Kirkstall Abbey

Undeterred by the downpour on Monday I ventured out to Kirkstall Abbey, pausing at St Stephen's churchyard Kirkstall, which was full of blossom and bluebells (sadly most appeared to be hybrids). This Garden Snail (Helix aspersa) offered a piggy back to its junior companion.

Also in bloom, Green Alkanet, Pentaglottis sempervirens, spotted with pink blossom from overhanging Cherry trees. Found mainly in shady areas, large bristly green leaves and clusters of vivid blue five petalled flowers which are edible used as decoration in drinks & salads.

A white variant of hybrid bluebell.

In the Abbey Walled Garden a rain soaked Clematis montana was in full bloom.

Grey clouds, Kirkstall Abbey & a display of Rodgersia in the foreground.
Business as usual for a trio of Goldfinch and a Mistle Thrush despite the drizzle.

A pair of Canada Geese on the River Aire.

Clumps of Wild Garlic on the banks of the river.

Jelly Ear Fungus, Auricularia auricula-judae growing on an elder, and looking pretty healthy following the rainfall.

Galloway Goose Chase

Earlier in the week we spent a few days up in Galloway, South West Scotland. We stayed in a lovely B&B near Wigtown, Croft House, & despite a bad cold and camera malfunctions we made the best of fine weather to explore the beautiful coastline & observe the wildlife on the way. Huge numbers of geese overwinter in the area. Our first port of call was the hide at Wigtown Nature Reserve, an estuary with large areas of saltmarsh and mudflats where we saw 250+ geese, Barnacles & Pink Footed on the marshland, gradually moving in flocks to settle in neighbouring fields.

Later in the week, near to Mersehead RSPB we spotted over 500+ geese on the banks of the estuary, it was a misty morning so its not too clear but the area of dots between the waterline & treetops is in fact 150+ geese.
At the RSPB centre, flocks of geese take to the sky.

Fewston & Swinsty

Today we wandered around Fewston and neighbouring Swinsty reservoirs, about 6 miles from Otley. Fewston was still iced over so a few ducks and geese were on the banks hanging around for snacks, including these two.

Canada Goose, there were about 20 on nighbouring Swinsty reservoir

On the way we spotted.....Treecreeper

and fair few fungi

Velvet shank, Flammulina velutipes

A snowtopped Birch polypore

This huge bracket fungi growing on an Oak, it must have been over 30 cm in diameter

Bramble leaves stood out in the winter sunshine.

Lichen growing on the fissured bark of an old Birch

Early contenders for next year's Christmas card