Found this in a tiny pond near “The Barn” beside Thornhill Beck Lane, Clifton. It was probably brought in from a garden centre, but still interesting. There is only one record for Calderdale in West Yorkshire Plant Atlas – at Clifton ! This was reported by Jill Lucas of the YNU before 1994. Must find out if it was in the same pond. It’s possible it could be a hybrid between Bulrush and Lesser Bulrush.
Bur-reed is here in the tiny pond also; another rarity but with more records. It has spiky green balls for flowers.
Also on the walk :
Road-killed toad at “The Barn”. The lane might be a candidate for a toad patrol to be set up as many were said to have been killed last spring.
12 Stock Doves together at “The Barn”
10 Mistle Thrushes together in a field at the top of Jay House Lane
Curlew calling near Whitaker Pits Farm – (present since late winter and thought to have bred.)
30 Goldfinches together feeding on Thistle seeds.
No Tree Sparrows seen but core area not visited – only a few House Sparrows around.
About 4 chiff-chaffs in various places.
A Moorhen with a fairly young juvenile at the big dam above the railway.
The Curlew record is an interesting one, Steve. About the same time last year there were a pair and then a single, paler bird calling and flying towards them.
They were in the fields below Whittaker Pits as well.
Mike
Thanks Mike. I didn't notice them in 2012, but it looks like they've bred here for the last two seasons.
It turns out it is the hybrid between Common and Lesser Bulrush.