Unseasonal Warm Weather

As we await Storm Freya and the changeable weather to follow it, observations and photographs show us the results of the unseasonal warm weather.  Brimstone butterflies were seen on the 16th Feb whilst Small Tortoiseshell butterflies were seen flying around on the 24th and 25th Feb.  Water Crickets were seen on the 11th and 19th Feb.

The bird box building activity was able to be held outside in the warmth and sunshine.  The guided walk showing the variety of nest boxes resulted in three species of ladybird being noted and photographed.  The most common ladybird is the 7 Spot, but over recent years their numbers have decreased.

Kidney Spot Ladybirds live at 'Kidney Spot Corner' on the Ash trees.  Over time they have been found on other Ash trees but more recently they have been recorded on Willow.

A much smaller ladybird is the Heather Ladybird, not a frequent visitor to our Observation Board.

Blackthorn always opens its buds first on the shrubs along Risedale Beck and this year is no exception.  In amongst the buds are spiders, their presence only noted by the silken strands.

The flower group have found at least one Primrose in flower over winter, for the last few years.  Even hunting with binoculars for anything that looks yellow so far we have failed.  A single bud was found today!