Wednesday May 1st. Rodley reserve on a very mild morning, enjoying the quiet paths and green fields where cowslips still thrive, cow parsley multiply and hawthorn begins to flower.
Sunday May 5th. Once more to Rodley reserve on a sunny warm morning.
Monday May 6th. St Aidens on a very warm Bank Holiday, seeing my first Orange Tip. See also a Bittern in flight from distance. Lots of goslings on view too. And the Little Owl enjoys his audience of visitors!
Wednesday May 8th. Rodley reserve seeing Canadas and offspring.
Friday May 10th. For the first time in three months I’m able to walk for 4 miles. Enjoy the wild garlic on the river walk at Apperley Bridge and quiet stretch of woodland over the canal bridge.
Saturday May 11th. On a cloud free hot morning, visit Ilkley Moor from Dick Hudson’s pub to find Green Hairstreak. Enjoy the peace and solitude on the moors.
Monday May 13th. St Aidens on another very warm day. Seeing baby Canada geese, Gadwall and Meadow Pipit.
Saturday May 18th. Apperley Bridge river walk, on a splendid May morning alive with buttercups.
Monday May 20th. On the river walk from Rodley towards Horsforth, in search of Demoiselle on a cool, grey morning. See just the one male, quietly awaiting some sunshine.
Saturday May 25th. Possibly our last visit to St Aidens, on a warm sunny morning. Hear Whitethroat, Sedge Warbler and Reed Warbler. Lovely buttercups and Oxeye daisy and a few Orchids. See Black-necked Grebe but not babies, and my first Blue-tailed Damselfly of the year.
Dave with his giant cat Goliath!
Favourite 12 for May 2024
