Signs of Spring

Wednesday, April 11th 2018

Signs of Spring round two today, and we had a group of 10 come and join in despite the cold, wet weather.

After a short break in the Field Centre to warm up and take a look at the tadpoles and pond mud snails we headed out across the Scrapes towards the pond dipping platforms.

On route the group noticed a whole host of Spring time signs; from the Snowdrops and Daffodils by the Field Centre, to Rooks gathering nest building materials, Willow and Elder buds bursting, and Hazel catkins by the path.

Upon arriving at the pond dipping platforms on the Scrapes we were greeted by the sound of Chiffchaffs and ponds brimming with Frogs, Toads and spawn.

So far so good!

One of the group managed to find this Caddisfly larvae in its silk-spun twig and leaf case.

After our quick dip in the ponds we continued towards the Moorland via the Lake and Hague bridge.

As always Lark and Taurus proved most interesting, although they paid us no mind, barely lifting their heads from grazing by the far fence. Our next sign of Spring was the Bluebell shoots starting to emerge around the stone circle, and from there we headed back to the Field Centre to warm up and practice our colouring skills…

Back out into the cold and wet, we headed down to Risedale Beck to see the Primroses on the Hazel bank and play a game of Pooh sticks on the bridge.

All in all we managed to see the majority of the early Spring signs that people came to see and a few in the group even spotted a Tawny Owl whilst at the Hay Meadow.

During the afternoon it was back onto the Heath for me, where we continue to remove saplings and other vegetation that is threatening to shade out the heather.

Although difficult to see, a great deal of vegetation has now been cut and is ready to be removed from the paddocks tomorrow.

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