Bradford Botany Group
Members needing further details or transport please contact enquiries@bradfordbotanygroup.co.uk
Participants may wish to use this checklist in order to be prepared for these outings: First aid kit, water, flask, food, walking boots or wellingtons, waterproof clothing, spare clothing, hat, gloves, maps, books, watch, money, camera, binoculars, hand lens, mobile telephone and midge repellent.
DATE
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DESTINATION |
MEETING ARRANGEMENTS |
Sun, 11 th April |
OTLEY CHEVIN FOREST PARK A mixture of woodland and heathland flora with many planted tree species. Early spring flowers will already be underway, but the main aim will be to brush up our tree identification skills, particularly conifers. A genera key will be supplied.
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10:30 am Meet in Quarry car park, the lowest on East Chevin Road. From the A658 Yeadon to Pool road, head NW at the traffic lights (SE 229 431). The car park is 2km further, on the LHS. Alternatively, approach from the town centre: the CP is then on the RHS approx 1km from Otley. |
Sat, 24 th April |
BROCKADALE followed by ANNUAL MEAL Magnesian limestone grassland and woodland/scrub with a diverse range of early spring flowers.
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1:30 pm Take the minor road going NW from Little Smeaton. After about 1km, look for the track on the LHS ( Leys Lane) which leads to the Reserve carpark at the above GR. We will regroup at Rogerthorpe Manor at 18.00 for our meal at 18.30. Details will be circulated separately. |
Sat, 8 th May |
THURCROFT MINERAL LINE Joint meeting with Rotherham Naturalists’ Society. Easy walking along this disused mineral line with seats along the way. Nearby housing has resulted in the growth of many garden escapes alongside the native flora.
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10:30 am From the M1, jct. 33 take the A630 towards Rotherham, then the A631 to Wickersley. At the roundabout, take the B6060 south and continue to Thurcroft. In Thurcroft, follow the minor road to the above GR. The car park is on the right, close to the railway bridge.
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Fri, 21 st May |
STRANS and RAIS WOODS Strans Wood is a superb example of an upland limestone ash woodland, growing on a steep fellside with areas of limestone pavement and grassland. Grazing has now ceased in Rais Wood and it will be interesting to compare the species lists from the two sites.
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10:30 am Take the B6160 north from Kettlewell towards Buckden. Bear left opposite the pub, through Hubberhome and continue on this minor road to Yockenthwaite. Meet at Yockenthwaite Bridge. Park on the roadside 100m uphill from the bridge at the above GR.
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Sun, 6 th June |
SCAR CLOSE and RIBBLEHEAD QUARRY Joint meeting with the Wild Flower Society. Scar Close is the best example of upland limestone pavement in Britain, with a rich assemblage of plants. The disused quarry nearby is gradually colonizing and already has an interesting range of plants.
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10:30 am Pre-booking is essential, since it may be necessary to limit numbers. Please ‘phone or send an email to Neil from May onwards to reserve a place and obtain details of where to meet etc. |
Thurs, 10 th – Mon, 14 th June (4nights) |
BBG HOLIDAY TO ANGLESEY
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Details will be made available separately to those who have expressed interest.
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Sun, 20 th June |
UPPER TEESDALE A chance to see some of the Teesdale specialities, with a profusion of other northern plants in flower . Approx. 8 km in total, easy walking but wet in parts.
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10:30 am From Middleton-in-Teesdale take the B6277 up the dale towards Forest-in-Teesdale. Turn left immediately before the Langdon Beck Hotel after a narrow bridge (NY 853 312), and follow that road for 800m, over a bridge crossing Harwood Beck. Park on grass by NNR sign and gate on the left just before a cattle grid. |
Wed, 23 rd June |
HOLME HOUSE WOODS, KEIGHLEY An interesting range of habitats including streamside woodland, marsh, and both acidic and calcareous grassland. Wellingtons or good walking boots advisable.
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7:00 pm From Keighley town centre, take the B6143 up Oakworth Rd. After approx. 800m, turn right on Fell Lane. Proceed for another 700m and park on the RHS near the public footpath sign and opposite Rose Meadows cul-de-sac.
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Sat, 3 rd July |
SCARGILL HOUSE A unique opportunity to visit a private estate (30 ha), with ash woodland, scree, crags, limestone grassland, hay meadow and pasture as the main habitats. Active management is now being carried out here which should result in an improving flora.
