WFV Strid Woods, Bolton Abbey Estate 13.05.25

This was a very popular outing with 11 participants taking the opportunity to
visit the Bolton Abbey estate and complete a circular walk in Strid Woods (the
hefty car parking charges had put people off previously). The walk was
completed in glorious sunshine while the shade of the woodland meant that
conditions were extremely pleasant. The woodland was carpeted with wild
garlic. Both birders and botanists were delighted with what was seen.
The birders recorded sightings of pied and spotted flycatcher, redstart, garden
warbler, chiff chaff, heron, mandarin duck with ducklings, sandpiper,
goosander, dipper, grey and pied wagtail. Tawny owl, cuckoo and blackcap
were heard.
The botanists recorded 70 plants. As well as the large expanse of ramsons,
sweet cicely, sanicle, herb paris, greater and wood stitchwort, woodruff, wood
sorrel, wood sedge, wood melick were among the many plants seen in the
woodland. The ferns oak, beech and hard fern were recorded. Primroses and
cowslips were seen approaching the aqueduct together with tormentil and
birds foot trefoil on more open land.
Insect species recorded included the butterflies, green veined white, orange
tip, brimstone, red admiral, peacock, small copper, and speckled wood. The
moths included common heath and beautiful snout.
Thanks go to John and Alice for these important records. Sue also has taken
some excellent bird photos.
Margaret