Ben Rhydding Gravel Pits sightings

On the way back from Ilkley we had a whistlestop call at Ben Rhydding Gravel Pits which is looked after by the Wharfedale Naturalists Society. Despite our short stay it was evident that damselflies and butterflies were becoming more active. I managed to capture my first decent pic of a Green Veined White feeding from Lady's Smock or Cuckoo Flower (Cardamine pratensis) a common perennial of damp meadows throughout the British Isles. Caught a glimpse of a blue on the wing and 5 whites.

On the margins of the lake we spotted approximately 8 blue damselflies, this one was especially light blue in colour unlike most of the others that were a more saturated turquoise hue. With the single back stripe on the thorax and short black mark on segment 2 I'll opt for a male Common Blue Damselfly, and thanks to Emma for the confirmation.

This pic is a little blurred so there's not much detail on this pair of mating damselflies but I suspected that they're Common Blue Damselflies too, thanks again to Emma for confirming my ID. We'll definitely visit again over the next few weeks and look forward to the appearance of more Damselfies and Dragonflies.

Down by the river Sand Martins were busy, a pair of Oystercatchers made their presence known, and in the same area where I last saw three buzzards, today a Red Kite made a brief appearance.

Ben Rhydding Gravel Pits

During this weekend we visited Ben Rhydding Gravel Pits, near Ilkley. One of four reserves managed by The Wharfedale Naturalists Society since 2007. The reserve consists of land around two reclaimed gravel pits adjacent to the river Wharfe. Thanks to Amanda for recommending the site which on first reading I mistook for Otley Gravel Pits that we visited last year, but this is a great addition to our list of places to visit.

The pond was our first port of call, during our visit the weather was overcast and breezy with little butterfly activity other than a Small White on the wing, no Damselfly/Dragonfly activity yet, but I imagine it'll be a good spot for both in the summer months. Walking around the opposite side of the pond Andrea took a nice shot looking up towards Cow and Calf rocks.

Bird sightings included Grey Heron, Oystercatcher, Coal Tit, Blue Tit, Chaffinch, Curlew, here we watched 20 Sand Martins across the river, constantly on the go.

Whilst watching the Sand Martins a pair of Goosander appeared from downstream and settled on the opposite bank.

We spotted a Buzzard on the horizon and within moments another two appeared, I've never seen three in one spot before.

Its a super spot for wildflowers, with many patches of Lords and Ladies (Arum maculatum) those in shade on the verge of opening and those in a sunnier aspect now in bloom.

On our way back, near the roadside we passed beside a carpet of Ramsons (Allium ursinum) in dappled shade.

Wood Forget Me Not, clusters of tiny powder blue flowers with yellow centres.

Common Solomon's-Seal (Polygonatum multiflorum), arching stems, alternate leaves, hanging clusters of bell shaped flowers.

Fern fronds unfurling, the golden brown stems predominant.

And a patch of fully open ferns swaying in the breeze and adding a splash of emerald green to the woodland floor.