Greetland – Black Brook area
A surprise when I downloaded this pic of a Nuthatch nest: tiny beaks inside the mud-plastered hole.
Newt advice – Halifax
Hello All,
I’ve received this picture, which I believe to be of a palmate newt. The pond owner would appreciate some advice on managing the pond. Anyone interested? If so, please email me direct on hugh.firman@calderdale.gov.uk and I’ll supply details.
Killer Turbines
For those of you who think that wind turbines are not dangerous to birds, take a look at this disturbing video.
Bogbean – Menyanthes (trifoliata)?
Found at Oats Royd early May. A native plant and not very common in Calderdale.
Thanks To Hugh Firman for the info.
Gorpley Clough (RIGS)
The walk was led by Linda through intermittent light rain and sunny spells up the clough to the reservoir and back.
Very few birds were seen or heard due to the rain and noisy stream. However we did have a dipper near the car park. Others included swallow, swift, pied wag, black bird, wren, robin, meadow pipit, skylark and Canada goose.
An as yet, unidentified fungus was found. Possibly Pholiota sp.
Steve fossil hunting in one of the shale beds.
Problems with Alder trees
Over the last year or two I have noticed that local Alder trees have been looking very thin in leaf area. This year again many are looking nearly dead, with very few leaves showing. There is a phytopthera disease that has been killing Alders throughout the country. Has anyone else noticed any problems?
Walk This Saturday
A reminder that there is a walk this Saturday, May 14th. Meet Linda Kingsnorth at Gorpley Clough car park in Bacup Road, Todmorden for waterfalls, wagtails and dippers.
Meet at SD919235 Map
This Tuesday’s Talk
A reminder that the next talk at the Halifax Scientific Society is this Tuesday May 10th at the Central Library Halifax at 7:15pm.
Paul Kingsnorth on “The Fall and Rise of Scything”. Writer, environmentalist and scything tutor Paul will bring some of his tools along as well as his slides.
All Welcome.
Water Shrew
I saw a Water Shrew Neomys fodiensa calling and then swimming under water a few days ago in Holmfield in a tributary of Strines Beck.
I was surprised how big and loud they are. As far as I know the nearest record is a few mile away in Bradford.
In Calderdale-WN (Yahoogroups.com) (messages 1596 to 1602) various members mention water shrew in Calderdale and the possibility of updating the map. The NBN gateway map is still not updated with local records. Perhaps Colin or Hugh could once again badger WYEcology.
My record is at SE 08466 29677 on 21/4/2011