Author: Barnsley_Nats

On Saturday 11th July our next walk is to the RSPB Old Moor site, which is just of Manvers Way. While Old Moor is popular with bird watchers they have a growing number of other species on the site, some that are taking some of the lime-light from the birds. If you are able to look at the RSPB Facebook page you will see that there have been sightings of two Norfolk Hawkers. While these were males it would suggest that they are breeding on site or close by, rather than having being blown of course.

For this walk we will split into two smaller groups, to allow better observation. Group one will be looking for hoverflies with Mark and group two will look for dragonflies and damselflies with Catherine; then the groups will swap places. This way everybody gets a chance to spot something and gain some knowledge with help from Mark and Catherine; both have great passion for our day’s targeted species. On our Links page you will find the link to Marks hoverfly website, look for : Distracted by Hoverflies – Spotters Blogs

To get further details please drop an email to [email protected]

This coming Wednesday evening, 24th June, we will be looking at the trees in the grounds at Wortley Hall. We will be getting a glimpse of tree species that we do not usually encounter, as our leader shares his knowledge on the history of the trees; many of them being arboretum style specimen species. This is one venue that we visit often, usually for the mushrooms later in the year, though there is always something of interest to observe.

We will be meeting at 7 pm for this walk to Huskar Woods and Nabs Wood. We will be taking a close look at the ancient woodland indicator plants before the leaf canopy closes over. We will also be on the lookout for the species that call these woods home. With a little bit of local history thrown in there is plenty to tempt many interests.

If you want to join us for this walk, or any of our other events, please drop us an email for further details. [email protected]

We will be taking a look at what is about in the park. Spring shows off an abundance of flowers and insects, with butterflies and damselflies making an appearance in the wider area.

Our walk on 11th April is to the Adwick Washlands, while there will be plenty of the resident birds about, there may also hopefully be a chance to see some migratory bird having a fuel stop before their onward travels.  We will be meeting at 10am in the carpark; details for which are by email request.  When our leader, Lesley, did a route check walk (26th March) there was some flooding on the paths which should be clearing now we have some dry weather.  Hence the name washlands.  This mainly flat terrain makes this a very comfortable walk and the incline /declines we may encounter are minimal, and some paths are a little uneven in places.  

Our other walks to look forwards to over April and May are as follows, including a pop-up that is not on our programme; keep an eye open for updates on these too 22nd April; Dawn Chorus 5:30 am start time 9th May; Dearne Valley Country Park 20th May;. Huskar Woods

We will be looking at the various moss species that are in the area of monk Bretton Priory. Our walk starts at the priory and then we usually cross the road to Barnsley Main Heritage Site. Mark and Catherine will be our leaders for the morning. More details are available by email request from [email protected]

Our field visit on the 12th July is to Rabbit Ings in Royston; details have been emailed out already, please drop us an email if you request this information.

While we intend to look at flowers and insects; there are plenty of other species groups that we never miss. And this site, which we do visit occasionally, offers an array of species for a young Country Park, so there should be plenty to see. The sites that we visit regularly allow for comparison data to be collected, which is an added benefit; having said this we always manage to spot something different. Hopefully the return of water voles, as the reed beds have had some extensive clearing work done to aid their habitat requirements

Darfield Church is the starting point for our next walk; on 18th June . This is an evening walk, to an area that some of our members visited on a morning walk from our programme last year. So providing an opportunity to do a comparison of species. On last year’s list we had goldcrest, a good number of interesting invertebrates, like the Volucella pellucens – Hoverfly which is a bee mimic, and marsh willowherb.

Further information can be email out on request to [email protected]

Saturday 7th June we are having a walk at Green Moor. This is a 10:00am start. The meeting point details have been emailed to members already; so please drop us an email if you want to join us. The email address is
[email protected]

On May the 10th we will be heading to Worsbrough Reservoir, we have yet to confirm the meeting point. As the saying goes ” the early bird catches the worm”. This walk is a 5am start to listen and see the birds as they start their day, and hopefully spot other animals that are not usually about later in the day.

There are activities at the Mill later in the day, starting at 10am; to celebrate the Mills 400 years history. If anybody wants to make a longer day of their visit.

Pictures of wood anemone which will soon be flowering and a hoverfly on its own little bit of sun. These are just two of the many finds for spring: Which is the aim of our next outdoor field visit. There is a change of date from the programme and now will be on 15th March.

If you want to join us please drop us an email for the meeting time and place. [email protected].