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COMMON MAYFLY
I spotted a Mayfly over the riverbank, near the confluence of the Wharfe and the Washburn. Their up-and-down flight pattern is quite...
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GREEN WOODPECKER
We saw this large, colourful bird near the old railway line to the west of town. As well as a vibrant green you see a strong yellow and a...
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PIPISTRELLE BAT
It flew so near me I could hear its wingbeats. As dusk drew in it was hunting insects, flitting expertly in and out of the...
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BUFF TAILED BEE
One of our most common bees, their ability to forage at very long distances has made them a little more resilient to the negative...
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WILD GARLIC
I don't remember a better year for Wild Garlic - it seems to be really flourishing around Otley, competing with the Bluebells for...
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WHIRLIGIG BEETLES
We saw these small, shiny, carnivorous insects swimming in their crazy circles on the surface of one of the Gallows Hill ponds....
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HAWTHORN
Flowering now, in a hedge near you, living up to its other name: Maythorn. Monty Don makes some interesting points about this timing in...
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SWIFTS
When it comes to flight, the Swift makes a lot of birds look like chickens. Not only does it fly thousands of miles to spend a few months...
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BEECH
The limbs of these mature trees on Birdcage Walk or in Great Dib Wood throw some dramatic shapes - they're simply magnificent. Their...
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KINGFISHER
Its spectacular plumage can seem a bit out of place against the dark waters of the Wharfe, but even so, a Kingfisher can be tricky to...
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DANDELIONS
Lots of gardeners curse them, and goodness knows I've had some battles with those growing between our paving stones. But as it flowers...
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MINT MOTH
One of these small, delicate moths was on our kitchen window, handily-placed for our herb garden below, where its caterpillars will also...
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SONGTHRUSH
Usually a star of the RSPB's #dawnchorusday, this bird can often be heard at Gallows Hill. Its beautiful song consists of repeated...
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BLUEBELLS
May always used to be the Bluebell month, but with climate change we have seen them around Otley for several weeks. As well as creating...
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MARTINS
Yes, we're finishing "Bird Week" with two for the price of one. House Martins are attending nests in Albion Street, and Sand Martins can...
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WILLOW WARBLER
Another summer visitor with a somewhat nondescript appearance but a distinctive call - I've seen it accurately described as a "wistfully...
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SWALLOW
Half a dozen were skimming the meadow below Haslinghall farm, hunting for insects, and at times it seemed like they were skimming our...
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GOOSANDER
Pairs of these shy, graceful ducks can be spotted on the Wharfe in Otley and east towards Knotford Nook. With the water shallow and...
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BLACKCAP
One of the easier warblers to identify by sight, the top of the male Blackcap's head is a sooty black, though as with yesterday's bird...
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BLACKBIRD SUNBATHING
A male was soaking up the sunshine with its wings spread downward, an action that maintains the health of its feathers. Over-exposure to...
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