A sunshine day out for naturalists
A WONDERFUL Spring Day which featured sunshine, new lambs, flowers, birds, bees, butterflies and the strangest rock formations was enjoyed recently by the Rochdale Field Naturalists.
The monthly coach trip took the group to Brimham Rocks in North Yorkshire.
At this National Trust site, the outcrops of rock have been sandblasted by fierce winds over millennia, resulting in weird and wonderful rock shapes.
The site, a favourite family destination, was busy with visitors, but that did not deter a mole from scurrying in front of us, frantically looking for soil in which to burrow.
The group strolled over fields, beside brooks and through woods, eventually reaching the River Nidd itself, flowing through a beautiful intimate wooded valley, finishing in Pateley Bridge.
Progress was slow as everyone checked the wildlife – a huge range of birds, insects and flowers - many putting in their first appearances of the year.
By the streamside an eagle-eyed member of the party spotted a bee-fly, looking like “a fly in a fur coat with wings of clear cellophane”.
Crossing one field there was a ewe with newly born twin lambs.
All appeared to be doing well, as we passed quietly by.
As the group crowded into the tea-room, chairman Rick Cowley was heard to declare as he munched into his carrot cake – “The perfect end to a perfect day!”
The Rochdale Field Naturalists organise interesting coach trips to places of wildlife interest every month of the year (Contact 01706 644394 to book - Fare £15) plus local car trips, Rochdale walks and other RFNS activities.
For further details please go to our NEW website www. rochdalefieldnaturalists. org.uk or our Facebook page.