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Not everyone’s cup of tea…

During spring I have been searching the Silver birch trees of Raw Nook Nr for four mirco moth belonging to the family Eriocrania. So if anyone saw a strange man searching leaves on trees well…it was me. So perhaps not everyone’s cup of tea!

Larva of Eriocrania cicatricella

However, these moths are extremely difficult to identify as adult moths therefore the only way of securing a confirmed record is to find the leaf mine and larva.

Therefore it was important for the reserve for me to prove all four uncommon species are breeding on our reserve.

And I am really pleased to confirm I have proven that they are all breeding at Raw Nook Nr and the area above Caldene fields.

The other three moths of the Eriocrania family found were Sangii, semipurpurella and unimaculella

A Common whitethroat was in full song at Caldene fields this morning.

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No need for muddy boots…

Following on from the excellent work done by Bradford council’s Countryside Services in trying to save our wildlife pond they have now started on the old ‘ Very muddy pathway ‘.

I was down on the reserve this morning and bumped into the team working on the pathway. Whilst the pathway is looking really good now one of the team stated that once all the gravel is down it will be rolled and compacted.

So the days of muddy boots and flooded paths will be a thing of the past.

Whilst a number of people have already stopped me stating what a great job has been done with the drainage ditch leading to the pond and fingers crossed this will solve the problem.

It is also satisfying what one of the team who was working on the project told me.

He stated ‘That he was surprised how many people had complimented them on their work and how the new path was looking!’

Always nice to have positive feedback.

Hard at work…

So with our new notice boards supplied and fitted by the Yorkshire Wildlife Trust and now new paths, like a lot of local people we are feeling our jewel in the crown at south Bradford has just got a few more diamonds!

PS No recent sightings of the Roe deer in our recording area

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Four new ones for Raw Nook Nr

It was a good morning at Raw Nook NR today….well until the heavens opened. However, I found four new species for our recording area 3 moth and one Ladybird which was new for the Raw Nook species lists

I have been searching for two moths of the Eriocrania family semipurpurella & sangii. Both are very difficult to visually identify but thankfully can be easily identified by their leaf mines of which I found both on Silver Birch trees.

Whist sheltering from the rain under a Sycamore tree I found the third new species an Orange Ladybird – Halyzia sedecimguttata (left). The species has been found at TH Beck and Caldene fields before but now its safe to say the species is established in all three of our recording areas.

And the four was another mico moth Grapholita compositella.

A family of Mistle Thrushes have successfully fledged 3 chicks at Raw Nook NR. Family feeding regularly in Caldene fields.

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Work starts in Raw Nook NR

We are all aware how the main footpaths at Raw Nook are continuously flooding causing people to walk into the woodland to get round the flooded areas. Also I have lost count of the number of people who have asked ‘ What’s happened to the pond, it dry’s out in days?

Well the main problem of the flooded footpath and woodland is that when the culvert (left) overflows it causing flooding.

However, the Bradford Countryside Services have now started repair work at the site.

This includes digging a trench from the culvert which will lead the water into the pond instead of flooding the footpath.

First impressions this is an excellent idea in that it solves the flooding problem and it just may help the pond.

As we know the pond has a leakage problem however, it now appears to have a constant steam of water going into it. Yes the leakage problem will still be there but it may just retain at least some water which will help to bring back the frogs/toads and dragonflies.

There is also going to be some upgrading of the footpath which leads to the bridge as this gets very muddy and is near unpassable especially in winter.

So all in all a big thank you to Danny Jackson and the Countryside Services for all their hard work.

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Ever wondered about…

Why the footpath that leads from the top of Raw Nook NR (near the bridge) to the metal gate adjacent to the golf course has low flying bees in spring time? Come on!…..with all the problems in the world this must have been a burning issue…..ha…HA However, I have be asked mainly by dog walkers (who train their dogs there) will the bees sting?

Well there are two bees involved one is a mining bee Ashy Mining Bee Andrena cineraria and the other is the Lathbury’s Nomad Bee Nomada lathburiana. which is not a common bee, well certainly not in our area. Both bees are completely harmless and will not sting humans or pets.

If you want to find out more about our special guests Please see my short video…thank you…SAVE OUR BEES!

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Osprey Dilemma!

Yesterday I received a very interesting email about a report of an Osprey that had been seen flying north over Caldene Avenue on 7/5/. Later in the day on the 7th a third party report came in of another Osprey sighting in Silsden heading north towards Skipton. Could it have been the same bird?

I asked Mark a birder from Wyke if he has anymore information relating to these sighting. If anyone else has any information about the possible Low Moor bird please let me know. Thank you.

There was some good news from TH Beck. On 7/5 I thought I heard a Sedge Warbler in very brief song at the same location I found the bird on the 3/5. However, today I can confirmed the Sedge Warbler is still at the very same location. Hmm…probably the warbler has been there for 6 days now, suggesting a possibly of first time breeding…Fingers crossed!

The first pair of Canada geese have successful family at TH Beck.

Four Swifts (First of the year) flew S/W and 5 Swallow N/W over Caldene fields this morning.

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Finger crossed for the Sedge Warbler

The first week in May is always an exciting time in the bird watchers calendar with warblers and other spring migrants reaching their breeding ground or exploring new potential breeding areas. Yesterday morning at the middle pond at Toad holes Beck a male Sedge Warbler was in full song trying to attract a mate as they do most year at this site. However, I only glimpsed him as he was singing deep in cover and left him to it, but I managed to record his lovely song.

With Blackcap singing in the background

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A surprise from Dewsbury…

John Tordoff had a nice surprise this morning on his visit to Dewsbury country park. He heard a warbler that caught his attention and he recorded the bird which was in full song. The bird turned out to be a Garden Warbler! Interestingly it’s Latin name is Sylvia borin. With borin given as it’s name due to it’s plain plumage. However, it’s song is beautiful and far from boring…

Whilst Dewsbury country park is not in our recording area the sighting is of real interest. Dewsbury is not that far away from TH Beck so who knows it might appear in our area like it use to do back in the 1980s.

Thanks John for your sighting.

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Common Whitethroats

Two male Common Whitethroats at Low Moor Banks this morning both in full song.

No sign of it’s cousin the Lesser Whitethroat as yet but a single arrived yesterday at spurn point so they maybe on their way.

However, I doubt there will be any Whitethroats this year at Toad Holes Beck due to very loud pile driving which is taking place at the newly constructed units which are adjacent to the site.

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