Sunday 31st March 2019 - Farleton Fell (Hutton Roof)
Photo: taken 31st March 2019
Photo: taken 31st March 2019
Photo: taken 31st March 2019
Photo: taken 31st March 2019
Had my first female YELLOWHAMMER of the year back on territory near the Turtle Stone on Farleton Fell. Also Pied Wags (2), Skylarks on territory and possibly 5 moving through as well, Kestrel, 2 passing Fieldfare, a group of 20 Meadow Pipits and 4 WHEATEAR, one paired and two singles at all the regular Wheatear regular haunts.
Checked out the old Lime Kiln and it was great to check out the new life shown by croziers and new fronds already opened with the Asplenium ceterach (Rusty Back Fern) - see photos above. Also in this old lime kiln there is Scollies (later), Brittle Bladder (later), Maidenhair Spleenwort, Black Spleenwort, Wall Rue.
(Below) This was a fabulous site to see, I had to look twice I thought I was seeing things and wondered how on earth could a matured gorse bush be raining down bramble stems, to think I could get Blackberries from a Gorse Bush. Well this was large because the gorse tree stood at about 18ft high and the brambles had started growing from the base of the Gorse and grew straight up and bent over and then dropped down just like a "weeping willow". I have taken a couple of photos below for you to check it out.
Photo: Near Newbiggin, Farleton Fell (Hutton Roof) 31st March 2019
A gorse with intermingled Bramble drooping from it like a weeping willow
Photo: Near Newbiggin, Farleton Fell (Hutton Roof) 31st March 2019
A gorse with intermingled Bramble drooping from it like a weeping willow
Photo: Near Newbiggin, Farleton Fell (Hutton Roof) 31st March 2019
A gorse with intermingled Bramble drooping from it like a weeping willow
Photo: Near Newbiggin, Farleton Fell (Hutton Roof) 31st March 2019
A gorse with intermingled Bramble drooping from it like a weeping willow
Photo: Near Newbiggin, Farleton Fell (Hutton Roof) 31st March 2019
A gorse with intermingled Bramble drooping from it like a weeping willow
Friday 29th March 2019 - Park Wood, Hutton Roof
Today I set aside mainly to check out the East Side Mezereone which I did and 5 out of the 6 plants have succeeded and photos are shown in full plant and close up below. Sadly the one that died there is no apparent reason (which can be usual with Mezereone), but it was in previous years the very best plant in regard to flower yield).
Had my first Wood Anemone with several at the side of the footpath in Park Wood. Also lots of Celandine, Primrose everywhere, all Strawberry checked were Barren, Dog Violets, Had 2 Early Purple Orchid rosettes (one marked).
Great to find some Asplenium adiantum-nigrum (Black Spleenwort) Check photo below and note the strange form it seems to have taken!!
Little in the way of birds, but definately had a couple of local Curlew which were calling over the fields below, also a couple of yafflers (Green Woodpeckers) and just one Chiffchaff back at the moment calling from just higher up from the car park (with the little stream).
Photo: 29th March 2019 - showing a normal yield - full plant
Photo: 29th March 2019 - showing a normal yield - Close up of leafing
Photo: 29th March 2019 - showing a normal yield - Full plant
Photo: 29th March 2019 - showing a normal yield - Close up of flower and new leafage
Photo: 29th March 2019 - showing a normal yield - Full plant and new leafage
Photo: 29th March 2019 - showing a normal yield - Close up showing flower and new leafage
Photo: 29th March 2019 - showing a normal yield - Showing full plant and new leafage
Photo: 29th March 2019 - showing a normal yield - Showing Close up of full plant and new leafage
Photo: 29th March 2019 - showing a normal yield - Showing Close up of full plant and new leafage
My first Wood Anemone over above Hutton Roof Village
Photo: 29th March 2019
Asplenium adiantum-nigrum (Black Spleenwort) very different!
