Willows on the River Aire

On the banks of the River Aire next to Kirkstall Abbey a series of willows overhang the riverbank,  the catkins are emerging with the first leaves in an alternate arrangement on long slender stems.

Spring Catkins

Willow catkins taken on a recent trip to Wheldrake Ings.

Alder catkins at Askham Bog near York.

Kirkstall Abbey by the river

Despite a chill in the air I wandered down to Kirkstall Abbey. In the park this Chaffinch perched on the branch of a Sycamore, among the newly emerged lobed leaves and drooping flower panicles.

It kept its Chaffinchy eye on me as I wandered around below, stopping to gaze at clumps of Leucojum aestivum, part of a flower border and quite lovely.

Along this stretch the River Aire , at intervals grow clumps of Ransoms/Wild Garlic (Allium ursinum) with arching, broad green elliptic leaves topped with clusters of white star shaped flowers 6 petals and 6 stamens on a leafless stalk. Although never having tried them myself, both flowers and leaves are edible, Nigel Slater has a wild garlic (and nettle) recipe in today's Observer.

A few metres away two male Blackbirds were engaged in a dramatic stand-off on a fallen White Willow.

Here's the White Willow on the banks of the River Aire, one of two Willows in the area that have collapsed, the original storm damage occurred earlier in the year, but this time it's gone completely. There are plenty of Willow and Elder along this stretch, so I'm sure other plants will benefit from the newly available resources left in its wake.

A good opportunity to get some close ups of White Willow catkins.

Whilst wandering around the Willow I heard an unfamiliar call and glimpsed a pair of Common Tern, (the quality's not great, poor light, fast Tern)

And as one good Tern deserves another.

Rather blurred this one, but moments before it dived suddenly and snaffled a fish, which you can just make out in its beak.

Whilst waiting for the Tern to return (it didn't) this male Goosander flew downstream, at the time I couldn't tell what it was but with the help of a little Photoshop jiggery-pokery you can make out the sawbill and the characteristic markings. Goosander are a familiar sight on this stretch of the Aire in winter, so it was good to still see them around .


I turned my attention to the riverbanks and this umbelliferous plant which made for some interesting pics, if only I'd thought to take a less artsy reference pic I might have had a chance of identifying it, but as usual I didn't, Anthriscus sylvestris maybe?

As I was leaving the park and with the light at its lowest due to the onset of rain I spotted a Jay, it spotted me and made for cover sharpish. Not bad for an impromptu early evening wander.

Willow catkins

Over the past couple of weeks one of my favourite sights of spring has been Willow Catkins. Here are a few pics of the catkins on slender stems. I've recently read a description (although I can't remember where) of willow blossom described as a 'pointillist fuzz' which is spot on (excuse the pun).


I find it difficult to identify the correct species but it doesn't detract from my enjoyment of the flowers which appear before the leaves. Most of the willows around Kirkstall are beginning to lose their flowers as the leaves appear which should make identification a little easier I suppose.



Phil Gates, Cabinet of Curiosities recently blogged about Sallow/Goat Willow/Pussy Willow, how its a dioecious plant, growing as separate male and female trees and its pollination carried out by insects and unusually blue tits, attracted by the nectar.

I think these pics are predominantly Sallow catkins, although I'd appreciate the feedback.