Bolton Abbey, Wharfedale, North Yorkshire. 10/4/2010.
“Nature’s Splendour in Wharfedale”
As members of the Field Naturalists’ Society emerged from the coach at Bolton Abbey recently, coats, hats, gloves and scarves were rapidly discarded. As they followed the holiday makers down to the Abbey grounds it was clear that summer was on the way at last.
This excursion had something of interest for everyone. The river meadows were verdant but enlivened with splashes of yellow from celandines or the more subtle primrose on sunny banks. On the unusually serene river there were amorous mallard ducks, goosander, common sandpiper and the iconic dales bird, the dipper, equally at home when feeding under water as well as flying over it.
Although buds were already swelling on the overhanging beech trees there was plenty of light on the woodland floor for the cheerful anemones. It was easy to see woodland birds like nuthatch, blackcap and treecreeper through the open tree canopy and it was good to welcome back migrants such as swallow, chiffchaff and willow warbler which have just returned to our shores. At the start of the breeding season bird song was heard everywhere.
The Valley of Desolation belied its name. This sheltered side valley is a peaceful oasis away from the crowds, here toads gathered in a little pond for breeding and copses planted by the Yorkshire Dales Millennium Trust in the last decade now harbour birds and butterflies. Four species of butterfly were seen on the wing as well as many bees and a two spot ladybird. A red kite flew purposefully above the conifer plantation displaying its trademark forked tail. A group of members enjoying their picnic lunches in the warm sunshine saw another raptor gliding above them, which, after scrutiny and lengthy discussion, was identified as a rare goshawk. Lambs gambolled in the adjacent fields and the song of the curlew carried through the still air. Higher up on the slopes of Simons Seat the dense heather harboured many red grouse, spared from the shooters until August as well as dozens of meadow pipits which were pairing up and finding nest sites.
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| Stepping stones and Bolton Abbey | Butterbur | Mandarin ducks |
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| Toads | Toad | Wood Anemone |
Images by Peter Francis and Peter Stevens