Photo: Hutton Roof Village 29th March 2019
Thursday 28th March 2019
(1930hrs) Enjoyed a fabulous photo presentation by David Poole - Wild Morecambe Bay held at the Burton Memorial Hall, stunning photography of birds and mammals
(p.m) Lancelot (CWT), Burton Fell (CWT), Holme Stinted Pastures, Holme Park Fell (NT) 12noon to 1600hrs
Another cracking sunny afternoon, in Lancelot watching two separate populations of Marsh Tits, they seem to be doing well this year. Also one of the Lancelot Chiffchaffs calling, Treecreepers calling.
Also Rowley Copse Chiffchaff is back and singing. Something did not seem right at the bullfrog pond. Only weeks ago the area had scores of frogs and spawn everywhere. Today quiet as a mouse, with no signs of any frogs or spawn! what on earth can have gone on?
Checked out Daphne Mezereone and its leafing up nicely, remember the more leaves the better the bloom next year. Counting 9 EPO (Early Purple Orchid) rosettes at about 4" diameter. (5 spotted leaves and 4 plain)
Skylarks singing on territory (Holme Park Fell), also Skylarks grounded along with about 30 Meadow Pipits, some 9 Mipits also went NW overhead
My birding highlight today just had to be the sight of two Wheatear in the Whinn Yeates (Farleton side are), whether these are the nearby breeders or not I really dont know, but a great sight and my first of the year.
Photos today: Holme Park Fell on 28th March 2019
The Coltsfoot was seen at two separate areas, but the plant above was a super large specimen, cant say I have seen them so big before. The next photo below shows the Daphne Mezereone now leafing up and final photo shows a new beginning for a Carline Thistle.
Wild Strawberry photo: taken today on Holme Park Fell. Barren taken a couple of days ago on Dalton Crags.
The photos are lined up like this to show the difference by leaf - both types of Strawberry are found throughout Hutton Roof complex - probably the Barren is more frequent.
Carlina vulgaris (Carline Thistle) - Click over to enlarge
Photo: 28th March 2019 - Holme Park Fell (NT)
(Above) This photo shows the new plant at the top, all new plants at the present are approx 1 1/4" rosettes. The bottom part of the photo shows the old (last years) and new (this years) side by side
Photo: 28th March 2019 - Holme Park Fell (NT)
(a.m) Three Chiffchaffs calling from the Tarn Lane/Cinderbarrow areas this morning alongside the railway track (all regular breeding areas)
thanks to information from Sandra.
Today has shown the first (so early) Early Purple Orchid in flower down in Kent. I expect ours around 30 to 35 days away.
Wednesday 27th March 2019 - Dalton Crags
Photo: 27th March 2019 - Dalton Crags
The first thing I met on leaving Plain Quarry car park was to find some new scollie croziers tucked away in the canopied undergrowth (see photo above) - So it should not be long now before we start to see the little beauties.
Again just the single Chiffchaff calling from Plain Quarry. A couple of Song Thrush penetrating the air with their splendid varietal repertoire, I loved it and could well have spent lots more time listening to this fabulous "natural" performance. Skylarks also filling in between with their great springtime sallies.
Today had both the male and female Stonechat on territory below the line of trees with the female providing the vocals (chakking).
Had just a occasional trickles of Meadow Pipits following their regular line of flight to the NW, and over the hour had 12 (1,5,1,1,1,2,1)
Noticed several nice Dog Violets plants and Primroses starting to come through.
Tuesday 26th March 2019 - Dalton Crags
I wanted to go and monitor the Meadow Pipit passage to the NW and also to see if I could spot any early Swallows making their way North.
