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...
5
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...
4
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...
3
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...
11
WHIRLIGIG BEETLES
We saw these small, shiny, carnivorous insects swimming in their crazy circles on the surface of one of the Gallows Hill ponds....
2
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...
2
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...
18
BEECH
The limbs of these mature trees on Birdcage Walk or in Great Dib Wood throw some dramatic shapes - they're simply magnificent. Their...
3
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...
5
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...
2
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...
20
SONGTHRUSH
Usually a star of the RSPB's #dawnchorusday, this bird can often be heard at Gallows Hill. Its beautiful song consists of repeated...
2
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...
11
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...
1
WILLOW WARBLER
Another summer visitor with a somewhat nondescript appearance but a distinctive call - I've seen it accurately described as a "wistfully...
2
SWALLOW
Half a dozen were skimming the meadow below Haslinghall farm, hunting for insects, and at times it seemed like they were skimming our...
0
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...
5
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...
3
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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