WFV, Tuesday 20th August 2024 Leeds Liverpool Canal from Leeds Train Station

It started as a cool and breezy day. The sun appeared after mid day and temperatures rose. Today we were looking in the main at the plants that have colonised the walls, canal side, locks and wasteland surrounding the Leeds Liverpool canal and the local conservation initiatives. A group of 11 Bees members gathered at the south entrance of the station before descending into Granary Wharfe on the escalators. Here the River Aire flows through a channel underneath the Arches to merge with the canal. ( My first spot was a lady with bright red hair, Louise Haigh the Minister for Transport, later seen walking along the canal). Steve a Leeds resident was able to join us and provided vital guidance during the day. 

There were a surprising number and variety of plants growing on the walls, wayside and the canal. Alice identified 74 species.

The group progressed at different rates and enjoyed lunch sitting on the sustainable benches in Whitehall riverside park, a recent innovation designed to offer the office workers an opportunity for some relaxation during the day. All around we were surrounded by towering buildings, offices and apartments of dynamic and developing Leeds. Insect life was present with butterflies- common blue, the whites, dragonflies- several brown hawker and the distinctive banded demoiselle damsel fly. 

We found our way thanks to Steve’s guidance to Monk Bridge Viaduct Park. This park with it’s wonderful display of grasses, flowers and shrubs has been constructed by developers over the old railway viaduct (built in 1846) spanning the canal and River Aire and leading to Leeds central station. There were wonderful views of the city of Leeds as well as the canal and River Aire. A kingfisher was seen making repeated dives into the water. 

Several of the group choose to return to the station via the riverside path. The bunds containing plants and supporting insect life (another conservation initiative) lined the River Aire. The majority of the group continued their exploration of the canal returning to the station around 5 pm.

The special plants of the Leeds Liverpool canal were :

Walls : Harts tongue fern, wall rue, black spleenwort, red valerian, liverworts (underside of bridges).

Water, Waterside, Canal : Gipsywort, skullcap, white water- lily, arrowhead, water mint, common meadow- rue, hemlock water dropwort.

River; Musk and unbranched bur reed.  

Garden and Towpath:  White hedgerow cranesbill, prickly lettuce, bristly oxtongue, welted thistle, hoary mustard, common toadflax, great mullein, fool’s parsley, meadow cranesbill, broad -leaved willow herb, burdock, figwort.

A surprising and well attended visit. An opportunity for Julia and Kevin to take a break from driving. Perhaps we should consider using the train for visits in the future. Any ideas?

Margaret