One of the little Chiffchaff beauties was gracing the air in song at Plain Quarry, but never had the other one today. Once you entered higher Dalton Crags the Skylarks took over with their full song and aerial behavious of ups and down flight. A female Stonechat was again present to the West side of the Gully (3/4 way up the track on Dalton upper). Our Kestrel has returned and seen hovering in the fields over Crag House. Meadow Pipits were going through slow but regular with about 15 over half hour (3,1,3,2,1,5). Lots (20/30) of noisy Herring Gulls constantly calling from such a phenomenal height (500 yards plus)
Monday 25th March 2019 - Dalton Crags
A pair of Green Woodpeckers were calling and answering back to one another over about 300 yards. Skylarks beautiful song could be heard throughout Dalton and on top of Common and back which must have been several birds in total at times good impersonations of both Redpoll and Tree Pipit. The female Stonechat on territory which I had on Saturday last was there and chakking and let me walk past her within about 25ft without flinching. A further Stonechat was seen further up the Crags near to the gully which I don't think would have been the same pair. Little was seen on overhead migration, although when I was coming back over on the Crag Farm side of Dalton there were maybe up to 20 Meadow Pipits on local territory. It's more than possible these birds were resting up. The weather was lovely and sunny today but there were headwinds for the birds coming from a North/North East direction.
Saw more Rue Leaved Saxifrage which is out in protrusion
Photo: 25th March 2019 - Crag Farm Side - Dalton.
Sunday 24th March 2019 - Arnside Knott
It really can be a Knot!
By the way - found some lost car keys for a Mitsibishi with a leather key fob with metal plate stating "Osborne" Car dealership from Colchester, I have contacted the company with email and awaiting their reply.
Found at SD 4542577481
Saturday 23rd March 2019 - Lancelot Clark Storth
Photo: 23rd March 2019 - Lancelot Clark Storth (CWT)
Today amongst many other things one of my main objectives were to update the growth of the rosettes for the Early Purple Orchids. As you can see from the above photos they are doing extremely well. I surveyed 37 plants (which of course is only a fraction of the totals, but just from this amount I managed to confirm that 22 had marked leaves whilst 15 plants had totally unmarked leaves, which was surprising to realize there would be so many unmarked, and I would say the plants will be in blossom somewhere around their normal expected date eg: the first week in May, although it is possible they may just be a little sooner (up to one week).
I managed also to confirm that at least two of the three Chiffchaffs are back in lower Lancelot and were singing away. Redpoll were also calling mid way up Lancelot and I got the impression they were already on territory. Odd Skylarks singing. Found the following Slime Moulds which look interesting.
Photo taken today 23rd March 2019.
Found within a rotting down log pile in Lancelot Clark Storth (CWT)
It is thought that this will be the pre-forming of Ceratiomyxa fruitculosa which was seen about 12" away from the formed slime mould
Found within a rotting down log pile in Lancelot Clark Storth (CWT)
The cream mould was independent of the rest, I do find this one every now and again and obviously it stands out. On dying small tree timber.
The other two eg: the one on the top and again the one on the bottom left I think could well be the same sort of mould. The reason I say this is that the one on the bottom left was almost lying under the one which is shown on the top. I wonder if the bottom one was part-formed against a fully formed.
Photo: 23rd March 2019
I checked out the Fly Orchids on Lancelot Clark Storth (CWT) and they seem to be doing fine, check the photo above, also I checked out the Ceterach ferns we have at two separate areas of Lancelot. Other flora included the rare Blue Moor Grass, Barren Strawberry and lots of Primroses. Ramsons are also doing well, but would reckon at least one month away.
Thursday 21st March 2019 - Dalton Crags
A quick check out of Dalton Crags produced my first two Chiffchaffs of the year (Plain Quarry), which means they are a little early on previous years (usually around the 25th to 28th). Also the upper crags was filled with the sounds of Skylarks, definately 2 or more singers. A female Stonechat had arrived back on territory and was Chakking away quite close to were it bred last year. Meadow Pipits are slow at the moment and over one hour had about 14 heading W/NW which included two 6 parties and individuals.
Also nice to get my first showing of the rare (but locally common) Sesleria caerulea (Blue Moor Grass)
Photo: 21st March 2019 - Dalton Crags
(Vernal Equinox) Wednesday 20th March 2019 - Memories of a "Vernal Equinox" from 6 years ago
Same day but 6 years ago and the weather was rather different!
