Bat update

 

Just wanted to say thanks to everybody who took the time to comment on our recent bat pics. The votes are in and after much deliberation it looks like the pipistrelles have it. Having looked back through the remaining photos we thought we'd feature a few more of them in these composites. Thanks again.

L & A

Nuthatch at Goldenacre Park

We watched a pair of Nuthatch work their way around the trunk of a fallen conifer at Goldenacre Park near the Arthington Road entrance.

Hedgerow Blue Tit

In a Kirkstall hedgerow, a group of Chaffinch, Blue Tit and Long Tail Tit zipped in and out of tangled branches. This individual was the only one to sit obligingly for a picture. His colourful fluffy form contrasted with the bare spiky hawthorn branches whose buds are starting to emerge.

Mandarins at Adel Dam Nature Reserve

On Tuesday afternoon we visited Adel Dam Nature Reserve next to Goldenacre Park. Small birds flew back and forth between the feeders and surrounding vegetation, Blue Tit, Chaffinch, Coal Tit, Great Tit, Robin, a pair of Nuthatch, Long Tail Tit, Dunnock, joined briefly by a Great Spotted Woodpecker. A single female Mandarin duck fed on the outskirts of the pond, whilst a couple of male Mandarins kept their distance near the stream at the back of the clearing. After 10 minutes a brightly coloured handsome male marched towards the pond followed by more and ending up with a total of 12 Mandarins.

Washburn valley lichens

Our intended destination was Fewston reservoir, instead we headed a little further out and higher up the valley. Along a public footpath and up through a steep field we took shelter on the lee side of a dry stone wall where we watched three Buzzards, a Red Kite, Kestrel and a dozen Curlews overhead. After enjoying the sunshine my attention turned to the lichens growing on the wall and the variety of texture, shape and subtle colours. I have to admit that I know very little about lichens but do remember enjoying The Northumberland Naturalist's lichen related posts from a couple of years ago.

Other lichen related websites

• British Lichen Society
• Alan Silversides Lichen Pages
• British Lichens