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10:30am From Skipton, take the B6160 to Kettlewell. Cross the first bridge over the river, then take the next right just before the second bridge. At the maypole, bear right down a single-track road. Scargill is 1.5km on the left hand side. Look out for a large pair of gates with a cattle grid. The car park is at the top of the drive on the left.
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Wed, 14 th July |
DENSO MARSTON NATURE RESERVE, BAILDON A nature reserve on the urban fringe in the grounds of a local company, managed for its wildlife interest. This is a 7 acre site made up of woodland, grassland and pools. It is 8 years since our last visit here, and it is expected that the botanical interest will have further increased.
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6:45 pm Park in the layby near St James Church on the west side of Otley Road (A6038), Charlestown, Shipley. Meet by the gate on the opposite side of the road where the public footpath leads down to the reserve. |
Sun, 18 th July |
COOMBS DALE SSSI, DERBYSHIRE Joint meeting with the Derbyshire Flora Group. Species include many calcicole plants. Good walking on tarmac and grassy paths, with a gradual ascent. If time allows we may also visit Longstone Edge . Distance up to 8km (with Longstone option).
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10:30 am Meet on the slip road beside Calver Sough crossroads, just off the A623 approx. 1km SE of Stoney Middleton.
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Sat, 31 st July |
CUSWORTH PARK and MARR HILLS AND HOLES Joint meeting with Doncaster Naturalists’ Society. Cusworth has a variety of habitats including woodland, grassland and lakes fed by calcareous springs. Several sedges are present, plus a variety of aquatics. Marr is species-rich magnesian limestone grassland with some interesting calcicoles.
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10:30 am Follow the A1(M) south to Jct. 37, then take the A635 left towards Doncaster. After approx. 1 km turn right on to the minor road to Cusworth. At the T junction a further 1 km south, turn left on to Back Lane, when the car park is approached after some 300m. Parking approx. £3 per car. A café and toilet facilities are available.
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Wed, 4 th August |
RAILWAY TERRACE LNR A chance to explore naturally regenerating lowland heath. The timing of this visit is 10 weeks later in the year than our last visit in 2009.
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6:45 pm Approx. 2km from the Odsal roundabout. Meet on the cobbled road between the two pubs (Black Horse and The George) on the left hand side of Cleckheaton Road, just before the railway bridge.
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Sat, 14 th August |
GLASSON ESTUARY The area is bordered by extensive salt marshes, and the full sequence from pioneer zones to brackish marsh and reedswamp can be seen .
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10:30 am Leave the M6 at Jct. 33 and go north on the A6 to Galgate. At the crossroads in the village centre turn left and then keep left to take a minor road past Ellel Hall and over the canal bridge. Continue west to Conder Green crossing the A588, past the pub and follow signs to the car park. |
Wed, 18 th August |
SWINSTY RESERVOIR We hope to explore the draw down zone to find a variety of interesting plants.
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1:30 pm Meet in Stack Point car park. From the B6451, turn west at the T junction (SE 207 534) just north of Bland Hill. After 600m, bear right, cross an arm of the reservoir, and then turn immediately left into the car park. |
Sat, 28 th August |
STRENSALL COMMON and MOORLANDS Strensall Common is a fine example of lowland heath, well known for its rare flora and fauna. Moorlands is an old Victorian garden now managed as a nature reserve. There is a good variety of trees and ferns and naturally established garden plants. Easy walking, but waterproof footwear is essential.
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10:30 am Take the A64 towards Malton. Approx. 10km after the A1079 turnoff to York, take the left turn to Flaxton. In Flaxton village turn left to Strensall. After crossing a cattle grid, park on the left just before the road turns sharply left in front of a white cottage. |
Sun, 12 th Sept. |
GEOFF APPLEYARD MEMORIAL TREE WALK: CASTLE HOWARD The arboretum is a joint venture with Kew Gardens and has been open to the public for a few years. Although still young, it is of international importance, with thousands of trees from all over the world, and includes many rare and/or endangered species.
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10:30 am Take the A64 towards Malton and about 10km from the end of the York by-pass turn left onto the minor road signposted Castle Howard. After nearly 6 km, at the obelisk on the main drive, turn left down the track for the arboretum and after a short distance turn left into the car park near the Visitor Centre. The entry charge is £5.
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