Tuesday 12th March 2019 - Burton Memorial Hall
Enjoyed doing presentation for the Kent Lune Trefoil Guild on Bird Migration and the Orchids of Hutton Roof
Tuesday 12th March 2019 - Burton Memorial Hall
Enjoyed doing presentation for the Kent Lune Trefoil Guild on Bird Migration and the Orchids of Hutton Roof
Saturday 9th March 2019 - Dalton Crags
Asplenium scolopendrium - early day croziers 4ft down a gryke on limestone pavement
showing as early as 9th March 2019
Showing next to last years scollies, I have never known them so early, this is the only low gryke they are showing. I checked out scores today, they must have been warm and comfortable to come through so early. They are about 4ft down the gryke and beyond touching distance.
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Thursday 7th March 2019 - Holme Stinted Pastures
Checking out the Daphne Mezereone with Ian (the Daphne man!)
Wednesday 6th March 2019 - Nelson, Lancs
Enjoyed doing my Bird/Vismig presentation to members of the Nelson Naturalist Society
Tuesday 5th March 2019 - Holme Stinted Pastures (Hutton Roof)
Enjoyed doing my Bird/Vismig presentation to members of the Nelson Naturalist Society
Tuesday 5th March 2019 - Holme Stinted Pastures (Hutton Roof)
Rare unusual Asplenium trichomanes (Maidenhair spleenwort) lengths and also some nice lichens
Photo: taken on Holme Stinted Pastures on 5th March 2019 (Click over to enlarge)
Showing two large 'Trichomanes' (Maidenhair spleenwort) fronds which I found today and taken from the same plant (see photos below). I have never seen anything so long. The frond lengths of the top frond (dark frond) is: from tip to Low pinnae 10 1/2" or (27cm) add extra 2" for stipe. And the bottom frond (light frond) is: from tip to low pinnae 8 1/8" or (24 3/4"cm)
These two photos above show the fronds in situ. A limestone pavement with a grike. In the grike is growing a small tree. About 3ft down the grike you can see a A. Scolopendrium (Harts Tongue fern) and from the surface of the limestone grows a large A. Trichomanes (Maidenhair Spleenwort) with lots of large fronds just like the ones you see above. All the fronds seem large and its possible there could be more even longer. The whole area is showing large amounts of A. ruta-muraria (Common Wall Rue).
I was drawn to these specimens and other nearby specimens because they looked slightly different than the norm, together with this extraordinary length of fronds makes them especially interesting and I have called upon my friend and his expert friends for their wisdom and advice. For now I have included a few more photos.
A. Trichomanes at the extraordinary length of 10 1/2" (or 27cm from tip to lowest pinnae
This shows both specimens with the sori on view (Click over to enlarge)
This shows the 'weak' version of sori on the rear of Specimen 2 (the smaller frond)
Asplenium Trichomanes (Maidenhair Spleenwort) part of the frond belonging Specimen 2 (the smaller frond)
Asplenium Trichomanes (Maidenhair Spleenwort) part of the frond belonging Specimen 2 (the smaller frond)
Asplenium Trichomanes (Maidenhair Spleenwort) part of the frond belonging Specimen 1 (the larger frond)
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Nice rock with a tree growing from it's centre on Holme Stinted Pastures today (5th March 2019)
It's some sort of strange animal with a eye, a sharp sloping face, and legs tucked under like a frog, but what do you think of it's rather grand crested antlers, they tell me it's prehistoric!! - Run boy run!
What a beautiful lichen found on Holme Stinted Pastures today (5th March 2019)
Squamarina cartilaginea
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It's some sort of strange animal with a eye, a sharp sloping face, and legs tucked under like a frog, but what do you think of it's rather grand crested antlers, they tell me it's prehistoric!! - Run boy run!
