The Wharfdale Naturalists contribute a short 'Nature Notes' section to the Ilkley Gazette each week. I am one of four people who write these. This blog contains my 'Nature Notes'.
July 2019: Brown Hares
In a recent Nature Notes, Denis described how mountain hares are relatively common in parts of Scandinavia. Of course, in Britain we have indigenous mountain hares (Lepus timidus). Despite some wider reintroductions in the 19 th C, they are now limited to parts of Scotland and the Peak District (Northern Ireland has another subspecies). More widesp...
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June 2019: Cuckoos
As I mentioned in a previous Nature Notes, the Cuckoos (Cuculus canorous) that frequent Ilkley Moor are back. They travel from sub-Saharan Africa – and spend more of the year in Africa than they do here. So, these are temporary visitors from abroad - but this is definitely not a holiday for them! Cuckoos are ‘obligate brood parasites’. This means t...
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May 2019: Ilkley Moor's Ground Nesting Birds
At this time of year many ground (and low) nesting birds have made their homes in the vegetation on Ilkley Moor, and are busy laying and incubating eggs and raising their young. Most people are familiar with the Red Grouse, but Meadow Pipits are also widespread. They can be seen on both the lower and upper parts of the moor. At first sight these ap...
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May 2019: The Aftermath (Moor Fire)
The previous Saturday afternoon was hot and sunny. I was near the top of Heber’s Ghyll, photographing a rather accommodating toad that was slowly making its way down a gully. I thought there was a faint smell of smoke in the air – but couldn’t see why this would be the case. As I walked back in the direction of White Wells the first of the fire eng...
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April 2019: Roe Deer
A few days ago, shortly after sunrise, I was walking on Ilkley moor. It was a mild morning, slightly overcast, with just a gentle breeze. I was out before the dog walkers and joggers so, apart from the birds, there was little movement. My goal had been to see whether the migratory ground nesting birds had started to arrive. However, my attention wa...
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March 2019: Grey Wagtails
In the last couple of weeks, grey wagtails (Motacilla cinerea) have started to reappear along the river Wharfe, where it flows through Ilkley. They nest in crevices between rocks, or tree roots, or in man-made structures (e.g., the bridges), and are a relatively frequent sight in all but the coldest months. They seem to disappear in the winter, but...
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Feb 2019: Otters
In the 1970s otters (Lutra lutra) had disappeared from most of the waterways of England and Wales. It had been legal to hunt otters with dogs for centuries. However, it seems that environmental pollution was the primary reason for what had been a relatively rapid decline in numbers. In particular this was attributed to the use of organochlorine pes...
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Jan 2019: Red Grouse
Boxing day was mild and dry, if somewhat overcast. Along with many others, I headed out for Ilkley Moor to walk off the excesses of Christmas Day. Passing White Wells, I followed the path that leads to the Valley of the Rocks, before diverting and, with a little effort, making my way up the steep and uneven steps to the ridge-line. The panoramic vi...
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Jan 2019: Cormorants
During the winter months cormorants (Phalacrocorax carbo) can be seen along the river Wharfe. The yellow gular pouch at the base of their bills and their green eyes are striking when caught in direct sunlight. For much of the year, the plumage of adult birds appears a fairly uniform black. Although closer inspection reveals an interesting black and...
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Dec 2018: Little Egret
When walking alongside the river Wharfe grey herons are a familiar sight. You may have seen one standing sentry in the water - its long neck allowing it to peer down and strike at passing fish; or perhaps stealthily patrolling the shallower stretches, looking for prey in the water or on the bank. Lately a less common close relative has been ‘in tow...
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Nov 2018: Great Spotted Woodpecker
Over a recent couple of days, I have been watching a great spotted woodpecker at a roost hole. These are striking looking birds, black and white, but with bright red under-tail and, for the males, a red patch on the nape (see photograph). However, it was its distinctive call that first attracted my attention. It was a sunny, crisp morning and, as i...
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Nov 2018: Kingfishers
It is always exciting to see a kingfisher – and the autumn can be a particularly good time for this. In recent weeks they have been active in several places along the River Wharfe. To increase your chances it’s worth listening out for the rather shrill ‘peep’ that they frequently (but not always) make in flight. If you hear it – quickly cast your e...
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SJW