T22:25:07.383+01:00Small White in Kirkstall Abbey Walled Garden<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMReDP5j4GwBIxIhTkFSKOs2s8ifk8mOAnbTtxZBgT-CoUL2Y_qSPGrcGUH6hTCCeuVAbHMNdC7rOvgJXak8f8SNlV_bNctQvGlsSHZraFhYJF3FFrpM1pHIrHkzIPPEL_eTMjGe6JRvkw/s1600/1205mon_white_124.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMReDP5j4GwBIxIhTkFSKOs2s8ifk8mOAnbTtxZBgT-CoUL2Y_qSPGrcGUH6hTCCeuVAbHMNdC7rOvgJXak8f8SNlV_bNctQvGlsSHZraFhYJF3FFrpM1pHIrHkzIPPEL_eTMjGe6JRvkw/s400/1205mon_white_124.jpg" width="305" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">During an early evening stroll down to Kirsktall Abbey walled garden I spotted this <strong>Small White</strong> (Pieris rapae) land on a. <strong>Phlomis</strong> (fruticosa?) Jerusalem Sage</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">. I think its a slightly worn male The downy grey leaves provide perfect camouflage for the butterfly at rest. Had I not seen it on the wing I doubt I would have spotted it.</span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The flowerheads are in place but the majority of the deep yellow flowers, arranged in whorls, are just starting to emerge.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ6WLflNO9Wc30Puxp7uvkwtNO9zTo0NLF0wtXnsEzfxCIn6mOi1MGhJcQ9-2ycIlGv7hfPx9Ppac6In9cMli-KgSdoApvNtiTUMiljNfOpyFRmxCjmutS3MsIEH9s4HEkfx_NXvQKK_S-/s1600/1205mon_white_121.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ6WLflNO9Wc30Puxp7uvkwtNO9zTo0NLF0wtXnsEzfxCIn6mOi1MGhJcQ9-2ycIlGv7hfPx9Ppac6In9cMli-KgSdoApvNtiTUMiljNfOpyFRmxCjmutS3MsIEH9s4HEkfx_NXvQKK_S-/s1600/1205mon_white_121.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I returned twenty minutes later to find it had barely moved.</span><br />
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<br /></div>kirstallcreatureshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13998154163393757732noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8144580949373853133.post-40251519794142106682012-05-17T17:50:00.003+01:002012-05-17T17:51:11.048+01:00Otley Chevin and weather(ing)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo2qla-yJL2taRKEJ6XYZ8xPO_f3jiftZWQcJggdnnW-Z0_OSSy01iXMMAR6-aFx_Ely7Ui1YXI1oSaAv9ZlfZocXMjUQlHQgK8S-RkumOPvAhC2b42eQkvvGl0MhWcBX32mONxV88akzN/s1600/120515_0432.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo2qla-yJL2taRKEJ6XYZ8xPO_f3jiftZWQcJggdnnW-Z0_OSSy01iXMMAR6-aFx_Ely7Ui1YXI1oSaAv9ZlfZocXMjUQlHQgK8S-RkumOPvAhC2b42eQkvvGl0MhWcBX32mONxV88akzN/s1600/120515_0432.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Visiting Otley Chevin your attention is drawn to the colours of the dramatic Millstone Grit boulders and outcrops. My geological knowledge is pretty non-existent so </span><a href="http://www.wyorksgeologytrust.org/chevin.html"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">West Yorkshire Geology Trust</span></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> is a good place to information about the geology of the Otley Chevin Trail.</span> <br />
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVkJID0CqxxaGbKxPPbZCrK7M29Pts9POYeGUtFKphNHh8RPkyyHhqOhLTpoJSQCDhZns8mRVBPztpeyOurFaFgJoLBHPGm2aT11XCd6YIazfLTTRRMVtTS0YhofryfoRfdowVASN6Jnf-/s1600/120515_0479.jpg" /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The weathering of stone and vegetation results in a wonderful collection of colours, patterns and shapes and textures, a decomposing weather worn stump covered in mosses and lichens being a good example .</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI8KX6HsBZ6wnX_MKTlOyR_gHC9azkvPsuyK3l2OEHEJWKwO8awId_8a-dlAYCmI-79gkn4ZcFFJTLb8MGqkWspcoGchePFH6matlJsoZZmwly-ak10Ip5qffBJmsGQDe34iDTCwJyYXuB/s1600/120515_0461.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI8KX6HsBZ6wnX_MKTlOyR_gHC9azkvPsuyK3l2OEHEJWKwO8awId_8a-dlAYCmI-79gkn4ZcFFJTLb8MGqkWspcoGchePFH6matlJsoZZmwly-ak10Ip5qffBJmsGQDe34iDTCwJyYXuB/s1600/120515_0461.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Here's a view over Otley, with a stormy weather front approaching from the left.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-sZNr9IXOQ0bNdvFip0p64UBIP-738PRAh53WgdcX7o0_8IJBnqaggGT_KB4U9cH8OZmotl9nMCdxDNkSFYbrIdwOJ5Fpr6agoOq1lR-Mn_O7a-D6X8Plp4x-bwbN0WKWSxCe_QZOBZ8_/s1600/120515_0448.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-sZNr9IXOQ0bNdvFip0p64UBIP-738PRAh53WgdcX7o0_8IJBnqaggGT_KB4U9cH8OZmotl9nMCdxDNkSFYbrIdwOJ5Fpr6agoOq1lR-Mn_O7a-D6X8Plp4x-bwbN0WKWSxCe_QZOBZ8_/s1600/120515_0448.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A few minures later, heading back to the car, this was the view back across the valley. With the rain clouds heading our way we made a dash for it, brrrrr.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Getting backto the car, this Goldcrest provided a final flash of colour in the trees on the edge of the car park. Chiffchaff, Curlew, Blackbird, Crow, Robin, Wren, Blue Tit, Great Tit all made an appearance during our walk.</span><br />