Squamarina cartilaginea
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Monday 4th March 2019 - Lancelot Clark Storth (CWT) and Hutton Roof Common
Early Purple Orchids
Orchis mascula (Early Purple Orchid) - Click over to enlarge
Photo: 4th March 2019 - Lancelot Clark Storth (CWT)
These (above) were all taken today within a area of 10ft diameter and show several Early Purple Orchid rosettes at their current stage. The spotted leaf one showing the 50p is about 4" in diameter and most of the others are between 3" and 4"
Monday 4th March 2019 - Lancelot Clark Storth (CWT) and Hutton Roof Common
Sanicula europaea (Sanicle), Asplenium viride (Green Spleenwort)
Polystitchum lonchitis (Holly Fern No.1) Polystitchum lonchitis (Holly Fern No.2)
Photo: taken Hutton Roof Common on 4th March 2019
These (above) were taken today whilst on Hutton Roof, I went to check out the Holly Ferns, via the Green Spleenworts and on a route which does have plenty of Sanicle
Monday 4th March 2019 - Lancelot Clark Storth (CWT) and Hutton Roof Common
Polystitchum lonchitis (Holly Fern No.1) Polystitchum lonchitis (Holly Fern No.2)
Photo: taken Hutton Roof Common on 4th March 2019
These (above) were taken today whilst on Hutton Roof, I went to check out the Holly Ferns, via the Green Spleenworts and on a route which does have plenty of Sanicle
Saturday 2nd March 2019 - Holme Stinted Pastures - Hutton Roof
Daphne Mezereone at its very best and lots of frogs at their spawning pond on Holme Stinted Pastures
Daphne Mezereone as of 2nd March 2019 (Click over to enlarge)
The above are a collage showing different views of the gorgeous aromatic plant. We even have some of the lovely green leaves showing. To see full views of the above plants check out the individual shots below.
Daphne Mezereone as of 2nd March 2019 (Click over to enlarge)
Daphne Mezereone as of 2nd March 2019 (Click over to enlarge)
Daphne Mezereone as of 2nd March 2019 (Click over to enlarge)
Daphne Mezereone as of 2nd March 2019 (Click over to enlarge)
Daphne Mezereone as of 2nd March 2019 (Click over to enlarge)
Daphne Mezereone as of 2nd March 2019 (Click over to enlarge)
Shows frogs at their spawning pool
Shows frogs at their spawning pool
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Friday 1st March 2019 - Pickles and Lancelot
Daphne Mezereone at its very best and lots of frogs at their spawning pond on Holme Stinted Pastures
The above are a collage showing different views of the gorgeous aromatic plant. We even have some of the lovely green leaves showing. To see full views of the above plants check out the individual shots below.
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Friday 1st March 2019 - Pickles and Lancelot
What I saw whilst heading through Pickles Wood and Lancelot Clark Storth
yesterday (February 28th 2019)
Top L: Black Spleenwort Top R: Green Elf Cup
Bottom L: 'Stick em up' Bottom R: Common Polypody
Had a party of at least 70 Redwing feeding up behind Russell Cottage (Dalton Hamlet). The special bonus was that beside them calling their regular "see-ip" magic, some of them also called their rare roosting single syllable deep gruff call. Maybe they are roosting there. I am sure this could well be the same party which have been seen recently over in Curwen Wood.
For the second time in a week I have had the beautiful little Marsh Tits calling from the same area eg: behind Russell Cottage (Dalton Hamlet)
A couple of Song Thrush were singing and one of them procured the following (short version), to hear the full version you must go and check them out - here we go
Tuchat, tuchat, tuchat (too chat),
Wit, Wit, Wit,
What wi, what wi, what wi,
Who wit hoo won, who whit hoo won, who whit hoo won,
Tuchoo, tuchoo, tuchoo,
Wititoo, wititoo, wititoo,
Whit-ee, whit-ee, whit-ee
Chew, chew, chew, chew,
Wee-ip, wee-ip, wee-ip,
Starling squabble chatter,
single "trimphone" call,
Tuchoo, tuchoo, tuchoo
Hou-whit, hou-whit, hou-whit,
Tuchoo, tuchoo, tuchoo
and lots lots more....
Chiffchaff on 25th February (Wivenhow Woods - South of England)
Wheatear seen on 26th Feb, Ferrybridge Nr. Portland Bill.
Sand Martins seen at Brockhole (27th), Leighton Moss (24th) and Marshside on (27th).
I have recently had Brimstones, Comma and Red Admiral and there have also been reports of Painted Lady both local and throughout the Country as a whole.
Lots of large bumblebees local in Burton on pussy willow and ivy (27th Feb).
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