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A Welcome Visitor arrives!

David Campbell is the Biodiversity Officer for Bradford MDC.

However, he has never really met our group the Low Moor & Oakenshaw conservation.

So on the 6th of June myself and Clare (Our chairperson) met him at the entrance of Raw Nook NR.

Our aim was to give him a guided tour of RN & Toad Holes Beck and explain the conservation work we do.

I was hoping that the weather would be sunny and warm so I could ‘Show off’ the array of biodiversity we have in our recording areas. However, it was dull and cold! so there was very little about.

When we arrived in TH Beck David picked up a brief song! And sure enough it was a Sedge Warbler giving an intermittent song by the pond. My thoughts (given the late date) at last have we finally got a breeding Sedge!. However, the singing male was mobile suggesting a possible non-breeding male.

If anyone has any sightings of this bird please contact me.

So it was lovely to met David and explain about the work we do and the biodiversity we have….Well when it’s warm and sunny that is!

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Wow!

Went to Low Moor Banks with the grandchildren to see if we could find ‘An’orchid. Wow! we found 106 Southern Marsh orchids. All are just coming into bloom so over the next few days the show should be spectacular!

The orchids are at the top of the site in the clearing where the Bee orchids can be found later in the year.

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Moth sightings pick up and so does the litter!

After a very poor spring for moths and migrant birds things are starting to improve.

Today I found a new moth for our area, an Alder Moth at Caldene fields.

Whilst the moth is widespread in the county albeit in small numbers it is uncommon in south of the county.

Also yesterday I found a new daytime flying moth for Toad Holes Beck a Pyrausta aurata ( Mint Moth).

The moth is resident in some parts of our area but know I know it is in TH Beck as well.

Now some bad news and some very good news. During our work day we found someone had vandalised the info board. However, it has now been cleaned which is good news.

Regulars to the site will have noticed we have put rubbish bag at certain locations. This is until we get our council bins.

Thankfully these have been well used !!!! and when Claire and her mum did a litter pick they only brought a few items back.!! Which is GREAT NEWS and long may it continue!

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Roe Deer…

Regular reader to this site will know that we get a few sightings of Roe Deer in our recording area.

This morning I found a good number of their tracks on a path suggesting they are regular users at that site, which is great news for our area.

A Swallow (Probable male) has returned to it’s breeding site on New Works Road Low Moor and can be seen resting on the wires and flying around the area. Lets hope she arrives soon!!

Common Whitethroats are now starting to appear but as yet no Lesser Whitethroat have been noted. There are at least 3 male CW in song at nearby Low Moor Banks. A pair of Blackcap also at the site were seen in early courtship.

The male Common Whitethroat (Opposite) was using his song flight to attract a female at Toad Holes Beck this morning.

Sad new…The Canada goose nest containing eggs has been predated probably by a Fox at TH Beck

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Recent sightings

At least 2 pairs of Linnet are nest building at Caldene fields.

As yet we have not been blessed with many spring migrants.

Yes, Chiffchaffs, Willow Warblers and Blackcaps are all claiming breeding territories in our area but there are very few other species at the moment, but I think the northerly cool air flow maybe causing some problems.

However, there was a male Common Whitethroat in song at Low Moor Banks on 27/4 but as yet no signs of any Lesser Whitethroats.

However, our local birds are doing better including a good number of Robins & Blackbirds observed collecting food for their chicks.

Grey Wagtail collecting nesting material at Caldene fields

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A new fungi is found!

It was our work day on Saturday at Toad Holes Beck. Whilst some of the group were creating a dead hedge by the middle pond Claire and the rest of the group did a litter pick.

And whilst litter picking hawk eyed Claire stopped an orange fungus growing out of a dead branch.

Investigations revealed the fungi to be Yellow Brain – Tremella mesenterica. The fungi turns orange as it ages.

The good news is that it is a new species for our recording area which is great news.

(Starting to make the dead edge…)

I received a query the other day about the two large patches of bare earth that have been created at T H Beck by the middle pond. Micheal Wiggins from our conservation group has done the excellent work and they will be new wild flower meadows.

Sue and Geoffrey reported some interesting sightings on a recent visit to TH Beck.

A Holly Blue and a Goosander on the fisherman’s pond. Both have been added to my records. Thank you.

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Spring activities…

Interestingly yesterday at Toad Holes Beck was a pair of Common Buzzards displaying.

It would be a dream come true to have them breeding at the site but I think I am dreaming as firstly the trees are not mature enough for nesting and disturbance.

Also at the site was a male Blackcap in full song with at least 6 Chiffchaffs.

No other migrants have been noted as yet.

A Great Spotted Woodpecker was drumming in Raw Nook Nr.

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People can make a difference!

For a while now I have been trying to address the problem on unresponsible dog owner either not picking up their dogs poo or picking it up and throwing it in the nearest bush at both Raw Nook NR & T H Beck.

I recently spoke at the Oakenshaw village meeting about the issue and Victoria Banyard rose to the challenge!

Then our conservation group received some excellent news.

Two dog poo bins are to be placed at both sites and the Bradford council green team will empty them, which is excellent news!.

Thank you Bradford council!

In addition one of our group members Micheal Wiggins has placed some PEOPLE CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE dog poo bags at TH Beck and thankfully they are been used.

So fingers crossed this will help the situation so we can ‘ ALL’ enjoy our urban wildlife jewel.

And talking of wildlife at least 3 Chiffchaffs are in song with a male Blackcap arriving at TH Beck probably some time yesterday.

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Kingfisher and Primroses!

This morning the Primroses at Toad Holes Beck were really showing well and are producing a wonderful display.

Talking of displays, A Kingfisher must have been at the middle pond as it as it swooped up low and flew towards me!

Thankfully it veered and flew towards the beck giving further views.

Sadly I am not that quick with the camera…But there will be another chance , I’m sure.

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