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<br />kirstallcreatureshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13998154163393757732noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8144580949373853133.post-31194917503160313662012-05-13T16:02:00.002+01:002012-05-13T16:02:30.110+01:00Kirkstall Hill sightings<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLoqF_kb76CAziHVkQUnTZWU1W3nevuXyPIbEFaViTa9Oz9JNJQipAejFynL3YgsdylknnsYOlwK0QfOqIxGLJAQDRJPfee6KWUWYuNqLziB2XM53KQW1zX8Pguf8Eplb3FtlOJwgIMe56/s1600/120512_speckledwood_0343.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLoqF_kb76CAziHVkQUnTZWU1W3nevuXyPIbEFaViTa9Oz9JNJQipAejFynL3YgsdylknnsYOlwK0QfOqIxGLJAQDRJPfee6KWUWYuNqLziB2XM53KQW1zX8Pguf8Eplb3FtlOJwgIMe56/s1600/120512_speckledwood_0343.jpg" /></a></div>
<br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Wandering past the Cricketers flats and onto Kirkstall Hill I noticed this <strong>Speckled Wood</strong> busying itself between Hawthorn and Dandelions, the damage to the left hindwing confirmed that its the same butterfly in the two shots.</span> <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWKAciYemD8Iwi2rI18TSOWBomlnNRw2U_Nl3QzvEo8h4hA8TqNq95UDCxUPp7mINVW5l2hVYISTu44WPShtX76WE9dISmn7QAjUKCPWQ8NS86SMCr9szwdvfuqqEiWn-_FrBMn-cZJRTg/s1600/120512_speckledwood_0345b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWKAciYemD8Iwi2rI18TSOWBomlnNRw2U_Nl3QzvEo8h4hA8TqNq95UDCxUPp7mINVW5l2hVYISTu44WPShtX76WE9dISmn7QAjUKCPWQ8NS86SMCr9szwdvfuqqEiWn-_FrBMn-cZJRTg/s1600/120512_speckledwood_0345b.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And then out of the corner of my eye I spotted this <strong>Holly Blue</strong>, it was gone in a flash but I just managed a quick shot. I checked the young Holly shrub for eggs in case it was a depositing female but couldn't see anything.</span> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">First actual Holly Blue of the year for me!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4XJn721aWV9qU294kPm8SohLwxolN7N92igpwO5TAPi-V_mxCqKlbuuO-32MVV1g_iRTh6jO9rpLZFNT5sx8nFGQZwrLyqKSf1ZDFmBFp8hcEe73wfXrj1hBpwFIK_Wpl5dZ0nsX5BC7l/s1600/120512_hollyblue_0290.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4XJn721aWV9qU294kPm8SohLwxolN7N92igpwO5TAPi-V_mxCqKlbuuO-32MVV1g_iRTh6jO9rpLZFNT5sx8nFGQZwrLyqKSf1ZDFmBFp8hcEe73wfXrj1hBpwFIK_Wpl5dZ0nsX5BC7l/s1600/120512_hollyblue_0290.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">There were 4 <strong>Small Tortoiseshell</strong> on the wing, this the only one at rest for long enough to get a photo, I watched it move from one Dandelion to another for 5 minutes before it disappeared. </span><br />
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<br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Here's the view up the Aire valley.</span><br />
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<br /></div>kirstallcreatureshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13998154163393757732noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8144580949373853133.post-27533518029584482642012-05-11T19:29:00.000+01:002012-05-11T19:29:08.683+01:00Lawnswood columbarium<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzb70SiZSInZsTQ7WBsY6Kpsa8CFHBrXQXGfs-EbOej32mGIXu0BgXaBoXvgVZb9ht4DVn5nFVxlIA0qJIjzbIpTdvakncfE7vkcknFpEdZfhlDDyjuCw6PjZRhzbEyBr4i3int2B6uwFx/s1600/12051_lawnswood_0048.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzb70SiZSInZsTQ7WBsY6Kpsa8CFHBrXQXGfs-EbOej32mGIXu0BgXaBoXvgVZb9ht4DVn5nFVxlIA0qJIjzbIpTdvakncfE7vkcknFpEdZfhlDDyjuCw6PjZRhzbEyBr4i3int2B6uwFx/s1600/12051_lawnswood_0048.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">On a walk around Lawnswood Cemetery we passed by the Columbarium where I was drawn to the fiery hanging leaves of the Copper Beech and the sculptural form of the Magnolia still in bloom against the architectural backdrop. Built in 1933, the Columbarium is where ashes are stored and has provided accommodation for over 2,000 urns. A couple of years ago we once found Tawny Owl droppings beside the pillars but there's been no sign of it since.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">During our walk we spotted Jays, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Robin, Blackbird, Mistle Thrush, Bullfinch, Treecreeper, Great Tit, Goldfinch and during the Friends of Lawnswood Cemetery Action Day last Saturday Andrea saw a Grey Heron fly overhead.</span></div>
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<br /></div>kirstallcreatureshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13998154163393757732noreply@blogger.com4