WFV, Kirkstall Forge and Kirkstall Abbey, 17.2.26

We were lucky to have a fine day for this visit given the recent spell of exceptionally wet weather. Our party of 10, plus one junior member, Miah, were informed of the change of walk route for the day with the intention being to walk the canal towpath as far as members of the group wished, or felt able.  We welcomed Eric back following a long absence but sadly his walk proved to be short-lived as he fell early on and was unable to continue.  Fortunately there was a Canal and Rivers Trust employee working nearby who kindly agreed to take Eric up to the roadside to await a taxi to take him home.  We later learnt that he had been able to secure an appointment with his GP that afternoon to be checked over.  

By this time our party had become fragmented as Julia, Sue and Steve returned to assist Alice who had been walking with Eric at the time of his fall.  We did all eventually meet up somewhat later in the day at Butler’s Cafe, which is adjacent to the station, to exchange notes on sightings.  5 of us did reach the Abbey grounds where we were delighted to see a mass of crocus in flower, as well as groups of snowdrops and newly emerging daffodils.  

Birds noted over the course of the day were cormorant, black-headed and herring gulls, heron, a pair of great crested grebe, mallard, blackbird, robin and a goldcrest flitting amongst the branches of a tree.  A song thrush was seen  in the fields searching for food and Sue managed to get a beautiful shot of a kingfisher amongst some bushes on the opposite side of the canal.  Jelly ear, slime mould and blushing bracket were spotted and Alice was particularly taken with the length of the alder catkins.  Other plants in flower were common speedwell, dog’s mercury, shepherd’s purse, ivy-leaved speedwell, annual meadow grass, cherry plum and common whitlow.

All in all an eventful day!

Sally Tetlow