Adel Dam Nature Reserve

On Sunday afternoon we jumped on the bus to Goldenacre Park, how cold it was or rather how cold I was, words cannot convey. Discomfort aside we headed for Adel Dam, a local Yorkshire Wildlife Trust reserve. The Marsh Hide feeders were busy with smaller woodland birds including of a pair of Bullfinch, Nuthatch, Robin, Blue Tits, Long Tail Tit, Great Tit, Coal Tit, along with a sorry looking Magpie, Blackbird, a pair of Moor Hen, and 6 Squirrels, though sadly no sign of the Great Spotted Woodpecker today.

From the second hide, overlooking Adel Dam, only the far reaches of the dam remained unfrozen, kept clear by the current of the inflowing Adel Beck. An assortment of footprints were visible across the frozen surface.

From the left, flying low, heading directly for the unfrozen patch of water zipped the electric blue of a Kingfisher, our first ever sighting of the bird here at Adel Dam. This pic is taken at a distance, but its plumage colouration is unmistakable, it perched here for a few minutes before heading off, hopefully with better luck elsewhere, according to the RSPB website they're particularly vulnerable to hard winters. 

As the Kingfisher made its exit, on the far bank we could just make out the profile of a Roe Deer, well camouflaged amongst the snow and bare branches.

 

Having endured enough of the cold temperatures made worse by sitting still in the hide for a few minutes, we followed the woodland trail back through the reserve and found this fungi.  I'm guessing its Pleurotus sp. Buff coloured, convex cap, the gills are cream coloured and decurrent, growing in abundant clumps on a deciduous stump. Any help with the ID would be greatly appreciated.

Rodley Nature Reserve

Making the most of this weekend's fine weather we stayed local and visited Rodley Nature Reserve. The vegetation was first to catch the eye, the coppiced Willows were laden with catkins and these hedgerow trees were covered in delicate white blossoms Wild Cherry (Prunus avium) perhaps? Five petalled flowers appear before the leaves, clustered in groups of 2 - 6.

Over in the Manager's garden, 5 Reed Bunting, this one a male.

And a pair of Bullfinch, the male had such a strikingly red chest, other woodland visitors included Blue Tit, Great Tit, Greenfinch, Wren, Blackbird, Robin and Chaffinch.

Viewed from the hides, a Little Grebe, a pair of Great Crested Grebe, Tufted Duck, Gadwall, Coot, Canada Geese, Oystercatcher, Lapwing, Wren, Grey Heron, Mute Swan, Mallards.

During our visit we saw at least three Small Tortoiseshell butterflies on the wing, and three white species that I'd guess to be Small White's but couldn't be sure. This Small Tortoiseshell was the only butterfly to rest, basking in the sunshine for a few seconds before taking to the air.

A beautiful Cowslip (Primula veris) in the Wildflower Meadow.

Near the riverbank this Butterbur (Petasites hybridus), a perennial plant with pink/red tubular florets in robust vertical spikes, leaves are stalked and heart shaped and can grow up to 1m.

The Dragonfly Ponds were popular with visitors this weekend, especially as there were lots of these Common or Smooth Newts to see,

and toads, plus endless strings of toadspawn.

Kirkstall Valley Nature Reserve

We wandered down the road to Kirkstall Valley Nature Reserve at the weekend. The reserve stands on the former site of Kirkstall Power Station and is flanked by the train track on the left and the River Aire to the right & covers 9.7 hectares. The gated entrance is on Redcote Lane, over the bridge, past the leisure centre, on the right. Yorkshire Wildlife Trust manage the reserve.

To the right of the path the embankment is colonised by grasses, teasels, brambles, alder, birch and elder. After a few minutes walk, the track branches off the the right leading to an open meadow area surrounded by mixed scrub & patches of deciduous trees. Unburdened by formal signage its one to explore. To the right flows the River Aire edged with mature trees, ahead we found ponds & reedbeds where a flock of small birds (Blue Tits, Great Tits, Bullfinch) sat in the canopy above.

This male Bullfinch fed on the ruby red berries of what I think is a mature Guelder Rose, Viburnum opulus.

During our visit we counted 32 Speckled Woods, the largest number Ive seen locally in one area. Ive mentioned before that the Speckled Wood is a Kirkstall regular, favouring the dappled shade of tree lined pathways and woodland borders. Walking a circular route, we stopped counting when we rejoined the path leading back to the entrance, otherwise our tally would be nearer 40.

The only other butterflies we spotted were 2 Large Whites.

I submitted my recordings to the Terry Whitaker Butterfly Conservation Vice County Recorder. He informed me "The speckled wood was not present in the West Leeds area until about 15 years ago! its now present throughout lowland West Yorkshire".

I also sent my sighting through to Yorkshire Butterflies for their Recent Sightings page which is a handy way of finding out whats where in the world of Yorkshire Butterflies. Ive decided I must make more effort to email my sightings to them.

A dash of colour suggests the approach of autumn.

Sculptural spiny teasels, the abundance of teasels on the reserve will no doubt provide sustenance for finches throughout autumn and winter.

Thornley Woodlands, Rowlands Gill

Whilst in the North East we popped across to Thornley, Rowlands Gill a couple of miles away from where I grew up. During a short stay in the busy hide we spotted Chaffinch, Bullfinch, Great Tit, Long Tailed Tit, Blue Tit, Yellowhammer & greedy Grey Squirrel. Everything dived for cover a millisecond before a Sparrowhawk flew overhead. Walking through the woodland we spotted a couple of Nuthatch & what we think was a Chiffchaff. Wood Anemone (Anemone nemorosa) and Wood Sorrell (Oxalis acetosella) in bloom, an abundance of Birch Polypore and an Oak Polypore near the Woodland Centre.

Information about Thornley Woodlands Centre

Wood Anemone
Wood SorrellOak polypore (Piptoporus quercinus)

Nuthatch
We think it may be a Chiff Chaff
On the feeders, Chaffinch and Bullfinch